Chapter 131: A Test of Patience

"Lucas, is this perfume really that important to you? I mean, you've spent way more time on this one than you did on the first. You've even got us working overtime till midnight!" Roy Lin complained as he and Lucas Zeller walked into a cozy Japanese restaurant on a quiet street in downtown Seattle.

Lucas glanced at him, unimpressed. "Which of your two eyes thinks it's midnight? It's barely twelve." He sank into a window-side booth, giving Roy a pointed look.

"Come on, spill it. Don't tell me this new perfume has something to do with Blaire again?" Roy asked, grinning as he leaned back in his chair. Roy's habit of stirring the pot had always been part of his charm—or irritation, depending on Lucas's mood.

"You're delusional," Lucas retorted sharply. He wasn't about to admit that Blaire might have been on his mind. Not with Roy sitting there, ready to pounce on any confession. "And watch your mouth, especially in front of Sarah."

"Oh, so you're worried she'll get jealous?" Roy teased, flagging down a server with an exaggerated wave.

"Jealousy would be easy to handle," Lucas replied, his voice dropping a notch. "It's when she's angry that it gets complicated." He paused for a moment, his gaze shifting to the street outside. "She's changed a lot since Blaine showed up."

Roy raised a brow. "Blaine Jackson? Lauren's old classmate?"

"Yeah, who else?" Lucas's tone grew a shade darker.

Roy smirked knowingly, trying and failing to suppress his laughter. "Man, you're killing me here. That look on your face—it's priceless."

"You think this is funny?" Lucas's voice turned frosty, his gaze narrowing.

"No, no," Roy managed between chuckles, though the grin on his face said otherwise. "It's just—you're acting like a jealous husband. And not the subtle kind, either. You've got the whole 'gritting-teeth, glaring-daggers' thing down pat."

"Your imagination is out of control," Lucas said flatly, stabbing a chopstick into his plate of sushi.

"Am I, though? You've been so short-tempered with everyone lately, but when it comes to Claire, you've gone soft. And don't get me started on how you react every time Blaine's name comes up. It's like you're ready to declare war."

Lucas's grip on his chopstick tightened. "If it were Lauren spending all her time with some guy, I bet you'd flip out too."

"Touché," Roy admitted with a smirk. "But wait—weren't you the one calling me a pushover husband? Now look who's acting whipped, Lucas."

"Are you here to eat, or to run your mouth?" Lucas growled, cutting off any further jabs by spearing another piece of sashimi. The force with which he handled the food made Roy gulp involuntarily.

"Whoa, easy there, buddy. That fish didn't do anything to you," Roy said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Or are you imagining it's me on the plate? Because if you are, I'm officially scared."

Lucas gave him a side-eye, chewing slowly before speaking. "Actually, thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I'll fork you on the left and knife Blaine on the right. How's that for an idea?"

"Dude, you're twisted." Roy shoved a piece of tempura into his mouth, deciding it was safer to focus on his food than continue provoking Lucas.

After a tense moment of silence, Lucas broke it with an unexpected request. "I want you to dig into Blaine Jackson's background."

Roy froze mid-bite, looking up with a confused expression. "What for? Lauren already told you. His mom's Chinese, his dad was French. The guy lost his dad when he was ten, and his family moved back to the States around then. Now his mom runs that mega-successful beauty brand, Jackson Studio, across Europe. Blaine's just following in her footsteps. He's practically a golden boy."

"Exactly my point," Lucas said, his voice sharp. "If he's already a big deal in Europe, why's he back here for an Asian design competition? What's he really after?"

Roy leaned back, considering the question. "Man, you're asking the wrong guy. I don't have a clue. Maybe he's just ambitious? His older brother's a hair stylist, his sister's into body art and makeup, and Blaine's the all-rounder. Guess he wanted to prove he could dominate this side of the world too."

"Stop talking like he's some kind of saint," Lucas snapped. "You're making him sound so perfect, it's disgusting."

Roy smirked again, unable to resist one last jab. "What's the matter, Lucas? Afraid Claire might think so too?"

Lucas's glare could have melted steel, but Roy just laughed, grabbing another piece of sushi. He knew Lucas wouldn't admit it, but the guy was obviously in deep. And for someone like Lucas, who thrived on control, that kind of vulnerability was a rare—and hilariously entertaining—sight.