Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 442

The man's smile was much more genuine when he heard it was a girl.

Lucinda gracefully declined the invitation for lunch from her colleague. But that didn't stop him from lingering by the elevator, hopeful for a chance to walk her out.

He'd been watching Lucinda for a while now. She was ambitious, diligent, and while she wasn't a knockout beauty, her sunny disposition was winning him over. He was considering making a play for her heart, thinking maybe she'd be the one to bring home for Christmas dinner.

Lucinda prayed silently that her overbearing husband wouldn't catch sight of her and him waiting for the elevator together. If he got a whiff of jealousy, it would be a whole scene she wasn't eager to have.

Normally quick to clear her desk, Lucinda deliberately slowed her pace, ensuring by the time she headed for the stairs, Mark would've left the building.

Ever since Lucinda joined the ranks at Ascend Global, the presence of the company's CEO, Stefan, had become a more common occurrence at the beginning and end of the workday.

The woman who had once set Lucinda up for failure couldn't help but snort with disdain as she passed her desk. Lucinda couldn't quite make out the words, but she didn't care to. She had long since realized that the office waters ran deep.

If it weren't for the fact that she needed to inherit the family fortune, Lucinda would've been content running her own cozy bookstore-café, penning novels in her spare time, far away from the cutthroat corporate life.

Thinking about her own background, Lucinda couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Her life was destined to be full of intrigue.

The male colleague was very patient, waiting until Lucinda finally came out.

The Ascend Global headquarters had many employees, and even though Lucinda deliberately delayed, the elevator was still crowded. She decided to take the stairs.

"Mr. Coleman."

Just as she descended to the first floor, she heard many people greeting Stefan. Lucinda hesitated.

"What's wrong?"

The male colleague asked with concern.

"I forgot something."

Lucinda turned around and walked back.

The male colleague stood there watching Lucinda go back. After a while, he eventually walked away alone.

Lucinda didn't actually return to her office; instead, she hid at the turn of the stairs. When she saw the male colleague leave, she went back down.

To the bustling crowd of Ascend Global's head office, Lucinda was just another face in the crowd, unnoticed as she left the steel and glass tower behind her. At the bus stop, she boarded the line that would take her to the Ascend Hotel.

Once she found a seat, she texted Stefan. "Honey, wait for me at the hotel."

Stefan called her immediately.

"Sweetheart, I'm on the bus. Shouldn't be long. Just wait for me."

"Alright, be careful. I'll wait for you here."

Lucinda smiled at the thought of seeing him soon.

The Ascend Hotel wasn't far, and Lucinda arrived soon. Instead of seeking out her man, she ducked into the ladies' room to wipe away her makeup, a skill she had mastered without the help of Tiffany, who was now preoccupied with wedding plans and morning sickness.

Emerging fresh-faced, Lucinda was surprised to see her older brother, Ike, clutching a bouquet of flowers.

"Ike!"

She called out to him and made her way over.

Ike hesitated, almost hiding the flowers, but there was no point; Lucinda already knew about his crush, Belinda.

"Lucy, you here by yourself?"

He waited for her to catch up, his curiosity piqued about the absence of her ever-present husband.

"Stefan's waiting for me. You meeting Belinda, huh?" Lucinda's voice was teasing.

"I've planned dinner with Belinda, yes. What, you think I shouldn't make a move?"

"No way! I've been rooting for you, big bro. You going to profess your love?"

They walked towards the hotel lobby together.

"I think she's into me too, Lucy. It's time I step up and just say it," Ike confessed.

Belinda wasn’t the type to appreciate beating around the bush. If Ike confessed his feelings to her and she genuinely liked him, she would likely accept his affection. On the other hand, if she didn't share the same feelings, she would straightforwardly reject him, putting an end to any romantic pursuit. People like Belinda tend to prefer clear communication and don't appreciate persistent advances.

Ike, feeling nervous inside, was afraid that Belinda might reject him. If she did, he would have to settle for being one of her many business partners and wouldn't be able to take things further.

"You both are single. If you like each other, boldly express your feelings. Some people are not good at guessing or interpreting hints. If you don't make it clear, she might never know that you like her," said Lucinda.

Ike explained, "I know that, and that's why I'm being bold and straightforward now."

Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar, hearty voice.

"Lucy, Ike."

It was Stefan, with Belinda by his side, holding a bouquet similar to Ike's and a bag that seemed to contain a dress.

The four of them exchanged pleasantries, and Lucinda couldn't help but feel a spark in the air, a prelude to confessions and new beginnings.

Belinda always seemed to soften up whenever she was around Lucinda. Lucinda wasn't just Ike's sister; she was also a dear friend to Darlene. Ever since Darlene had struck up a friendship with Lucinda, she began going out more often and her smiles grew more frequent.

Belinda attributed all this happiness to Lucinda's influence on her sister, which made her especially warm and friendly towards her.

"Lucinda," Belinda greeted, with a rare smile on her face.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lucinda tactfully said, "Hey bro, Belinda, Stefan and I are going to grab some dinner."

Ike just grunted in acknowledgment.

Lucinda, hand in hand with her husband, slipped away, but not to leave; they just hid nearby instead.

Stefan chuckled and teased her, "Lucinda, we could just watch them openly, you know. No need to sneak around like we're having an affair or something."

"Being around would make Ike and Belinda self-conscious. And even if we wanted to have an affair, we couldn't. We're legally married, so it's not an affair when it's with your spouse." This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Stefan laughed, about to add more, but then he saw his wife intently watching the lovebirds. Not wanting to interrupt her focus, he simply watched her with an indulgent gaze, full of adoration.