Chapter 79 Messed up
“Already on it, boss,” Dan responded immediately.
Lucas hailed a cab.
Dan slipped into his car and tailed him.
After a few minutes, “Boss,” Dan texted. “He’s back at the Dynasty Bar.”
Alex swore under his breath, already grabbing his keys.
“Damn it, Lucas,” he muttered as he stormed out. “You should’ve stayed home with me.”
“Dan, what’s he drinking?”
“Alcoholic mixed and in his third shot already.” Dan’s voice lowered. “He looks very bothered, talking and chortling to himself.”
“Walk over stay with him. Talk to him. I’m on my way.”
“Alright, boss.”
The instant the line disconnected.
Dan sighed. “I hate babysitting.”
He adjusted his jacket and walked toward Lucas, who sat slouched over the bar counter, staring into his drink like it held answers to his worries.
Dan slid into the seat opposite him and signaled a waiter for a soft drink.
Up close, it was obvious that Lucas was already tipsy.
“Hey, buddy,” Dan said casually. “You alright?”
Lucas let out a humorless laugh.
“Are you kidding me?” he whispered. “Do people who mess things up stay alright?”
Dan mirrored his tone. “Did you mess things up?”
Lucas nodded slowly, eyes glassy. “Yeah,” he admitted in a low whisper. “I did.” He leaned forward, voice dropping even more.
“I dared the devil by kissing my best friend.” His fingers tightened around the bottle. “And I'm regretting it now. I don’t know how to tell my boyfriend.”
His throat bobbed. “He’s going to be so mad at me.”
Dan blinked. “Kiss?” he muttered under his breath. “That’s… unexpected. I thought they were fighting.”
He shook his head in disbelief and leaned closer to Lucas, lowering his voice. “If the kiss means nothing then don’t tell him.”
Lucas’s head snapped up. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Dan shrugged. “If it was nothing, why complicate things?” Then Dan pinched himself, wrong advice because Alex must have seen it all.
Lucas shook his head immediately. “No… no, I hate secrets.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “They sit here, heavy, sometimes, they will take away your peace. Do you have a secret?” Lucas asked him in a whisper.
“No,” He responded in a whisper.
“Wow, you must have a great peace of mind. You know, I already have one on my shoulders. I can’t add another.”
Dan’s brows furrowed slightly. “Another one apart from kissing your bestfriend?”
“Yeah, another one, more serious than that.”
“Oh buddy, it's best to let it go and get your peace.”
Lucas ignored that and continued, words tumbling out. “I’ve been nurturing feelings for my Alex for a long time. I don’t want to be the reason we break up.”
“And who said you’re breaking up?” Dan asked before he could stop himself.
Lucas stared into his drink. “No one. I just feel pressure coming. Like something bad is waiting. I hate stress. I hate it.”
Dan studied him quietly. “Look,” he said finally, softer now. “Don’t let people decide your life for you. Do whatever gives you peace of mind. If telling him will make you breathe easier, then tell him.”
Lucas lifted the shot again and waved at the waiter for another one.
Dan raised a hand quickly. “Nope, no more.”
The waiter retreated.
“You’re already heated, buddy,” Dan said firmly. “Why don’t you tell me about this famous Alex instead?” He needed to keep Lucas talking until the boss arrived.
Lucas perked up instantly. “My Alex?” he repeated, his tone turning dreamy.
Dan leaned back, playing along. “Yeah, you're Alex. How long have you been in love with him?”
Lucas blinked at him, confused. “What?”
“Come on,” Dan pressed lightly. “When did he steal your heart?”
Lucas squinted at him. “Are you my new friend now?” He suddenly stretched his hand across the table. “I’m Lucas.”
Dan hid a smile and shook it. “Pete,” he replied smoothly. “Nice to meet you. I’m all ears.”
Lucas giggled, then suddenly grew shy. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, cradling his cheeks in both hands like a teenager with a crush.
That soft, embarrassed expression didn’t escape Dan. He muttered inaudibly, “Damn, boss. You'd better treat this one right. He’s gone into you totally.”
Lucas lowered his voice conspiratorially. “It started the day I saved him.”
Dan’s attention sharpened. Is this guy the real saviour from years back?
“I gave him one of my grandma’s good-luck pendants,” Lucas continued, smiling faintly at the memory. “He was so grateful. He hugged me. It was really warm. Then he looked into my eyes, my heart thudded happily and he kissed my forehead.”
His fingers brushed his own forehead unconsciously. That didn't escape Dan either.
“He smiled at me like I was something precious. We parted that day but by the next day, he was gone. I felt so bad that I didn't even get his name but within me, I believed that we would meet again. And every time I think of him, my heart flutters. That was it.” He let out a small laugh.
Dan whistled softly. “How sweet, so you’re his lucky charm, huh?”
Lucas nodded happily. “Yeah, he called me that.”
Then his smile faded.
“But I have this secret,” he murmured. “Something hard to tell. I’m scared he’ll leave me if he finds out.”
Dan exhaled quietly. He knew too much already.
“Hey,” he said gently. “The kiss isn’t that bad. It was a mistake. Just tell him. If he loves you the way you love him, he’ll understand.”
Lucas looked torn.
“Come on, don't look that way. Why not call him?” Dan suggested. “Let him come pick you up.”
Lucas blinked slowly. “Call him?”
“Yeah. What’s his number? I’ll dial.”
Lucas fumbled with his phone, laughing to himself. “I can… I can call him…”
Then suddenly he pulled the phone back. “No. I can’t talk to him.”
Dan gently took the phone from his loose grip and dialed. The line connected almost immediately.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Alex’s voice came through, calm but alert. “Are you feeling alright?”
Lucas shook his head frantically. “No… no, I can’t talk to him.”
Dan spoke instead. “Hi, Mr. Alex, please come and pick Lucas up at the Dynasty bar.”
There was a brief silence. “I’m on my way, almost there, Dan” Alex replied.
Lucas frowned at Dan. “Pete, I can go home by myself.”
“No, buddy,” Dan said firmly. “You can’t.”
A few minutes later, Alex walked into the bar. His eyes found Lucas instantly.
Dan stood up at once. “Hey buddy,” he told Lucas lightly. “Your Alex is here. I’m heading out.”
Lucas looked up slowly. As Dan stepped away, Alex slid into the seat opposite him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Lucas squinted at him, studying his face like he wasn’t sure it was real.
“Is that… really you?” he asked softly.
Alex’s lips twitched. “Didn’t you call me to pick you up?”
“Did I?” Lucas rubbed his temple. “Oh… my head.”
Alex stood, walked around the table, and gently pulled Lucas to his feet. Lucas swayed.
Alex steadied him immediately, one arm firm around his waist.
“Come on,” Alex said quietly, his voice losing its edge. “Let’s get you home.”