Complex Relationships
1050 Words
Elena gritted her teeth. “Are you twelve?”
The man in front of her looked nothing like a CEO right now. That old, untamed possessiveness was creeping back, inch by inch.
Lucas’s lashes fluttered lightly as he answered for her.
“Choose me, baby.”
The elevator doors dinged open again in the distance. Off-duty employees streamed out—if any glanced this way, they’d see the two of them locked in a standoff beside the hypercar.
Elena quickly slid into the passenger seat.
Compared to Ethan Cole, she’d rather ride with Lucas Bennett. At least he didn’t make her skin crawl.
Ethan, still waiting and growing impatient, called again. He looked up just as a familiar silver-gray Koenigsegg glided past. The flash of a pure, porcelain profile in the passenger seat hit him like a slap.
Elena Brooks.
He floored it after them, dialing nonstop.
Elena finally picked up, said a few words, and hung up.
“On my way.”
Lucas glanced in the rearview mirror at the car chasing like it was personal.
A cold laugh escaped him. He pressed the accelerator, weaving through traffic until he lost Ethan at a light.
He asked, voice casual, “Elena… when are you dumping him?”
Ever since she’d admitted she would, Lucas had been counting the seconds.
Elena leaned back, eyes closed. “When’s Mr. Bennett getting engaged?”
Sophie Turner certainly acted like she already owned the title.
Red light. Car stopped.
Lucas narrowed his deep eyes at her. “With you?”
“If it’s you—anytime.”
Elena: “…”
They were on completely different wavelengths.
He explained, “I don’t know that actress from the set.”
Elena gave a faint smile. “Doesn’t matter. Your family does.”
Sophie’s arrogance at the office had to be backed by someone. If not Lucas, then almost certainly the families.
The Bennetts must approve of her as future mistress—otherwise the engagement rumors wouldn’t be circulating.
Elena caught the sour note in her own voice, swallowed, and turned to the window.
Lucas’s eyes curved with amusement. “Jealous?”
She stayed silent.
Before the light turned green, his voice dropped.
“I only want to marry you.”
The words stung sweetly at the tip of her heart. Elena lowered her gaze to hide it.
What he wanted didn’t matter. His family had never accepted her.
Three years ago, when their backgrounds matched, they still hadn’t.
Now, with nothing left to her name? Impossible.
The car pulled into the Cole estate. Old Mr. Cole was already waiting outside the main hall.
“Didn’t expect Ah-Chen to arrive first!”
Then the woman stepping out of the passenger seat surprised him.
“Why is Elena in your car?”
Lucas answered smoothly, face impassive. “We ran into each other.”
Elena watched him lie without blinking.
Ran into each other? Hardly. This was premeditated.
As they headed inside, Ethan’s car screeched in.
He climbed out looking thunderous, eyes fixed on how close the two stood.
Old Mr. Cole chuckled. “Perfect timing—Hengyue’s here too. Come greet your uncle properly. It’s been ages.”
Ethan stopped in front of Lucas, bowing respectfully. “Uncle Lucas.”
Lucas gave a curt acknowledgment.
Ethan turned to Elena, loud enough for everyone. “Elena’s meeting Uncle Lucas for the first time. She should greet him properly too, right?”
“…”
Elena’s expression tightened. He was deliberately reminding her of the roles.
Old Mr. Cole beamed. “Exactly! Elena, this is Hengyue’s uncle, Lucas Bennett. As his fiancée, you can address him the same way.”
Elena felt the world tilt.
Ex-boyfriend turned “uncle.” Really?
She looked at Lucas, hoping for an out.
Instead, familiar mischief danced in his eyes—he wasn’t letting her off. If anything, he looked… eager.
With the Cole elders watching, Elena had no choice.
She dipped her head, voice low and stiff.
“Uncle Lucas.”
The icy-sweet sound carried a hint of venom.
Lucas’s response was soft, almost pleased.
“Mmm.”
Elena rolled her eyes internally.
Pervert.
Everyone seated at the long dining table.
Elena was placed beside Ethan, naturally.
On her other side: Lucas.
From the moment she sat, she felt his gaze—like a physical touch.
She avoided it, focusing on her plate.
Still, amid the elders’ cheerful conversation, she could pick out Lucas’s voice instantly. That deep, resonant timbre—the sexiest low register she’d ever heard.
She remembered freshman orientation: Lucas on stage giving the welcome speech. The entire auditorium had erupted. His voice alone had made her heart race.
That was the moment she decided she wanted him.
Wanted everything unspeakable with him.
Wanted to hear that voice break in the dark.
He’d never known.
The elders continued.
“Ah-Chen, you’re almost twenty-seven. Now that you’re back, don’t neglect the important things in life.”
Lucas’s gaze flicked to the woman beside him. Her spoon paused mid-air, then continued as if nothing happened.
He smiled faintly. “Working on it.”
Old Mr. Cole’s eyes crinkled. “Since your return, plenty of girls have been asking about you. Anyone catch your eye?”
Lucas answered unhurriedly, “Someone like Elena would be perfect.”
“Cough—cough…”
Elena, mid-sip of soup, choked.
She instinctively took the handkerchief Lucas offered, face flushed red from coughing.
Did this man have any idea what he was saying?!
Lucas’s concern was flawless. “Careful. Slow down.”
Under the table, Elena’s silver stiletto ground down on his polished dress shoe—warning.
Bastard. Born bastard.
Afraid no one would notice something between them.
Ethan couldn’t sit still. “What did you mean by that, Uncle?”
Lucas lifted his gaze, smile not reaching his eyes.
“What could I possibly mean?”
The air crackled with tension only the younger generation felt.
Lucas wasn’t even pretending anymore—openly staking claim in front of Ethan.
Old Mr. Cole remained oblivious, beaming. “Who wouldn’t love Elena? Smart, sensible. Hengyue, treasure her.”
Ethan muttered agreement.
Treasure? He wished. Elena didn’t even look at him.
But the more he watched, the more something felt off between his uncle and Elena.
- Writer
