Eight-He never changes

8

“Tequila and beer!” Kate ordered, looking dead straight into Lucas eyes. For some reason, Tara had managed to force her to sit at their table and she was left with no other option but to sit at their table.

“I’m Lucas Rhodes, The CEO of Rhodes Artistry and designs,” Lucas stretched out his hand to Kate, expecting an handshake but Kate rolled her eyes.

“I already introduced myself earlier, took you long enough to introduce yours,”Kate mumbled not breaking the eye contact between them.

Tara who was getting irritated with the look coughed, breaking the tension, “I’m sorry about my fiancé’s outburst this morning, I’m pretty sure he’s just happy to be finally meeting you…my fiancé has been dying to get a contract with the White Fashion—your company,” She pitched.

Kate simply raised an eyebrow while Tara continued, “As you may know, The Rhodes are number one on the list of top five designers in New York,” Tara concluded.

Lucas feeling proud of himself, “If we collaborate-”

“I don’t see you as a top designer. Words can’t buy me, action does.” Kate cut him off, her response so flat and it was visible it hit Lucas nerve.

Tara gritted her teeth on Lucas’s behalf, “You..don’t have to be rude..? Lucas is the best,” Tara whispered under her breathe.

“I wasn’t rude, I was just talking from a businesswoman’s perspective,” Kate replied her while Lucas stare at Kate, studying her.

‘Elena wasn’t rude. She was the most loyal wife to me. Elena wouldn’t speak to me in such manners’ these what was ring in Lucas head.

For some weird reason, he felt drawn to that woman, he felt his ego being stepped on.

“I will prove it to you…why I, Lucas is the best” He suddenly said, protecting his ego.

He can’t accept Kate’s verdict on his company like that. Something in him wanted to prove to her.

‘Why are you hell bent on my company? You detest when someone tests your ability and now you’re throwing the bat?’ Kate thought in her head.

“Try. Try and prove to me if you can,”She accepted and Lucas lips spread out in a weird smile.

‘Gotcha’ he smirked.

Joan wanted to say something but just right in time, the drinks came in, Kate gulped down two glasses of beer.

“Easy…you know you’re light headed…you might get drunk,”Joan whispered to Kate’s ear but Lucas was listening.

Even when Kate was insulting his company he wasn’t gritting his teeth or folding his hands into a fist but all of a sudden, Joan’s gestures made him do all of that.

He wasn’t giving Tara the attention she thought she will be getting, she thought of what she could do to get his attention likewise Kate’s attention, “I will like to invite you to our wedding!” She blurted out and Kate glanced at her.

Tara didn’t let Lucas speak, “We have been planning it…Lucas loves me so much and he can’t wait to get married to me,” Tara blurted out, looking at Lucas lovingly.

Kate scoffed, “Good for you both,” She got up, “I need to use the restroom,” She was about to stagger and Joan held her waist.

“Easy, Kate…”He told her softly.

Lucas almost exploded watching the two of them.

“Should I follow you? I think you’re getting drunk,” Joan suggested but Tara was quick to chip in.

Playing the good girl card, “I will follow her! Let me, please?” She insisted.

Joan nod slowly and Tara hurried behind Kate, leaving just Joan and Lucas at the table.

If only stare could kill…it’s obvious Joan would have been dead by now.

“Who are you to Kate?” Lucas asked, his stare deadly but Joan returned the energy.

“What’s your business with that, Mr Rhodes?” Joan fired back.

Lucas rubbed his temple, about to pull out his teeth from too much clench, “We might be business partners at anytime, I should know who you’re to her.”

“You might never be. Don’t get your hopes high, focus on your fiancée…that lady is crazy about you,” Joan responded.

Kate came out of the toilet and went to wash her hands when she saw Tara behind her from the mirror. “You don’t have to follow me here. I’m not a toddler,” Kate said.

Tara rolled her eyes, “Your Boyfriend was worried so he asked me look after you. You should be grateful to him, he loves you so much,” Tara said.

Kate simply scoffed and went over to pull out some tissues, “You’re not in the right position to tell me that.”

“I mean, I’m getting married soon…you can count that as an advice from an experienced woman,” Tara told her, flaunting her engagement ring.

“Wedding?”’Kate sneered, “As if he would marry you,”

Tara folded her fist, “Are you jealous of me? I noticed you have been hitting on my husband since!” She suddenly blurted out.

Kate couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Is that all you could think of? Jealous? Oh please,” Kate mumbled then left the restroom, heading back to where they sat.

“Let’s see how he crawls here in a minute…He can’t let anything happen to me,” Tara whispered but it was loud enough for Kate to hear.

Kate slightly turned, then she raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean..?”

Tara smirked and cut her off with a shriek, followed by falling flat to the floor.

Kate rushed to her, “T-Tara..?” She called shocked by her sudden collapsed.

Within a twinkle of an eye, Lucas appeared to the scene like a flash, his breathe was shaky, “What..what happened? What did you do to her?” He asked squatting beside Tara.

Kate shrug her shoulders, giving him a clueless look as well.

Before she could say another word, Lucas carried Tara into his arms and rushed out of the bar. “He would never change. Still the same five years ago.” Kate muttered under breathe before walking back to where Joan sat.

Joan studied her face, “What—what happened? I saw Lucas carrying Tara out of the bar.” Joan asked.

“She collapsed but I know it’s a pretense. Let’s go home Joan,” She picked her bag and headed to the car.

If it was five years ago, when she was mute and blinded by love…her clothes would have been wet by tears but not anymore.

Throughout the ride back to the house, she only stare out through the window.