Chapter 163: Another Departure

"Lauren, that's not what the boss meant!" Claire said nervously, noticing Lauren's growing frustration. She tried to comfort her, but the right words eluded her. 

Yes, she wanted to find an excuse to ease Lauren's anger, but deep down, Claire also felt that Lucas's earlier remark was unnecessarily harsh. Lauren had only been looking out for everyone's best interests. He shouldn't have spoken to her like that. 

Lauren gave Claire a pointed look, her tone laced with disappointment. "You... I don't even know what to say to you sometimes." 

"I'm sorry," a soft but unexpectedly clear voice broke through the tension. 

Both women turned in surprise. 

"Lucas, did you just... apologize to me?" Lauren asked incredulously. 

"Who else would I be talking to?" Lucas replied nonchalantly, his tone as dry as ever. 

"Well, if you're going to apologize, at least say it loud enough so I don't have to ask again," Lauren retorted, her earlier irritation vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. She smiled mischievously. "Anyway, weren't we here for lunch? Look at us—sitting here all this time, and we haven't even ordered yet!" 

"I've already placed the order," Lucas said, his voice calm and measured. "The food should be here in about ten minutes." His gaze, however, remained fixed on Claire. 

Claire shifted uncomfortably under his steady stare, unsure of what to make of it but too nervous to ask. 

"You two seriously need to just say whatever's on your mind. What's with all the meaningful glances and no words?" Lauren couldn't hold back any longer. "Hello? Your mouths are for talking, okay?" 

Caught off guard, both Lucas and Claire quickly looked away, neither saying a word. 

Lauren slapped her forehead dramatically. "Lucas, I'm begging you—just say something to Claire already! Weren't you the one calling her your wife earlier? What's with the silent treatment now? Honestly, I can't handle this." 

"I—" Lucas began, but the sound of a ringing phone interrupted him. 

"Sorry, it's my phone," Claire said apologetically. She fished her phone out of her bag, her expression changing the moment she saw the caller ID. She stole a quick glance at Lucas before hesitating to answer. 

"Claire, what are you doing? Answer it already! It's so noisy," Lauren nudged her. 

"But—" 

"No buts! Give it here, I'll answer for you." Without waiting for a response, Lauren snatched the phone from Claire's hand. 

"Hello? Oh, Blaine? Yes, she's here. What? Oh, sure, I'll ask her." Covering the phone, Lauren turned to Claire. "It's Blaine. He's asking where you put his blue-and-white striped tie." 

"The blue-and-white striped tie?" Claire frowned, thinking for a moment. She didn't notice the way Lucas's expression darkened. "Oh, I remember. It's in the top drawer of his dresser. That drawer is specifically for his ties. If he's looking for socks, they're in the next drawer down." 

Lauren nodded and relayed the information to Blaine before hanging up. 

The atmosphere in the room had shifted by the time she turned back. Lucas's gaze on Claire was hard to read, but it was unmistakably laced with something like reproach. 

What just happened? Lauren thought. Everything had been fine a moment ago, but now, after Blaine's call, the mood had soured. Could it be—oh no, Lucas was jealous of Blaine? This couldn't be good. If this led to a rift between Lucas and Claire, it would be her fault. After all, she had been the one to suggest Claire look after Blaine. 

"Lucas, about that call, Blaine was just—" 

"I heard it clearly," Lucas interrupted, his tone cool and even. "He was asking her where his tie was, wasn't he?" His calm exterior belied the sharp edge in his eyes as he turned to Claire. "It seems like the two of you have been getting along quite well. So well, in fact, that he can't even find something as personal as his tie without asking you?" 

"It's not like that," Claire hurried to explain. "It's just that... When Blaine was hospitalized, his clothes and tie got bloodstained. I took them back to his place, washed them, and put them in his dresser. That's why he couldn't find them and called me." Her voice trembled slightly as she tried to explain, hoping Lucas would believe her. 

"You don't need to explain anything to me," Lucas said coldly. "And you definitely don't need to recount every little detail of your time together in front of me." 

With that, he abruptly stood up. Without a backward glance, he walked toward the door. 

"Lucas, where are you going?" Claire called after him, her voice filled with worry. She instinctively grabbed his sleeve. "I swear, there's nothing between me and Blaine. It's—" 

"I said, you don't need to explain!" Lucas cut her off sharply. "I think I need more time to cool off. For now, let's just keep our distance. That way, you can continue taking care of your dear Blaine." He pulled his arm free from her grasp and walked out, leaving Claire standing there, stunned. 

"Lucas!" Claire called after him, her voice breaking with emotion. 

"Lucas Zeller, you're such a jerk!" Lauren exploded, furious on Claire's behalf. "Getting jealous to this extent—unbelievable! Claire, don't worry. I'll go after him." 

"No, Lauren," Claire said, shaking her head as tears welled up in her eyes. She tried to hold them back, but they spilled over anyway. "He said he hasn't calmed down yet. I don't want to push him further." 

"Claire, don't cry," Lauren said, flustered and unsure how to comfort her. 

"I know he wouldn't call me if he wasn't still upset," Claire said quietly. "So I'll just wait. If he needs time, I'll give it to him." 

"But, Claire, you're leaving the day after tomorrow! If he doesn't calm down before then, what are you going to do?" Lauren asked, alarmed. 

"If... if he doesn't come to find me by the night before I leave," Claire said, her voice barely above a whisper, "then I think I'll know what I need to do."