Chapter 68 The shock
And when he spoke, it wasn't what either of them expected.
“I’m not something to fight over.” Lucas snapped.
Both Alex and Margaret froze.
Lucas stepped back from both of them.
“You don’t get to speak like I belong to you,” he said to Alex. The words didn’t come angry. They came wounded. “And you,” he looked at Margaret gently but firmly, “don’t get to decide I’m available. Just being friendly doesn't mean one is available”
Margaret’s lips parted slightly in surprise.
Alex’s jaw tightened.
Lucas’s voice trembled just a little, but he didn’t stop. “I’m tired of being pulled.”
That one landed deep and he continued, “I’m not confused. I’m not unaware. I just…” He exhaled sharply. “I need space to decide what I feel without someone standing over me.”
Alex took a step forward instinctively with his voice lowered, he started, “Lucas…”
“No.” Lucas stopped him. He had never spoken harshly to Alex like that. “I don’t want protection. I don’t want pressure. I don’t want to be won like some trophy.”
That one hit Alex directly and that instant, Margaret stepped back slowly, realization settling in.
Lucas looked between them. “If I choose someone… it won’t be because they fought harder.”
Silence swallowed the dock. Even the water felt still. Margaret was the first to move.
“I…I think I should head back.”
She left quietly with her head down.
Now it was just the two of them.
And the words are still hanging between them. Alex didn’t look angry, rather he looked shaken, because for the first time since they met, Lucas wasn’t reacting. He was drawing a boundary.
Margaret’s footsteps faded into the distance. The lake moved quietly again, but the space between them was different now.
Lucas gulped the drink in the cup and dropped the empty into a trash can. Then stood with his arms crossed but not defensively. Just holding himself together.
Alex didn’t move closer this time. He didn’t claim, didn’t demand but his heart thudded in fear.
He exhaled slowly. “You’re right.”
Lucas hadn’t expected that, so his eyes lifted to him.
Alex’s voice wasn’t sharp anymore. It wasn’t even controlled.
It was… unguarded and almost in a whisper. “I shouldn’t have spoken like that.”
The wind moved lightly through his hair, softening the edges of a man who usually never bent.
Lucas swallowed in surprise, the drink taking effect slowly.
Alex continued, slower now. “I don’t think you belong to me but I wish...” he paused. “I just…” He ran a hand through his hair, searching for words he wasn’t used to saying. “I don’t know how to stand still when I think I’m losing you.”
His phone buzzed, “Damn it.” He whispered on seeing that it was from a business he had been working on. “Please, don't go away, I need to answer this and there are files I need to send from the laptop.
He moved closer to him, held his hand, and pleaded, “Please wait here for me, okay.”
Lucas nodded and he hurried away. The effect of the drug in his drink was getting to him and it was making him feel funny.
Suddenly he chuckled and walked towards the lake where there was a small garden of flowers. He picked up a flower with five petals and started plucking it out one after the other saying, “He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me.” He continued, taking flower after flower but then started feeling more drowsy.
Lucas wasn't himself anymore but he kept muttering, “I will wait for you. Then a footstep approached and Lucas looked up at her.
“I know you, you’re not my Alex. Go away, I'm waiting for my Alex.”
“Well, well, the dearest runaway groom is really Benson's staff?”
She pulled out her phone and dialed a number. “Hello hunter, my groom is looking great but right now, he seems drunk. I think he had something with your Alex because even in his drunk state he mumbled waiting for his Alex. And he said it romantically.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, very sure of it.”
Then Lucas looked up and chuckled, “Oh I remember you now, you're my fake wife. What are you doing here?” He chuckled again.
“Yeah, I'm your fake wife but the deal is not off yet, Lucas.”
Lucas chuckled insanely. Derby studied him and asked in confusion, “What the heck did you take?”
Lucas chuckled some more, “Juice of course,” but then Derby heard footsteps heading their way. So she turned and hurriedly hid.
“Hunter we will talk later, I think Lucas was drugged.”
Then, she saw a man calling out, “Luc, are you there?”
“Yes, your Luc is right here” he responded with a chuckle.
“Damn, is he gay or am I overthinking this?”
As Zenith walked towards him, he staggered and chortled happily. He rushed and held him up from tripping. He realized he was drunk. Smirk crawled up his lips, “Hey sweetheart what the heck did you drink?”
“Why did you ask the same thing she asked like I've drunk some forbidden juice. It was the same juice I've been sipping all along.”
“Who is she that asked you what you took?”
Lucas chuckled and whispered to his ear, “My abandoned wife.”
“What? Do you have a wife? Where is she?”
Lucas pointed to the direction Derby had headed, still chuckling.
Zenith gazed around and saw a rock nearby. He led Lucas there and made him sit.
Then walked in the direction Lucas pointed and searched around but no one was there but his eyes caught sight of a lady jamming a car door and driving off in a hurry.
“Hmm…I guess that must be her but he seemed elegant. Why is she running?”
He wondered as he headed back to Lucas. He was chortling to himself. Zenith smiled, “My Luc, look out you.”
Lucas looked up at him, “Where is my Alex, I want a hug,” he said and smiled shyly.
Zenith felt jealous and complained walking closer to him. “Hey, sweetheart, why Alex when I'm here to give you all the hug hmm. Am I not your friend?”
“Hmm, you’re my friend, hug hug,” Lucas said, spreading his arms.
Zenith leaned in and hugged him, then whispered to his ear, "What about a kiss, hmm?”
Lucas laughed, unable to control himself anymore but somehow he didn't want the kiss.
“I want to go and sleep. It's getting late.”
“What about the kiss hmm, come on just a taste, my sweet Luc?” He tried to kiss him as he leaned towards him but Lucas moved his face.
“No, my kiss is for my Alex.” He said as he tried to walk away.
“If you don't let me kiss you, I will tell him about your secret” He held his hand and pulled him to his body. “Come on, just a taste.”
He forced a kiss on him. Lucas struggled to resist him but was too weak to.
“Come on sweetheart, you taste so sweet. You like it, right.” Zenith asked.
“No, I want my Alex.” He responded but Zenith wasn’t taking it.