The taxi pulled up to the curb, and Lucian stepped out first, his hands tucked into his pockets, eyes scanning the bustling restaurant ahead.
Alex hesitated before following, but the moment his gaze landed on the sign RCB Restaurant his steps faltered.
His fingers twitched slightly, his throat tightening as he stared at the entrance.
Lucian had already taken a few steps forward when he noticed Alex wasn’t moving.
He turned, brows knitting together. “What’s wrong?”
Alex quickly shook his head, forcing himself to step forward. “Sir… do we really have to go here?”
Lucian’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly. “Yeah. Why? Got a problem with this place?”
Alex’s jaw tensed. He knew this restaurant. He just didn’t want to be here.
But saying that? Not happening.
“Ahh, no… I was just thinking, maybe we could go somewhere else?” His voice lowered at the end, almost like he wasn’t even convinced by his own excuse.
Lucian tilted his head, studying Alex. Something felt off.
“Why?”
Alex exhaled slowly, glancing at the entrance before looking away.
“I just… don’t like it. That’s all.”
Lucian didn’t reply immediately. His gaze lingered, as if he were trying to read between the lines.
Then, he smirked.
“Relax, Alexy. We’re not here to eat. Just meeting some friends. Whatever’s making you nervous, forget it. You’re with me, alright?”
He gave Alex’s shoulder a firm pat—a silent reassurance.
Alex swallowed hard, then nodded stiffly. “Understood, sir.”
Lucian didn’t push the topic further.
He simply turned and pushed open the door, stepping inside.
Alex lingered for a moment before inhaling deeply and following behind.
Inside the Restaurant
The restaurant was warm and lively, filled with the hum of conversation, the clinking of silverware, and the smell of grilled meat and fresh bread wafting through the air.
Lucian moved through the space with ease, his presence commanding yet effortless.
Alex, on the other hand, felt his pulse quicken. His eyes darted around, taking in the layout, the crowd, the exits. The familiarity of the place sent an uneasy feeling crawling up his spine.
Lucian, completely unbothered, spotted his targets easily two guys at a side table, chatting over drinks.
Jimmy and Garry.
“There they are,” Lucian muttered, striding toward them.
When he reached the table, he slapped a firm hand on Garry’s back.
“Hey, Garry. What’s up?”
Garry turned, grinning. “Ohhh, you finally made it! What took you so long, dude?”
“Lucky, you’re late,” Jimmy added, arms crossed, his tone laced with amusement.
Lucian sighed, pulling out a chair. “Ahh, don’t ask. I had to take a taxi.” He sank into the seat next to Jimmy, positioning himself face-to-face with Garry.
Jimmy raised an eyebrow. “A taxi? What happened to your bike or car?”
Lucian was about to explain when Garry leaned forward, cutting him off.
“Long story? Forget it then. You look fine, so no big deal.” He tapped the table excitedly. “I need your advice, bro.”
Lucian blinked, taken aback by Garry’s energy. He turned to Jimmy. “Is he like this for whole day?” he asked, pointing at Garry.
Jimmy smirked. “If you’re asking if he’s on his period, then yeah… kinda.” He shook his head.
Lucian chuckled. “Alright, Garry, go ahead. What’s up?”
Garry ignored their teasing. If this wasn’t a serious situation, he would’ve messed with these two idiots until they begged for mercy.
Lucian suddenly remembered Alex, who was still awkwardly standing at the side. “Ahh, right! Alex, sit down.”
Alex exhaled sharply. He had been standing there, unsure of what to do, feeling completely out of place.
Garry and Jimmy finally took notice of the unfamiliar purple-haired guy beside their table. They exchanged glances before turning to Lucian, silently asking, Who’s this?
Lucian smirked. “He’s a friend. From now on, you guys can be friends with him too. He helped me with Rose… umm, yeah.” He glanced at Jimmy, knowing he’d understand the hint.
Garry, on the other hand, didn’t need explanations. He was the kind of guy who could befriend anyone even a silverback gorilla if given the chance.
Jimmy nodded toward Lucian, then looked at Alex. “Hey, man.”
Alex raised hie eyebrows slightly. The guy greeting him was a 6’1″ muscular powerhouse definitely the type women would call Daddy.
“Hello, hello,” Alex replied, nodding.
“Alright, sit down, bro. I don’t have all day,” Garry said impatiently, grabbing Alex’s arm and pulling him onto the chair beside him.
Alex scratched his head awkwardly. “Yeah uh, sure.”
Lucian leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Alright, Garry, go on. Let’s have this serious talk
I’m all ears.”
Then, after a beat, he smirked. “Wait, let me guess.”
He turned to Garry with a knowing look. “Jimmy already told me a part of it, so this is about your relationship, right? Your girlfriend?”
Before Garry could answer, Lucian snapped his fingers, as if a memory had clicked.
“Ohhh, wait. I remember the first day we met! You were standing in the middle of the road, crying with flowers in your hands, ready to die. You told me you got rejected, right?”
Garry’s face immediately twisted in embarrassment.
Lucian was trying to piece together the situation. He needed to understand everything before coming up with a solution it was just how his mind worked.
Sitting quietly, Alex listened to their conversation. Being the oldest among them, in his thirties, he wasn’t surprised that young men their age were discussing relationships.
He reached for a water bottle from the table, taking a sip. I’ll just listen to these kids and give them pointers if needed, he thought to himself.
But Garry, flustered by Lucian’s words, frowned. “It’s not about relationship advice. If it was, I definitely wouldn’t be asking you for it.”
He huffed, crossing his arms. “And I wasn’t crying it was raining that day!”
His voice carried a hint of defiance, refusing to let Lucian embarrass him so easily.
Alex, who had just taken another sip of water, suddenly sprayed it out to the side.
“Cough cough!” He choked, coughing violently.
Jimmy facepalmed, his shoulders trembling as he tried to suppress his laughter.
Lucian, on the other hand, simply stared at Garry with a deadpan expression.
“Bruhh”
Garry huffed again. “Hmph.”
Jimmy, still struggling to keep a straight face, patted Lucian’s back. “It’s alright, man. We’re all friends here dark jokes like these are fine.”
Lucian sighed, rubbing his temples.
Jimmy looked towards garry “Cough Garry, Lucy’s just a little unlucky.”
Garry scoffed. “He started it. And I wasn’t crying that’s a lie, 100%!” His voice carried the weight of someone who would never admit it not in a hundred years.
Meanwhile, Alex, still coughing, set his water bottle down. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping his mouth.
He shook his head, a thought forming in his mind.
What the hell are these guys even talking about?
Do they not realize how good this dude is?
Alex recalled what he had seen at the hospital a literal princess calling Lucian her husband and darling. Not to mention his own sister kissing Lucian right in front of their mother.
And then there were the rumors whispers that Lucian might be the father of a child in the prestigious Avey Starline.
Like seriously? Who else would you take relationship advice from if not this guy?
Alex let out a deep sigh.
These kids really had no clue what they were dealing with.
—-