Only like you
1293 Words
At his words, Elena turned, yanked open the passenger door, and slid into the Koenigsegg without a word.
She knew Lucas too well. He’d follow her all night if she didn’t get in.
The drive was unnaturally quiet. Lucas steered with one hand, the other resting loosely on the wheel. The simple red cord on his wrist stood out against pale skin, and every tattooed word on his knuckles was visible in the passing streetlights.
Elena stared straight ahead.
Deliberately refusing to look.
Lucas glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
“Don’t listen to Caleb’s bullshit on the phone.”
“Oh.”
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
“Mmm.”
“Elena… you’re being so cold.”
“Oh…”
They were exes. What did he expect?
A faint smile tugged at Lucas’s lips. Cold or not—she’d responded to every single thing he said.
Before long, the car pulled into her complex and stopped precisely beneath her building.
Only then did it hit her: she’d never told him her address.
Then again, for Lucas Bennett, finding it would’ve been child’s play.
The car idled. Elena unbuckled, ready to get out—when a strong hand clamped around her wrist from the driver’s seat.
“Elena.”
She turned, falling straight into those deep, mesmerizing eyes.
In the confined space, she could see every roll of his throat.
His voice came out husky, like he’d been holding it in for hours.
“Elena Brooks… I regret it.”
He regretted the breakup. Regretted ever letting her go.
They were supposed to be tangled together until death.
Elena lowered her lashes, not sure what to say. A simple “mm” was all she managed.
She knew.
Regret changed nothing. They were on completely different paths now.
She tried to pull her wrist free. He didn’t budge.
She frowned. Lucas watched her with dark amusement.
“Elena, the whole ride you’ve been ‘mm’-ing and ‘oh’-ing at everything I say.”
“What—does listening to me turn you on?”
“…”
Heat flared at the tips of her ears. “We’re broken up. What’s left to talk about?”
“Plenty. Exes can get back together.”
He glanced out the window. “Doesn’t this complex feel familiar?”
Galaxy Bay No. 9—the same private villa district they’d lived in during college.
Not the flashiest area, but quiet, secluded. Perfect for keeping things hidden.
Elena lifted her face, casually prying his long fingers off one by one.
“Does Mr. Bennett want to come up for a drink?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Sure.”
“No.” She shut it down instantly.
His thumb lingered on the inside of her wrist. “But my suit jacket’s still at your place.”
“I threw it out.”
“Fine.” He agreed easily. “If memory serves, that custom piece was five hundred sixty thousand. I’ll add it to your tab.”
“…”
Furious, Elena shoved the door open and stepped out, tossing words over her shoulder.
“You’ll get it tomorrow!”
Watching her storm off, Lucas let out a low, indulgent chuckle.
“Tomorrow.”
Same as “see you tomorrow.”
Music to his ears.
Only after her apartment light flicked on did his car finally pull away.
Lucas reached for his cigarettes, slipped one between his lips, and flicked the lighter. Blue flame flared, igniting the tip.
He took a deep drag, resting the hand holding the cigarette on the open window. The rolled-up sleeve revealed a toned forearm.
Eyes narrowed through the smoke, he stared up at her third-floor balcony.
Would his Elena steal even one glance down at him?
The familiar neighborhood dragged up old memories—fights from back then.
He’d storm out in anger… only to sit on the front steps for three hours, waiting.
Finally, a text from her:
[Lucas Bennett, you’re really going to make a weak woman search for you in the middle of the night? If you’re not back in ten minutes, don’t bother coming back at all!]
He’d stared at the message, half-laughing, half-sighing—while the door behind him had never actually opened.
She’d come looking?
He’d end up coaxing himself back inside.
A ringing phone snapped him out of it.
He answered, voice smoky and magnetic.
“What?”
On the other end, Nathaniel Reed’s voice was excited. “Lucas, perfect timing on your return. Tomorrow night’s my birthday—and a big event. Mind if I borrow your Midtown villa with the rooftop pool for a party? Name your price.”
Lucas exhaled slowly. “Whatever.”
Nathaniel couldn’t hide his thrill. “Deal. You’ll be handsomely rewarded if this works!”
“You’ve been in London forever and never brought a girlfriend back. Foreign girls not your type? Our old department’s famous for beautiful women—come hang out sometime.”
Lucas flicked ash out the window, question direct.
“Will Elena be there?”
Nathaniel, unaware of their history, laughed lightly. “Who knows? Parties like this depend on the mood of campus beauties like her.”
But tomorrow night—he’d make sure Elena showed up.
Because he planned to confess.
Lucas’s tone stayed neutral. “We’ll see.”
He had zero interest in any event without Elena.
Nathaniel caught the polite refusal and didn’t push.
“Cool—it’s your place anyway. Drop by whenever.”
Call ended. The cigarette between Lucas’s fingers burned down to the filter just as the third-floor balcony light winked out.
He crushed the butt, pulled out his ph
one, and tapped the pinned white avatar—the one she’d unilaterally deleted.
Friend request sent.
Elena finished her nighttime routine and climbed into bed. The moment she opened WeChat, a new request popped up.
She clicked in. The note read:
[Lucas Bennett.]
She rejected it without hesitation.
Another request immediately followed.
[Ex-boyfriend.]
Rejected again.
A third one.
[Creditor.]
Those two words silenced her. She muttered under her breath.
“Stacking debuffs now?”
She powered off her phone, closed her eyes—and tossed and turned.
Annoying. Of all people to owe money to, it had to be her ex.
When did Lucas even start smoking?
Next day
Elena woke up disoriented.
She’d had an embarrassing dream.
And the man tangled with her in it? The same ex who’d driven her home last night.
She groaned, smacked her forehead, threw off the covers, and headed straight for the bathroom.
After showering, she emerged to find Harper Light just getting back, catching the fresh scent of body wash.
“Elena, why the morning shower?”
“Was too exhausted last night,” Elena mumbled, scratching her hair guiltily and changing the subject. “Where’ve you been?”
“Just wrapped a night shoot.” Harper stretched, then lit up. “Oh! Don’t forget—Nathaniel Reed’s birthday tomorrow night. He booked a private Midtown villa with a rooftop pool party! Abs for days, right? (?▽?)”
Elena chuckled. “Lower your expectations. Avoid the disappointment.”
Harper teased, “Most guys might be meh, but Nathaniel’s an athlete—he’s got them.”
“He’s been circling your project lately. Feels like he’s into you. Maybe trying to steal you from Ethan Cole? The Reeds have solid connections too.”
“Don’t overthink it. Personal and professional are separate.” Elena slipped on her shoes at the entryway. “Heading to the office~”
Harper watched her rush out, swallowing the words on the tip of her tongue.
She really had a feeling Nathaniel was going to confess at the party.
- Writer
