Romance With The CEO

Chapter61: Honesty and Lie 1

Lucas' arrival brought a smile to Jeff's face. After the unpleasant incident the other day, he honestly did not expect his son to come back so soon.

Jeff was pleasantly surprised but welcomed him with open arms.

"What wind brings you home, Luc? It's not like you to come home on a workday," Jeff asked.

It was another unexpected addition that caught Jeff off guard. It was not Lucas' usual habit to come home on a workday, especially considering he often worked late.

"I just dropped by for a moment," Lucas replied meaningfully. "There's something I want to discuss with Mom and Dad."

Jeff nodded and immediately instructed the butler to summon Sandra. They waited for a while, and soon enough, Sandra arrived.

"So, what's going on? Does this have something to do with work?" Jeff began the conversation straightforwardly. He went straight to one possibility, and Lucas' shake of the head confirmed it.

"It has nothing to do with my work. The office is fine," Lucas said.

Jeff nodded. He glanced at Sandra and noticed that her expression was unusual. His wife seemed to be in a bad mood.

Sandra saw no need to pretend when she was still angry at Lucas. Yesterday's incident had left her perplexed, especially with Lucas' sudden visit.

"First of all, I apologize to Mom for my actions yesterday."

Lucas had a reason for coming and requesting a meeting with his parents. He did not like Sandra's behavior, but that did not mean he could just brush it off after their argument yesterday.

Lucas hoped Sandra would forgive him, especially because he had another hope that brought him there.

"Apologize?" Sandra's tone shattered Lucas' hope in an instant. She scoffed briefly with a disdainful expression. "You're only realizing your mistake now, Luc? After you crossed the line with your own mother?"

Jeff looked back and forth between his wife and son. A wave of confusion swept over him, prompting him to reflexively ask, "What actually happened? Did I miss something?"

Sandra scoffed. She had no intention of answering Jeff's question as she turned away, unwilling to look at Lucas.

"Mom, please. None of this would have happened if you hadn't been so busy pushing me toward Clarissa. How many times do I have to say it? I have no interest in Clarissa whatsoever."

Jeff did not need an immediate answer. The two-way conversation between Lucas and Sandra had already given him a clear conclusion.

"Please, don't force me. I'm not interested in her at all," Lucas pleaded.

Sandra took a deep breath. "I've told you repeatedly, Luc. I just want you to be close to her. Clarissa is the right woman for you."

"I've also said it repeatedly, Mom. I'm not interested in Clarissa. I could never accept another woman."

"Lucas."

Sandra clenched her fists. For a moment, she restrained herself, but Lucas' response reignited her lingering emotions.

"Do you have any leads on Velia?"

Jeff's question interrupted at the right time. The tension between Lucas and Sandra momentarily eased, but unfortunately, with a completely inappropriate diversion.

"Is that so, Luc?" Jeff asked again. "Have you found Velia?"

Sandra waited. Her emotions were replaced by a terrifying tension. She tried to remain calm, but it was difficult.

No, God, please. I beg you, please. Let Lucas say he hasn't found Velia yet.

Lucas let out a brief sigh. Painfully, he smiled faintly and shook his head.

"Not yet."

Lucas' voice sounded very soft. Coupled with the turmoil in his eyes, it conveyed endless sadness and despair.

"I haven't found her yet, but I won't stop."

"You won't stop?" Sandra exclaimed with a sudden relief that welled up in her chest. The tension began to dissipate. "Can't you see the reality? Velia has already left you, Luc. So why are you still looking for her?"

"Did Velia leave me, or did you force her to leave me?"

Shock pierced Sandra's heart. She flinched with widened eyes. She did not anticipate that possibility.

"W-what? What do you mean, Luc?"

Lucas stared directly at his mother. "Please, Mom. Tell me that it wasn't you who made Velia leave me."

"Y-you dare accuse your own mother?"

Tremors filled Sandra's voice. Trying to remain calm became difficult now. She swallowed hard with a rigid face.

"Are you accusing me?!"

Lucas remained silent. He stood still, locking his gaze without blinking, while Jeff quickly grasped the worsening situation.

"Lucas," Jeff called. "I know you're in a difficult situation. You don't have to accept Clarissa, and you can search for Velia as you wish, but..."

Jeff turned to look at his wife, reaching out to gently squeeze her fingers, giving a brief comforting squeeze.

"... you mustn't accuse your mom. She could never do such a thing."

Lucas' jaw tensed, and a faint grumble could be heard. "I hope so too, Dad."

Sandra's tension increased. Jeff could also sense it from his hand in her grip.

Worries arose, but Jeff dismissed them. Holding onto one fact, he was certain Sandra could not have done it.

"Mom wants what's best for you, Luc. Besides, I am sure Mom will accept Velia, considering she's the daughter of her old friend."

Finally, Lucas' gaze left Sandra. He turned to Jeff with a trace of confusion.

"What do you mean, Dad?"

"You probably don't know because you were too busy starting your career at the beginning of your relationship," Jeff continued to explain. "Velia's father is her old friend. Their relationship could be considered very close."

It was information Lucas had never known before. Velia had never mentioned it, so he was convinced that she did not know either.

"So, it's impossible for Mom to have the heart to separate Velia from you. She just doesn't want you to keep thinking about her. She just doesn't want you to hold onto empty hopes that may never come true."

Like the head of the household, Jeff diffused the tension between mother and son. The atmosphere began to change, and he smiled understandingly at Lucas.

"I know Velia is a good woman, and if you insist, it means she's the right person for you. So, I am confident that Mom will eventually melt when Velia returns," Jeff said, turning to Sandra. "Isn't that, right?"

Sandra composed herself. It was difficult, but she managed to force a fake smile and nod.

"Of course. I just don't want my only son to be hurt because of love."

*