Chapter 45: Talk With Lucas


The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the living room.


Lara stirred first, blinking against the soft brightness. She yawned and stretched, her muscles slightly sore from sleeping on the couch. She squinted at the wall clock to check the time.


8:26 AM.


A groggy voice mumbled from the other couch, "What time is it?"


Lara turned her head to see Ali, tangled in the blanket, peeking at her with one eye half-open.


"Eight twenty-six," Lara answered, sitting up with a stretch that made her spine pop satisfyingly.


Ali groaned, rolling over and blindly reaching for her phone on the coffee table. Meanwhile, Lara padded quietly out of the living room, making her way to the bathroom to freshen up. She splashed cold water on her face, brushed her teeth, and tied her hair into a messy bun before heading to the kitchen.


She decided to prepare breakfast, something simple but filling. Pancakes sizzled on the stove while eggs fried in another pan. She quickly threw together some sandwiches, the smell of toasted bread filling the air.


Just as she was pouring herself a glass of orange juice, she heard footsteps behind her.


Ali entered the kitchen, now fully dressed in a casual blue jumpshort dress. Her hair, soft and wavy, framed her face, and Lara didn't miss the subtle touch of makeup that made her skin glow a little more than usual.


"Wow. Someone's all dressed up," she teased, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I thought you said you had no plans today?"


Ali froze for half a second, then quickly busied herself by grabbing a plate. "I don't! I mean, nothing major," she said a little too quickly, cheeks tinged with pink.


Lara raised a brow, amused. She could see right through her.


"Ali..." she said, dragging her name out with suspicion.


Ali bit her lip, avoiding eye contact. "I'm just... meeting someone. A friend."


Lara's smirk widened. "A friend, huh?" She crossed her arms. "Not a date?"


"No!" Ali practically shouted, then winced at her own volume. "I mean... no. It's not a date. Just...catching up."


"Right," Lara said, her tone dripping with amusement. "A friend you dressed up for. Got it."


Ali rolled her eyes dramatically. "Quit it, Lara. It's really not a date, okay?"


"Sure," Lara chuckled, lifting her glass of orange juice in a mock toast. "Have fun then."


Ali stuck her tongue out at her before plopping down onto one of the stools by the island counter. "Can we just eat now, Miss Detective?"


Lara laughed under her breath and served up the breakfast. They ate together, teasing each other between bites. Afterward, Ali grabbed her bag, mumbled a quick goodbye, and practically ran out the door, leaving Lara alone in the condo.


Lara didn't mind. She actually welcomed the peace.


She cleaned up the dishes, then took a leisurely bath, letting the hot water soothe her. She changed into a comfy matching terno set-soft shorts and a sleeveless top-then sprawled comfortably on the living room couch, scrolling through Netflix. She eventually settled on a new K-drama series and lost herself in the storyline, enjoying the quiet simplicity of the day.


Hours passed without her noticing. She had just finished her lunch and was curled back on the couch, half-watching the screen, when the telephone rang sharply, startling her.


Lara frowned. Hardly anyone used the landline anymore. She paused the show and picked up the receiver.


"Hello?"


A polite voice answered, ["Good afternoon, Ma'am. This is the front desk. There's a gentleman here at the lobby looking for you. He says his name is Lucas dela Merced. He mentioned he's your husband."]


Lara sat up straighter, stunned. For a moment, she thought she misheard.


"I'm sorry, could you repeat that for me?" she said, almost disbelieving.


["Sure, Ma'am. A gentleman named Lucas dela Merced is here at the lobby. He claims to be your husband and he's requesting to speak with you."] The receptionist repeated.


Lara's stomach twisted into a tight knot. Her brows drew together sharply. What the hell is Lucas doing here?


She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, frustration rising like a tidal wave.


What now? Yesterday it was Riah, and now Lucas. Why are they doing this? Haven't they done enough?


Her fingers tightened around the receiver. A part of her wanted to refuse. But another part, the part that knew Lucas's stubbornness and pride, worried about what kind of scene he might cause if she ignored him.


She exhaled shakily, forcing herself to stay calm. Causing a scene wasn't an option. She needed to handle this quietly.


"Tell him I'll be right down," she told the receptionist before ending the call.


For a few seconds, she just sat there, staring blankly at the screen of the TV. Then, pushing herself to her feet, she grabbed a light cardigan and slipped into her sandals.


She kept her face neutral, her spine straight as she took the elevator down to the lobby.


When the elevator doors slid open, she spotted him instantly.


Lucas was sitting on one of the couches in the seating area, wearing a navy blue polo shirt and jeans, looking both out of place and strangely vulnerable. His hands were clasped together, elbows resting on his knees as he stared down at the floor.


Lara paused for a second, studying him.


He looked... different. Worn out and a little thinner. His usual sharp, polished appearance was dulled, like a blade left out in the rain too long.


He looked up when he heard her footsteps, and for a moment, their eyes locked across the lobby.


Lara's heart twisted painfully. She hated that even now, even after everything, some part of her still felt him like a bruise under her ribs.


But she straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin a little higher, and walked toward him anyway, her face carefully neutral.


Lucas immediately stood up when Lara approached, tension lining his shoulders, his face tight with something that looked suspiciously like regret—or nerves. He opened his mouth to speak, but for a moment, no sound came out.


Lara stopped a few feet away, arms loosely crossed over her chest, her expression cold and guarded.


"Lucas," she said, her voice cool and steady. "What are you doing here?"


Lucas swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I just... I needed to see you," he said finally, his voice low and rough around the edges.


Lara didn't move. Her gaze stayed fixed on him, steady and unflinching. "See me? For what?" she asked sharply. "There's nothing left to settle between us, Lucas. And I don't appreciate you coming here unannounced. I don't want any scenes, so please, go home."


When Lucas reached for her wrist, Lara instinctively flinched back, her glare sharp and warning. Lucas' expression crumbled, the pain evident in his eyes.


"I'm not here to cause trouble, Lara," he said hoarsely. "I just... I just want to talk."


Lara scoffed under her breath. "Talk? Fine. Let's talk." She tilted her head slightly, voice icy. "I'll give you this moment, but know this, Lucas—this will be the last."


She turned and sat down on one of the couches in the seating area. Lucas hesitated before sinking into the couch across from her, his hands clenching and unclenching nervously.


"Speak," Lara said, leveling him with an impassive stare. "What do you want from me?"


Lucas drew in a shaky breath. "I heard... Riah came to your school yesterday."


Lara leaned back against the couch, crossing her legs calmly. "She did. What about it?"


"I just—" he hesitated, searching her face. "I wanted to know what she told you. Did she say anything?"


Lara let out a dry laugh, crossing her arms. "Why are you asking me? Didn't your precious Riah already tell you everything herself?"


Lucas flinched at the word. "She's not—" He exhaled shakily. "She's not my lover anymore."


"Right," Lara said sarcastically. "Because you guys already broke up. How tragic."


Lucas met her eyes. "Did she tell you that?"


"She did," Lara answered without emotion. "She said you broke up over a month ago. But that's none of my business anymore, Lucas. We're over."


Pain flickered across Lucas' face, so quickly that Lara almost missed it.


"Did she... tell you anything else?" he asked, almost whispering.


Lara stared at him blankly before speaking. "Well, she did say something ridiculous." Her lips curled into a humorless smile. "She said you loved me."


For a heartbeat, Lucas was silent. Then he looked at her, his voice breaking slightly. "What if it's true?"


Lara blinked. "What?"


"It's true," he said, voice raw. "I love you, Lara."