Chapter 95
Julie was filled with helplessness. She sighed quietly, then looked up at Lucian. She deliberately pretended to be shocked, exclaiming, “What a coincidence! Did you also have dinner here?” She finished with an awkward laugh.
Lucian didn’t respond to her question, instead calmly uttering two words, “Come here.” Julie took a deep breath before forcing herself to walk toward him, struggling to look calm and composed. “Are you also here for a business dinner?” she asked with a wan smile.
Lucian remained silent, staring at her. Julie fidgeted uncomfortably under the intensity of his gaze. She subconsciously reached up to touch her cheek, feeling incredibly confused. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.
Lucian slowly reached out and touched her cheek, frowning slightly. “What happened to your face?”
Julie stiffened, hurriedly shaking her head. “Nothing. Really, it was nothing.” Seeing her fall silent, Lucian didn’t question her further. He gently opened the car door and motioned for her to get in.
After thanking him softly, she slowly got into the front passenger seat. As she reached for her seatbelt, she accidentally caught a glimpse of Zayn standing at the second-floor window. The instant their eyes met, Julie’s heart clenched and she involuntarily looked away quickly, appearing a little guilty.
Lucian got into the car and, noticing she still hadn’t fastened her seatbelt, leaned over and put it on for her. Julie came back to her senses and thanked him quietly.
Lucian tapped her gently on the forehead, asking with a smile, “Were you daydreaming just now?” Julie shook her head and smiled back. “I wasn’t.”
Julie remained silent for the rest of the journey, recalling Zayn’s threats. She felt incredibly conflicted. She didn’t want Lucian to learn about her and Zayn through Zayn, but how should she break the news to Lucian? Their current relationship was nothing more than that of old friends who hadn’t seen each other in many years.
Suddenly, a phone rang. Lucian, driving, turned to Julie. “Please help me take the call, Juju.”
Julie started slightly, awkwardness appearing on her face. Because Lucian’s phone was in his pants pocket, she would have to reach into his pocket, which felt really embarrassing.
Lucian seemed to sense her hesitation and quickly added, “There are surveillance cameras along this stretch of road. If I move to take out my phone, I’ll be fined, so please do me a…”
Hearing this, Julie felt helpless. However, since Lucian had already said that much, she was too embarrassed to refuse. Thus, she slowly and carefully reached for the pocket of Lucian’s suit pants. She seemed to feel his body stiffen.
The awkward atmosphere made her face flush and her heart thump wildly. “I think you’d better get the phone yourself,” she told him, flustered. She felt as if her cheeks were burning.
Lucian glanced at her unnoticed, an almost imperceptible amusement in his eyes. His gaze lingered on her red-flushed ears. He kept one hand firmly on the steering wheel and casually tossed his phone to her with his other hand. “Help me take the call,” he said calmly.
Julie hurriedly caught the phone. She looked down at the caller ID, then informed quietly, “It’s Blaine.”