Marriage contract: Fake love

Chapter 21: Lucas is back

Lucas embraced Scarlet by pulling her into his open arms and giving her a bear hug. Scarlet also rushed into her friend's lap, laughing happily. He wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing Scarlet's forehead intimately in a loud kiss. It has been a very long time since Lucas gave Scarlet another hug, and when he did so, he was overcome with the same fluttering sensation as the first time he saw her.

Scarlet: "My friend, it's been three years since we last saw each other..."

"Time does go by so quickly," said Lucas. For me, three years is a period of time that is neither particularly long nor particularly short. Scarlet, I want you to know that I've spent the past three years living out my college dream by traveling all over the world. If only I could bring you along with me on this journey, everything would be so much more enjoyable. It's a shame that we won't be able to spend this time together."

Scarlet couldn't help but let out a chuckle. She straightened up and focused her gaze intently on the face of her best friend, who she hadn't seen in three years.

The Lucas of now is much different than the Lucas of three years ago. He has transitioned from looking like a famous hot boy in college to more of a street-style guy in recent years. A very alluring radiance emanated from Lucas's aura as a result of his languid, laid-back, and ever-so-slightly slackened physique.

Lucas had a ponytail that was pulled back, and his eyes were very bright. His hair was long and messy looking. When viewed from a position in the sunlight, the smoky gray appeared to transform into an odd silver color. His features are distinct and handsome at the same time. Not to mention the fact that Lucas has a body that could pass for a model, which is why the clothes he wears are a little messy but still very appropriate for the occasion.

When Lucas noticed Scarlet looking at him, he greeted her with a broad grin. The reassuring grin that brought with it the sunshine instantly dispelled the uneasy feeling that had been lingering in Scarlet's heart. She couldn't help but join in on the laughter that Lucas was having.

Scarlet: "It's been three years, and the thing I miss the most about you is your smile. Because God delights in you so much, he has given you such a charming smile.

Lucas raised Scarlet's face with both hands. His large hand carefully supported Scarlet's small face, the difference in size was really cute.

"And I miss your stunning face like crazy," continued Lucas. "Initially, I was under the impression that this stunning face, which reminds me of a fallen angel, would never be claimed by its rightful owner. However... You are already married to another person."

He teased Scarlet, but even in his joking tone, there was an indescribable melancholy.

Scarlet: “Hmm, this is hard to say. I'm sorry I couldn't invite you over, it all happened so quickly…”

Lucas gave a shrug and a direct response, which was, "Even if you invite me, I won't come."

He took Scarlet's hand and walked her forward while she followed behind.

Scarlet was perplexed by the question and asked, "What do you mean?"

Lucas: “I mean, if you really invited me, I wouldn't go. Because I can't accept you being someone else's wife, beautiful in a pure white wedding dress. This heart of mine will be painful.”

Scarlet chuckled, and then she gave Lucas a delicate tap on the shoulder. This guy makes it a point to act as if he is hopelessly in love with her each time they cross paths. But Lucas has never been able to bring himself to tell her how he feels about her because there are always dozens of other women who are hopelessly in love with Lucas and are willing to sacrifice themselves for him just so they can be with him.

Scarlet concluded a great deal of observation that Lucas only regards her as a close friend. He joked around with her solely for the purpose of teasing her. The strangest thing about Lucas's heart is that despite its intense feelings of love, he will not let anyone slow him down.

Scarlet: "Okay, you don't have to tell me these corny things. I already know them. Your girlfriends are the ones to whom you should disclose this information."

Lucas's hand tightened a bit, but he quickly let go. While Scarlet was looking ahead, Lucas glanced over at her. Scarlet's fresh appearance was like a magic spell that attracted Lucas's gaze, making him unable to escape from her figure.

Scarlet asked, "Why are you looking at me so intently all of a sudden? Does it look like there's something on my face?

After giving a small nod, Lucas reached up to remove a speck of ink from Scarlet's face. By behaving normally and not showing any signs of panic, he was successful in fooling Scarlet into thinking that she had something on her face.

"There's a pretty face like a flower, but let this face get dirty."

Scarlet rubbed her cheeks and then nodded as if to follow Lucas's lead. "Yes, my face is so beautiful, I should have known how to use it better and not let dirty things get on my right."

"That's it," said Lucas. "Because I will treat you to a meal at a scrumptious restaurant as a thank-you for your compliance."

When food was mentioned, Scarlet's eyes lit up with excitement. Because Scarlet's other friends had very similar preferences in food, she found that eating with Lucas was a refreshing change of pace. The majority of Scarlet's friends come from the same social stratum as her, so they take pleasure in life in the same ways that she does. Scarlet was frequently put in a state of extreme unease as a result of the constraint imposed on her by the refined and superior manners of the upper class. As a result, Scarlet is the beneficiary of the gentle breeze that God sends her way in the form of Lucas, a breeze that ushers her into a very exciting new world.

Scarlet: "What restaurant do you have in mind for lunch today? Now I am getting really excited."

Lucas gave Scarlet a friendly smile before gently petting her on the head.

"It's just taking you out to enjoy some food that's just average," said Lucas. "This is the kind of food that young ladies and young masters will have a difficult time enjoying."

After gulping down a mouthful of saliva, Scarlet grabbed Lucas's hand and attempted to pull it away from her.

“Hurry up, what are you doing standing here? I feel so uncomfortable here. I want you to take me out to eat right away.”

Scarlet seized hold of Lucas and dragged him away. The two of them were laughing heartily, and the sound of it carried for some distance, reverberating through the compact neighborhood.