Chapter 12: Hangover And Hazy
Lara woke up with a pounding headache. She groaned as she sat up in bed, pressing her fingers against her throbbing temples. She regretted drinking last night. It wasn't even much, just a couple of glasses with Levi, but clearly, her body wasn't built for it.
Reaching for her phone, she squinted at the screen. 9:00 AM.
She wasn't even surprised anymore. She usually slept in on weekends, her body already accustomed to waking up late. However, she originally planned to leave early this morning, but judging by her current state, that plan was as good as canceled.
With a sigh, she forced herself out of bed and trudged to the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, something she forgot to do last night, she took a long, refreshing shower, hoping it would wash away the remnants of sleep and her slight headache. Wrapping herself in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom while towel-drying her damp hair.
She walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of denim shorts and a loose, oversized T-shirt, slipping into them before running her fingers through her wet strands, not bothering to properly comb them. It would dry on its own. Right now, her stomach demanded attention.
With that thought, she exited her room and made her way downstairs, heading straight for the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mom," she greeted casually, barely glancing at the living room where her mother was seated on the couch.
She had already taken a few steps toward the kitchen when something—someone—caught her attention from her peripheral vision.
Her breath hitched.
Slowly, she turned back.
And there he was.
Lucas sat across her mother, casually sipping his tea, looking as if he belonged there.
Lara blinked in surprise.
What…?
"H-Hon, you're here?" she stammered, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.
Lucas's eyes met hers, his lips curling slightly into a knowing smirk as he took another sip of his tea. "Well," he drawled, "someone kept texting me last night about how much they missed me."
Lara blinked. Texting?
Her mind scrambled for any memory of sending him messages. She remembered drinking. She remembered talking to Levi. But she didn't remember texting Lucas at all.
Was she too drunk last night to remember?
Before she could process it, her mother beamed, clasping her hands together. "Oh, you two are so sweet! You were only apart for a few hours, and you already missed each other?" she gushed.
Lara let out an awkward laugh, glancing at Lucas, who was watching her with an unreadable expression. Was he… teasing her?
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the loud growl of her stomach.
Heat rushed to her face as her mother laughed. "Sounds like someone needs breakfast," she teased. "Sit down, sweetheart. I'll ask the maid to bring out some food."
Lara, feeling utterly embarrassed, hesitated before reluctantly walking toward the couch and awkwardly sat beside Lucas.
While her mother called for the maid, she turned slightly toward Lucas, lowering her voice. "What are you doing here?" she asked, eyes narrowed. "Did my mom ask you to come?"
Lucas placed his teacup down on the saucer. "No," he replied simply. "You did."
Lara blinked. "I did?"
He met her gaze, expression unreadable. "You don't remember?"
She shook her head. "Not at all."
Lucas let out a quiet scoff and leaned back. "Never mind, then."
Lara studied his face, trying to piece together last night's events. What had she said? What had she done? But before she could press further, a maid arrived, setting down a tray of food in front of her.
"Eat up, darling," her mother said warmly.
Lara reluctantly let go of her thoughts and picked up her utensils. As she ate, her mother continued chatting, mostly about the neighbors and some new gossip she had picked up.
Then, mid-conversation, she turned to Lara. "Are you going home with Lucas today?"
Lara paused, spoon halfway to her mouth.
Right. She was supposed to leave today.
She sneaked a glance at Lucas and was about to say yes when she suddenly remembered—she had plans today.
She was meeting Ali and Duke for lunch. Ali had already texted her the restaurant's address yesterday. If she went back home with Lucas first, she wouldn't have time to prepare.
"I probably won't," she finally answered.
Her mother raised a brow. "Why not?"
"I'm actually meeting up with Ali and Duke later for lunch," she explained, chewing thoughtfully.
At the mention of Duke, her mother's face lit up. "Really?" she gushed. "Oh, that's wonderful! Make sure to send him my regards, and don't forget to tell him to visit me soon!"
Lara chuckled. "I'll let him know."
She stole another glance at Lucas, hoping for even a hint of a reaction.
But there was none.
Not even a flicker of curiosity. No frown, no questioning look, nothing. He just sat there, casually sipping his tea, looking completely uninterested.
Her heart sank slightly.
Was she seriously expecting him to care? To ask about Duke? To look even a little bit jealous?
She inwardly scoffed at herself. How foolish.
Lucas didn't care about her. That was the whole point of their marriage.
Shoving those thoughts aside, she finished her meal as her mother continued talking. Lucas responded occasionally, but he mostly nodded and gave small smiles.
A few minutes later, her mother's phone rang. She checked the caller ID and gasped. "Oh! It's my friend! I need to take this." She excused herself, leaving Lara and Lucas alone.
An awkward silence settled between them.
She tapped her fingers against the table, debating whether to speak. After a moment, she hesitated, then asked, "So… when are you leaving?"
Lucas's gaze flickered toward her, his expression unreadable. "Are you kicking me out?"
Lara's eyes widened slightly. "No! I was just wondering," she quickly clarified. "Since I'll be getting ready to head out soon, I thought you might not want to stay here alone."
Lucas studied her for a moment before replying, "I'll leave once your mom returns. I should at least say goodbye."
"Oh. Alright then." She shifted awkwardly in her seat before standing. "I'll head upstairs to get ready now."
Lucas gave no response.
She clenched her fists slightly before turning on her heel and walking away.
Don't let it bother you.
It didn't matter whether he reacted or not.
It never did.
But deep down—
She hated how his indifference always managed to hurt her the most.
⫘⫘⫘
Lara stepped into her room and closed the door behind her with a soft click. She took a deep breath before walking over to her closet. As she pulled open the doors, she scanned the rows of neatly folded clothes and hanging dresses, most of which she hadn't worn in years. Many of them were from her teenage years and college days. Styles she wasn't sure would still suit her.
She hesitated for a moment, running her fingers over the fabrics. Do I still look good in these? she wondered. But she had no time to be picky.
After a brief deliberation, she settled on a red fitted top and a pair of high-waisted jeans. The top had delicate lace-trimmed cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and a black ribbon cinching just below the bust, accentuating her figure. The asymmetrical hemline gave it a youthful yet subtly elegant charm. The classic high-waisted jeans hugged her waist perfectly before flowing into a flared cut that elongated her legs.
She admired her reflection in the mirror. The vintage-wash denim, slightly faded but still stylish, complemented the deep red of her top beautifully.
Sitting down at her vanity, Lara applied a clean, natural-looking makeup, just enough to enhance her features. She curled the ends of her hair, letting them fall into gentle waves down her back. A pair of small gold earrings and a delicate bracelet completed the look.
When she stood up and look at herself in the mirror, she was momentarily taken aback. The woman staring back at her looked... younger. The makeup, the outfit—it reminded her of her college days, back when she still had bright eyes filled with dreams.
She smiled in quiet satisfaction before slipping on a pair of deep red slingback heels. The pointed toes, dainty bow, and glossy finish made them look chic yet understated. She grabbed a sleek black shoulder bag with a silver bow embellishment, giving it a feminine touch.
With everything in place, she gave herself one final glance in the mirror and straightened her posture.
Perfect.
She turned on her heel and left the room, descending the staircase with light, confident steps only to stop in her tracks when she spotted Lucas still sitting on the couch.
He's still here?
She had assumed he would have left by now. He was staring at his phone, but as if sensing her presence, he looked up. His gaze flickered over her, lingering for a brief moment. There was no visible reaction on his face, but something in his gaze made her heart stutter.
Stop it, Lara. Don't overthink.
She forced a smile, pushing away any unnecessary thoughts.
"Hey," she greeted casually.
Before Lucas could respond, her mother appeared from the kitchen, smiling warmly.
"Are you heading out now, sweetie?"
Lara nodded. "Yes, Mom."
Her mother clapped her hands together. "Perfect timing! Lucas was just about to leave as well. He can drop you off." Then, turning to Lucas with a smiled, she added, "Right, son-in-law?"
Lara braced herself, expecting him to decline. It wasn't like Lucas to do favors for her.
But to her surprise, he simply responded, "Sure."
Lara blinked. She wasn't sure whether she should feel pleased or worried. She had already prepared herself for a quiet ride, and sitting next to Lucas in silence wasn't exactly how she wanted to start her day. But at the same time, she couldn't bring herself to refuse. It was rare for Lucas to offer any sort of gesture, no matter how small. This was an opportunity, even if it was a small one.
She flashed him a soft smile. "Thank you."
Lucas said nothing.
Her mother beamed at them. "Drive safe, you two!"
Lara followed Lucas out the door. As expected, Lucas walked straight to the driver's side without sparing her a glance. Lara sighed inwardly and opened the car door herself before sliding into the passenger seat.
As soon as she settled, she told him the name of the café. Lucas gave a curt nod and started the car.