CHAPTER 52: INCHES AWAY

While Alexander and Evelyn were busy inside, chaos was unfolding outside the doors.

"Mr. Hale, please," Carl whispered urgently, gripping Lucas’s arm like his life depended on it. "You have to go in there."

Lucas stared at him, horrified. "Absolutely not. I value my life."

"But the board meeting—" Carl hissed. "It starts in five minutes! If boss doesn’t show up, Mr. Benjamin will have my head."

The board meeting was so important that Alexander had mentioned it twice since morning. But with how things had unfolded after Evelyn’s arrival, Carl wanted to play safe and request Lucas to do the job for him.

Lucas leaned closer and whispered back, "If I interrupt whatever is happening in there, Evelyn will have my head." He shivered dramatically. "And between the two of them, I am more scared of her."

Carl looked like he was about to burst into tears. "Sir, I am begging you. He told me very clearly to remind him. And if he misses that meeting, I will be walking home WITHOUT a job, WITHOUT dignity and possibly WITHOUT my kidney."

Lucas rubbed his face. "Why would your kidney be involved?"

"I DON’T KNOW," Carl whisper-yelled, "but with this family anything is possible."

Lucas sighed heavily. "You want me to walk in there right now while they are alone? What if they are—"

Carl’s eyes widened. "Don’t say it."

Lucas lowered his voice. "What if they are KISSING or Evelyn is murdering him? Evelyn will murder me too." He ran his fingers through his hair, nervous. "She will crush my skull like a coconut."

Carl grabbed Lucas’s sleeve, desperation at maximum. "I will owe you for life, please. I will do whatever you ask me to for the next six months."

Lucas blinked. "Carl, are you crying?"

"No," Carl sniffed. "YES."

Lucas groaned into his hands. "Fine— I will do it. But if I die, tell my mother I loved her."

Carl nodded solemnly. "I will and I will make sure your funeral has good snacks."

Lucas took a deep breath and pushed open the door dramatically

And then he froze.

Because inside, Alexander had Evelyn pinned gently between him and the wall, one hand braced beside her head, the other lightly cupping her chin.

They were inches away from kissing, like ’breathing the same air’ inches.

Lucas slapped a hand over his own mouth in silent panic.

He cleared his throat loudly but nothing happened.

Alexander and Evelyn did not move. In fact, he doubted if they even heard him.

Lucas glanced back at Carl through the crack of the door.

Carl gestured him frantically to go in. He tapped his wrist watch indicating that they were running out of time.

Lucas inhaled like a man walking into a battlefield.

"Uh—Alexander?" he squeaked.

Alexander still didn’t move but his jaw tensed.

Lucas swallowed hard. "I am really sorry for interrupting but—."

Evelyn blinked first, startled and stepped back abruptly.

Alexander turned his head so slowly that Lucas swore he heard the devil whisper.

"Lucas."

Lucas held up both hands. "I am innocent, I swear." He pointed towards Carl. "Carl made me do it."

From behind Lucas, Carl ducked behind the wall.

Alexander exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What?"

Lucas pointed vaguely toward the hallway. "The board meeting starts in four minutes and thirty seconds."

Evelyn’s eyes widened. "You have a meeting?"

Alexander nodded reluctantly, still staring at Lucas like he wanted to set him on fire.

Lucas whispered, "I am so sorry."

Alexander sighed, dropping his shoulder. When he turned to Evelyn, the softness returned immediately. "I have to go," he said quietly.

Evelyn nodded. "I know." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and smiled, "Even I should get back to work."

"No, you can’t leave." He lifted her hand, brushing his thumb across her knuckles. "Wait for me? I will finish soon and then I am taking you out for lunch."

Evelyn hesitated for a while and then agreed. "Okay."

"Oh, look at you guys—" Lucas placed his hand on his chest and sighed, "Planning lunches."

But he immediately took a step back when Alexander gave him a stern look.

Alexander gave Evelyn one last look, hot enough to make Lucas look away out of respect and then he walked out, brushing past Lucas with a glare that promised revenge later.

Lucas stood stiffly until Alexander disappeared down the hall.

Then he sagged in relief, murmuring, "I survived. I am alive and I did it."

Carl sprinted toward him and hugged him like he had returned from war. "Thank you, I owe you this one. But now I have to leave." He sprinted in his office, grabbed his file and rushed towards the direction his boss had just left.

While things were steamy and pleasing in Alexander’s office, the atmosphere in Benjamin’s office was quite the opposite.

.....

[Benjamin’s Office]

The city glittered outside Benjamin Reid’s glass wall, however, the atmosphere inside was darker, quieter and sharpened by a tension only he could feel.

Benjamin was sitting on his chair with a glass of scotch in his hand—no water, only ice, just like he preferred.

A soft knock broke the silence.

His assistant stepped in, holding a thin black file.

"Sir," he said carefully, "the documents you requested. Willowood Land."

Benjamin didn’t move at first, he then extended a hand and took the file.

"You may leave," he said with his eyes glued on the file.

The assistant bowed slightly and exited.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Benjamin’s expression darkened.

He stared at the file for a long moment. His fingers caressed the ’WILLOWOOD LAND’ written on the file.

He pursed his lips when something ancient in him stirred. It brought back memories, something that had been long forgotten but was still fresh in his mind.

He then opened it.

It had maps, surveys and historical notes but none of them were relevant.

There was something he wanted to know or rather—he wanted to confirm.

His fingers skimmed until he reached the page he wanted.

Current Ownership: EVELYN CHARLOTTE CARTER.

.....