Romance With The CEO

Chapter84: Desire 1

"Is Lucas inside?"

Vlora nodded in response to the man who suddenly appeared in front of her. He seemed hurried, with a racing breath. Not as relaxed as usual.

"Okay. Thank you."

It was none other than Andreas. He looked relieved with the nod Vlora gave him. Some of his worries eased, but he had to meet Lucas immediately.

Andreas started to walk away, but something made him stop in his tracks. He turned around with one hand raised in the air. Then he spoke.

"Oh, before I forget. After I'm done with Lucas, you have something to discuss with me."

Vlora's eyes widened. Unfortunately, she could not express her objections as Andreas had already walked away.

Andreas opened the door. He entered and was met with Lucas's listless gaze. Lucas looked miserable, but he reassured himself. At least it was a sign that Lucas was still alive.

"How are you?" Andreas asked without beating around the bush. He pulled a chair in front of Lucas and sat down. He briefly glanced at the files covering the desk. "Busy?"

Lucas let out a long sigh. "Fine. Okay."

Andreas nodded. Lucas's short answer made him refrain from speaking further. It seemed he preferred to assess the situation on his own rather than fully trust Lucas's answer.

"I'm really fine."

"I can see that. You're fine," Andreas nodded in agreement but also sighed. "At least you're still alive, but are you really okay?"

Lucas squinted his eyes and leaned back. "Maybe I should inform your family that you've been in my place all this time."

"Wow!"

Andreas raised both hands in surrender. He would not push further when Lucas gave a threatening signal.

"That's not what I meant, but..."

It was time to change the topic. Andreas knew the right diversion, which was equally important as Lucas's condition.

"...how's your dad doing?"

"Fine. I'll pick up Dad from the hospital later this afternoon."

Sandra's arrest did not just affect Velia and Lucas; it also left a shocked husband. Jeff managed to hold on for a few days, but the deepening investigation shook him greatly.

Fact after fact came to the surface. All the horrific events had been planned from the beginning. The horrifying reality deeply affected Jeff. How could his beloved wife commit such a heinous act?

"I'll visit you tonight. Oh, by the way, Luc."

Lucas blinked. He briefly saw Andreas's hesitation before he actually asked.

"Have you heard from Velia all this time?"

Lucas smiled grimly. He couldn't speak as his mind reminded him of the suffering he had endured all this time.

One day. Two days. Three days. Weeks passed by.

The first week. The second week. They kept changing.

Lucas convinced Vlora not to move all her belongings from the apartment yet, holding on to hope that Velia would ask for them back.

Unfortunately, things did not go as hoped. In the end, all he could give was a heartbreaking nod as an answer.

Andreas did not say anything else. He chose to leave with a sad conviction. There was nothing he could do to help Lucas.

A birth mother killing the family of the woman he loved? And then he even sent her birth mother to jail?

Andreas walked away, taking a long breath. He was certain that not many men would remain sane after experiencing all of that. Luckily, Lucas was not truly insane. Just on the verge of madness.

Lucas clung to a meaningless piece of sanity with the burden of tasks and responsibilities on his shoulders. He showed strength by continuing to go to the office. He carried out all the activities and schedules without exception. Everything was done well, although anyone could see the irony there-he performed everything as if devoid of a soul.

Lucas's gaze was empty. His face expressionless. Only emptiness remained, widening further.

"I might visit Mom in the next few days."

Jeff started the conversation. He leaned back on the headboard while Lucas helped to adjust his position. His son did not respond.

"I know how difficult the position you're in right now. I won't blame you for any decision you've made. It's all your choice."

Lucas remained still on the edge of Jeff's bed. Sustaining silence, he simply listened to every word his father uttered.

"Do you know why all this time I opposed Mom's desire to arrange your marriage? Not just with Clarissa, but with other women too?"

This time, Lucas gave a response. His face lifted, though he remained silent.

"That's because I didn't want you to live a life like Mom's."

Jeff's gaze straight ahead, but it felt empty. Lucas knew that his father's focus was not on his own words, but on a memory in his mind.

"Marrying someone you don't love is the beginning of disaster. When there's no sincerity in it, there won't be happiness," Jeff whispered with a grim smile. His aging face bore the marks of past journeys. "I did everything, but it didn't mean anything to Mom. In her heart, there was always another man who didn't even have feelings for her."

Another wave of regret washed over Lucas. His decision didn't just impact Sandra and Velia, but also Jeff.

If I hadn't acted so recklessly, would those painful facts have remained hidden?

Lucas felt guilty. His desire to protect Velia had unforeseen consequences. Old wounds were reopened.

"It's not your fault, Luc."

Jeff looked at Lucas and nodded once. As if he knew what Lucas was thinking and tried to dispel it.

"Mom chose her own path, and that's the risk. Even without all of this, our relationship was never as happy as it seemed from the outside. You know?"

In the eyes of others, Jeff and Sandra set the standard for marital harmony. They were harmonious and never argued. Without a single gossip, it turned out that was not the reality.

"All relationships have secrets."

*