Chapter 72 Lucas’s plight
Lucas' voice was low and controlled but he didn’t turn to face him.
“Can you believe that?” Nathan asked with mocking laughter.
“He even said he saw you guys kissing this morning.” Nathan chuckled lightly. Zenith could manipulate anything.” He chortled in disbelief.
Lucas’s fingers tightened around a hanger and his heart thudded. “He saw us? What the heck is he up to now?” Lucas muttered under his breath, anger bubbling up to cover fear.
But he gathered courage and said, “Zenith is really a snake. How could he…” Lucas froze mid-sentence as a thought suddenly clicked into place.
“Wait… could it be that he was the one who drugged me?”
Nathan’s head snapped up. “What? You were drugged again?”
“Yeah.” Lucas turned, pacing now. “And I saw Derby last night. But I was already feeling drowsy. I couldn’t even think straight.” He changed the topic.
“Your rejected wife?” Nathan asked carefully, picking up.
Lucas nodded, jaw tight. “Yeah. The same one. Could my dad have sent her? I swear if he won’t let me live in peace, I’ll sue him in court.”
His voice cracked with frustration.
Nathan stepped closer. “Relax Nat. You’re not even sure your dad was involved yet. Maybe the fine girl is just desperate.”
“I don’t care about her,” Lucas snapped. “I’m desperate too… desperate for my freedom and peace.”
Right then, his phone buzzed on the table. Both of them looked towards the table at the same time. Then Lucas walked closer and checked the caller…Derby.
Lucas stared at the screen for a long second before flipping the phone face down as if it burned. He grabbed his towel instead.
“You’re not picking up?” Nathan asked, picking up the phone to glance at the name. “Oh. Your abandoned bride. What’s her problem really?”
Lucas exhaled sharply. “Yesterday she said it’s not over yet. I couldn’t respond before she rushed off like a thief.” His eyes hardened. “Whatever she’s planning with my dad is none of my concern. I’m not under his control anymore.”
“Exactly,” Nathan nodded. “They’ve got no hold on you. Just say the word and I’ll get Alex to help you, okay?”
Lucas stiffened. “Come on, Nat,” he said quickly. “You two have broken up. You need to…”
“Relax, Luc.” Nathan waved him off. “He still has a soft spot for me, you know…he’ll help if I ask. If not for that joy-wrecker that saved his life, I would still be with my Alex now.” It came out with a grudge.
Lucas’s steps faltered as his thoughts ran, “Soft spot for him? Joy-wrecker that saved his life?
Nathan continued, oblivious. “I just need to find out who that guy really is. Maybe Alex meant nothing to him. Maybe he’s not even gay.”
Lucas’s heart dropped straight into his stomach. “Oh dear goodness, how do I handle this?” He turned slowly, masking the storm behind his eyes.
“What do you think, buddy?” Nathan pressed. “I should give it a try, right?”
Lucas forced his expression into something calm, supportive, and neutral. “Well,” he said carefully, choosing every word. “If you’re asking my opinion… I’d say let it be.”
Nathan frowned slightly. “Let it be?”
“If they weren’t meant to be,” Lucas continued, swallowing hard, “Alex will come back to you.”
The words tasted like betrayal to Lucas’s lips. And for the first time that day, the fairy tale feeling cracked.
“No buddy, I will try my luck, okay. At least, thank the guy for saving my Alex.” Nathan decided to go on with it. Lucas’s heart pounded as he muttered with courage, “Alright, buddy”.
He headed to the bathroom swiftly, as his fear grew. He wanted to text Alex about it but changed his mind and sent only a good night text.
The next day at work, he couldn’t focus. He didn't know how to reveal to Nathan that he was the lifesaver. At one stage he got carried away with thoughts, paused what he was doing, and stared into space.
“Hi babe,” his voice jerked him back to reality as he turned gradually to meet Alex’s eyes.
“Oh hi,” he forced a smile.
“Hey, what's the matter?” Alex asked gently.
“Let's talk during my break time. I'm…”
“No, we're talking now.” Alex cut him short. “Salome?” Alex’s voice rang out like a bell through the kitchen.
“Yes, sir.”
Salome didn’t hesitate. She rushed over, wiping her hands on her apron, eyes flicking between them as if she’d just walked into a storm.
“Take over from Lucas,” Alex ordered, voice clipped, but too controlled.
“Follow me.” Alex ordered.
Lucas stiffened. Alex didn’t wait for a response. He turned and strode out of the kitchen. For a second, Lucas considered refusing. The heat from the ovens, the clatter of plates, the murmur of staff…it all felt safer than the sound of his voice.
He untied his apron with sharp movements and followed. The air in the hallway felt colder, even as they entered the elevator and met
Margaret who was already inside.
She straightened immediately. “Good afternoon, sir… Lucas.”
Lucas gave a polite nod. Alex simply pressed the button for the executive floor. Silence swallowed the small space.
Margaret’s eyes moved subtly between them. Something had changed. She had noticed Lucas’s avoidance of Alex like it was armor. And Alex? He’d been icy, distant, and professional to a fault.
But now…Lucas wasn’t avoiding him. And Alex wasn’t distant.
He looked calm… but not cold. There was tension in his jaw. Worry in his eyes. Something fragile beneath that authority.
Margaret’s stomach tightened.
Are they a couple?
The thought hit her like a slap.
A bitter twist of jealousy burned her throat. She forced a smile, staring at the elevator doors.
Damn it… Why are all the eligible bachelors turning gay?
The elevator dinged. Alex stepped out first. Lucas followed.
Margaret watched them walk down the corridor together…close, but not touching. Their movement seemed charged, intimate and dangerous. The office door shut behind them and the click echoed.
Lucas turned instantly, facing Alex with sharp glare enough to cut something.
Alex froze.
For a split second, genuine confusion crossed his face.
“What—?”
Lucas folded his arms across his chest, jaw tight, breathing heavier than he should’ve been. He didn’t speak. He just stared at him like Alex had committed a crime.
Alex’s confidence faltered.
He stepped closer, but carefully. Like approaching a wounded animal.
“Babe… what did I do?”
The softness in his voice didn’t match the authority he carried outside that room.
Lucas said nothing. His silence was louder than shouting. Alex’s chest tightened. He took another cautious step forward, lifting his hand instinctively…
“Don’t touch me.” Lucas snapped. The words cracked through the room.
Alex’s hand froze mid-air. It hovered there for a second before slowly falling to his side.
That hurt and it showed. His brows pulled together, confusion bleeding into fear. “Babe… at least tell me what I did wrong, please.”
There it was…the crack in his armor. Lucas swallowed, but his anger refused to soften. “You don’t see it, do you?”
“See what?” Alex asked helplessly.
“The way you act!” Lucas’s voice trembled.