Chapter 132 My everything
After a moment, Lucas said almost in a whisper, “I don’t understand,”
I didn’t agree to anything. I told him I needed time.”
“I know,” Emily said. “That’s why I’m calling. He didn’t sound angry or anything. He sounded, just really sure. Like the two of you had already agreed.”
Lucas ran a hand through his hair, trying to make sense of it. First the apology. Then the bank account and now this? None of it added up.
“Did he say anything else?” Lucas asked.
“No,” Emily replied softly. “Just that things are going to be different this time.”
Another silence followed.
Lucas leaned back against the seat, his thoughts racing, confusion written all over his face.
“Okay,” he said finally. “Just, hold onto the keys for now. Let's see how long he will leave it in your care.”
“I will,” she said. “Lucas, are you okay?”
He hesitated before responding, “I don’t know, Em. I need time to think this over and give him my condition.”
After ending the call, Lucas slowly lowered the phone, staring straight ahead.
Alex didn’t speak immediately.
He had been listening, processing, and watching with a side eye.
“This isn’t normal,” Alex said finally, his tone low and controlled.
Lucas let out a breath. “Yeah… I know.”
Alex’s eyes hardened slightly as he focused back on the road.
“Your dad doesn’t just change overnight,” he added. “Unfreezing your account, giving back your keys… and already deciding you’re coming home?”
Lucas turned to him, unease creeping in. “What are you thinking?”
Alex didn’t answer right away.
But the look in his eyes said enough. Something wasn’t right.
And whatever this sudden change was, it wasn’t as simple as it looked.
Lucas swallowed, his chest tightening slightly as he glanced back at his phone.
For some reason, this new development didn’t feel like freedom. It felt like the beginning of something else.
By the time they pulled into Alex’s compound, the afternoon sun had already begun to shine heavily.
The car came to a smooth stop.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The engine went quiet, but the tension between them didn’t.
Alex rested his hands on the steering wheel, then slowly turned his head toward Lucas. He was already looking at Alex. There was a question in his eyes, silent, and searching.
Alex reached out without saying anything and took Lucas’s hand, his grip firm but gentle.
Lucas’s brows pulled slightly. “What is it?”
Alex held his gaze for a second, then a faint smile touched his lips. It was soft, but serious underneath.
“Stay,” he said simply.
Lucas blinked. “What?”
“Stay here,” Alex repeated, his thumb brushing lightly against Lucas’s hand. “At my place. Don't stay alone at Nathan’s place. At least for now.”
Lucas let out a small breath, already shaking his head. “Alex, I can’t just…”
“Yes, you can,” Alex cut in, not harsh, but firm.
Lucas frowned. “My dad just…”
“Exactly,” Alex interrupted again, his voice lowering slightly. “Your dad just apologized, unfroze your account, gave back your keys, and somehow already decided you’re going home.”
He leaned in a little, his eyes locking onto Lucas’s. “Does that sound normal to you?”
Lucas hesitated and responded, “No.”
Alex nodded once. “There’s too much happening at once. And we still don’t know who’s behind what happened at the event last night or why you were the actual target.”
That landed.
“What do you mean, Alex?”
“I didn't drink anything at the party except that drink I collected from your hand. Someone planned to drug you, but I ended up taking it.”
“Oh dear goodness, I'm so sorry for collecting that drink. So it was all my fault.” Lucas held Alex’s hand tightly, feeling bad.
“Oh no, baby, don't say that. It's not your fault that some idiot out there is messing around.”
Lucas looked away briefly, his fingers tightening slightly in Alex’s grasp.
“Baby. I just think,” Alex continued more gently now, “You shouldn’t rush into anything. Not tonight.”
Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not rushing. I just, I don’t want to make it seem like I’m running away either.”
“You’re not running,” Alex said quietly. “You’re thinking and spending time with me.”
Lucas looked back at him. Alex’s expression softened, but there was still that protective edge beneath it.
“Stay the rest of the day and night,” he said. “Clear your head. Tomorrow, if you still want to go home, I won’t stop you, okay.”
Lucas searched his face, as if trying to find any hidden motive, but there was none. Just a concern, something deeper and something steady.
“I don’t want to impose,” Lucas muttered.
A small smile tugged at Alex’s lips. “You’re not but please impose.”
A brief pause ran before Alex said, “You’re staying, baby.” He sounded more certain.
Lucas let out a quiet huff, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. “You didn’t even give me room to argue, did you?”
Alex’s smile widened slightly. “Not when it matters.”
That earned him a faint smile from Lucas. After a moment, Lucas nodded. “Fine. Just for tonight.”
Alex’s hand caressed his hand slightly, as he felt a bit relieved.
“Good,” he said softly.
Neither of them pulled away immediately. Outside, the sun kept showing its color and for the first time that day, things felt just a little more grounded.
They stepped out of the car together and made their way inside the house. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Alex moved.
He pulled Lucas into his arms without warning, holding him tight. Then whispered, “I needed to feel him, to be sure you're really here.”
Lucas let out a soft chortle, caught off guard, his hands instinctively coming up to Alex’s chest.
“Alex,” he laughed lightly, “what’s that for?”
Alex didn’t loosen his hold. Instead, he buried his face slightly against Lucas’s hair, breathing him in before pulling back just enough to look at him.
“For everything, baby,” he murmured.
Lucas’s laughter softened, his eyes searching Alex’s face.
“For being my Lucas...” Alex continued, his voice low, filled with something deep and unwavering. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Lucas’s cheek.
“For being my love…” Another soft kiss, this time near the corner of his lips.
“For being my happiness…” His lips brushed Lucas’s forehead, lingering there.
“For being my life.” Then another kiss to his cheek.
Lucas couldn’t help it. He broke into laughter again, warm and bright, each word melting into him even as he tried to play it off.
“Alex…” he said between soft laughs, shaking his head. “You’re being too much.”
But he didn’t pull away.
If anything, he leaned in closer.
Alex smiled against his skin, his arms still wrapped securely around him, like letting go wasn’t even an option.
“Baby, I mean every word,” he whispered.
Lucas’s laughter faded into something softer, his fingers curling lightly into Alex’s shirt.
“I know,” he replied quietly.
For a moment, they just stayed like that, wrapped in each other, the chaos of the outside world shut out beyond the door.
And in that small space between heartbeats, everything felt right.
Lucas’s voice dropped, softer and almost shy beneath the warmth between them. “You know you’re my everything too… hmm?”
Alex’s lips curved instantly, something tender flashing in his eyes. He leaned in, brushing a light kiss over Lucas’s lips. It was slow and deliberate before resting his forehead briefly against his.
“My baby,” he whispered, his voice low and rich, “you’re my world. Life without you would be tasteless.”
He sealed it with another gentle kiss to Lucas’s forehead.
Lucas let out a quiet breath, his fingers remained slightly on Alex’s shirt. A smile spread across his face as his deep blue eyes shone. “Oh, Alex… you’re so sweet,” he murmured, his voice turning softer and warmer. “You’re driving me sweet crazy.”
Those words changed the rhythm as Alex’s expression shifted and deepened.
Before Lucas could say anything else, Alex’s hand slid up to cup his face, and he captured his lips again.