Chapter 86 Stolen kisses
You know, “I love you. Right?” Alex brushed his lips against Lucas’s cheek, soft and lingering, then stole a quick kiss from his lips. “Time for work.” He said with a smile.
Lucas nodded, trying, but failing to hide the warmth spreading across his face. Alex held his hand as they walked out together. Shoulders almost touching, hands intertwined but they separated as they exited the house like nothing had happened.
At work, the day felt different. It was kind of special, charged with unexplainable emotion.
Alex couldn’t stop smiling. He moved through the kitchen with an ease that hadn’t been there in weeks. Orders flew in, pans sizzled, knives chopped in rhythm, but every few minutes his eyes would drift across the room, searching.
Lucas would already be looking.
Their gazes would lock for a second too long in a silent exchange that felt like a promise. It reflected the memory of lips against lips only hours ago. And each moment they will share sweet smiles.
Once by chance, fate had threw them together in the walk-in fridge.
Lucas had pushed the heavy door open, stepping inside for cream. The cold air wrapped around him. He exhaled and nearly collided with Alex.
For a second they just stared at each other. The hum of the fridge was the only sound heard.
“No one’s here,” Alex murmured with a smile as he walked closer and that was all it took.
To his surprise, Lucas grabbed his collar and pulled him closer. “Missing your baby, hmm?” He whispered.
“Missing you much more than expected.” Alex responded.
Their mouths crashed together, fast and hungry, breath fogging in the chilled air. Alex’s hand slid to Lucas’s waist, pulling him even closer, their kisses deepened. It was reckless and stupid but felt perfect.
They broke apart, breathless.
“You’re going to get me fired,” Alex teased.
Lucas whispered, lips still hovering. “Never you worry, the boss is my dear friend” Lucas shot back with a grin before slipping out first.
A minute later, Alex followed, composed as usual. But not quite because across the kitchen, Zenith had been watching.
He didn’t miss the glow on Alex’s face. The way he came out of the fridge, trying to look normal but failing miserably.
Zenith chuckled under his breath. “Yeah… that’s the look you put on after stealing a kiss in the fridge.”
His gaze shifted casually to Lucas.
And there it was. He couldn't miss it. That softness and that quiet certainty. The subtle way Lucas’s shoulders relaxed when Alex passed close by him. The way his fingers twitched like they wanted to reach out.
Every tiny details which were invisible to others weren't for Zenith.
He leaned against the counter for a moment, studying them both. The air between the two men was warmer than the ovens.
Pretending to be unbothered, he strolled over to the juicer. He poured himself a mix of pineapple and orange juice, the bright liquid swirling together like two secrets blending into one.
He lifted the paper cup, took a slow sip, eyes still tracking Alex’s movements. A knowing smirk curved his lips. “Oh, this just got interesting.”
Zenith’s eyes followed Alex as he crossed the kitchen floor and stopped behind Lucas. He leaned in, lips close to his ear, whispering something only Lucas could hear.
Lucas paused for half a second, then smiled as their eyes locked.
That tiny shift was enough. A faint smile curled at Zenith’s lips. He muttered under his breath, low and crude, “Damn it… now I’m sure of it. He gave him one hell of a fuck. There’s no other explanation. The joy on Alex’s face is too obvious.”
Then he watched Alex pulled away, casual, confident, that satisfied glow impossible to hide. Lucas tried to focus on the order screen, but the tips of his ears had turned red.
Zenith took a long sip, draining the rest of his pineapple-orange mix. The sweetness suddenly tasted sour.
“So that’s what we’re doing now,” he murmured. “My innocent Lucas finally surrendered. He had fallen to the masters whims.”
He exhaled sharply.
“Well… I’m not surprised. I was once lost in Alex’s eyes too. Sweet talker. Knows exactly what to say. Knows exactly how to look at you.”
Zenith jaw tightened. “But why does this annoy me?” he muttered. “Why do I feel jealous?”
The question lingered, heavy and unwelcome.
His fingers tightened around the paper cup until it crumpled with a dry crackle. He tossed it into the trash a little harder than necessary.
“I guess it’s because I really liked Lucas.” That admission tasted worse than the juice.
For a moment, he simply stood there, watching them move in sync without even trying. Alex passing behind Lucas. Lucas instinctively shifting to give him space. Their hands almost brushing. Their eyes meeting and holding. It was too natural and too easy.
Zenith’s thoughts sharpened. Fine, if emotional hesitation wouldn’t crack them, then something else would. Something heavier like real life pressure, doubt, and responsibility. Feelings were strong but if reality pressed down on them, they would be bound to crumble.
He remembered the conversation from last night. Derby’s scheming tone. Larrisa’s bitterness. Family expectations, pride and reputation.
A slow smile formed. “Hmm, bitter friends seeking revenge, hard pressure or even public scrutiny.
Yes… that would do it.” He muttered hopefully.
Lucas might be soft-hearted, but he was sensitive. He would start questioning everything if the cost became too high. If loving Alex meant conflict, costly sacrifice or serious opposition, he would surely withdraw.
Zenith hissed out a brèathe and glanced across the kitchen again.
Alex was laughing at something a waiter said. Lucas was watching him like he hung the moon.
For the first time, Zenith’s expression lost its playful edge as anger set in.
“You chose him,” he murmured under his breath, his gaze hardened. “Let’s see if you can keep choosing him when it gets difficult.”
The smile that returned to his lips was warmer, but something underneath it had shifted. It wasn’t teasing anymore. It was calculated.
Meanwhile, earlier, when Alex leaned close and whispered something to Lucas, it wasn’t just flirtation.
“Baby, lunch with me,” he, had murmured softly. “No interruptions.”
Lucas had accepted the invitation with happiness flickering across his face like sunlight.
Now, as his break time approached, he could barely hide his excitement. His steps felt lighter. He imagined sitting across from Alex without pretending. Maybe even stealing a kiss without checking over his shoulder every two seconds.
Just thirty minutes of peace and
Thirty minutes of being his baby.
He slipped off his apron, heart already racing in anticipation, as he stepped out of the kitchen.
Unfortunately, at that instant, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He frowned slightly and pulled it out.
It was Emily, his sister. He answered quickly. “Hello Em.”
“I’m downstairs,” she said without greeting. “At the restaurant. We need to talk.”
The joy on his face faltered immediately.
“You’re here?” he asked as if whispering to himself.
Without another word, Lucas turned and hurried down the corridor toward the restaurant, anticipation replaced by unease.