Chapter 181: A Scheme Unveiled

Claire Grace woke up to the soft morning light filtering through her curtains. Stretching lazily, she reached out instinctively to hug her large stuffed bear pillow. But instead of soft fabric, her hand landed on something firm yet warm. Her brows furrowed in confusion. Turning over, she opened her eyes—only to freeze in shock.

What greeted her was not her usual cozy bed or solitary mornings. No, lying beside her was Lucas Zeller, his face peaceful in sleep, yet unmistakably present. Her heart pounded wildly, each beat reverberating in her ears.

*What on earth is happening?* Claire thought frantically. *Am I dreaming? Or have I somehow traveled back to last year?* She struggled to piece together the puzzle, her mind a whirlwind of questions.

"Why are you fidgeting so much? Can't you stay still?" Lucas's groggy voice cut through her spiraling thoughts, startling her.

Claire turned to face him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Wha—what are you doing here?"

Lucas smirked, a mischievous glint in his still-half-closed eyes. "You mean, you don't remember?" His voice held a teasing edge, but then his gaze sharpened, his dark eyes suddenly filled with an intensity that made her breath hitch. "Should I remind you of what happened last night?"

Her throat felt dry. "W-what happened?"

"We almost crossed a line we couldn't come back from," he said, his tone low and deliberate. Then, with a quick, playful tug, he pulled her closer and planted a swift kiss on her lips. "Good morning, Claire. Welcome back."

Claire was too stunned to respond, her hand flying to her lips as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. *Did that really just happen?* she wondered, feeling utterly disoriented. Summoning her courage, she raised a hand and pinched Lucas's cheek.

"Ow! Are you trying to kill me?" Lucas yelped, catching her wrist.

"So… you're real?" Claire whispered, her voice trembling. *This isn't a dream… I actually slept beside him?*

"Of course, I'm real!" Lucas shot back, rolling his eyes. "After everything we've been through, after all the kisses and late-night talks, you're doubting my existence now? Seriously, Claire, last night I poured my heart out to you, even while battling a fever. And now you're making me explain myself all over again? My throat is dry, my head's pounding, and—"

"Wait, you were sick last night?" Claire interrupted, her memories of the previous evening starting to resurface. Flashes of Lucas's feverish face and her fumbling attempts to take care of him came flooding back.

"Yes, I was burning up. But did that stop me from talking to you? No!" Lucas huffed, crossing his arms. "And now you're acting like I'm some stranger who just wandered into your bed."

"Fine, fine," Claire said, waving him off as she got out of bed. "You're clearly feeling better if you have the energy to argue this much."

But as she walked toward the door, she paused and turned back. "Give me your phone."

"What? Why?"

"Just give it to me." Claire rolled her eyes. "It's on the nightstand, isn't it? Some habits never change."

Lucas grumbled but stayed put as she grabbed his phone. As she was about to leave, she glanced over her shoulder and noticed him trying to get up. "You're seriously planning to go to work in your condition?"

"Do you think someone's going to magically run my company for me?" Lucas retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Dr. Lee said you need to rest for two to three days. And drink plenty of warm water with a pinch of salt," Claire replied sternly, crossing her arms. "You look awful, Lucas. Stop being so stubborn."

"Rest for three days?" Lucas let out a dry laugh. "If I take three days off, who's going to handle everything at the company?"

"Roy can step in for you. He's done it before when Blaire had her accident, hasn't he?"

Lucas's expression darkened slightly. "He's on vacation with Lauren. They're probably off somewhere exotic by now."

Claire didn't press further. Instead, she headed to the kitchen, determined to at least make sure he had something to keep him hydrated.

When Lucas emerged from the bathroom, freshly dressed, he found a glass of water waiting for him on the counter. Claire stood nearby, her face carefully neutral.

"Drink this before you leave," she said, pushing the glass toward him.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you really care, don't you?" He took the glass and downed it in one gulp—only to grimace immediately. "What the—? Did you spike this with something?"

Claire snatched the glass back, sniffing its contents. Her cheeks turned scarlet. "Oh no… I must've grabbed the wrong jar. That's… MSG, not salt."

Lucas groaned, his hand clutching his stomach dramatically. "Claire, are you trying to poison me? My poor, empty stomach…"

"Stop being so dramatic! I'll make you another glass," Claire said, flustered. She quickly prepared a proper drink, but even after three glasses, Lucas still looked pale and queasy.

"You're seriously going to work like this?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice.

"Unless you're offering to drive me, yes," Lucas said, smirking as he grabbed his keys. But before stepping out, he turned back. "By the way, you're not planning to move out, are you?"

Claire blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "What? Why would I?"

"I don't know," Lucas said with a shrug, his tone teasing. "Maybe because you're scared of being so close to me."

"Don't flatter yourself," Claire shot back. "I'm not scared of you."

"Good," Lucas said, grinning. "Because I'd be really disappointed if you ran away."

Claire rolled her eyes, shooing him out the door. But as she watched him leave, a small smile tugged at her lips. *That guy… always full of surprises.*