Claiming His Heart (English Version)

Chapter 38

Drake had been hunched over his swivel chair for hours, his gaze fixed on the chaotic pile of papers strewn across his desk. He wasn’t reading anymore; he was staring, as if the mere act of looking would somehow sort the world into order. The office had grown silent around him, the usual buzz of typing and distant chatter fading into the background. He hadn’t moved a muscle, refusing to acknowledge the persistent growl in his stomach. It wasn’t hunger that made him pause. It was habit, stubbornness, and an attempt to convince himself that he didn’t need distractions.

Then, the shrill ring of his phone sliced through the stillness. He grabbed it automatically, recognizing Leandro’s name on the screen.

“Hey, what’s up? Did something come up?” Drake asked, his voice calm, controlled.

“About the ring purchase. Let’s do it tomorrow. I have an important meeting today. We’ll meet at my place in the morning.”

The call ended before Drake could respond, leaving him blinking at the screen. He shrugged, his movements slow, almost mechanical, and glanced at the wall clock. Lunch had come and gone unnoticed. The growl in his stomach reminded him abruptly that he hadn’t eaten. Sighing, he began to gather the papers, stacking them neatly, a futile attempt to regain focus.

Rising from his chair, he felt the subtle tension in his shoulders, the lingering fog of a mind overworked. Outside, the office seemed unusually empty. Lucy wasn’t at her desk. His first instinct was to ignore it.

“Hmph. Why should I care where she went? She probably went to lunch already,” he muttered to himself, but his words rang hollow even as he shook his head. Ridiculous. He couldn’t even focus properly without thinking about her.

Drake made his way to the elevator, intending to step out for a quick bite. As the doors slid open, he was caught off guard. Lucy and Daryl were standing there, chatting and laughing as if the world belonged to them. Drake froze mid-step, eyebrows shooting up in sharp surprise. They hadn’t noticed him at all.

“Are you two just going to chat there all day?” he barked, his voice slicing through the jovial atmosphere.

Startled, they both turned toward him, eyes wide. “Boss, it’s you… have you been standing there this whole time?” Daryl stammered, caught completely off guard.

“The elevator’s been open for a while. Are you going to leave, or just keep horsing around?” Drake shot back, irritation sharp, his voice carrying the weight of suppressed impatience.

Lucy’s eyes flicked nervously toward him. “Sorry, boss, we didn’t realize it was lunch already,” she interjected quickly, her tone pitched with forced calm. Drake clenched his jaw but forced himself to exhale slowly. He had to keep control.

“Tsk. Get out. I’m hungry, and if you don’t leave, I’ll eat you both,” he snapped, stepping past them into the elevator. They didn’t need to be told twice. They hurried out, their laughter trailing behind him like smoke in the wind.

Drake pressed the close button, muttering to himself. “Such nuisances.”

Even as he walked away from the elevator, the sound of Lucy’s sarcastic quips and Daryl’s laughter stuck in his mind like nails on a chalkboard. He hadn’t intended to let it bother him, but the truth was undeniable: he was unsettled. Conflicted.

What am I thinking? he wondered, brow furrowing. He even shocked himself with the irritation bubbling inside. He felt the urge to bang his head against the wall, a silent scream against the chaos in his mind. But he restrained himself, settling instead into the careful rhythm of his steps back to his office.

Once inside, Lucy and Daryl were still lingering, frozen when they realized he had returned.

“Oh, boss, you eat fast, huh?” Lucy teased, her voice light, unaware of how sharply his mood had shifted.

Drake rolled his eyes and turned toward his office, moving to step fully inside, but he stopped abruptly, calling after her. “Order the food from the restaurant downstairs. Hurry, and bring it to me.”

Lucy froze mid-step, c*****g her head in surprise. “Huh? You’re going to eat me?”

“Tsk, are you deaf? I said eat with me, not that I’m eating you, silly,” he clarified, irritation laced beneath his controlled tone.

“Oh… I thought—Never mind. But no thanks, boss. I’ve already eaten. Daryl fed me plenty. He didn’t want me to go hungry,” she explained, attempting a casual shrug.

Drake exhaled sharply. “Fine. You may go. Just don’t disturb me.”

“But we were going to eat together?” she asked, voice soft, almost hopeful.

“I changed my mind. Go now. Also, wait for Ms. Felicity Valderama for our meeting,” he added, gesturing toward the door with the precision of someone trying to maintain order in a storm of distractions. Lucy’s shoulders lifted in a resigned shrug, and she departed gracefully.

Alone now, Drake allowed himself to release a slow, tense breath. The bags of food sat in front of him like a minor truce in the chaos of his day. He opened one and peeked inside, his brow furrowing. Every item she had ordered was exactly what he liked. The flavors, the combinations, the little details that spoke volumes about her attention.

How does she know that? He thought, a mix of suspicion and reluctant admiration curling in his chest. Slowly, a small, almost imperceptible smirk spread across his face. She was unbelievable. Audacious. Annoying. Yet… he couldn’t deny her understanding of him.

He started eating, deliberately forcing the thought aside, pretending he didn’t feel the stirrings of warmth or recognition her thoughtfulness brought. Still, a small corner of his mind was alert, calculating, wary. He knew she was up to something. He had to counter it.

This time, he would not let her meddling dictate his emotions. He would remain untouchable. His heart, his mind... they were his own.

Drake leaned back slightly, the chair creaking under him, and stared at the ceiling. Every bite of food tasted like a minor victory and a challenge. He was his own enemy, his only restraint, and today he intended to win that battle.