Chapter 3
Lucas, my trainee psycho boyfriend, was starting his first day on the job.
At exactly seven in the morning, the doorbell rang right on time.
I shuffled over to open the door, my hair a total mess, and the smell of food hit me like a wave.
Lucas was standing there in an apron, holding a tray, grinning.
"Morning, Charlotte. You said you wanted bread and milk yesterday," he said.
On the tray, there were bread and milk, plus a fancy little dish of pickled veggies, and even a small bowl of fruit salad on the side.
This service was so over the top.
I took the tray, expressionless. "Mm."
"Um... can I come in?" he asked, sounding super cautious.
I shot him a look. "Trainees don't get access to the boss's bedroom."
Lucas's face dropped, like a puppy who just got told off by its owner.
"Oh..."
I slammed the door in his face, leaving him and his sad puppy vibes outside.
Sitting at the table, I took a bite of bread.
Cooking skills? A solid ten. Maybe I would make him official.
After breakfast, I flopped onto the couch, grabbed my phone, and got ready to binge some shows.
Then my bestie, Chloe Harper, called.
She was one of the few people I still talked to—a total social butterfly, always on the go.
"Charlotte! Are you still alive? Do you have enough cash? Want me to send you some?" Chloe asked.
"I'm surviving," I replied lazily, not even bothering to fake enthusiasm.
"Surviving? Girl, you're basically broke!" Chloe shouted. "Listen, I walked past that coffee shop downstairs today—guess what? It's shut down! Closed overnight, just like that!"
My heart did a little flip.
"That sudden?" I asked.
"Yeah! I asked the shops next door, and they're all clueless too! Where are you gonna leech Wi-Fi now?" Chloe said.
I didn't say anything, but Lucas's face flashed through my mind.
Did he do this?
Just because I said I go there all the time?
This kind of possessiveness... that was actually kind of intriguing.
"Charlotte? You still there?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah, I'm listening," I replied.
"Seriously, it's way too dangerous for a girl to live alone. Why don't you just move in with me?" Chloe said.
"Nah, I'm good," I shot back. "I actually... found a job recently."
"What?! You? Got a job?" Chloe's voice went up an octave. "Did hell freeze over or something? Weren't you the one who said working was like going to your own funeral?"
"I'm working from home now," I mumbled, keeping it vague.
"What kind of magical company is that? Are they hiring? Can you get me in?" Chloe said.
"Sorry, it's a one-person gig—no extra spots," I replied.
I gave her a few half-hearted answers and quickly hung up.
Just as I hung up, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Lucas.
[What do you want for lunch?]
I looked at the message, and I couldn't help but smile.
Damn, the bliss of being someone's pampered captive was just too good.
I deliberately ignored his message, just to see how he'd react.
I put my phone on silent, tossed it aside, popped in my headphones, and got lost in my show.
By the time I finished an episode, it was almost noon.
I took off my headphones, and the room was dead quiet.
Hmm? Still nothing from him?
Man, this rookie psycho boyfriend's got zero game.
Feeling a bit let down, I got up and grabbed a bottle of Coke from the fridge.
Just as I popped it open, the doorbell rang again.
I raised an eyebrow and walked over to open the door.
It was Lucas again, but he looked like a mess.
He wasn't rocking that goofy apron anymore—just his usual white shirt, but the collar was all wrinkled.
His face was ghostly pale, his lips drained of color, and beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead.
No food this time, just a bag from the pharmacy in his hand.
"What's wrong?" I asked, frowning.
When he saw me, it was like he finally let out a breath he'd been holding. He almost stumbled and leaned against the doorframe.
"I... I'm fine," Lucas said, forcing a weak smile. "Just got a stomachache."
He handed me the pharmacy bag. "I texted you, and you didn't answer, so I freaked out... Ran downstairs to find you, but I went too fast, and my stomach started hurting again... And I grabbed some snacks for you while I was at it."
I took the bag. It was stuffed with all the chips and chocolate I'd been craving while binge-watching last night.
I looked at his pale face and the pharmacy receipt he was gripping tight, the timestamp showing it was from just half an hour ago.
He actually made himself sick just to buy me snacks?
He even went downstairs just to look for me—trying to set up a fake run-in and check if I was up to anything.
Playing the long game, acting pitiful with midnight pharmacy runs—he's got every move from the possessive boyfriend playbook down.
I saw right through him, but didn't let it show on my face.
"Come in," I said.
I helped him over to the couch and sat him down.
He just slumped right against me, practically draping himself over my side, and even burrowed his head into my shoulder.
Seriously, wasn't there a rule about no touching?
I held back the urge to push him away, trying to keep my cool.
"Where's your medicine? I'll get you some water," I said.
"No need..." Lucas muttered, his voice low. "Just let me lean on you for a bit."
The fresh, herbal scent on him, tinged with a faint trace of medicine, filled the air around me.
It wasn't unpleasant.
It actually made me feel... at ease.
I kept my body stiff, just letting him rest against me.
After a while, he lifted his head, his eyes shiny with unshed tears as he looked at me.
"Charlotte, can you... text me back instantly from now on?" Lucas asked.
"If I can't reach you, I'll lose my mind," he added.