Chapter 188
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Alex stood near his desk, phone tucked between his shoulder and ear, using one hand to shuffle the last stack of papers into his briefcase.
“Things change as you left, man,” Lucas’s voice came through the line.
Alex let out a low hum, a sound that was more acknowledgment than agreement.
His fingers tightened the straps of his bag before setting it aside. He was moving slowly, not in a rush, but not exactly relaxed either.
Lucas has been talking for the past ten minutes, painting a picture of how Willowcrest had shifted over the years – the people, the streets, the places they used to frequent.
But Alex wasn’t sure if it was Willowcrest that had changed… or it was just Lucas.
“Just say your life is not the same after I left, not Willowcrest,” Alex snorted, his tone half playful, half dismissive.
Lucas barked out a laugh on the other end. “What? You’re kidding, right? Alex Blackwell, you were Willowcrest.”
That made Alex pause.
The name…. his name
rolled off Lucas’s tongue with ease.
He has not heard it like that in a long time.
“Casa, the ring, the club… even the fucking roads miss your handsome face,” Lucas added, his voice teasing.
Alex shook his head, the corner of his mouth twitching despite himself. “You calling me handsome? I’m tempted to believe you.”
They both laughed, and for a brief second, it almost felt like they were back there again – two young boys with too much time, too much money, and too much recklessness. But that life was gone, and Alex had built something else, something untouchable, in its place.
“You have to write a book,” Lucas said suddenly, his tone shifting to something more thoughtful. “I’m serious, man. You need to write about how you went from being the wealthy heir to your father’s empire to moving to another country, then becoming the CEO of one of the best tech companies in the world.”
Alex let out a small smile, leaning back against the edge of his desk. The idea was ridiculous, but hearing it said out loud like that made him realize how insane his own life probably sounded to other people.
“I think I’d be shit at writing a book, though,” he replied tightly, brushing off the thought.
Lucas chuckled. “Yeah, maybe. But I’d read it.”
“How are your brother and mother?” Lucas asked, his voice softening.
“They’re fine,” Alex said. It was the truth, though he kept his answer short. He didn’t feel like unpacking their lives over the phone.
“How’s Turner?” Lucas asked.
Alex froze for a split second. His jaw tightened.
Turner.
The name was a sharp jab to the ribs, unexpected and uncomfortable. Most people in Willowcrest had assumed the turners had left with them when they disappeared from that world.
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12:48 Thu, 14 Aug (FD
Chapter 188
That was the story that made sense.
Lucas clearly still didn’t know the truth.
“Oops, I gotta go. Can I call you back?” Alex cut in abruptly, not giving Lucas a chance to push further.
Before Lucas could respond, Alex ended the call.
He let the phone drop onto the desk with a soft thud, his other hand rubbing the back of his neck.
He took in a deep breath, like he was trying to let it wash away whatever had just crept up on him.
0770
Slowly, he moved toward the sleek black leather couch by the window and dropped down onto it, leaning back and closing his eyes for a
moment.
Lucas had meant well, he knew that. But some things… some things were better left untouched.
Just then, his mom knocked softly on the door before walking in without waiting for his permission.
“I told you we need to talk,” his mom said, her voice low but firm.
Alex didn’t answer immediately. He slowly straightened up and grabbed his bag from the side of the chair. He moved toward his desk again, continuing to pack the scattered items he needed to take home.
“We are literally going to the same house, Mom,” Alex said, not bothering to look at her. “I’m sure we can talk there.”
“This can’t wait,” she said, taking a few steps into the office. “I have to tell you now.”
There was something about her tone that made him pause. He turned to face her fully this time, and his brow furrowed as he studied her.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
She sighed a long, heavy breath.
“It’s about the girl that was employed in the marketing department today,” his mom finally said.
Alex frowned lightly, still trying to figure out why she would make it sound so urgent. “Mom, I put you in charge of the final selection in your department,” he said. “If you chose her, I’m sure it’s fine.”
His mother stared at him for a few seconds without saying anything. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but then she closed them again. Her eyes shifted briefly to the floor before returning to him.
“It’s Mia,” she said at last.
Alex froze for a second, then let out a short sigh. He turned away again, his focus returning to the stack of papers on his desk.
“It’s fine, Mom,” he said, his voice almost dismissive. “Geez, it’s just a name. If this Mia girl is perfect for the position, then it’s fine by me.”
But his mother didn’t move or respond. She stood there quietly, and the silence started to bother him.
He could feel her eyes on his back. After a few more moments, he turned to look at her again.
She looked like she had more things to say, like something else was bothering her?
“Mom, is that all?” he asked.
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