Chapter 135 You win
The house was quiet when Alex finished in the kitchen. He wiped his hands on a towel, glancing at the neatly arranged plates on the counter before turning off the lights and heading upstairs.
“Lucas,” he called softly as he pushed the bedroom door open but there was no response.
Alex stepped inside the room and paused on seeing Lucas.
He was already asleep. He curled up slightly on the bed, one arm tucked under the pillow. His breathing was slow and even. The faint light from the parted window curtains softened his features. It made him look peaceful and untouched by all the chaos of the day.
Alex’s expression melted instantly. He walked over quietly and sat at the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb him. For a moment, he just watched him. Not just watching but admiring him, taking in every detail like he wanted to memorize it.
A loose strand of hair had fallen across Lucas’s face. Alex reached out gently, brushing it aside with the back of his fingers, his touch feather-light.
“You’re so beautiful, my Lucas,” he whispered, a soft smile forming on his lips. He lingered there for a second too long, tempted to wake him.
“You said you were hungry…” he murmured under his breath.
But Lucas stirred slightly, snuggling deeper into the pillow, and Alex exhaled quietly.
“…You need the rest more.”
With one last look, he stood up and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Back downstairs, Alex covered the food carefully, making sure everything stayed warm, then moved into the living area. He picked up his laptop and sat down, his expression shifting back to something more focused.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number. It went through immediately. “Hello Dan.”
“Boss,” Dan answered almost immediately.
“Any updates?” Alex asked, leaning back slightly.
There is a brief pause.
“Nothing concrete yet,” Dan admitted. “We’re still tracking leads, but whoever did this, they’re being careful.”
Alex’s jaw tightened slightly. “Keep digging.”
“Yes, boss.”
The call ended.
Alex placed the phone down and opened his laptop, pulling up files, emails, reports, and unfinished work. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was to drown himself in work when things got complicated.
Minutes passed, then more, and the only sound around was the quiet clicking of keys filling the room.
Then the buzzing sound of his phone broke the silence.
Alex frowned, as he glanced at his phone…“Mom?”
He picked it up immediately. “Hello, Mom.”
“Alex dear,” her voice came, calm but purposeful. “How are you doing dear?”
“I'm okay Mom and you?” Alex asked with a smile playing lightly on his lips.
“I'm very well, dear. I don't know if your siblings have reminded you about tomorrow.” His Mom asked him.
Alex was lost as he started, “I'm lost Mom, what…?
“Don’t tell me you’ve really forgotten already.”
Alex froze. “I'm sorry Mom, what did I forget? Don't be mad.”
“The family dinner, Alex,” she said. “Your father specifically told you to attend.”
Alex leaned back, rubbing his forehead as realization hit him.
“Oh dear…” he muttered under his breath. “I completely forgot.”
“I’m not surprised,” she replied dryly. “You’ve been buried in work again, haven’t you?”
Alex huffed a small breath. “Something like that.”
There was a brief pause before she continued, her tone shifting slightly.
“Your father also said you were to bring Lucas along.”
Alex straightened a little.
“…Yes, Mom,” he said, then added honestly, “but I haven’t even reminded Lucas yet.”
“Well, you should,” she said immediately. “Because I want to meet him too.”
Alex blinked, slightly caught off guard. Before he could respond, his Mom finished. “Tell him right now.”
Then the line went dead.
Alex stared at his phone for a second, then let out a low whistle.
“Well,” he murmured to himself, shaking his head slightly, “This just got interesting because I think I will propose soon. I want him with me every day.”
His gaze drifted upstairs.
To where Lucas was sleeping.
“…Guess you’re meeting your family tomorrow baby. We will be tying the knot sooner than expected,” he added quietly.
About an hour later, the quiet of the house shifted. Soft footsteps padded down the stairs, followed by a low yawn from Lucas.
Alex was still seated on the couch, laptop open, fingers moving steadily across the keyboard, completely absorbed. He didn’t even notice Lucas until he was right in front of him.
“At last, you’re up,” Alex said, looking up with a smile that instantly softened his features.
Lucas didn’t reply immediately.
Instead, he dropped down beside him and wrapped his arms around Alex, leaning into him lazily. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.
Alex chuckled softly, pushing his laptop aside as he turned toward him. “You looked very peaceful,” he said, brushing his fingers lightly along Lucas’s arm. “I didn’t want to disrupt that.”
Before Lucas could respond, Alex leaned in and kissed him. He was slow and warm, just enough to make Lucas smile against his lips.
Lucas lifted his hand caressing Alex’s chin lightly, all smiles as their eyes locked. Then Lucas kissed him again.
“Go on,” Alex added gently, pulling back. “Serve yourself. Don’t wait up, I’ll join you soon, hmm?”
He pressed a quick peck to Lucas’s cheek and turned back to his laptop.
Lucas watched him for a second… then shook his head with a faint smile before getting up.
In the dining area, Lucas moved around quietly, arranging the food, placing plates, and setting the cutlery neatly. Everything was ready within minutes. But instead of starting, he waited.
A few minutes later, Alex finally shut his laptop and stretched slightly before heading toward the dining area.
He stopped short when he saw Lucas sitting there, hands resting on the table, clearly waiting.
Alex frowned slightly. “You didn’t start?”
Lucas just smiled.
Alex sighed lightly, walking closer. “I told you not to wait.”
Lucas tilted his head, his smile widening just a little. “If you don’t want me waiting, then next time don’t wait up when I’m sleeping, okay?”
That caught Alex off guard for a second. Then he let out a soft huff, shaking his head as a smile broke through.
“Baby, you don't have to…” he muttered under his breath.
He stepped forward, pulling Lucas into a brief hug, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Fine,” he said quietly. “You win.”
Lucas laughed softly. Then they started eating together after that. The atmosphere was calm and easy. It was filled with small conversations, quiet smiles, and the occasional teasing glance. It was nothing heavy and nothing complicated, just sweet peace.
Later, they stood side by side at the sink, cleaning up dishes.
Lucas rinsed while Alex dried, their movements naturally in sync.
It was in that simple moment that Alex spoke again. “By the way…” he started casually.
Lucas glanced at him. “Hmm?”
“Baby, you remember the family dinner I told you about at the office last week. It's tomorrow.”
Lucas paused slightly, turning to look at him more fully.