Chapter 9 Unexpected Dinner Guest

• The evening started off like any other—quiet and tense. Celia had spent the afternoon in her room, nursing the bruises from her conversation with Alexander. He had made it clear—painfully so—that whatever hope she had for something more between them was nothing more than a fantasy. She had tried to keep herself busy, but nothing could quell the ache in her chest.
• As dusk settled over the mansion, Celia stood in the dining room, adjusting the table settings, her mind still clouded with frustration. The house felt emptier now, devoid of the warmth that had once drawn her in. Alexander had been unusually distant after their last conversation, disappearing into his study the entire afternoon. Every now and then, Celia would hear the faint murmur of his voice on a phone call, but it was always business, always detached, never personal.
• Her thoughts were interrupted when the doorbell rang, echoing through the hall. She froze, momentarily caught off guard. Alexander had mentioned something about a business dinner tonight, but she hadn’t thought it would be so soon.
• She heard Alexander’s footsteps approaching, and the sound of the door opening. There was a brief exchange of pleasantries, followed by the unmistakable voice of a man she hadn’t yet met.
• “Ah, you must be Celia.”
• Celia turned, her gaze falling on the man who had entered the room. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and had the air of someone who was used to commanding attention. He wore a sharp suit, his dark hair neatly styled, and his eyes were piercing—a deep, intense shade of green that seemed to study her with a knowing look.
• “I’m Lucas,” he said, his voice smooth and confident as he walked toward her. “Alexander’s business partner, or shall we say... rival.”
• Celia forced a smile, still a little thrown by his sudden presence. “Nice to meet you.”
• “I’m sure it is,” Lucas said, his smile wide but tinged with something playful. He extended a hand toward her, and when she took it, his grip was firm. “You’re even more beautiful in person. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
• Before Celia could respond, Alexander appeared behind him, his expression unreadable. "Lucas, I hope you didn’t keep Celia waiting too long," Alexander said, his tone cool, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance.
• Lucas didn’t miss a beat. He turned to Alexander with an exaggerated smile, clearly enjoying the subtle tension between them. "No, no, she was just giving me a tour of the place." He shot Celia a wink, making her feel slightly uncomfortable, but she forced herself to maintain composure.
• "Let’s eat," Alexander said curtly, obviously eager to move on from the exchange. He gestured toward the table, and the three of them sat down. The dinner passed in a haze for Celia. She found herself acutely aware of every glance exchanged between the two men across the table. Alexander was focused on his food, but every now and then, his eyes would flick toward Lucas, his gaze tightening ever so slightly.
• Lucas, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed air. He made no effort to hide his interest in Celia, repeatedly turning the conversation back toward her. “So, Celia,” he said, his tone dripping with a kind of playfulness, “what brings you to stay with Alexander? You must have quite a history, hm?”
• Celia felt Alexander’s eyes on her, sharp and guarded, but she didn’t let it show. She smiled at Lucas, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’ve known Alexander’s family for years. My parents are close friends with his, and when they had to go overseas, they asked him to look out for me.”
• Lucas nodded, clearly intrigued. He leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Ah, I see. That makes sense. And I must say, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone quite like you before.”
• Celia could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air. She wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or uncomfortable. Lucas had a way of speaking that was both charming and unnerving at the same time. His eyes never strayed far from her, and there was an intensity in his gaze that made her skin prickle.
• Alexander, who had been silent up until now, suddenly spoke, his voice low and clipped. “Lucas, let’s not make Celia uncomfortable with too many personal questions.”
• Lucas raised an eyebrow, as if amused. “Oh, don’t worry, Alexander. I’m just getting to know your... guest. It’s only polite.”
• There was an underlying tension in the room, and Celia could feel it thickening, suffocating the otherwise casual atmosphere. She tried to smile, but it felt forced. It was clear that Lucas wasn’t trying to hide his interest in her, and his attention, though flattering, only seemed to make Alexander more distant. Every time Lucas flirted with her, Alexander would stiffen, his jaw tightening imperceptibly, and Celia could sense his discomfort.
• She could see that Lucas was enjoying the effect he was having on Alexander. His smirk seemed to grow every time he caught Alexander’s eye, and Celia couldn’t ignore the shift in the energy between the two men. There was something unresolved between them, something unspoken. She couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with their business rivalry or if there was more to it than just that.
• As the meal continued, Lucas’s attention never wavered from Celia. He would lean closer, make jokes, and occasionally touch her hand in a way that lingered longer than necessary. Celia felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but there was an undeniable effect his attention had on her. Part of her hated it, but another part—something deeper and more vulnerable—found herself responding to the challenge Lucas presented. He was smooth, confident, and charming, a stark contrast to Alexander’s aloofness.
• After dinner, Alexander stood up abruptly, excusing himself. “I have some work to take care of,” he said curtly, his eyes momentarily meeting Celia’s before he turned and left the room without another word.
• Celia watched him go, the silence left in his wake deafening. She didn’t know what to make of the situation. She had tried to read the tension between the two men, but it was a game she didn’t fully understand. She didn’t know whether Alexander’s sudden departure was out of irritation or something deeper, but the unease between them was impossible to ignore.
• Lucas, sensing the change in the mood, gave Celia a smirk. “Seems like your friend is a little upset,” he said casually, leaning back in his chair with a lazy smile. “Don’t worry, Celia. I’m sure he’ll come around. He’s just a little... protective of you, that’s all.”
• Celia frowned, unsure of how to respond. She wasn’t used to being in the middle of this kind of tension, and the way Lucas looked at her now made her skin crawl. She tried to keep her voice steady. “It’s nothing, really. Alexander’s just busy.”
• “Of course,” Lucas said, his smile never wavering. “But if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me.”
• As he stood to leave, Celia felt an uncomfortable knot form in her stomach. There was something off about Lucas, something that didn’t sit right with her. But as he walked out of the dining room with a charming smile and a wave, she couldn’t help but notice the way Alexander’s absence seemed to stretch even further now, leaving her in a room filled with unresolved tension.