Chapter 138 Sweet confession
Lucas gave a small reassuring nod. “I can try to answer that… a bit.”
Alex hesitated, then nodded, a soft smile forming.
Lucas took a quiet breath, then looked back at Alex’s family.
“Well,” he began, his voice steady, his face lit up with smiles. “Two years ago, I met this charming prince.”
A few amused smiles appeared around the table.
“He planted this sweet seed in my heart with a peck on my forehead.” Lucas continued, his eyes softening slightly as he glanced at Alex. “But I didn’t understand what it was back then.”
He paused briefly, smiling. “Until I met him again months ago.”
Alex’s gaze didn’t leave him.
“By then,” Lucas said softly. “That seed had already grown into something beautiful.” A smile spread across his face. “And I couldn’t find another word for it except love.”
The room grew quieter. “I love your son,” Lucas added, his voice deeper now, more certain. “With my whole being.”
Alex’s fingers tightened around his. “And my plan?” Lucas finished, his eyes steady, unwavering, “I will never stop loving him.”
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, “Aww…” Jason and Annie chorused together, breaking the tension with soft laughter.
Around the table, smiles spread. It was warm and genuine. Alex looked at Lucas, something deep and unspoken shining in his eyes.
Lucas smiled back.
And in that moment, everything felt right. For a few seconds, the table remained quiet like everyone was still taking it in.
Then Alex’s father leaned back slightly and let out a soft chuckle.
“Wow…” he said, shaking his head with a smile. “I’m short of words.”
The mood lightened instantly.
Jason was the first to jump in, laughing. “Bro, thank your stars you pecked him that day.”
Alex groaned lightly. “Jason…”
Annie wasn’t done either. She leaned forward, eyes bright. “That’s an amazing love story, Lucas. Welcome to the family.” Then she turned to Alex with a mischievous smile. “So… when are you proposing?”
Lucas’s eyes widened immediately. “Come on, Annie, it’s…”
“Annie,” Alex cut in quickly, noticing the way Lucas shifted slightly beside him. “Calm down. I need to buy a ring first.”
“Aww,” Annie clasped her hands dramatically. “I’m looking forward to that. I need to witness it.”
Jason laughed again. “Same here!”
“Jason, stop joking around,” Alex said, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. “You’re making Lucas uncomfortable.”
And honestly, Lucas was. A soft flush crept up his face as he tried to hide his smile, glancing down for a moment before looking back up.
Alex’s father, Mr. Benson watched the exchange with a calm, approving smile.
Then he turned to Lucas.
“Lucas,” he said warmly, “Welcome to my family. Feel free to contact me anytime.”
Lucas straightened slightly, nodding. “Thank you, sir.”
Alex’s mom reached over gently, her expression just as warm. “You’re always welcome here, dear.”
Lucas smiled, a little shy but clearly touched. “Thank you, ma.”
Dessert followed.
The atmosphere grew even lighter, more laughter, more teasing, easy conversations flowing like they’d known each other for years. Lucas found himself relaxing more, responding freely, even laughing along.
And Alex, he watched him more than anyone else… quietly and softly.
Later that night, they said their goodbyes and headed back to Alex’s place.
The drive was calmer this time.
Lucas leaned back in his seat, a small smile still lingering on his lips, replaying moments from dinner.
“That went better than I expected,” he admitted.
Alex glanced at him, a faint smile forming on his face. “I told you, baby.”
Lucas turned slightly toward him. “Your family is… nice.”
“They like you,” Alex said.
Lucas smiled again, softer this time. “I like them too.”
Alex nodded, but his eyes returned to the road. He was glad the dinner went well. However, beneath the calm and the warmth of the night, Mac’s voice still lingered in the back of his mind.
“Break up with Lucas.”
His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
And for a brief moment, his smile faded.
The house was quiet when they got back. It wasn't heavy…just calm. The kind of silence that settles after a good night.
Lucas kicked off his shoes the moment they stepped in, stretching slightly as he walked further into the living room, a soft smile still playing on his lips. “I didn’t expect that,” he said, half to himself.
Alex closed the door behind them, watching him for a moment before loosening his tie. “Expected what?”
“My interrogation,” Lucas teased, turning to face him. “Your dad almost made it feel like a job interview.”
Alex huffed a small laugh. “You handled it better than most people would.”
Lucas tilted his head slightly. “Hmm… I had motivation.”
“Oh?” Alex raised a brow, stepping closer.
Lucas smiled, slow and soft. “Yeah. Their very handsome son was sitting right next to me.”
Alex let out a chuckle, stopping just in front of him. “Flattery now?”
“Truth,” Lucas corrected lightly.
For a moment, they just stood there, close, comfortable. Then Lucas’s expression shifted, just a little.
“That proposal thing though…” he added, a hint of embarrassment creeping in as he looked away briefly. “Your family doesn’t hold back some talks, do they?”
Alex smiled faintly, studying him. “They like you. That’s how they show it.”
Lucas exhaled softly, running a hand through his hair. “Still… it felt like they were already planning our wedding.”
Alex stepped closer. “Does that bother you?” he asked quietly.
Lucas looked back at him.
There was no teasing in Alex’s voice now. Just sincerity.
Lucas hesitated for a second, then shook his head slowly.
“No,” he admitted. “It just caught me off guard.”
Alex nodded, his gaze softening.
“I wouldn’t rush you,” he said gently. “Not into anything like that.”
Lucas held his eyes, something deeper settling in his expression.
“I know.”
A small silence followed.
Then Lucas’s lips curved slightly again. “But… if you were to propose someday…”
Alex’s brow lifted. “Hmm?”
Lucas stepped a little closer, his voice dropping just a touch. “You'd better make it memorable.”
Alex chuckled under his breath. “Oh? You have standards now?”
“High ones,” Lucas replied, trying to sound serious, but failing when a smile broke through.
Alex shook his head, amused, then reached out and pulled him closer by the waist. “Noted,” he murmured.
Lucas rested his hands lightly on Alex’s chest, looking up at him. “Good.”
Their eyes locked, and just like that, the teasing faded into something softer, sweeter, and real.
“I meant what I said tonight,” Lucas added gently. “About loving you. It started that day at the hospital when you hugged me and pecked me. My heart raced wildly. I didn't know what it was then. I didn't sleep that night but now I understand it all.”
Alex’s expression changed.
The smile didn’t disappear, but it deepened into something more emotional and fragile. “I know,” he said softly, pecking his forehead.
Lucas studied him for a second, then added, “And I’m not going anywhere.”
That word hit, it felt harder than it should have been, because Alex knew something Lucas didn’t. His hand tightened slightly at Lucas’s waist.