Chapter 39: Rumors Over Lunch

Across from the bustling department store, Claire found herself seated in a cozy Chinese restaurant, wolfing down her lunch. Meanwhile, Sarah sat opposite her, absently pushing her food around her plate, deep in thought.

Lucas had looked absolutely furious, his face tense with barely contained frustration. But what had really set him off? Had he seriously left his office, storming all the way to the store just to berate her outfit and makeup?

*Ridiculous!* Claire thought, fuming. If her makeup were truly that terrible, then why had customers flocked to buy the very products she modeled in the display window? Was Lucas nearsighted, or did he have a warped sense of fashion?

As Claire continued her lunch, she noticed Sarah watching her with a furrowed brow.

"What's up, Sarah? Does the food taste off or something?" Claire asked, stuffing another bite into her mouth.

Sarah set her chopsticks down, looking thoughtful. "Tell me honestly, Claire—does my makeup really look that bad?"

Claire scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Unless every single customer who bought from us is visually impaired, then no, your makeup's perfect."

Sarah hesitated, a smirk creeping onto her face. "So… you think that means the boss needs his eyes checked?"

Claire snorted, nearly spitting out her drink. "I never said that, not directly anyway," she laughed, trying to shake off the thought. *It's one thing to complain about the boss privately, but saying he's blind in public?*

"Honestly, though," Sarah continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "What's he so angry about? It's baffling."

Claire shifted uncomfortably. "Beats me," she muttered, nervously poking at her rice.

Sarah leaned in, studying her friend's face with an amused grin. "So, Claire… you and the boss… are you two, like, close or something?"

The question startled Claire, her heart skipping a beat as she quickly shook her head. "What? No way! We're not close at all!" She scrambled to cover her reaction, her eyes darting around the restaurant to avoid Sarah's knowing gaze.

"Oh really?" Sarah smirked. "Because the boss sure seemed to think your skirt was too short for the store. Or did you forget I'm wearing the same exact uniform?"

Sarah's words brought a fresh flush to Claire's cheeks. She quickly focused on her food, mumbling a nervous laugh. She hoped her evasiveness would go unnoticed, but Sarah saw right through it.

Leaning forward conspiratorially, Sarah chuckled, "Claire, you don't have to hide it. I knew something was up the moment Lucas swooped in like a whirlwind and practically whisked you out of that woman's arms. It was obvious."

Claire froze, a dumpling halfway to her mouth. *Oh no… was she that transparent?*

"What… what do you mean?" Claire asked cautiously, trying to downplay the tension.

"Isn't it obvious?" Sarah's voice lowered, taking on a playful tone. "Our boss has got the hots for you! Seriously, I saw his face when he first looked at you—he was mesmerized."

Claire rolled her eyes, scoffing. "Are you kidding me? Did you not hear him? He basically called me a walking disaster with my makeup. That's hardly flattery." The thought that Lucas's strictness had a hidden, romantic motive felt ludicrous.

Sarah shrugged, giving her a teasing grin. "Come on, you can't be serious. I mean, he could have ordered you back to the office anytime. But the way he looked at you—something about it seemed… personal."

Claire shook her head in exasperation, shoveling the rest of her meal in, all the while trying to brush off Sarah's relentless teasing. But she couldn't deny a tiny, nagging thought in the back of her mind: if Lucas didn't care at all, why had he made such a scene?