Y/n
Mr. Ben: "You two are finally here," he said with mock impatience, raising an eyebrow.
Kayden chuckled beside me.
Kayden: "What's the rush, Mr. Ben? We're fashionably on time."
Mr. Ben: "The meeting starts in ten minutes. Try not to flirt your way into being late again."
He gave us a knowing look and turned to leave but paused at the door, his eyes softening as they landed on me.
Mr. Ben: "And Y/N, you look absolutely beautiful today, my child."
He smiled warmly.
"Thanks, Uncle Ben," I said, a little flustered. Kayden gave me a sideways glance, his brows slightly raised.
As soon as Mr. Ben was out of sight, Kayden leaned a little closer.
Kayden (teasing): "Beautiful, huh? Should I be worried you're stealing all the attention today?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
"You should focus on the meeting, not your assistant's charm."
He grinned. "Can't help it. My assistant's kind of irresistible."
I grabbed the documents, trying to act unfazed. "Let's just go, Casanova."
We walked into the meeting room. Two elderly gentlemen were already seated, looking rather serious. Kayden greeted them with confident ease and shook their hands. Then their eyes landed on me.
Kayden: "This is my assistant, Y/N."
Mr. Harper gave a short nod, then smirked.
Mr. Harper: "Ah, I see. Finally traded the suits for some beauty, eh?"
I blinked. Kayden cleared his throat awkwardly.
Kayden: "Yeah, yeah, let's focus on the project, shall we?"
The meeting began. I took my seat beside Kayden, occasionally catching him stealing glances at me. I added a few suggestions during the discussion, and to my surprise, the men nodded in agreement, visibly impressed.
When the meeting ended, Kayden leaned toward me and whispered,
Kayden: "Told you you're irresistible."
Mr. Harper: "Well, it's a pleasure to begin a great partnership with CS Company."
The meeting finally ended, and we headed back to the office. Nearly two hours of talking, nodding, and pretending not to fall asleep in between.
Kayden: "Aah, finally," he groaned, stretching his arms like he just ran a marathon.
I opened my mouth to reply, but a wave of nausea hit me hard. My stomach flipped, and everything blurred for a second.
"Oh no—"
I bolted straight to the washroom, barely making it in time. My hands gripped the sink, breathing uneven. Then, I felt it—someone's hand gently rubbing my back.
Kayden: "Y/N, are you okay?"
His voice was low and warm, filled with concern. I nodded weakly.
"Yeah… I'm fine," I mumbled, though my voice betrayed me.
Kayden: "I'm calling the doctor—"
"No!" I grabbed his hand, stopping him.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. Just… a little sick, that's all."
He crouched slightly, his eyes narrowing as he placed the back of his hand on my forehead.
Kayden: "Y/N… you have a fever."
"Really?" I blinked at him.
Kayden: "Yes. You're burning up. That's it—take the rest of the day off. I'm dropping you home."
He gently took my hand, trying to pull me along, but I resisted.
"No, Kayden. I'm okay, really. And… Emma and Max's engagement is tomorrow, remember? I was already planning to take a leave for that."
Kayden let out a small sigh but nodded.
Kayden: "Okay, fine. But you're still going home now. You need rest. And don't worry, I'll handle the office."
I hesitated, but the look in his eyes—soft, stubborn, and kind—made me nod.
"Okay… but only if you don't mess up my desk."
Kayden (grinning): "No promises." He pull my hand
We sat in silence for most of the ride to Emma's house. The air was soft, calm… like a quiet pause in the middle of a long day.
When we pulled up in front of the house, Kayden turned to me.
Kayden: "I should leave now. Take care, okay?"
I nodded. Before I could say anything else, he leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead.
My heart skipped a beat.
Without another word, he got back in the car and drove off. I stood there for a second, feeling the warmth of his lips linger on my skin.
When I stepped inside, I was instantly greeted by the sight of Emma and Max, both dressed to perfection.
"Wow, you two look amazing—" I started to say, but then I saw him.
Lucas.
Leaning casually near the hallway, eyes locked on me. My breath caught just a little.
Emma: "Y/N! Come here! We bought so many clothes!"
She grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the living room, excited like a kid in a candy store. "You have to see what I got!"
I could still feel Lucas's gaze lingering on me like static in the air.
"Emma, I'll be right back, I just need the washroom."
I hurried to my room and closed the door behind me. The second I stepped into the washroom, I leaned over the sink and splashed cold water on my face.
The silence wrapped around me like a blanket, but inside, my heart was racing.
Lucas was here.
Why was he looking at me like that?
And… why did I still care?
"I need to face him again..." I whispered to myself, gripping the sink's edge. After a moment, I took a deep breath, dried my face, and stepped out of the bathroom.
But I froze.
Lucas was sitting on my bed.
My heart dropped.
"What are you doing here?" I tried to stay calm, keep my voice steady, but my body betrayed me—tense, trembling slightly.
He looked up and slowly stood, like a shadow rising.
Lucas: "Y/N, I—"
"Just get out." My voice was sharper now.
Lucas: "I need to talk to you."
"But I don't want to talk. Just—get out!"
Before I could finish, he suddenly shoved me against the wall.
Lucas: "Just listen to me, Y/N!" His voice echoed in the small room.
"Leave me alone!" I cried, trying to push him away. But he didn't budge.
Lucas: "Don't make me angry." His tone dropped—cold, dangerous.
I swallowed hard.
"I don't want—"
Lucas: "I'm warning you. If you dare ignore me again… if you ever tell anyone about our past…"
He leaned closer, voice low and venomous.
"I swear, I'll make your life even more miserable than before."
My breath caught in my throat.
"You haven't changed a bit," I whispered, eyes burning.
Lucas: "Oh, I've changed, Y/N. But not when it comes to you."
His lips curled into that same twisted smile he wore back in college—the one that made my skin crawl.
Then his grip tightened on my shoulders, painfully hard.
"Y-You're hurting me," I managed to say, wincing.
Lucas: "You always bring out the worst in me… but the truth is, you're mine. You always were."
"I'll scream. Max and Emma are right outside!" I shouted, panic surging through me.
But Lucas didn't back down. Instead, he shoved me—hard this time—against the wall. My shoulder slammed painfully into it, and I gasped.
Lucas: "I don't care if they know, Y/N. Let them come. But after that…"
His voice dropped, chilling.
"You'll think a hundred times before stepping outside again. You won't dare go anywhere."
Tears welled in my eyes. My whole body was shaking.
"Please… don't do this to me," I whispered, voice cracking.
Lucas: "Oh? You don't want this? Then you better start listening to me."
I nodded quickly, just to make him stop.
"Please… just let me go first," I begged.
His fingers slowly uncurled from my arm, but his eyes were still dark, dangerous.
Lucas: "Good. Now stop ignoring me—and tell me who the hell Scott is to you."
I opened my mouth, wanting to say it's none of your business, but before I could get a word out—
Emma's voice cut in from the from the door
Emma: "Hey, are you two coming to help us or what—?"
Lucas's entire demeanor flipped in an instant.
He turned toward her with a grin like he'd just won the lottery, then pulled me into a hug before I could react.
I flinched.
Lucas (cheerfully): "Oh, I missed Y/N! I'm so glad we're finally good again."
He wrapped his arms around me tightly—too tightly. I tried to push him away.
And then he leaned down, his lips close to my ear.
Lucas (in a low whisper): "You want to die?"
I froze, eyes wide with terror. My breath hitched.
He pulled back from the hug, still smiling like everything was fine, then grabbed my hand possessively.
My mind screamed. My body wanted to run.
But I couldn't move.
Emma: "You guys okay, Y/N?"
Her eyes scanned me, concerned.
"Yeah, I—" I started, but Lucas cut in smoothly.
Lucas (cheerfully): "Emma, I'm just happy she's not ignoring me anymore."
He grinned like everything was perfect.
Emma: "Really?!"
She clapped her hands, clearly thrilled.
I swallowed hard.
"I—yes..." I forced a smile. I wanted to say no. I wanted to scream. But I couldn't—not now. Not when tomorrow was supposed to be a special day for Emma and Max. I didn't want to ruin it.
Emma: "That's amazing! Max is going to be so happy to hear this!"
She hurried off, completely unaware.
Lucas leaned in and tugged my hand, still holding it tight.
Lucas (low, firm): "Let's go, Y/N."
I tried to pull my hand free, but his grip only tightened.
We walked out into the living room where Max was setting up some decorations.
Max: "Hey! Really? You two are good now?"
Lucas didn't even give me a chance to speak.
Lucas: "Yep! I apologized, and she forgave me."
He gave my hand a harsh squeeze.
I winced.
"Y-yeah… b-brother," I said with a forced smile, my voice barely above a whisper.
Inside, I was screaming.
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