LUCAS

Explaining what prompted me to kiss her is near impossible but I'll give it a try by blaming it on her cozy behaviour with her fiance. Even at that, I had no right but I still did. Now, what the fuck did I do?

Well, she does look a little different. This right here is classy Marianna. She dresses different now, presents herself before people in a way that oozes so much confidence.

I could not resist kissing her. It is something I have been wanting to do since I walked into the office the other day but I was just too angry by her sudden announcemnt to realise it. I guess that is what happens when you meet someone with the kind of relationship we both had after years of not talking to or avoiding each other. I wamt to be done with all of these so we can just go back to how we used to be; not talking.

I am currently about to begin an interview with the Silver line network.

"Good day, Mr. Mancini. I am Ms. North. It's a pleasure having you on our program today." The anchor says, smiling and looking into the camera.

"It's a pleasure, Ms. North."

"It's no news that you have yhe women swooning over you. There's been recent rumors that you are engaged to be married. Who is the lucky woman?"

"Well, I am not." I chuckle whilst speaking, keeping it simple and short. It is hilarious the amount of rumours people peddle just to have engagements on their feeds.

"The women will be thrilled to hear this." She says, letting out a laugh.

"What are your life priorities, Mr. Mancini?"

"Family, Business, Hardwork." My answer to that is brief and simple.

"What keeps you going? What gets you out of bed in the morning?"

"The little family I have built with my friends. Knowing that everyday, something new and different happens. You know, I live with the principles of a ticking clock. The time is never the same as the second progresses."

"That's an amazing one. So, what words would you leave others to ponder upon?" She asks, smiling.

"I'll just tell them to do whatever makes their heart beat and to give it their all."

"Thank you. So, guys. Mr. Lucas Mancini!" She says in a high-pitched tone, resulting in a round of applause by the live audience.

Standing up, I straighten my suit and take my leave. My mind wanders to Marianna and I make a decision to pay her a visit.

"Hello. Anas." I speak through my hands-free device, on my way to her office.

"Good day, boss. There is something you need to see." I make a swift U-turn by the next bend and immediately head for LETHAL Headquarters.

I meet Anas in his office and together, we go to mine. He shows me the security camera footage and the first thing I notice is a hooded figure which makes it difficult to decipher whether the person is a male or female.

In awe, I watch as the person goes into the building using an access card. Not the visitor kind of card, something they both notice after careful observation. The person then switches cards and goes into Marianna's office.

After ransacking her drawers for something, which I assume to be a file, the person sees nothing. As the figure was about leaving, something weird happens. They run their hand under her table and nod when what they're looking for is still there before finally leaving.

Shit! I curse, making a mental note to myself before dashing out of the building.
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MARIANNA

"What do you think about their proposition."

"I don't know." I respond with a shrug

"I'll have to go there myself to see what is actually needed and how we come in."

"I'm so excited about this, Anna."

"I am too. Just don't make it public yet."

"Ma'am, Mr. Mancini is here to see you."

"Oops, Mr. Smacking hot is here. Link us up, will you? Just be a sweetheart and do it." Lucy says, puckering her bottom lips, while batting her eyes. I just chuckle lightly. I didn't tell her about the past so she has no idea what's up between the both of us.

"Just forget about him, Lucy." She smacks my hands playfully after I speak.

"How come you get to have the fine ones at your beck and call?" She puts her hand in her chin, as if in thought.

"Beck and call? I only have Marvin, you silly girl." The chuckle that erupts from me is just a cover up. She won't do this if she knows the back story.

"Why is he here, anyway?" She asks, her hands on her cheeks as if deep in thought.

"I don't know. I guess I'll find out soon enough."

"Hello again, Marianna." Mr. Ex-bestfriend smirks upon seeing me.

"Hi." I respond in the most professional tone I could muster.

"Hi, I am Lucy." Lucy lets out a broad smile, stretching her hand for a shake. I really wish I could smack her right now.

Lucas gives a double look at her hand before welcoming the handshake.

"Lucas." He says simply.

"I already know that." Did she just wink at him? Lucy, you silly girl.

Like she didn't just do that, Lucas turns to me and clears his throat.

"We need to talk." By the look in his eyes, it looks serious.

"We can talk here. I am her best friend." Lucy butts in. Lucas scoffs abd turns his attention back to her.

"Best friend?" He scoffs before adding "That spot is already taken." He says, looking at me squarely. Lucy rolls her eyes and finally stops, she looks back and forth between the both of us.

"Wait a minute. Did you just.... nevermind. You know you owe me something, Marianna." She walks out of my office, leaving Lucas and I alone.

"Your best friend is a handfull." Emohasis on "bestfridnd".

"That's what best friends are for." He eyes me dangerously before pointing his hand to a chair.

"Mind if I sit?" He asks.

"Sure. You can't stand all through."

"I bet you, I can do that."

"I don't have the strength for an argument, Lucas. You said we need to talk."

"This looks bigger than you think. Lock the door." The last part catches me off guard, turning on my defence mode. I do as he says before turning to face him.

"What?" He swiftly drags me to my table and puts a finger above his lips, making the 'shush' sound.

After putting on hand gloves, his hand roam below my table for a while before he stops at something. Squatting a little, he retrieves two devices under there and shows them to me.

To say I'm in shock is a big understatement. This person has carefully planned this out and truly am I in trouble.

Reaching for a serviette piece, he wraps them inside before finally taking his seat.

"So, Marianna. You understand the gravity of things and why we cannot talk here. Hmm?" He asks and I nod, unable to speak. Right now, I'm literally shaking in fear.

Lucas stands up from where he is sat and does the most surprising thing. He stretches his hand and pulls me in for a hug. Almost immediately, he pulls away and looks at me, I nod, giving him permission and he engulfs me once more in the hug.

"Hey. Let's get out of here first." Once we are in his car, he helps me with my seatbelt.

"What about my car?" I ask in a faint voice, finally regaining my speech.

"Care to hand me the keys? I'll get one of my men to drive it to your place." He says.

"Thank you." I reach into my purse, retrieve it and hand it over to Lucas, who is already on a call.

"Yes. Now." In a few minutes, he hands the key to a man, asks for my address and the man leaves.

"Your car will be at your place when we get there. For now, let us go to some place where we can talk."

He drives us to a nice and cozzy restaurant to eat and discuss.

Where are you?
-Marvin.

I look up and observe Lucas looking at my phone at back at me.

"Don't tell him anything, please." He says. I don't want secrets between my boyfriend and I. I really don't want it. However, the stern look Lucas gives me is enough to reply the message with

Went out to get something.
-Me.

An answer that is completely not a lie.

"First of all, there's a breach of security, which means you're not safe in your office. The problem is, I don't know how far this person can go. Plus, the motive behind everything is unknown." That's the first thing he says concerning the issue since we arrived here.

"Also, my instinct tells me that the person sabotaging you has to have high intel on what goes on in your office. Perhaps, someone close or someone at the managerial level." He takes a brief break to sip his drink before he continues.

"Take a look at this." I lean towards his phone screen and watch the whole scene.

"Now you have a glimpse of what actually went down. This is just one footage. Now imagine different scenarios. First of all, you have to think of a way to discard all your staff. Secondly, your office building needs thorough combing." I nod my head at what he says.

"On a second thought, can you give them all a break and send the management staff on a trip while we change the security in the building?"

"That's a great idea, Lucas. However, I don't have the money to take such a drastic decision." He looks at me and smirks.

"And who says you're paying? I'll sponsor everything. That's what best friends do." Here we go, again!

"We're not best friends, Lucas."

"You left the friendship, not me." What he is saying is beginning to annoy me.

"What the fuck are you saying, Lucas?" I speak, glaring daggers at him.

"Calm down. You're so easy to rile up." He chuckles, shaking his head.

You need his help. A part of my head chants. So I just ignore his statement.

"Like I said, I'll pay for everything. Just send the notice. Again, nobody has to know why."

"Thank you, Lucas." I smile a small one in his direction.

"You're welcome." He places his hand above mine to give it a gentle squeeze.  Electricity jolts round my body and I know one thing is sure.

I am in trouble. Seems like I haven't gotten over this man.