Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Regina's POV 

It was on a Saturday when Lucas reached out.

By then, I'd already cooled off and stayed stuck in my house without going out, and never scrolled through social media in hopes that the controversy would die down. 

I was labeled the most ridiculous things just because of a photo and it was a lot for me. Heck, even Tracie's parents saw the photo.

This is what happens when the son of one of the richest men alive was in your school.

Why did he even school here when he could be in a private and expensive school like the rest? Was he trying to show humility or something? Well, it wasn't working.

"Hi, Regina." 

His voice was like a soft feather by the insides of my ear. 

I cursed myself for even being remotely attracted to even his voice.

"What do you want, Lucas?" I answered rudely.

I was having a moment of peace these past few days even though people stared and gossiped in class. His absence really cooled things off for me.

And now, he wanted to ruin it.

"Can we meet somewhere?" 

I became suspicious. "Why would I do that?" 

"I just want to talk, okay? Just an honest conversation with you," he told me. "I won't take much of your time."

He sounded quite subdued which was the opposite of how he sounded a while ago.

I contemplated.

It was early in the morning and Tracie was still not awake.

"I'll be back quickly," I whispered to her sleepy form before I sneaked out, not bothering to shower.

I ended up regretting it when I met him at a lounge that seemed to have a private area at the back. 

My disheveled look was crazy beside his totally put together look. I was dressed in a large hoodie, black shirt and baggy pants, while he had on jeans and white shirt. 

Lucas had a magnetic aura around him no matter what he wore and it was pissing me off. Aren't women the only ones meant to be like this?!

We only asked for water, seeing as we wouldn't stay long.

When we sat, I gestured at him. "Speak." 

Lucas nodded. "I'm sorry," he let out.

I blinked. 

"I'm sorry for putting you in an uncomfortable position with the whole party thing, coming to your class... It was thoughtless of me." 

I blinked again, taking everything in. "Uh... It's okay?" 

I didn't expect that. His every gesture showed sincerity and there wasn't a ghost of a smile on his face as he apologized.

"Is it?" 

I nodded. "Yeah." 

Normal me would never act like this.

"But," I said with all seriousness. "Even if you know me, it's unnecessary. We can't just be... whatever just like that. I know your way of approach is different from others but..." I rubbed my forehead. "What would you gain from this relationship you're looking for anyway?"

"Kyle Mason is the man your mom married after abandoning you, right?"

I flinched.

He was apologetic. "I just... I know a lot about people around you, things that could put you in danger and I care for you." 

"What does Kyle have to do with anything?" I asked.

"She's also with a new man now, right? From what I know, he lives here. He has kids like the last one. I just... You know how your mom is." 

I let out a humorless laugh. "You sure know a lot of things, huh." 

"Yeah, I told you." 

I didn't know if I appreciated that.

Barely anyone knew about my family, not even Tracie's family whom I was closest to. I wanted it to remain like that. I didn't like him knowing so much.

"I'm sorry," he told me again.

I sighed, staring down at the table, the view in front of me getting blurry. 

"I promised your father." 

I stared at the glass of water in front of me. "Is that all you promised him?" 

"No. It's not." 

"What other reasons do you have?" 

"Because I like you, and I want to take care of you," he answered honestly. 

I was shocked. 

While I couldn't deny the attraction I had for him, I never thought he was serious about the way he regarded me.

"Don't you have a girlfriend?"

He shrugged. "I could break up with her."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Don't do that." 

Despite my disdain for her, I felt bad for Anita. Lucas didn't seem to like her much, it seemed. I'd hate to be obsessed with a boyfriend like him.

"Then what do you want?" Lucas asked, his eyes bright and his expression eager. "I can give you whatever you want to prove myself." 

Ignoring my fluttering heart, I said, "But you barely even know me. Yes, you know my history for some reason, but you don't know me as a person." 

Lucas smiled, and replied with surety. "I've known you most of my life, Regina. You just don't remember."

He took out a photo from his pocket and pushed it towards me.

I didn't know what to say.

I glanced back up at him.

My other words got caught in my throat. There was no way to refuse him. 

My lashes fluttered and I found myself sweaty and hot all over because of his stare. 

He reached over the table to touch my hand, but I pulled back, catching myself before I slipped.

Clearing my throat while glancing around, I spoke, "We can't date. But... we could be friends." 

Lucas didn't seem to like that idea. "Do you honestly think we can be friends?" he questioned.

I thought about it for a moment.

I nodded. "Of course. Friends do all the things you claim you want to do for me." 

If he were someone else, I'd definitely call them a creep and call the police, but there's a reason pretty privilege exists.

Lucas remained silent for a while, his gaze not moving from mine before he finally responded.

"Fine," he said unenthusiastically. "Friends." 

"Friends," I repeated, offering my hand. 

However, when our fingers touched and I felt my heart throbbing hard, my cheeks pinken because I couldn't look in his eyes, I began to question my decision.

Could we really be friends?