Chapter 46 Faking it
Lucas’s heart skipped at his words, anxiety set in. He stared around the locker room quickly. Luckily there are still two guys around. He tried to relax as he said, “Listen Zenith, I don't want any problem. I just want…”
“Come on, Lucas, relax, it's just a compliment,” he cut in gently and surprisingly lowered his gaze. “ Actually, I owe you an apology,” Zenith said.
Lucas blinked, caught off guard.
“I crossed a line again,” Zenith continued, his voice steady, measured. “I let personal frustration interfere with work. That shouldn’t have happened.”
Lucas studied him carefully, every instinct on guard as he continued to gather his things.
“I was unfair to you, I embarrassed you. That wasn’t right so I apologize,” Zenith added gently.
Silence stretched between them as Lucas paused, stared at him wondering if that was for real this time. Or would another surprise be coming, after all he had apologized before that day?
“Okay,” Lucas said finally, unsure what else to say.
Zenith looked up then, meeting his eyes. He paused for a few seconds. “I spoke with Alex and he made things very clear.”
Lucas nodded slowly and said, “Okay, that’s good to hear.”
“I want you to know…,” Zenith went on, tone softer now, “that there won’t be any more issues from me. We’re professionals. Let’s keep it that way.”
Relief flickered through Lucas, it felt hesitant, cautious, but real.
“I just want to do my job,” he said quietly.
Zenith gave a small smile. “Good. So do I, but pardon me for saying this, I still want to be your friend, just on talking terms, please, Lucas.”
“Sorry, but I'm not good at keeping friends,” Lucas responded immediately.
“Please, it's not a big deal, just on talking terms. No strings attached and I promise to behave myself, please.” He sounded sincere as he stretched his hands pleadingly.
Lucas accepted his hands and responded, “Okay, just friends.”
“Thank you, Lucas,” Zenith said with a smile and stepped aside, giving Lucas space to pass as he closed his locker to leave.
As Lucas reached the door, he turned to stare back at Zenith. He waved at Lucas, smiled naturally, and said, “Take care, my friend, and see you tomorrow.”
Lucas chuckled at his drama but something within his head whispered, “Remember, he is a good manipulator, be careful.” He replied with a smile, “Alright, see ya, Zenith.”
The instant he was out the door, Zenith turned away, his expression shifting. The smile vanished and his jaw tightened. His eyes darkened as he recalled, “Final warning,” Alex had said.
Zenith’s fingers curled slowly into fists. As Lucas exited the kitchen floor, he headed down the corridor towards the elevator. But Zenith remained behind, staring at the metal lockers as if they had personally offended him. His thoughts churned, sharp and bitter.
He thought of Lucas's position in just one day. Protected. Favored. Watched. Angrily, he pulled out his phone again, unlocked it, and typed with quick, precise movements. “Plan B. No witnesses. No mistakes.”
He slipped the phone back into his pocket just as footsteps echoed down the hall.
Zenith forced his expression back into calm professionalism, shoulders straightening. Outwardly compliant but inwardly reckless and restless.
And somewhere down the corridor, Lucas walked away believing the storm had passed—completely unaware that Zenith had only just decided how far he was willing to go.
Zenith didn’t leave the building when everyone else did.
Instead, he lingered, monitoring through the window until he saw Alex leaving.
He crosschecked the locker room; it had emptied, and the corridors were quiet. He moved back toward the kitchen with the ease of someone who knew every blind spot. The night staff was minimal now—one dishwasher humming to himself, a cleaner mopping near the far end. No one paid Zenith any attention.
The timing was perfect.
He slipped on a pair of gloves and headed straight for the cold storage.
Inside, the air bit sharply. Zenith scanned the shelves until he found what he was looking for. Prepped ingredients labeled for the next morning’s service for Lucas’s station.
A slow smile crept onto his face.
“Accidents,” he murmured under his breath. “Happen.”
He reached for the container of seafood stock, twisted the lid, and tipped in a small amount of an unlabeled vial he had slipped from his pocket earlier. Tasteless. Odorless. Enough to ruin texture and flavor, but not enough to raise an immediate alarm.
He sealed the container carefully, wiping it clean. Next, he went to the knife set. Picking up the exact one he wanted, he loosened the grip screw on it…just enough that it would wobble under pressure. Not enough to fall apart immediately. Just enough to slip.
He stepped back, surveyed his work, and nodded once.
“By the time Lucas arrived in the morning, everything would look normal.” He whispered and smirked. “By morning, something will definitely go wrong.” Zenith’s voice echoed in his head. “After all, everyone slips. So the pretty one will eventually slip.”
He smirked again and left the kitchen unseen.
Meanwhile, as Alex got out of the company, he expected a familiar sight without even thinking…seeing Lucas straddling his bike at the lot, helmet tucked under his arm, that quiet smile he would wear when he saw him.
But to his disappointment, Lucas wasn’t there. Alex thought he had ridden off. He drove into the traffic to head home, but somehow he spotted Lucas farther down the road, walking toward the public transport stop. No bike. No helmet. Just Lucas, shoulders straight, phone in hand, moving like someone trying not to be noticed.
Alex frowned. That was unexpected and something seemed off.
He pulled over. “Lucas.”
Lucas looked up, clearly startled, then his expression softened when he recognized Alex.
“Oh—Alex. I thought you had already left.”
“Alex studied him. “Where’s your bike?”
Lucas hesitated. “I… didn’t come with it”
The answer didn’t convince Alex; he felt something was off, but he didn’t push. He leaned over and opened the passenger door. “Get in. I’ll take you home.”
“You don’t have to do—”
“I want to,” Alex said calmly, but there was no room for argument.
After a second, Lucas sighed and climbed in. The door shut, and the car eased back onto the road.
Silence settled between them for a bit before Alex asked, “Why didn't you come with your bike?”
“Well…it’s a long story, and I would prefer not to talk about it now, please.”
Alex nearly protested but nodded, “Okay, not today. So where is your direction?”
Alex glanced at the navigation screen as Lucas quietly gave directions. His grip on the steering wheel tightened when recognition hit.
He parked in front of a familiar apartment building and turned off the engine. For a moment, he looked at Lucas all smiles.
Lucas turned and met his eyes. “Alex, thank you very much for the ride.”
“It's nothing. I'm missing you already.” He said almost in a whisper, his eyes holding Lucas in place.