Chapter 43 May I kiss you
Lucas swallowed, as he managed a smile.
“That's more like it. Thank you for everything my Lucas.” Alex said and released him.
Lucas finally found his voice. “Well, you also did it because you fought your way to success.”
Alex chuckled softly. “Yeah…but I fought with your encouragement. You have a huge share in it.” He gestured toward the door. “Come on, let me walk you out.”
They headed toward the door side by side. Alex added. “I want to know everything about you and your family, so we'll talk later, okay?”
Lucas nodded with a smile.
At the door, Alex pulled him into yet another hug, holding on a second longer than necessary.
“You’re not even out of my sight yet, and I’m already missing you.”
Lucas laughed lightly. “Come on, Alex, stop being clingy. I’m already over an hour late for my duty.” He tilted his head teasingly. “I’m here to stay, remember? It’s a three-year contract, hmm.”
At that, Alex pulled back and stared at him. For a brief moment, he almost said he would cancel the contract but paused. Seeing the happiness on Lucas’s face, he swallowed the words and nodded instead.
“Yes, but after three years, you’re still not going anywhere, even if you start your own business.” He said slowly as a faint but possessive smile curved his lips. “I’ll be keeping my eye on you.”
“Okay,” Lucas said lightly, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Whatever you say, I’m your Lucas.”
Alex smiled at that as he opened the door. Lucas stepped out and gave Alex a small wave but before he could close the door, Alex held it to Lucas's surprise and pulled him back inside.
“Lucas,” Alex said softly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “May I kiss you?”
“What?”
Lucas’s heart leaped violently into his throat. He stared at Alex, stunned, breath caught halfway in his chest.
“You’re more than special to me,” Alex continued, eyes dark and earnest. “And I want to kiss you.”
His hand lifted, slow and deliberate, fingertips brushing Lucas’s cheek. Lucas froze, his senses in total turmoil as Alex’s thumb traced the curve of his lips, gentle and reverent.
“It felt so good that day,” Alex murmured. “I’ve been craving it ever since… to kiss your lips. The way you kissed me back… it was breathtaking.”
Lucas sucked in a sharp breath startled at his words. Then gently pushed Alex’s thumb away. But Alex’s fingers closed around his hand, holding on.
“What, no. No, Alex,” Lucas blurted, panic spilling over his words. “You’re mistaken. That wasn’t me. I’ve never kissed anyone before…never. I should go. I’ll…uh…we’ll talk later, okay?”
The words rushed out in a tangled mess. Before Alex could say another word, Lucas twisted free, yanked the door open, and nearly bolted through it. The door shut with a soft but final click.
Inside the office, Alex smiled. “I knew it, you didn't remember a damn thing. How I wish you remembered that day. I'm in love with you, my Lucas. My poor heart is happy again.” He smiled as his hand went to his pendant holding it
like it was going to help him out.
Outside Alex's office, Lucas stopped short. He just stood there, wide-eyed and breathless, his hand still tingling where Alex had held it, heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out.
His hand flew to his chest as if to check the wild rhythm pounding beneath his palm. He inhaled deeply… then exhaled, again and again. Slowly, deliberately, trying to calm the storm racing through him.
“Get it together, Lucas. You nearly accepted his kiss proposal. You're not gay.” He told himself, staring at the corridor ahead. But his heart refused to listen and kept racing at what transpired inside the office.
He shook his head vigorously, and finally pushed himself forward and headed back to the kitchen.
The moment he stepped through the swinging doors, the atmosphere shifted.
Conversations faltered. Knives paused mid-chop. A pot lid clattered as someone lost their focus. More than a few heads turned his way, eyes widening with open curiosity. Whispers rippled through the room like a spark catching fire.
“That’s him…, The new guy is back,” someone whispered but he heard it.
“Didn't you hear he was with the boss and overstayed his break period?” Another added and he heard it too.
Lucas felt every stare land on him at once. His shoulders stiffened, but he forced his steps to remain steady as he crossed the tiled floor. He tied his apron tighter, dropped his gaze to his station, and pretended not to notice the attention burning into his back.
Zenith noticed and saw it all but said nothing. He walked around inspecting nothing in particular, arms crossed, jaw tight, eyes sharp with something dark and unmistakable… Jealousy.
It flashed across his face before settling into a cold, simmering glare. He had heard the whispers already. Margaret even confirmed the situation when he saw him in Alex’s office. He calculated how long Lucas had been in Alex’s office. The door had stayed closed. Lucas had come out looking flustered with glowing cheeks.
Zenith’s lips curled into a thin smirk that didn’t reach his eyes as he walked towards Lucas.
“Well, well, look who finally decided to show up,” he said loudly, ensuring everyone heard.
Then he lowered his voice. “It must be nice… getting special attention from the boss, hmm.”
A few staff members exchanged looks. Someone coughed awkwardly.
Lucas paused, then turned slowly. “I was called,” he replied evenly, keeping his tone calm despite the knot tightening in his stomach.
Zenith scoffed. “Of course you were.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough to sound dangerous. “Funny how some people don’t even need to prove themselves anymore. Just smile right and boom…straight to the boss.”
The tension in the kitchen thickened. The clatter of utensils resumed, but now softer, more cautious.
Lucas met Zenith’s stare, his hands steady as he reached for his knife. “I’m here to work,” he said. “Same as everyone else.”
Zenith’s eyes flicked briefly to Lucas’s chest. He noticed a pendant resting, just as one rested on Alex’s. His heart skipped a bit. Then his eyes went back to Lucas's face. His jaw clenched harder as a thought flickered through his mind. Could they have a serious connection? He shook it off. He didn’t want to indulge in more annoying thoughts.
“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Zenith muttered with a clenched fist before turning away. “But a word of advice, favor has a short shelf life in this kitchen, so be careful even with the boss, or you will be deceived and end up with regret.”
With that Zenith left and instantly Lucas released a slow breath and got to work, the rhythm of chopping grounding him. Yet he could feel it, Zenith’s eyes were still on him, sharp and resentful. It burned with a jealousy which, unknown to him, had already begun to twist into something far more dangerous.
And above the noise of the kitchen, Lucas could almost hear Alex’s voice in his head again...Be careful around him.