Chapter 67 Brewing storm
Zenith smirked and glanced toward the field. “He looked like he was losing something.”
Lucas’s heartbeat quickened, while Zenith straightened, tone returning to neutral. “Anyway, enjoy the rest of the outing.”
And just like that, he walked away, leaving Lucas standing there
all alone with his thoughts.
His mind replayed minutes ago, how Alex clenched his fists and suddenly exited. The way he had looked during the games, especially after the blindfold round.
Was it jealousy? Or was Zenith right? Was Alex reacting because he hated not being in control? The laughter around him suddenly felt distant as his head swirled in confusion.
Margaret called his name from across the lawn. He looked toward her. Then toward the parking area where Alex stood earlier. His expression became more conflicted.
Unknown to him, somewhere not too far away…Alex was watching. He didn't attempt to approach or interrupt him. He just watched Lucas stand there with a false thought that he didn't care. While the fact was that they were both torn with confusion.
Then Zenith, who had planted more seeds, didn't look back because he knew it was already germinating.
Anyways, he didn’t get far because Alex, who had been suspecting him, was waiting for a chat. As he gained privacy, he walked over. “Enjoying yourself, ahh?”
The voice was cold, getting Zenith to pause in his track. But he didn’t turn immediately. A faint smile touched his lips before he faced Alex.
“I always do enjoy myself.”
Alex stepped closer, gradually without drama. He was dangerously calm and Zenith could feel it. “What did you say to him?” He asked, his eyes glaring.
Zenith blinked once. “Who?”
“Don’t play stupid, Zenith”
Zenith chuckled softly. “Relax. We were just talking.”
Alex’s jaw flexed. “About me?
Zenith paused before responding, “Well…Indirectly.”
Then deliberately, Alex approached him until they were nearly shoulder to shoulder.
“You think I don’t see what you’re doing?”
Zenith tilted his head. “And what is that?”
“You’re trying to get into his head.”
Zenith’s smile faded slightly, but not in a defensive manner, just observant.
“You’re already in his head, Alex.” Zenith said with a beat of anger.
There was silence.
“I’m just helping him think.”
Alex couldn't believe that Zenith could help him positively. So his eyes darkened and he snapped immediately, “Stay out of it, stop putting doubt in his head.”
Zenith’s voice dropped, “Oh really, then stop giving him reasons to doubt you.”
Silence stretched, wind moved through the trees behind them.
Zenith leaned in slightly with a calm and controlled voice. “If what you feel is real…you shouldn’t be this threatened.”
Alex’s fist tightened, but he didn’t swing it. He didn’t yell because that wasn’t his style unless someone crossed their boundary. So he said quietly, “If you hurt him just to prove a point… I won’t be calm next time. I will make sure to smash your face beyond repair.”
Zenith didn't flinch, but studied him. And for the first time, he saw it. This wasn’t a game to Alex.
“Interesting,” he whispered within him and stepped back. “Then maybe you should stop watching from a distance.”
With that Zenith walked away, leaving Alex standing there alone, breathing heavier than he wanted to admit.
Meanwhile… Margaret had her own plans toward the pretty boy. She couldn't stop gazing towards him, she suspected that something was off. She wanted privacy with him thinking she would soothe him.
Lucas was by the drink table when Margaret approached, glowing from the wine.
“There you are!” she smiled.
He forced one back. “Yeah.”
“You disappeared after the challenge.”
“I just needed air.”
She softened slightly. “Are you really okay?”
He hesitated knowing she didn't know he was the wrong person for smooching but Lucas maintained.
“Yeah. Just tired.”
She studied him for a moment then brightened again. “Come with me.”
“Where?”
“There’s a small dock behind the lake. It’s quieter. The others won’t invade.”
Lucas glanced instinctively around. He didn’t see Alex.
Which unsettled him more than if he had.
Margaret gently took his hand. “Relax. It’s just a walk.”
Lucas let himself be led across the field. Then past the trees and towards the dock.
They had their drinks in their hands. Lucas wasn't aware that she got some drugs with her.
The lake shimmered under the late afternoon sun. It was peaceful and cool.
Margaret leaned against the railing beside him. “You know,” she began softly, “I’m really glad we were paired.”
Lucas swallowed. “Yeah, we worked well together.”
“It wasn’t just that.”
He looked at her and she held his gaze longer than usual.
“I like how you are when you’re not overthinking.”
That hit, because he had been overthinking all day. She stepped closer. “Can I ask you something?”
Lucas felt it coming.
“Is there someone you’re unsure about?”
His breath stalled, he looked away. Immediately, Margaret dropped the tasteless tablet into his cup.
Before he could answer, they heard footsteps on gravel behind them. It was heavy and measured.
Margaret's heart skipped in fear, was she caught? Lucas turned to see who was coming, then his heart skipped.
Alex was standing a few steps away. His eyes were unreadable.
Margaret followed his gaze.
And suddenly the quiet dock didn’t feel peaceful anymore.
It felt like a line drawn in the sand. Three people with one tension and no one spoke first. The lake was calm but the air wasn’t.
Margaret’s hand was still lightly resting on the railing near Lucas’s.
Alex’s gaze dropped to it, then back to Lucas. When he eventually spoke, his voice was low, controlled and possessive without raising a single decibel.
“Enjoying the view?”
Margaret straightened slightly. “It’s a free country, Mr Alex.”
He didn’t look at her, not once.
His eyes stayed locked on Lucas.
“You disappeared and I wondered where you are and what you’re up to,” Alex said.
Lucas’s pulse jumped. “I needed air.”
“So you found it here with her?” The meaning wasn’t subtle. And that got Margaret crossing her arms.
“We were just talking, Mr Alex.”
Alex finally glanced at her, brief and sharp. “I wasn’t asking you.”
The temperature shifted instantly and Lucas stiffened. “Alex.”
Alex stepped closer, not aggressively but very intentionally.
“You don’t have to entertain everyone who decides they like you,” he said quietly to Lucas.
Margaret’s brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”
Alex ignored her again. “You don’t owe anyone access.”
The word anyone was heavy and
claiming. Margaret saw it now.
This wasn’t a friendly concern, it was territory. She gazed between them slowly. “Is…Is there something I’m missing?”
Lucas’s chest rose and fell…too fast and tight.
Alex’s next words came softer but more dangerous. “If you wanted some air and quiet, you could’ve told me.”
“Me?” Margaret whispered within herself. That revealed everything. Her expression changed as the understanding hit her.
Lucas himself felt cornered. Not by Margaret or by Zenith but by the weight of it all. The distance, the watching, the jealousy and now the claiming. The doubt Zenith planted and the fear that Alex might just be reacting to losing control.
His head snapped up, eyes on Alex.