Chapter 28
1055 Words
Lucy felt like she was floating on air. She couldn’t believe it. Drake had actually kissed her. Her heart thudded wildly, and her mind was racing faster than she could keep up with.
If this is a dream, please don’t wake me up, she thought, still wide-eyed, as if expecting the world to snap back to reality any second.
“D-did you really just kiss me?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly, barely forming the words. Then, unable to resist, she added teasingly, “Seems like you’re starting to fall for me, Drakey.”
“Tsk, don’t overthink it. I did it on purpose,” he said, his voice cool, unreadable.
The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out immediately, as if the kiss had been nothing more than a routine action.
“W-wait, boss! After kissing me, you just walk out?” she called after him, racing to keep up as he strode straight to his car without a backward glance. She jumped in as he started the engine, still trying to process the boldness of what had just happened.
“You’re really leaving me behind, huh?” she asked, her voice laced with mock indignation.
“Tsk, you’re too stubborn,” he replied, eyes on the road, voice low.
Lucy rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. What a Herodes! First a kiss, now acting all indifferent? Unbelievable.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the lingering warmth of his lips, the faint scent of him that still clung to her senses. Every passing second felt unbearable.
Soon, they arrived at a restaurant not far from the office. He got out first, and she followed, feeling a strange mix of excitement and frustration as she trailed him like a shadow. Does he see me as a dog or something? she wondered.
Inside, a waiter guided them to a table and handed them menus. Drake scanned his quietly, precise, deliberate. Lucy, meanwhile, lingered over hers, stealing glances at him, still consumed by the memory of the kiss.
“You’re so serious. You’ve been thinking too much. Give me a break,” she murmured quietly, trying to pierce his stoic exterior.
“Shh, don’t be loud,” he scolded sharply, without lifting his gaze.
“Hey, Drake Anderson! Drakey! I’ve been fuming since you kissed me! And now you’re just ignoring me?” she exclaimed, half-laughing, half-exasperated.
“You talk too much. Quiet my world for a while,” he replied, cool and unbothered.
“Gah! I can’t just stay quiet! That was my first kiss! You need to take responsibility!” she shouted, leaning slightly forward, fire in her eyes.
“Stop exaggerating. Your lips aren’t even that soft and sweet,” he countered, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Lucy clenched her fists under the table, fuming. “Excuse me? I’m pretty sure I have the softest, sweetest lips in the world!”
He tossed her a dismissive glance. “You’re not even good at kissing,” he said simply, as though critiquing a mundane task.
Her blood boiled. He’s really pushing me to the edge! she thought, fingers curling into tiny fists. She was about to reach for the vase on the table when their food arrived, forcing her to redirect her focus.
You pest! Thank God I like you, or I’d be throttling you right now, she mused, letting the meal momentarily distract her.
She chewed her steak in near silence, determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered until he spoke again.
“Listen. I don’t want you talking to that jerk again, understood?” he said, calm but with an unmistakable edge.
Lucy raised one brow, smirking. “Why? We live in a democracy. I can do what I want!”
“Tsk. Don’t be stubborn. And didn’t you say you liked me? Then why are you talking to him?”
She flinched at the accusation. “Wha—? But you said you didn’t like me! That’s why I was moving on! Daryl isn’t grumpy, and—”
“Stop that,” he interrupted, a flash of possessiveness in his tone. “Don’t talk about that jerk, or I’ll lose my appetite.”
She gaped at him. Unbelievable! He brought it up, and now he’s annoyed?
They continued eating quietly. Lucy decided to enjoy the meal. After all, he was paying, while plotting a tiny act of mischief. He hates it when I talk about Daryl. Let’s see how he reacts now…
“What if I let Daryl try to woo me?” she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for him to catch.
Drake’s hand froze mid-sip. “s**t! Damn you, little brat!” he barked, slamming his hand on the table slightly.
“Boss Drakey, hot much? You should’ve blown on it before drinking. It’s steaming!” she teased, shaking her head.
He shot her a sharp, dangerous look. “It’s your fault. Don’t curse around me. My tongue hurts,” he grumbled.
Some nearby customers glanced over, smirking at the playful tension. She ignored them. Jealous, are we? Heh.
Standing, she leaned slightly closer, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Looks like your tongue needs some care. I know just the remedy.”
“I don’t have time for your jokes,” he replied flatly, though his eyes flickered toward her.
“Seriously! You need super-duper-ultra-mega-laplap to heal it. Want me to volunteer?” she said, wiggling her eyebrows teasingly.
“Dream on. Sit down. I can handle it,” he said, irritation creeping into his voice.
She shrugged and returned to her seat, but called over her shoulder, “Are you sure? I’m offering a very effective service.”
“Shut up,” he snapped.
She raised her hands in mock surrender. “Easy. You’re too hot. Hotter than the coffee,” she teased, smiling as she watched him try not to react.
He looked away, focusing on his drink while nursing his burnt tongue.
Lucy couldn’t resist one final thought, mischievous and bold. But I’m really going to let Daryl try—
“Oh, f**k! You’re impossible,” he barked, cutting her off mid-thought, exasperation and fondness mingling in his voice.
She smiled inwardly. Got him. I have a place in his heart. Finally… a spot in Drake Anderson’s heart.
- Writer
