THIRD PARTY

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Seline stretched lazily, her body unfolding like a flower greeting the first light of day. She squinted as the sun's rays pierced the curtain, sending a warm glow across the room. Her mind was already racing ahead, the hazy remnants of sleep clashing with the strategy she had concocted in the quiet of the night. Today, she would break through Jason's walls. Today, she would find the answers she desperately needed.

The thoughts of Mr. Blake nagged at the edges of her mind—what was he thinking? Would he fire her for her absence from work? She dismissed the thought with a quiet sigh. There were more pressing matters at hand.

Her movements were automatic as she dressed, her mind still tangled in the web of plans and concerns. She chose a fitted, knee-length black gown—simple, yet elegant—pairing it with matching slippers. Her hair was tossed up into a rough bun, a little too carelessly. It didn't matter. What mattered was the mission. Jason.

She reached the door and hesitated before turning the knob, stepping out into the hallway. Her eyes scanned the empty space, and the absence of Jason's presence gnawed at her. Where was he?

Downstairs, Lucas was already sitting at the dining table, Skye beside him, both of them locked in a silent battle of glances. Lucas flashed her a warm smile, but Skye's eyes only scrutinized her, an unreadable expression settled on her face.

"Where's Jason?" Seline asked, her voice almost too casual.

Lucas looked up from his plate, his brow furrowing slightly. "He hasn't been around since yesterday. But he called earlier—he'll be late. He told me to take you around the building today."

Seline's eyes narrowed with curiosity. Late? But she didn't push further. Instead, she settled into her seat as a lady served them all, the clinking of cutlery filling the silence. Lucas, always the gentleman, tried to engage her in small talk.

"What's your favorite color, Seline?" he asked, his tone light, as though he didn't expect much of a response.

"Blue," she said absently, her mind elsewhere.

"Ah, blue, of course," Lucas smiled, clearly not hearing the lack of enthusiasm in her voice. He pressed on with a list of similar questions, each one met with brief answers. What did it matter? There was only one question on her mind.

As soon as breakfast was over, she couldn't help herself. "Where is Jason? Have you heard from him?"

Lucas's gaze softened slightly, but there was still an air of mystery. "I told you, he called. He'll be late. He's busy with something important, I suppose."

The idea of something—or someone—keeping Jason away stirred something inside her, but she masked it quickly with a nod.

Lucas then suggested a tour of the grounds to fill the time, and though she was not particularly interested, Seline agreed. She was desperate to learn anything about Jason, and maybe, just maybe, Lucas would let something slip.

As they walked through the sprawling estate, Seline tried, time and again, to steer the conversation toward Jason—his hobbies, his friends, his career—but Lucas skillfully deflected every attempt. He spoke instead of the beauty of the garden, the architecture of the mansion, the history of the land. It was clear he had no intention of answering her questions.

Finally, they reached the garden, and Seline's eyes lit up. Roses. Everywhere. The sight was almost overwhelming, and without thinking, she plucked a red rose from one of the bushes, inhaling deeply. "I love roses," she confessed, her voice soft, lost in the beauty of the moment.

Lucas watched her closely, his expression shifting. He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You're beautiful," he said, his voice low. Seline froze, her heart racing in sudden confusion.

Before she could react, Lucas cupped her cheek gently, his touch sending a shiver through her. "May I?" he asked, his breath warm against her skin. Seline's mind screamed at her to pull away, but her body was rooted in place.

And then his lips were on hers.

The kiss was soft, tentative at first, as though he was testing the waters. But it felt wrong. So wrong. Her thoughts scrambled, her body rigid against him, and in a flash, the fog lifted. She pushed him away, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest.

Lucas stumbled back, a look of hurt flashing across his face as he straightened, trying to regain his composure. But Seline couldn't focus on him, not anymore.

From the shadows of the garden, she saw him.

Jason.

Leaning against the wall with an expression colder than ice, his eyes locked on Seline. The tension in the air was palpable, and if looks could kill, Seline was certain she would not be standing there anymore.

The silence that followed felt like an eternity. Neither of them moved. Seline's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing for something—anything—to say. But there was nothing. There was only the weight of Jason's gaze, heavy and unforgiving.

Lucas, now fully aware of the situation, turned toward Jason, his face twisting into a mask of discomfort. "Jason," he greeted stiffly,

Jason's voice finally broke the silence, low and dangerous. "Thanks for staying Lucas, I'll take it from here ."

Seline opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. Everything inside her screamed for her to explain, but she knew it was pointless. The damage was done.

Jason took a slow step forward, his eyes never leaving hers, and Lucas stepped aside, knowing better than to intervene. The garden felt suddenly smaller, the air thicker, as the storm of unspoken words churned between them.

Seline's mind raced, but one thing was certain: Jason's wrath would come, and she had no idea how she would survive

--

LUCAS POV

As Lucas walked beside Seline, he couldn't help but watch her. He had been intrigued by her from the moment she arrived at the mansion. There was something about her that tugged at him, a blend of vulnerability and strength that was rare in a person. But it was more than just her outward appearance—though she was undeniably beautiful, there was an intensity to her, a complexity that stirred something deep inside him.

He had always been perceptive, and he could tell that something was amiss. Seline wasn't the type to easily trust anyone, especially not someone like him. She had walls built high, walls that only Jason had managed to chip away at, even if the progress had been slow and fraught with tension. Still, Lucas was patient. He'd never been one to rush things, believing that everything would come in time, when the moment was right. He was not about to rush into something that wasn't genuine.

But Seline was different. She seemed out of place here, in this mansion, in this world of uncertainties and mysteries. Lucas had watched her in the past few days—observing her quiet moments, the way she processed everything with an almost calculating calmness, as if constantly weighing her options. He knew she was planning something. He didn't know exactly what, but there was a certain air of purpose about her. And that only made him more intrigued.

He had tried to draw her out today, asking questions about her hobbies, her likes and dislikes, but she was distant—closed off. The answers came in short bursts, as if she was trying to hide a part of herself from him. It frustrated him, but it also stirred something deeper within him. There was an allure to her secrecy, a magnetism that he couldn't quite resist. He wanted to understand her, to break through the layers she'd built around herself, even if it meant pushing her a little.

When they arrived at the garden, Lucas had hoped that the beauty of the roses would draw her in, maybe make her forget the walls she had put up. And for a moment, it worked. Seline seemed to soften, her eyes lighting up as she plucked a rose from the bush. It was the most vulnerable he had seen her since she arrived. It made something stir within him—a tenderness, a desire to protect her from whatever was weighing her down.

He had always been good at reading people, but still it was impossible to detect what exactly was going on in her mind. Her smile and excitement made her look so natural and attractive, she inhaled the scent of the rose repeatedly,

A sudden urge washed over him, a desire to feel her lips on his, a desire he couldn't control.

His heart raced as he stepped closer, drawn to her in a way he hadn't expected. His hand cupped her cheek, and in that instant, he felt a strange connection between them. It was like a magnetic pull, irresistible, and he had to kiss her. He needed to know what it felt like to have her close, to bridge the gap between them.

But as soon as their lips touched, something changed. It was as if the world shifted around him. Seline's lips were soft, but the kiss felt wrong. His instincts screamed at him that he had miscalculated. She didn't respond the way he'd hoped. Her body tensed, and before he could process it, she pushed him away.

For a brief moment, Lucas stood frozen, feeling a pang of humiliation. What had gotten into him, why had he given in to misleading emotions ? He'd been so sure of his self-control, so sure that she might feel something for him. But the look on her face—the look of shock and disgust—cut deeper than any rejection he had ever experienced.

And then Jason appeared.

Lucas had seen the way Jason looked at Seline, with possessiveness and intensity that made something dark stir inside him. He was not a man who often felt threatened, but in that moment, seeing Jason's cold, piercing gaze directed at him, he felt it. He was suddenly aware of how much Jason meant to her—how much she meant to Jason.

Lucas swallowed his pride, stepping back as Jason's presence filled the space between them. He could feel the weight of Jason's gaze, a silent judgment that made him feel small. But he didn't regret what he had done. He had kissed Seline because he wanted her. And that hunger, that desire, was still there, though now it was mixed with frustration.

In the back of his mind, Lucas understood the delicate dance of power that Jason and Seline were engaged in. It was clear that Seline had her own agenda, one that didn't involve him. But that didn't matter to Lucas. His feelings for her were not simply about attraction; there was something deeper—something that made him want to protect her, even if it meant standing in the shadows.

But he couldn't deny the jealousy that twisted in his chest as Jason stared at him.

Lucas was drawn to Seline, and that was undeniable. But seeing her in Jason's orbit made him question whether he truly understood what was happening between them—or if he was simply another pawn in a much larger game.