Neither Lucas nor Mirabel had foreseen this chance encounter with James. Hastily, they let go of each other's hands.
They exchanged a glance, both palpably conscious of their accelerating heartbeats.
Mirabel fabricated an excuse. With a chuckle, she addressed James. "I crossed paths with Lucas on my way back from the city and was about to invite him to be our guest."
Lucas scratched his head and offered a strained laugh by way of explanation. "Indeed. Mirabel mentioned your expected return today, so I planned to meet with you."
"Is that so? Great! Let's make our way home together!" The guileless James swallowed the tale spun by Mirabel and Lucas without a crumb of doubt.
The trio engaged in convivial conversation as they headed towards James's home.
By evening, Rachel, who had spent the entire day shopping with her friends, finally made her way home. As soon as she entered the house, she asked Evelyn about Lucas's whereabouts.
Evelyn paused for a moment, deep in thought, before replying, "Lucas? He hasn't returned yet."
"Alright, I understand."
Rachel walked towards her room, murmuring under her breath. "Why hasn't Lucas come back yet? It's so late. Could he be making love with James's sister?"
Upon reaching her bedroom, Rachel opened the door and flopped down on the bed.
"This is so frustrating!"
She scratched her hair irritably, unable to shake off thoughts of Lucas. Her friends had even commented on her sour mood during their shopping.
By dinner time, Rachel went to the kitchen and saw Lucas already engaged in his meal.
'Did he really have sex with Mirabel? But how can I broach such a sensitive topic?' Rachel found herself in a quandary, sitting next to Lucas and mechanically shoveling food into her mouth.
She felt as though her heart was consumed by negative emotions, making it difficult for her to appreciate the flavor of her food.
"I don't have much of an appetite. I'll just eat this," Rachel said, wiping her mouth and rising from the chair. Then she made her way to her room.
Lucas watched Rachel's retreating figure, confusion etched on his face as he scratched his head. 'Why does it seem like Rachel is in a bad mood today?'
As the night deepened, Lucas lay on his bed, engrossed in his phone. Unexpectedly, the door swung open, and Rachel entered.
"Lucas, why are you still awake at this late hour?" she questioned, her eyes settling on Lucas. Abruptly, her gaze shifted to the phone in Lucas's hand.
She pointed to the phone and asked, "Wasn't your phone broken by James? Where did you get this one?"
Lucas turned to Rachel with a smile. "Mirabel lent it to me."
"Mirabel? The girl who came looking for you earlier today?" Rachel's voice was sharp.
Lucas nodded. "Yes. Mirabel has been very kind to me. She said she had an extra phone, so she lent me this one."
With that, Lucas returned his attention to his phone, a contented smile gracing his features. But his evident happiness only fueled Rachel's frustration.
'Why does Lucas keep mentioning Mirabel? Could he actually like her?'
Rachel found herself grappling with an unfamiliar emotion—jealousy. She reminisced about her shared history with Lucas: their meals together, school days, and gaming sessions. It seemed that Lucas's smiles, once her exclusive reward, were now being given to Mirabel.
Struggling to keep her jealousy at bay, Rachel forced a smile and suggested, "Lucas, shall we play a game together?"
Lucas shook his head while fiddling with his phone. "Rachel, it's too late now. I'll play with you when I have time tomorrow."
Rachel stood frozen in shock. She didn't expect Lucas to turn her down!
Feeling embarrassed and hurt, Rachel couldn't stay in Lucas's room any longer, so she retreated to her own room.
"Damn it, Lucas!" Rachel muttered angrily as she pounded her bed. "You don't need me anymore, do you?"
A few minutes later, Rachel lay on her bed, tears streaming down her face. She felt like she was losing Lucas, and she had to do something to save their relationship.
In the hushed hours before daybreak, as Lucas lay deep in slumber, he felt as though his penis was enveloped by a warm, damp embrace. He rubbed his eyes and sat up from the bed. But as his gaze fell upon the sight before him, his drowsiness vanished in an instant.
"Rachel, what are you doing?" Lucas exclaimed. In the depths of slumber, Lucas's subconscious registered a subtle sensation emanating from his penis. As his eyes fluttered open, he found Rachel giving him a blow job.
"Rachel, what are you doing?" he inquired, his voice laced with astonishment.
Rachel looked up at Lucas, her lips having just relinquished their hold. "You guys struggle with certain morning challenges," she explained. "I thought I'd lend a hand."
She then extended her tongue, tracing gentle circles along his glans, the soft caress causing a quiver to ripple through Lucas.
"Lucas, consider this a new lesson," Rachel said. "This is known as a blow job." Rachel licked from the glans down to the penis, then to the testicles. Lucas's breath quickened.
Rachel glanced up, expecting a query or comment but was met with silence. Puzzlement crossed her features. Typically, Lucas was curious about such introductions.
"Lucas, have you ever been given a blow job before?" she probed.
Lucas averted his gaze, a shadow of guilt flickering across his expression. Memories of Evelyn engaging in a similar act surfaced in his thoughts, a secret he chose to keep to himself.
Rachel sensed something amiss.
'Was it Mirabel? Damn! Only I can teach Lucas!'