Chapter 66 Staff's day out
As Zenith walked back to the kitchen, he felt ecstatic. He couldn't believe what just happened. Lucas asked for a hug from him. He whispered happily to himself. “Zenith, it seems you’re going to be one lucky man with the prettiest face. It seems you will win against Alex in this battle.”
He chuckled happily even as he went into the kitchen. Anyone who saw him wondered why he was so excited.
Inside the locker room, Lucas stood watching his reflection wondering why his distance upset him so much when he was supposed to be happy about it. Why did his heart ache badly, why did he want to get back to him even when he knew Nathan would be disappointed if he found out that Alex dumped him because of Lucas?
“But” Lucas murmured. “It wasn't my fault, Alex had known me for years ago but had just met him about six months ago. Why should I be feeling guilty?”
The question hung in the air as he made his way out and towards the kitchen.
Meanwhile, at the office, Alex saw it all and was boiling with anger as he walked to and fro “What the heck is Lucas doing? After all the advice I gave him to stay away from that snake, he seemed to be warming up to him instead. “
He grabbed his pendant and whispered, “My Lucas, what are you trying to do to me? Are you trying to upset me because I kept my distance?”
Later that evening their movement for the staff day out tomorrow was announced. Everyone cheered as they said that the place would be New Era Resort.
By closing, Alex couldn't bear to keep his distance anymore; he texted Lucas, offering to take him home, but he refused.
The next day the resort buzzed with laughter, music, and the kind of freedom people only showed outside office walls. Shirts were untucked, heels were off and titles forgotten.
As Lucas stepped out of the bus, taking in the open field set up with colorful flags and ropes, he smiled.
He didn’t know this would become a battlefield.
Margaret appeared beside him in no time, her smile bright and face glowing. “Partner,” she said cheerfully, nudging his arm.
Lucas forced a polite smile. “Right. Partner.”
Across the field, Alex saw it. That word partner made his heart twitch.
The coordinator clapped loudly.
“You are all welcome to the Benson Group Staff Day Out Adventure Challenge! Each team will compete in three rounds — Obstacle Relay, Blindfold Trust Walk, and Final Puzzle Sprint!”
Cheers erupted as everyone started joining with their partner.
Margaret grabbed Lucas’s wrist. “We’re winning this.”
Her hand lingered a second too long. Alex noticed and his jaw tightened.
Zenith, who stood not far from Alex, noticed as well and cautioned himself. “Relax, Zenith, it’s just a game.” But his eyes gleamed.
They started with an obstacle relay where Lucas had to crawl under net ropes while Margaret waited at the baton line.
He was athletic, focused, and fast. When he reached her, she grabbed his arm to steady him before taking off for her part of the course.
People cheered loudly. While someone screamed, “You two have chemistry!”
Margaret laughed, breathless when she returned. “We make a good team.” She high-fived Lucas but instead of letting go, she squeezed his fingers.
Alex looked away angrily, his hands clenching by his side.
Zenith leaned slightly closer to Alex. “You know… she’s single.”
Alex didn’t respond, but his silence wasn’t calm. It was storming.
Then the second game, blindfold trust walk. Lucas was blindfolded.
Margaret stood behind him, hands lightly on his shoulders.
“You have to trust me,” she whispered near his ear.
The task was simple, just to guide one's partner through cones and minor obstacles without touching the blindfold.
Margaret leaned close to give Lucas instructions. “Step left, careful, slow down.”
She continued to direct him. At one point, Lucas stumbled.
She instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist to steady him. People gasped, laughed, and even teased them. “Ohhh! Office romance is brewing!”
Lucas stiffened slightly at that but he didn’t pull away immediately.
From a distance, Alex’s hands curled into fists again.
Zenith tilted his head.
“He looks comfortable and Margaret was deliberate.
Alex didn't respond or look at him.
Then came the final game, a puzzle sprint.
Lucas and Margaret were head-to-head with another team. They had to assemble a giant company logo puzzle. Margaret knelt beside Lucas, their shoulders brushing repeatedly.
“Focus,” she whispered, smiling and they won.
The crowd erupted with claps.
Margaret, impulsively excited, threw her arms around Lucas in a full hug, holding on tight.
He hesitated… then lightly patted her back.
Across the field, Alex turned away before the hug even ended.
Zenith watched both men.
And smiled faintly.
As people celebrated, someone teased loudly, “Lucas! Better treat your partner to dinner after that win!”
Margaret laughed. “He owes me!”
Lucas smiled politely. But his eyes were busy searching and when he saw Alex, he was walking away toward the parking area all alone.
That was when the win stopped feeling like a win.
The cheering slowly died down as people dispersed toward drinks and food.
Margaret was pulled away by HR to take group photos, leaving Lucas standing alone near the activity tent, still catching his breath.
His chest was rising fast but not from the race. He was thinking about Alex walking away. He didn’t miss his movement and he could feel he wasn't happy.
“Congratulations.” The voice came out smooth and measured.
Lucas turned.
Zenith stood there with a faint smile, hands casually in his pockets like he had all the time in the world.
“Thanks,” Lucas replied politely with a light smile.
Zenith’s eyes flickered briefly toward where Alex had disappeared to.
“You and Margaret were… impressive.”
Lucas shifted slightly. “It was just a game.”
“Of course,” Zenith agreed easily.
A silence stretched between them.
Then softer he put in, “You looked comfortable with her.”
Lucas frowned faintly. “What does that mean?”
Zenith shrugged. “Nothing negative. Just an observation. She seems good for you.”
“Good for you?” The words landed heavier than they should have. Lucas crossed his arms unconsciously. “Why are you saying that?”
Zenith tilted his head slightly, studying him. “Because not everyone in this company can give you something stable.”
That didn't sit well, so Lucas stiffened. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Zenith didn’t rise to the challenge. That wasn’t his style.
He stepped a little closer, not invading, just enough to lower his voice. “I’ve worked with Alex longer than you have.”
Lucas went still.
“I know how he gets when something stops being… exciting.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Zenith didn’t argue, instead he sighed, “I hope I don’t.”
That response seemed worse.
Then he added gently:
“I just don’t want you getting hurt.”
Lucas swallowed, because that fear already lived inside him.
Zenith noticed the flicker in his eyes, the doubt, and pressed just slightly more.
“He doesn’t like losing. And today?” He paused.