Chapter 10
1409 Words
Drake prided himself on discipline. He wasn’t a man who raised his voice, who lost composure, who wasted energy on petty nonsense. But Lucy was not petty nonsense. She was full-scale chaos disguised in sandals and mismatched outfits.
Every word out of her mouth chipped away at his patience. Every exaggerated gesture felt like it was designed to test him.
Does she wake up every morning planning how to ruin my sanity?
Determined to leave her behind, he lengthened his stride, his leather shoes crunching hard on gravel. Yet somehow, she kept up, her light steps bouncing in perfect rhythm with his.
“You’re really exhausting, Drakey!” Lucy announced, brushing at the sleeve of his pressed shirt like she owned it. “You should slow down before you sprain an ankle.”
Drake turned sharply, glaring. “I’m not dumb like you.”
She gasped, one hand to her chest. “Excuse me? I didn’t even say anything!”
He groaned and sped up again, but like gum stuck to the sole of his shoe, she stayed close.
By the time they entered Kelseay’s yard, his patience had thinned to breaking point. He whipped around, eyes sharp.
“What do you want?”
Her grin stretched wide. “You.”
For once, he faltered. “I’m dead serious, lady.”
“So am I,” she countered smoothly, leaning close enough that the faint sweetness of her perfume wrapped around him.
His thoughts tripped. For years, Drake Anderson had faced boardroom wars, hostile negotiations, and betrayals. But nothing left him as defenseless as this absurd woman.
“You know what?” he said tightly, clinging to logic. “This is harassment. I could sue you.”
Instead of retreating, Lucy’s grin widened. She leaned closer, her whisper wicked: “Oh, no, Drakey. This isn’t harassment yet. Want me to demonstrate?”
His pulse stuttered as her lips hovered far too near. “Are you… seriously flirting with me?”
Lucy’s eyes sparkled. “Isn’t it obvious? You like it.”
He scowled, stepping back. “Pervert.”
“Don’t act so picky,” she pouted. “I’m literally throwing myself at you. Where else will you find someone like me?”
“Hopefully nowhere,” he muttered.
She jabbed his nose with her finger. “Ha! Didn’t my charm work on you at all?”
He barked a dry laugh. “What charm?”
“Blind man,” she teased, tilting her head. Then her grin turned sharp. “Maybe you’re a virgin?”
Drake’s jaw locked. “If you think you can provoke me into kissing you, you’re wrong. I don’t go for women who think violence is flirting. You’re not my type.”
Lucy only smirked. “Oh, but maybe you’re my type. That’s all that matters.”
He groaned. “You’re impossible.”
“Correction—Lucy.” She winked. “Remember it well, Mr. Choosy. One day, you’ll be the one chasing me.”
With that evil little laugh that grated against his temples, she skipped off toward the house.
This woman was insane, he thought, dragging himself inside.
The laughter of relatives filled the dining room, dishes clattering onto the table. Yet one corner of the room broke the cheer: Leandro sat stiff, shadows under his eyes.
Drake caught it immediately. He walked over and clapped his friend’s shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
Leandro glanced up, his jaw tight. “Can we talk?”
Minutes later, they were outside in the yard. Leandro lit a cigarette, his exhaled slowly, heavy.
“I feel guilty,” he said.
Drake arched a brow. Did Leandro just use the word guilty?
“What do you mean?”
Leandro’s voice was low. “I forced Kelseay to marry me. When I saw her crying earlier… something in me broke. For the first time, I wondered if I’d crossed a line I can’t uncross.”
Drake leaned against a tree. “You want honesty? Yeah. What you did was wrong. You forced her into something she didn’t want. You don’t even love her. And you didn’t think about her feelings for one second.”
Leandro winced, grinding his cigarette into the dirt. “So what do I do now? File annulment? Stop everything?”
“Don’t jump again from one reckless choice to another,” Drake advised. “Think first. The last thing you need is another mistake.”
Leandro nodded slowly. “You’re right. Still… can you do me a favor? Find Mau. I need to talk to her.”
“Fine,” Drake said.
And then—
A loud gasp split the air.
They turned in unison.
Lucy stood in the doorway, eyes wide, hands clamped over her mouth.
Drake’s stomach dropped.
“You... how long have you been standing there?!” Leandro demanded.
“What are you doing here?!” both men shouted.
Lucy pointed accusingly, her voice quivering with fake drama. “So is it true? You forced my cousin to marry you? And worse, you were supposed to marry Maureen?!”
Leandro swore and stormed off, leaving Drake with the hurricane.
Drake dragged Lucy by the wrist to the acacia tree at the edge of the yard. “Forget what you heard.”
Her gasp was loud enough to wake the neighbors. “Forget? You heartless, shameless villain! Using people like toys in your cruel little game!”
“Lady—”
“You deceived me!” she cried, clutching her chest like a telenovela star. “I gave you everything, and you LIED to me!”
Drake blinked. “Everything? We’ve known each other for what—two days?”
Lucy stumbled theatrically, hand to forehead. “Why is it always me, oh cruel fate?! Always betrayed!”
Drake’s eye twitched. “Tone it down. Your lines are recycled.”
She froze, then grinned sheepishly. “Pretty convincing though, right? Actress vibes?” She flashed a peace sign.
Drake shut his eyes. Lord, why me?
“Listen,” he said firmly. “This is your cousin’s problem. Stay out of it.”
Lucy’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me? Kelseay is my cousin, Mau is my best friend. That makes it my problem.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “How do you even insert yourself into every mess?”
“Talent,” she replied smugly.
“Mind your business and shut up!”
“Don’t shout, I’m not deaf!”
“You’re shouting too!”
“Because you shouted first!”
He groaned. “What do you want from me?!”
Lucy leaned in, her grin wicked. “You.”
“Shut up.”
“What if I don’t want to?” she teased. “What will you do then?”
“You wouldn’t like it,” he warned.
“Oh, is this where you kiss me to shut me up?” She puckered her lips. “Go ahead. I’m ready.”
He scowled. “In your dreams.”
She turned on her heel, smirking. “Then maybe I should tell everyone what I just heard. They’d love the drama.”
Drake stiffened. “Don’t you dare.”
She darted off, laughter trailing behind her. He cursed, chasing her.
She stopped suddenly, spinning with a sly grin. “Fine. I’ll keep your secret. On one condition.”
Suspicion sharpened his gaze. “… What condition?”
She circled him slowly, her fingers brushing his arm. His muscles tensed.
“Have a date with me,” she whispered.
Drake froze. “A what?!”
“A date. With me.” Her grin turned devilish. “You heard me, baby.”
His jaw dropped. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”
She tapped his chest. “Deal or no deal?”
“You’re blackmailing me.”
“Call it what you want.” She shrugged. “So?”
Everything in him screamed NO. But he knew her too well already. Refuse, and she’d burn the house down with secrets.
He exhaled sharply. “… Fine. You win.”
Lucy squealed, clapping like a child. She hooked her arm through his proudly. “Good boy! Let’s go inside, Drakey. Victory!”
Drake stared at her, utterly defeated. She just turned me into a dog.
As she skipped toward the house, her laughter ringing, Drake muttered darkly to himself:
If I don’t throw her off a cliff soon, I’ll lose my mind.
- Writer
