Chapter 14: Cruel Twist Of Fate
Lara and Duke turned toward the source of the voice, just in time to see Ali striding toward them like she owned the place. As always, she was dressed to impress. Flawless makeup, designer outfit, and an attitude that screamed main character energy.
Lara grinned. "You're late."
Ali scoffed dramatically. "Excuse me? I was out here fighting for my life in traffic while you were cozying up with your long-lost best friend!"
Duke smirked. "Hey, Ali. Nice to see you again."
Ali stopped mid-rant and turned to face Duke, gasping dramatically as if she had just seen a celebrity. "Oh my God! Duke, baby! I missed you!"
Before Duke could react, Ali threw herself at him, clinging onto him as if they were long-lost lovers. He laughed as he caught her in a tight hug. Lara, meanwhile, could only shake her head in amusement. Ali always made a scene wherever she went. Subtlety was never in her vocabulary.
"I'm so happy you're back!" Ali squealed, squeezing him tighter before finally pulling away.
"I know," Duke chuckled. "I missed you too. You haven't changed at all."
Ali flipped her hair over her shoulder, grinning. "And I never will." She then turned to Lara, pulling her into a hug. "And you—ugh, you look so fresh and innocent as always. It's honestly offensive."
"Thanks. And you look extra as usual," Lara replied with a smirk.
Ali gasped, placing a hand on her chest. "Rude. I prefer the term absolutely fabulous."
Lara rolled her eyes as Ali took a seat. They wasted no time ordering food, the conversation flowing effortlessly as they caught up on lost time.
Lara felt warmth spread through her chest as she listened to Ali's endless chatter. She hadn't realized how much she missed this—missed them. It had been so long since the three of them were together like this, laughing without a care in the world.
As expected, Ali did most of the talking. She was the most talkative of the three of them. Duke, while chatty, was more composed compared to Ali's chaotic energy. Lara, on the other hand, was a mix of both, chiming in when necessary.
At one point, their conversation steered towards Duke's relationship.
Ali, who had just taken a sip of her milktea, nearly choked. "WHAT?!"
Duke laughed at her reaction, watching as Ali's jaw practically hit the table.
"Wait, wait, wait," Ali sputtered, eyes darting towards Duke. "You? A boyfriend? As in a real-life, actual, breathing man?"
"Yes, Ali," Duke said dryly. "A real-life, actual, breathing man."
Ali leaned forward, gripping his wrist dramatically. "Babe. Is this a phase? Blink twice if you need help."
Duke rolled his eyes. "It's not a phase."
Lara chuckled, watching Ali process the news like someone who had just discovered the earth was flat.
Ali gasped. "So, you finally moved on? Good for you! I actually thought you'd never be able to, but I guess life is full of surprises."
Lara frowned, confused. "Wait, guys. Moved on? What does that mean?"
Ali's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Oh, yeah, you don't know anything." She turned to Duke with a smirk. "I think it's right time you tell her, right?"
"Ali, drop it," Duke muttered, looking slightly uncomfortable.
Ali burst into laughter while Lara remained confused.
"Why not? It's in the past! And you've moved on already."
Duke sighed. "Ali—"
Ali ignored him, turning to Lara with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Did you know that our dear Duke was hopelessly in love with someone back in the day? And that someone was also adorably dense, so much so that she didn't even realize she broke his heart?"
Lara's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Who? When?"
Duke groaned, rubbing his temples. "Ali, I swear—"
Ali grinned widely. "It was back in college."
Lara gawked at Duke, shocked. "You were in love with someone back in college and you never told me, but told Ali?"
Duke sighed. "It was a long time ago, and it doesn't matter now. And I didn't tell Ali, she figured it out on her own."
"Still! Why am I the only one who doesn't know about it?" Lara demanded, crossing her arms.
Ali smirked, clearly enjoying the drama. "Well, it was you after all," she murmured under her breath.
"What?" Lara asked, narrowing her eyes.
Duke groaned, having caught what Ali said. "Ali, shut up."
Ali chuckled, throwing her hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine." Then she turned back to Duke, her grin returning. "Anyway, back to the more important topic—when do we get to meet this mysterious man who stole your heart?"
"You guys! Are we seriously skipping this topic without telling me anything?" Lara huffed.
Duke smirked. "I'll tell you some other time."
"Ugh! Fine. You guys are fake friends."
Duke and Ali both chuckled as Lara rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, you'll meet him later," Duke said.
Ali clapped her hands excitedly. "Ooooh, I can't wait!"
Lara watched them both, shaking her head with a small smile.
They spent the rest of the afternoon catching up, losing track of time until the sky outside turned a dusky orange. The clock read 4:38 PM when they finally decided to leave the café and head to a bar nearby.
Duke offered to drive, and they piled into his car with Ali claiming the passenger seat while Lara settled in the back. Halfway to the bar, Duke pulled into a gas station.
"I'll just fill up the tank. You two want anything from the store?" he asked, unbuckling his seatbelt.
Ali shook her head. "Nah, I'm good."
Lara, seated in the back, simply waved a hand. "I'm fine."
As Duke stepped out, Lara rolled down her window, letting the cool breeze kiss her skin. She closed her eyes briefly, enjoying the fleeting moment of peace. But just as she was about to turn away, something, or rather, someone caught her attention.
Her brows furrowed.
There, across the street, standing in front of a high-end restaurant, was a man she would recognize anywhere.
Lucas.
Her breath caught in her throat.
There was no mistaking him. He stood tall, dressed in his usual crisp dress shirt and slacks, his dark hair perfectly styled.
What is he doing here?
The question barely had time to settle in her mind before she got her answer.
The restaurant door swung open, and a woman stepped out. Lara's heart pounded as she watched Lucas move toward her, his every action slow, deliberate.
Then, before she could even process what was happening, she saw it.
Lucas reached for the woman with a familiarity that sent a sharp pang through Lara's chest. His hand found the small of her back, guiding her with ease. Gentle, protective. And then—
He pulled her close, his arm wrapping securely around her waist, holding her in a way he had never once held Lara.
Something inside Lara cracked.
The woman tilted her head up at him, and that was when Lucas did the one thing that shattered her completely.
He smiled.
Not the cold, distant curve of his lips Lara was accustomed to. Not the empty, indifferent expression he usually wore around her.
No.
This smile was soft. Tender. Real.
And then, as if the universe had decided to twist the knife deeper into her chest—Lucas leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to the woman's forehead.
Lara felt the world around her blur.
Pain, sharp and suffocating, wrapped around her like a vice. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms as she fought to breathe.
She didn't need to take a second look to know who the woman was.
Riah.
The woman Lucas had always loved.
The woman who had always held his heart.
Her vision blurred, but she couldn't look away, even as they finally disappeared in her line of vision, the image burned into her mind like a cruel reminder of everything she could never have.
The pain was suffocating, raw and unrelenting.
Why?
Hadn't she suffered enough?
Hadn't she endured enough cold nights, silent dinners, the countless unanswered texts, clinging desperately to the faint hope that one day he might turn to her?
Why did she have to see this?
What cruel twist of fate made her witness the very thing she feared the most?
Her chest heaved, but she bit down on her lower lip, forcing the sob back.
She wouldn't cry.
Not in front of Duke and Ali.
But no matter how much she tried, the sight of Lucas hand in hand with the woman he truly loved was etched deep into her heart.
She squeezed her eyes shut, as if blocking out the image would erase the pain.
It didn't. It never did.
Her heart had been breaking for so long, piece by piece, that she'd almost grown numb to it.
But in this moment...
It shattered all over again.
And the worst part was—
It still hurt just as much.