Chapter 14 Is he your spark?
Alex chuckled and shut the bathroom door without another word.
Jason smiled but was still relentless as ever. He rushed forward and cracked the door open again before it latched. “No, wait! One last thing—I swear!” He stuck his head in. “Just smile if it’s a yes. Do you like him? Is he your spark?”
Alex met his eyes through the crack, completely silent.
Then… the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Jason’s jaw dropped. “Oh… My jinkies. That’s a yes!”
Alex struggled to suppress the smile forming at the corner of his lips. But it wasn't easy, so he turned his back, unbuttoning his shirt slowly, trying to hide the fact that Jason had hit a nerve.
“What are all these questions for, Jason?” he asked sharply, spinning to face him halfway through. “If your brain is heading into dangerous territory, abort the mission. I already told you—he’s too young. That alone disqualifies him, even if he has beautiful curly brown hair.”
He raised a brow as he peeled the shirt off. “Now, may I shower in peace? Kindly close my door when you leave. Goodnight—for real this time.”
Jason chuckled and leaned on the doorframe. “Come on, bro. Age isn't a particularly compelling excuse. You should at least—”
“Get out, Jason!” Alex cut him off, his face flushed. But Jason didn’t miss the flicker of a smile and the flush that crossed his face. It was deliberate and just enough to confirm everything.
Jason grinned widely. “You just smiled, bro!” he shouted triumphantly from the room.
Alex slammed the bathroom door in response.
Jason laughed to himself as he headed for the exit, thinking, Whoever this mystery guy is… he’s got Alex hooked and doesn’t even know it. His mind drifted. He could be my cousin's new crush.
Inside the bathroom, Alex chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head. “Jason, you’re insane,” he muttered, amusement tugging at his lips despite everything.
The moment the cold water hit his skin, he exhaled sharply, letting the stream wash over him. His fingers ran through his damp hair as thoughts of Lucas flashed across his mind—his sleepy eyes and his confused whisper, "Where is my cutie..." Alex chuckled.
“Why do I care this much?” He muttered to himself, but the answer lingered unspoken, hanging in the steam like truth he wasn’t ready to confront.
He let the water run down his face, hoping it could drown the sudden heat that wasn’t from the shower.
“This is madness,” he whispered. “I don’t even know his name.”
As the cool water continued to stream down his skin, Alex exhaled deeply, letting the moment ground him. But his mind refused to stay still. Jason's question echoed like a drumbeat in his ears: "Is he your spark?"
He leaned his head against the tiled wall, eyes closed, letting the water drown out every other sound. “Mystery guy… are you my spark?” he whispered, almost afraid of his own words.
A strange smile tugged at his lips as he ran his fingers over the pendant resting against his chest—a special gift from his saviour, which he always wore. It had been his good luck charm since that day at the hospital. His thumb brushed it gently, like always as if it was a quiet ritual.
"What do you think, old friend?” he murmured. “Could you be the one I've been wishing to meet again? My Lucas?” He chuckled softly, then kissed the pendant like he always did when facing a hard question.
Switching off the tap, Alex stepped out, water dripping from his hair as he reached for the towel. His gaze caught the mirror—and he froze, staring at his reflection.
"Alex, what the hell is going on with you?" he muttered, wiping at the fogged-up glass. "Why is a stranger, one you don’t even know by name, taking up space in your head like this?"
His reflection offered no answers, but the heat rising in his chest did.
And that scared him more than anything.
He caressed the pendant again, the cool metal grounding him. A soft smile touched his lips. “My lifesaver will always hold a special place in my heart,” he murmured, eyes distant, voice thick with memory. Then, with a shift in tone, firmer, clearer, he added, “But this mystery guy… he made my heart race. And I want to see him again. No, I need to find him.”
The decision hit him like a surge of adrenaline. With fresh resolve dancing in his chest, Alex stepped out of the bathroom, towel around his waist, a smile still lingering, the kind that whispered purpose.
Club Unite lodge
Early morning light spilled through the blinds of room 446 as Lucas stirred beneath the sheets. He groaned, clutching his head. “Ugh… my head…” His voice was raspy and dry. Slowly, he sat up, blinking at the strange room. “Where am I?” He scanned the sleek décor. “Is this… a hotel?”
Confused, he pushed the covers aside and stood, his legs still slightly unsteady. What happened?
He made his way to the restroom, still holding his temples. As he splashed cold water onto his face, fragments of memory began snapping back into place like puzzle pieces.
The Mayor's fancy event. Jessica’s birthday. Diana handed him a cocktail. Then—dizziness. Darkness. A man… wearing a face cap. Strong arms helped him. A soft voice saying something reassuring…
Lucas froze, water dripping from his chin. “Shit… was I drugged again?” His eyes narrowed, panic and anger flickering through them. “Why does this keep happening?”
He grabbed a towel and stepped back into the room, heart thumping now—not just from fear, but from that lingering, mysterious feeling.
Who was that man who helped me?
He tried harder to piece it all together, but the pounding in his skull wouldn’t let up. “Did Dad do this again?” he muttered, clutching his forehead. Flashes of last night flickered—blurry faces, club lights, the dizzy swirl of motion, and… a voice? A stranger’s voice? Nothing concrete. Just shadows.
Then panic struck. “Emily.” He checked his pockets, eyes widening in alarm. “Damn it! Where’s my phone?” He darted out of the restroom, half-limping from dizziness, scanning the room frantically.
His eyes landed on the small table near the bed—his phone, keys, and the room keycard were laid out neatly. Relief washed over him. “Thank God,” he muttered, grabbing the phone and immediately dialing Emily.
She picked up on the second ring. “Lucas? Oh my God, are you okay?”
“Yeah, Em, I’m fine. Just a splitting headache, that’s all,” he said, pressing his fingers to his temple, trying to sound stable. “I think…” he hesitated, “I think Diana spiked my drink last night. That’s when everything went blank.”
There was a short, sharp pause on the other end. Then Emily’s voice came through, tense.
“Diana?” she echoed. “No, Lucas. She didn’t. It was Dad.”
Lucas froze, his breath catching.
“What? Again? But how?” he whispered. “It was Diana who gave me the only cocktail I took at Jessica's birthday party. I'm sure I took nothing else except the cocktail. And it was Diana who pressured me to drink it.”
I guessed, there was some misunderstanding somewhere.” Emily said and continued. “Big bro, it's Dad that did it, I have proof.”
“Oh God, what's all this?” Lucas murmured.