Chapter 6

Lucas POV

At three in the afternoon, my phone rang.

I walked to the window at the end of the hallway to answer.

"Lucas," my mother's voice was a bit weak, "it's getting cold these days. You and Mara need to take care of yourselves."

I gripped the phone tightly. "I know. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. I just miss you both. Has Mara been busy lately? If she is, don't make her come see me. You young people need to focus on your careers."

My mother was always like this, afraid of causing me trouble.

I was about to speak when I heard the sound of high heels behind me.

Mara was walking out of the elevator with her arm linked through Xavier's, followed by several administrative staff who'd just finished a meeting.

She saw me.

I saw her too.

Mara stopped, her gaze sweeping over the phone in my hand, a playful expression crossing her face.

She didn't avoid the situation. She turned to Xavier and said,

"Xavier, this weekend is my mom's birthday party. It's your first time attending as my partner. I've already prepared your gift. You need to make a good impression."

Her voice echoed in the empty hallway.

Silence on the other end of the phone.

A few seconds later, my mother's puzzled voice came through. "Lucas? Was that Mara's voice just now? What is she saying about a partner? What first time?"

I felt blood rushing to my head.

Mara stood not far away and tightened her grip on Xavier's arm.

Xavier smiled cooperatively. "Don't worry, I'll make sure your mom is satisfied."

"Lucas? What's going on? Is Mara talking to someone else?" My mother's voice grew anxious.

I took a deep breath and turned away.

"It's nothing. She's rehearsing lines. The company has a theater activity recently."

"Oh, you scared me. I thought..."

"I have a meeting. I have to go."

Without waiting for my mother to say more, I hung up directly.

Behind me came the sound of Mara and Xavier's laughter.

They walked into the elevator.

I looked at the darkened phone screen, my fingers gripping it until my knuckles turned white.

I put away my phone and turned back to the office.

The progress bar on my computer had just finished. File transfer complete.

Mara, I'm going to give you a gift you'll never forget.