Chapter 87 Bailed lunch
Meanwhile, upstairs, Alex sat rigid in front of his system, eyes locked on the live feed from the kitchen camera. Lucas moved about casually, unaware he was being watched.
He kept glancing at the clock. As it struck two thirty, he smiled. Checking the pot on the stove, he talked to the person beside him as he wiped his hands on a towel.
Alex’s lips curved faintly with a smile. “Lunch time with my baby has finally come.” He said as he stood up waltzing happily.
The moment Lucas left the kitchen, Alex straightened. Right on schedule. He reached for his phone, dialing Margaret for his order. He was already imagining the look on Lucas’s face when he would step into his office for their lunch. He would be as happy as he.
Unfortunately, as Lucas stepped out of the kitchen, his phone buzzed. Alex frowned, his eyes on the screen, wondering who was calling.
He watched on the screen as Lucas paused mid-step, glanced at the caller ID, and answered. His posture shifted. He wasn’t smiling anymore. He said a few quick words and headed in the opposite direction.
Alex blinked. “No… no, no, no.” He leaned closer to the monitor as if that would somehow redirect him. “Who called him to the restaurant?”
Meanwhile, Lucas didn’t hesitate. He moved fast, with urgency in every stride.
A flicker of concern tightened Alex’s chest. Was something wrong? Was there an emergency or some problem?
Then irritation flared just as quickly. “Damn it,” he muttered, shoving back his chair. “Who the heck wants to disrupt our lunch?”
His jaw clenched. Angrily, he took his jacket off as if it were the cause of the problem. His eyes never left the screen as he followed Lucas. Concern and anger tangled inside him in an uneasy mix that made his pulse spike. He muttered suspiciously, “Is there someone trying to hijack my time with my Lucas? Could it be that snake, Zenith? No, after the last beating, he wouldn't dare try it but I will find out soon.”
As Lucas entered the restaurant, Alex saw a young lady waving at Lucas. “Is she his girlfriend?” He muttered, his eyes widened as Lucas headed straight to her.
“Hey Em, this is a surprise,” Lucas said, pulling Emily into a tight hug. Then, he kissed her cheek once, then again. “I've missed you.” While gently rubbing their foreheads together.
Emily smiled, but there was tension behind it.
She had already ordered a meal. The food arrived almost immediately after they sat down, steam rising between them like unspoken words.
At first, Lucas wasn’t going to eat. His mind was upstairs with Alex who was waiting for him.
But it had been a long time since he had sat across from his sister like this. No rushed phone calls. No family arguments in the background. Just the two of them.
“Eat,” Emily insisted, nudging the plate toward him. “Don’t just stare at it. I've missed sitting at meals with you.
Lucas sighed, gave in, and picked up his fork. I’ll explain to Alex later, he told himself. He’ll understand.
For a few minutes, they ate in silence. Then Emily put down her cutlery. “Big bro… Dad sent me.”
Lucas didn’t even look up. “Don’t bother,” he said flatly. “Just tell him I said no to everything he requested.”
Emily inhaled slowly. “You don’t even know what he requested.”
“It doesn’t matter.” His jaw tightened. “If it’s about the engagement or the marriage, the family arrangement, the reputation talk, or even breaking up with Alex, I’m not interested.”
That instant, Lucas’s phone vibrated on the table and the caller was Alex.
Lucas’s heart skipped. He picked up immediately. “Hello Alex, I might not meet up in time,” he said before Alex could speak. “Just go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me, okay.”
There was a small pause on the other end. “Where are you, Lucas?” Alex asked. His voice was calm and under control.
Lucas hesitated. “Ahm… I’m a bit busy right now. We’ll talk later, okay?”
He didn’t wait for a reply. He ended the call. The silence at the table grew heavier. Then Emily’s eyes softened slightly. “That’s him, right?”
Lucas didn’t respond.
“You really like him, don’t you?”
Lucas stared at his untouched drink. His thoughts spiraled at that question. Like? It wasn’t just like. It was the way his chest felt lighter every time Alex smiled at him. The way his whole day shifted just because of one whisper and stolen kisses in the fridge. The way he had been counting minutes to lunch just to sit across from him. The way his stomach fluttered any time he touched him.
He exhaled slowly, and a smile lingered on his face. Then he admitted quietly. “Yes, baby sis, I really like him more than I could explain.”
Upstairs, Alex lowered his phone slowly. He hadn’t missed the hesitation in Lucas’s voice.
And for the first time that day, the glow on his face dimmed.
“Why didn’t he tell me he was at the restaurant with someone?” Who is that young lady? They seemed too close. Is she his girlfriend?”
Alex’s thoughts spiraled, “Damn it, Lucas don't do this to me, please. Don't keep another close friend, not now that you've taken not just my heart but every part of me.” Alex whispered to himself, running a hand through his face.
Down at the restaurant, Emily stared at his brother's expression. “Oh Luc, you’re in love already. Look at you. Oh my goodness, my big bro is blushing.” Emily said excitedly.
“Come on Em, stop teasing me,” Lucas said as he tried to hide his face which had flushed so hard.
“Tell me, did he feel the same way?”
“Yeah, he did Em and I've never been this happy all my life. Remember, that night at Club Unite, Jessica's birthday, the guy who saved me, and told you to come and pick me up, that's my Alex.”
“Seriously” exclaimed Emily in surprise. “Wow, what a small world.”
“Yeah, it's a small world. Do you also recall a story of a man who wanted to slit his wrist in the hospital during our grandma's last days? The man I gave one of my good luck pendants.” Lucas tried to remind Emily.
“Oh yeah, that mystery man you didn't get his name.” Emily’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh my goodness, is the man your Alex?”
A wide smile spread across Lucas’s face as he admitted. “Yes Em, that mystery man was my Alex. And he had been around the city waiting for me.”
“Oh Luc, I'm so happy you met him at last. I just hope he is a good guy. I don’t want anyone hurting you. You know you’re my only brother and I love you so much?” Emily said concernly.
“Yeah, I love you too baby sis.” He said as he stretched his hand and caressed her cheek.
From up, Alex’s hand clenched into a fist, eyes blazing. “So she is your girlfriend hmm. Lucas, I won't share you with anyone.”