Chapter 126: I LOVE YOU

After dinner, Blaine Jackson rose to leave, but surprisingly, Blaire Zeller called out to him. 

"Mr. Jackson, could I ask you to design a look for me?" 

"You?" Blaine's sharp gaze scanned Blaire's overly slender frame before landing on her long golden hair. 

"I think your attire is fine, but if you returned your hair to its original black, it would suit your complexion better," he said bluntly, wondering why she'd dyed herself to look like a golden monkey. He truly couldn't fathom it. 

"Mr. Jackson, why are you just standing there? Come sit," Blaire said, beckoning him with a warm familiarity that startled Blaine. 

When had he grown close enough to this crafty woman for her to speak so coquettishly? 

"Go on, Blaine," Claire Grace chimed in, rising to her feet and heading toward the kitchen. Lucas Zeller quickly followed her. 

Standing by the kitchen door, Lucas's tone was laced with jealousy. "What are you trying to do?" he asked Claire, who was washing fruit with measured precision. 

"What do you mean?" she replied indifferently, not even looking at him. 

"Why did you bring him here?" His frustration was evident. 

"I've explained this already. How many times do I have to say it?" Claire replied, draining the washed fruit before grabbing a knife to start slicing. 

"Do you like him?" Lucas asked abruptly. 

"What do you think?" 

"I'm asking if you do!" Lucas frowned. Did she think this was a game? 

"Didn't I already answer this outside the Chinese restaurant?" she said, cutting the fruit with deliberate care. 

"Are you playing with me?" he growled, grabbing her by the shoulders and forcing her to face him. "Tell me the truth. Have you been acting so differently lately because of him?" He took the knife from her hand and leaned in, his commanding presence making her heart skip a beat. 

"Wouldn't you be happy if I've become more beautiful?" Claire asked softly, looking up at him with a small pout. 

"You were always beautiful," he murmured. 

"Liar," she retorted quickly. "I remember you once said you'd seen plenty of beautiful women, but I was the ugliest one you'd ever met." 

Lucas smirked, leaning closer, his handsome face almost brushing hers. "Did I say that?" he asked playfully. 

"Don't come so close! I have something to ask you," Claire said, turning her head to avoid his lips. But Lucas was faster, tilting her chin and claiming a possessive kiss. 

"Ask after I'm done," he commanded. 

"You're so domineering!" Claire whispered, her eyes sparkling with affection as she looped her arms around his neck. 

"Do you hate Blaine Jackson?" she asked softly. 

"Do you even need to ask?" His tone and demeanor around Blaine made his feelings clear. 

"Can you give me a reason?" 

"Like what?" 

"Like, do you hate him because you're afraid I might fall for him?" Claire asked boldly. 

"That's ridiculous. You've already told me you love me. Why would you fall for someone else?" Lucas said with a smirk, though a trace of insecurity lingered in his voice. 

"Are you sure about that?" Claire pressed. "Every time you see him, you look furious and act cranky. Could it be that you think he's better than you?" 

"What are you trying to say?" Lucas asked, his narrowed eyes gleaming with amusement. 

"I just want to know why you dislike him so much," Claire said simply, though the question carried significant weight. 

Lucas sighed and finally admitted, "Fine. I'll say it. I hate him because of you." 

"Me?" Claire blinked in confusion. 

"Yes, you. Because I'm jealous, okay? Do you need a clearer explanation?" His frustration flared as he avoided her gaze. 

"Why are you jealous?" Claire whispered, her arms circling his chest as she leaned into him. 

"You know why," Lucas muttered evasively. 

"Lucas~" she cooed, her voice soft and teasing. 

"You know I've told you I like you. Seeing you close to him makes me jealous," he admitted. 

"Just like?" Claire asked, her voice trembling with a dangerous mix of hope and despair. 

"What else would it be?" 

Claire's heart sank. She stepped back, masking her disappointment as she returned to cutting the fruit. 

"Just liking me... and I want more," she murmured to herself, her mind clouded with doubt and pain. Tears blurred her vision, and before she realized it, the knife nicked her finger. 

"You're an idiot!" Lucas's sharp voice startled her as he rushed over, taking her hand and putting her injured finger in his mouth. 

"Lucas, it's just a scratch," she protested, flustered. 

"You're still an idiot!" he snapped, grabbing a bandage and carefully wrapping her finger. 

"You haven't called me an idiot in a while," Claire teased, her voice wavering. 

"That's because you've really turned into one," Lucas said, his tone softening. 

"What do you mean?" 

"If you wanted to hear me say those three words, why didn't you just ask directly?" he said, his dark eyes locking onto hers. 

"You... you heard that?" she stammered. 

"Do you want to hear them?" he asked, tilting her chin as his gaze softened. 

"Are you going to say it?" Her heart raced uncontrollably. 

"Listen carefully. I'll only say it once," Lucas whispered, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. 

"I love you." 

Claire froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. 

"Is that... is that really it?" 

"Translate it if you don't believe me," Lucas muttered, his ears red as he hurried out of the kitchen.