20 min left Chapter 10 A mouse in front of a cat Lucien was wearing just a black shirt , top buttons popped open -looking way more laid - back than yesterday's Mr. Proper . He cocked an eyebrow , voice all deep and smooth . " Take a seat . Thirsty ? Want something to drink ? " Kaia nodded , feeling mad awkward with Lucien there . He rolled his sleeves up casually , showing off his well - defined forearms . " Kaia , you seem a lot quieter than you used to be . Five years and you're like a whole different person . " Kaia's neck started heating up like someone cranked the thermostat . Is he clowning me about that time I confessed when I was sixteen ? Her eyes were glued to her coffee cup like it held the secrets of the universe . " Nah , I've always been kinda shy . " Watching her squirm , Lucien cracked a smile . " Relax , will you ? I'm not gonna gobble you up . " Kaia looked up suddenly , caught those intense eyes , and her heart started thumping like a jackhammer in her chest . " Alden mentioned you're getting married soon . He's back from 1/6 16:58 Chapter 10 A mouse in front of a cat 20 min left his business thing ? " Lucien wasn't letting up with that stare . " Yeah , guess so , " Kaia mumbled . Lucien's hand froze mid - pour . " Kaia , if Alden ever wrongs you , just let me know . " A lump welled up in Kaia's throat , and she was a bit moved . It'd been ages since anyone had said something so nice to her . " Thanks , " she managed . After some small talk , Kaia checked her watch . " I've got an appointment at the firm at two . I'd better head off now . " She stood up , ready to dip . But Lucien caught her wrist for a hot second before letting go . " Hold up . Let me get your WhatsApp . You know , in case there's any trouble . " Kaia stared at her wrist where he'd touched her . Even that quick little contact had her skin burning . That touch hit different - like someone straight zapped her brain empty . " Kaia ? " Lucien was already holding his phone out , QR code ready , looking all confused . 2/6 16:58 Chapter 10 A mouse in front of a cat 20 min left Catching herself acting weird , Kaia jumped in quickly , " Oh , yeah . I'll add you right away . " After she scanned it , Lucien pocketed his phone . " Hmm , I'm only seven years older than you , not ancient . Don't be so proper with me , " he said with a half - smile . Kaia mused to herself . Does he hate being seen as an old guy ? A moment later , a blush crept up her ears . She was annoyed at herself . Lucien's like a jinx to me . Every time I'm around him , I'm as skittish as a mouse in front of a cat . " All done . Then , I'm heading back now , " she announced . Once Kaia settled into her car , she let out a long sigh of relief . She unlocked her phone and took a peek at Lucien's profile picture . It was a photo of a purple - hued starry sky . Says he's not old , but this profile pic is so dull . Even my dad wouldn't pick something this lame . 3/6 16:59 Chapter 10 A mouse in front of a cat +3 20 min left Just as she was about to click out , those three dots appeared . Startled , she yeeted her phone like it was on fire . We just added each other . Is he really gonna start a small talk ? A minute later , she carefully picked up her phone . A red notification dot was staring back at her . Opening his profile , she froze . [ User sent $14.3K . Note : Maintenance fee . ] Kaia found the amount and the note rather odd . She typed back : [ It's alright . The repair won't cost that much . ] His response was pure CEO energy: [ Take it . ] Well , if he wants to throw cash around , I'm not going to be a stick - in - the - mud and turn it down . Grinning like she'd won the lottery , she smashed that accept button . ***** At the Graves Manor , Lucien was finally having a real dinner at home after being on that business grind . 4/6 16:59 Chapter 10 A mouse in front of a cat 20 min left Allen was making this dinner a whole thing . Everybody showed up except his little grandbaby . Zane raised his glass . " Come on , Lucien . Welcome back home . " Lucien clinked back . " Thanks . " Despite all the gossip , the brothers actually got along pretty solid . Luna was still playing Alden's shadow , glued to his side . And he was still treating her like his princess , both of them in their own little bubble like always . But Lucien wasn't feeling that way . " Alden , you locked it down with Kaia yet ? " Lucien hit him with that question out of nowhere . Alden started coughing like he choked . " We were supposed to make it official today , but Kaia's out on business . We'll handle it when she's back . " Allen's face went dark . " Get it done as soon as possible . Wedding's coming up - it's embarrassing not having the license ! " Luna was gripping that fork like it owed her money . Alden peeped that and got in his feelings again . 5/6 16:59 Chapter 10 A mouse in front of a cat But he knew the license needed to happen . 20 min left " Got it , Grandpa . Friday latest . Kaia should be back by then , " he replied . Lucien shot him a cold glance . " Kaia's on a business trip ? Well , I saw her at the coffeehouse at noon . " 2 Write your comment ir Gifts 6/6