Chapter 42 Emotionally tensed
Then he whispered, low and unsteady, “Oh, Lucas… I think I’m losing it over you. What am I going to do about these crazy feelings, hmm?”
Lucas barely had time to breathe before Alex leaned in. A lingering kiss brushed his forehead. It was warm and deliberate. Then he slid to his cheek, soft but loaded with meaning. When Alex pulled back, he didn’t move far. He just stared at him, eyes searching, asking without words. Is this okay? Do you want this too?
Lucas shuddered. Every nerve in his body snapped to attention, confusion tangling helplessly with desire. His heart pounded so loudly he was sure Alex could hear it.
Then—knock, knock.
The sound crashed into their bubble, ripping them back to reality.
Lucas sprang away as if something just burned him. He rushed off without direction, his feet carrying him nowhere in particular until he stopped in front of one of the ceiling-to-floor windows. He stared out blindly, not seeing the view at all. His face flushed as he pressed a palm to his cheek, as though he could cool the heat still lingering there.
Alex exhaled slowly and forced himself to regroup. As the knock came again, firmer this time, he cleared his throat.
“Yes,” he called, steady despite the chaos inside him. “Come in.”
The door opened.
Lucas stiffened instantly and turned, dread spiking. He thought it would be Zenith standing there, searching for him.
But it wasn’t.
Relief washed through him so hard his knees nearly buckled.
It was the same waitress he had noticed earlier that morning—the one who had stood beside him while they admired Alex from afar.
Her eyes flicked to Lucas, lingering just a second too long on his flushed face. For a brief, telling moment, surprise flashed across her expression before she masked it with professional calm.
She had seen something.
However, she recovered quickly, smoothing her expression into a polite nod and a practiced smile before pushing the trolley farther into the room.
Lucas’s heart thudded wildly as he dropped his gaze, deliberately avoiding Alex’s eyes. The brief exchange between him and Margaret—subtle as it was—didn’t escape Alex’s sharp attention.
Margaret went about her task in silence, collecting the dishes with efficient precision. The air grew thick, heavy with unspoken questions and half-formed conclusions. When she finally wheeled the trolley out and the door clicked shut behind her, the room seemed to shrink around them. Quieter. Heavier.
Alex turned back to Lucas, his tone low, curious, deceptively casual. “Do you know Margaret?”
“Not really,” Lucas replied, his voice barely steady enough to pass.
Alex tilted his head slightly. “But she smiled as if she knew you.”
The persistence in his voice made Lucas look up before he could stop himself. Their eyes collided—too intense, too close—and his heart slammed hard against his ribs for the twentieth time. He pulled his gaze away instantly, breath hitching.
“Damn it, Lucas,” he cursed inwardly. “What is wrong with you? Control yourself.” He cautioned himself.
Across the room, Alex watched it all unfold, thoroughly entertained by the quiet drama even as his own pulse raced. A slow, knowing smile tugged at his lips.
“Come on, Lucas,” he said softly, teasing now. “I thought you were going to tell me about Margaret.”
Without lifting his gaze, Lucas began, his words rushing out as if he needed to get them over with.
“Well… she was the first person I asked for directions to the kitchen when I resumed this morning. That was it.”
“Oh.” Alex nodded slowly, then smiled. “Okay, that’s not bad.” He leaned back slightly, amused. “Margaret is a good girl—but she does have an eye for fine young men…” His gaze lingered on Lucas. “…like you.”
Lucas looked up sharply. “I think I should be going back now,” he said quickly, already shifting his weight as if preparing to flee.
Alex chuckled softly. “You look a bit tense, Lucas. Try to relax, okay?” He stepped closer and extended his hand. “Come on, give me your phone.”
Lucas hesitated, then handed it over. Alex tapped the screen once—then paused.
“It’s locked.”
He handed it back, already pulling out his own phone. With swift ease, he dialed a number.
Lucas’s phone buzzed almost instantly in his hand. His heart skipped as he looked down at the screen, then back up at Alex, suspicion flickering across his face.
Alex smiled knowingly.
“Yes, save it,” he said easily. “It’s my number. In case you need anything—or if you miss your way around the building—call me, hmm?”
Lucas swallowed, nodded once, and tightened his grip on the phone, as though holding onto something far more dangerous than a number.
Then he managed a small smile.
“Thank you for everything, Alex,” he said softly. Then turned and started toward the door.
“Lucas.” Alex followed a step behind him. “Concerning you and Zenith this morning.”
Lucas’s heart skipped violently. He turned too fast, colliding with Alex who held him from tripping. They froze, eyes locked, breath tangled.
“Oh, I'm sorry. Are you alright?”
“Very alright this way.” Alex teased holding him much closer before releasing him with a smile.
Lucas smiled in return as he steadied himself.
“Why did you keep quiet about the wrongly cut bell peppers,” Alex asked calmly, “when you knew it wasn’t your fault, hmm?”
Relief rushed through Lucas so hard he nearly sagged. Thank goodness, he breathed inwardly. Just the bell peppers.
“You knew it wasn’t my fault?” he whispered, surprise clear in his voice.
“Yes.” Alex nodded. “I could tell from your expression.” His tone sharpened slightly. “And besides that, you need to be careful around him, okay? Zenith is a good manipulator.” He held Lucas’s gaze. “If he bothers you, don’t hesitate to report him to me.”
Lucas nodded quickly. “Okay.”
He shifted to pass Alex and head out—but before he could take a step, Alex reached out and pulled him close.
“I want a hug,” Alex said simply, already wrapping his arms around him.
Lucas froze.
“Come on,” Alex added, his voice dropping into a playful, almost childlike whine. “Hug me back. If you don’t, I won’t let you go back to the kitchen.”
A smile broke free before Lucas could stop it. He lifted his arms and encircled them around Alex, holding him just as tightly.
Within him, his thoughts spiraled.
Oh, Lucas… what the heck is happening to you?
Alex cut into his thoughts. “I’ve missed you so much, my Lucas—my good-luck charm.”
Then he released him slowly, fingers brushing the pendant at his chest as if it were sacred.
“Thank you for this. Anytime doubt creeps in, I hold onto this and remember your words—that good things were ahead of me. Those words kept me going… and here we are today.”
He leaned in and pecked him again, brief but full of meaning.
Lucas's heart thudded, warmth flooding his chest. He gazed away instantly muttering inaudibly. “Oh goodness, help me.”
Alex smiled at his reaction. Then lifted his hand and gradually turned his face towards him. “Lucas, I love looking at your eyes, they're so beautiful.”