Chapter 160: Confrontation
"I'm not saying I've settled for the way things are. I really want to change myself. I truly do. But the thought of being apart from Lucas… I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't want to leave him," Claire said softly, her voice tinged with both longing and pain. Even just a day apart from him had left her missing him terribly. If they truly had to separate… it would be unbearable.
"So, I said, don't force yourself," Blaine replied, his voice unusually heavy. Hearing the depth of her feelings for Lucas made him feel inexplicably bitter. The soup he had been savoring moments ago suddenly seemed bland, with a faint, sour aftertaste lingering on his tongue.
"Blaine, have you ever been in love?" Claire's unexpected question caught Blaine off guard, and he nearly choked on his own saliva.
"Why are you suddenly asking that?" he replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Of course not. A man like me usually only has women falling for him. How could I possibly have the chance to fall for someone else?" He laughed it off, but inwardly, he was far less amused. Unrequited love? Did she really need him to spell it out?
"That's true," Claire said thoughtfully. "I've always thought you and Lucas were alike—both incredibly talented and attractive men. Men like you wouldn't be short of women's affection, so naturally, you wouldn't have the chance to fall for anyone else." Was that why Lucas hadn't called her? Because he knew she'd come back to him on her own?
"Don't lump me together with Lucas Zeller, okay? That's an insult to me," Blaine retorted, feigning indignation. But inside, he couldn't help but lament: two equally outstanding men, both drawn to the same ordinary snail.
"Injustice, huh? Well, you're right, Blaine. To be fair, you're even better-looking than Lucas," Claire added earnestly, her tone entirely sincere.
"…," Blaine was speechless, a metaphorical black line sliding down his forehead.
"Blaine, the competition is in eleven days, but you'll need at least six more days to recover and get discharged. That leaves us only five days to prepare. Do you think that's enough time?"
"Of course it's enough," Blaine assured her. "I've already taken care of all the prep work and finalized the theme for the competition. But we need to arrive three days before the event—"
"Three days? I thought it was two?" Claire interrupted, startled. If it was three, that meant one less day to spend with Lucas. But she didn't even know how long he meant by "a break."
"It's three days. You must've remembered wrong," Blaine replied.
"But won't standing for long periods during styling aggravate your injured leg? How will you manage?" Claire asked, concern written all over her face.
"It's fine. It's just a flesh wound, nothing serious," Blaine said, brushing it off. He winced inwardly but played it cool. "By the way, does he know you're leaving early? Will he try to bring you back in the next few days?"
"I don't know," Claire said evasively, her tone lightening as she changed the subject. "Blaine, what fruit do you want? I'll peel some for you."
Blaine could see through her attempt to dodge the question but didn't press further. Still, a pang of melancholy settled in his heart.
Unrequited love—it really tasted bitter.
---
Meanwhile, Lucas Zeller lounged lazily on the couch, ignoring the piercing gaze of Roy Lin, who sat beside him. Roy's sharp eyes seemed to cut into him, as if demanding answers.
"Lucas, I heard you and Claire are taking a break?" Roy finally broke the silence, his restlessness overcoming his patience.
Lucas didn't even bother to acknowledge him, his expression as indifferent as ever.
"Hey, say something, will you? I know you're upset, but I feel bad about making you come to work like this," Roy grumbled. "Whose company is this, anyway? Who's the real boss here? Why am I the one doing all the work? I even took your advice and canceled the 'Liquid Diamond' press release, yet I'm still swamped. And here you are, not even saying thank you. Do you know how unfair this is?"
Lucas shifted his position, turning onto his side and presenting Roy with his back.
"Fine! Lucas, if you keep acting like this, I'm going on strike! I'm quitting! I'm—"
"Can you shut up already?!" Lucas snapped, sitting up abruptly. "What do you want to say? Stop beating around the bush. I don't have time for your nonsense!"
Roy was briefly stunned by Lucas's sudden outburst. Lowering his voice, he cautiously said, "I heard—"
"Heard it from Lauren, right?" Lucas interjected coldly. Claire was in the hospital, so it had to be Lauren who told him.
"Are you and Claire really over?" Roy pressed directly.
"Is that what Lauren said?" Lucas asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. No wonder Claire hadn't called him all day. She must've been enjoying Blaine's company so much that she decided to call it quits.
"Just answer me. You know Claire signed those divorce papers to save Blaire—"
"Are you out of your mind?" Lucas growled, his anger flaring. How dare Roy mention Blaire in front of him? "Did she even tell Lauren about signing the divorce papers?"
"Lucas, if you're just taking a break because you're upset, fine. But you'd better bring her back soon," Roy said, trying to stay calm.
"Are you my mom now?" Lucas shot back sarcastically.
"Lucas, you're being ridiculous!" Roy snapped. "I hate meddling in your business, but I can't stand how you're treating Claire. Everyone with half a brain knows Blaire's death wasn't her fault! Why are you so stubborn? Do you think I enjoy babysitting you? I'm only saying this because I can't stand by and watch you push Claire away anymore!"
"Are you done? If so, get out!" Lucas roared, his face dark with fury.
"Fine, I'll go. But let me say one last thing. Lauren said that once Blaine recovers, he and Claire will leave three days early to prepare for the competition. If you don't want to regret it, figure things out and bring her back before then. Otherwise, no one can help you."
"If she wants to leave, no one can stop her," Lucas muttered before storming out of the room, leaving Roy staring after him in exasperation.