Chapter 9: Don't Get The Wrong Idea
For the rest of the meal, Lara focused on eating, forcing herself to ignore the warmth that had briefly settled in her chest. It was dangerous—this fleeting, foolish hope. She reminded herself over and over: It wasn't real. It was never real.
Her mother continued chatting happily, occasionally directing questions at Lucas, while Lara's father remained quiet, eating in his usual composed manner. Lucas barely responded beyond polite nods, but that didn't seem to dampen her mother's enthusiasm. Lara, on the other hand, felt like she was just going through the motions, her body present but her heart elsewhere.
She barely tasted the food. She wasn't even sure if she was full, but she forced herself to swallow bite after bite, anything to keep her emotions at bay.
When the meal ended, they moved back to the living room. Her father, uninterested in conversation, pulled out his iPad and leaned back in his chair, paying them little attention. Her mother, on the other hand, looked content, chatting about various things. Lara knew her mother's heart was full today, and if nothing else, that was enough for her.
A few minutes later, Lucas glanced at his watch. "I should get going," he announced, his voice as indifferent as ever.
Lara's mother's face fell, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "So soon? You barely spent any time here."
Lucas, ever the actor, gave her a small smile. "I'll visit again soon, and I promise I'll stay longer next time."
Lara's stomach twisted. She knew better than to believe him.
Her mother sighed, though she nodded in understanding. "Alright, but don't make me wait too long for that next visit."
"I won't," he said smoothly.
Lucas turned toward her father. "I'll be going now, Dad."
Her father barely spared him a glance, simply nodding in acknowledgment while scrolling through his iPad. Lucas didn't seem to mind the lack of enthusiasm as he stood and adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves. It was nothing surprising. Their relationship had always been distant, and Lucas had never made an effort to change that.
"I'll walk you out," Lara said softly.
Lucas said nothing, but he didn't stop her either.
As they stepped outside, the crisp afternoon air did nothing to ease the heaviness in Lara's chest. Lucas strode toward his car, his posture relaxed, indifferent, as if this was nothing more than a routine visit. As if nothing had changed.
And of course, nothing had changed.
Yet, despite knowing that, she still found herself reaching out. Just as he was about to open the car door, her fingers caught the fabric of his sleeve, the smallest touch, barely there—hesitant, uncertain.
Lucas stopped mid-step. His gaze flickered downward, landing on where her fingers clutched his sleeve before shifting up to meet her eyes. His expression remained unreadable.
Realizing what she'd done, she quickly let go, forcing a small, awkward smile. "Thank you for coming," she said, her voice soft, ignoring the way her chest tightened. "My mom was really happy to see you."
Lucas's expression remained unreadable. "It's nothing," he replied, his tone cool. Then, without missing a beat, he added, "Just don't get the wrong idea."
Lara felt the sharp sting of his words, like a needle piercing through her chest. Even though she had expected it, even though she knew all of this was just an act, hearing him say it so bluntly still hurt.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat and forced herself to nod. "I won't," she said, pretending the ache in her chest wasn't there. "I know it was just an act. I just wanted to thank you for playing along."
Lucas didn't respond. He didn't need to. The indifference in his gaze was enough.
Lara exhaled softly before shifting the topic. "You don't have to stay out late tonight," she said, looking away. "I'll be staying here for the night."
For a brief second, something flickered in Lucas's eyes, too quick for her to catch. But then, just as swiftly, his expression returned to its usual indifference. "Do whatever you want." he said simply.
Lara wasn't sure what she had expected him to say, but his apathy still left a hollow ache in her chest.
She took a step back, giving him space. "Drive safe," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked toward the house. Her steps felt heavier than before, but she refused to look back. At least, she told herself not to.
But the moment she heard the sound of Lucas's car engine starting, she couldn't help it. She turned just in time to see his car disappear down the road.
Even when it was out of sight, she stood there for a few seconds longer, her heart aching with a pain she had no right to feel.
Tearing her gaze away, Lara inhaled sharply, swallowing down the emotions threatening to consume her.
She stepped back inside the house, closing the door softly behind her. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness in her chest.
Her parents were still in the living room, sitting together on the couch. Her mother was leaning against her father, watching something on his iPad, her expression one of amusement. Her father, looked more focused, occasionally adjusting his glasses as he scrolled through the screen.
Sensing her presence, her mother looked up. "Lucas already left?" she asked.
Lara nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah. He just left."
Her mother sighed, shaking her head. "I wish he could've stayed longer. But of course, it's always about the company." She frowned slightly before adding, "It reminds me of before, when your father used to do the same thing."
At that, her father scoffed, setting his iPad down as he turned to his wife. "Don't compare me to that man. I knew how to make time for my family."
Lara's mother rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. There were times when you barely came home too."
"And yet, I'm still far better than him," he shot back, crossing his arms. "At least I know when to put my family first. Work is important, but not at the expense of my wife and kids."
Lara knew her father's words were true. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for them. Even when she was a child, she had never felt like she came second to his work.
Her mother exhaled, clearly not in the mood to argue. "Fine, fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "You win this one." Then, turning back to Lara, she asked, "Anyway, are you staying?"
Lara nodded. "I was actually planning to stay the night. I'll leave tomorrow morning."
Her mother's face instantly lit up. "Really? That's great! It's been a while since you spent the night here."
"I thought you'd be happy," Lara said with a small smile.
"Of course I am! At least now, I can have my daughter all to myself for a bit."
Lara chuckled at her mother's enthusiasm.
She sat down with them, relaxing into the couch as her mother excitedly started chatting about different things—what she had been up to, the neighbors' gossip, and even some funny stories from her cooking club. Her father would occasionally chime in with dry remarks that made her mother playfully swat his arm, making Lara laugh.
Then, out of nowhere, her mother's expression brightened as if she had just remembered something exciting.
"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you! I saw Duke yesterday at a restaurant."
Lara blinked in surprise. "Duke?"
Her mother nodded eagerly. "Yes! I ran into him while I was having lunch with some of my friends." She sighed dramatically. "Oh, that boy still looks as handsome as ever. No, actually, he looks even more attractive now! He has this mature aura about him. Very different from when you two were still students."
Lara smiled at her mother's reaction. It wasn't surprising. Duke had always been a charming person, and her mother had been fond of him since their college days.
Lara chuckled. "You always did like Duke,"
"Of course! He was always so polite when he came over. I don't understand why you never gave him chance."
Lara chuckled, shaking her head. "He's just a friend, Mom."
Her mother waved a hand dismissively. "Well, you might see him that way, but you should still invite him over. I miss talking to him. He always knew how to keep up with me."
Her father snorted. "I doubt anyone can truly keep up with you."
Her mother ignored him and turned back to Lara. "I'm serious, dear. You should invite him over sometime. It'd be nice to catch up."
Lara laughed. "Alright, alright. I'll reach out to him."
Her mother clapped her hands together in satisfaction. "Good. I'll look forward to it!"
Lara just smiled.