Chapter 323

“So then that woman asked me if I had a nice dinner.” I rolled my eyes. It was a good thing I decided to join them out back, considering Marvin hadn’t even told me about this rumor. “I was a bit bloated from the food, so I rubbed my belly and told her that the baby’s doing well.”

Panther and Lucas listened attentively as I tried my hardest to explain the misunderstanding, which I hadn’t even been aware of. Apparently, Marvin and I were the talk of the town after Misty’s parents told everyone we were engaged and expecting a child.

Was that why Marvin kept his distance from me?

Was he embarrassed?

Panther burst out laughing. “See, and that’s why it’s better to keep your mouth shut.” He gave me his unwanted advice. “I had to learn it the hard way, but these rich people..they don’t know how to communicate.”

“Yes!” I agreed.

Panther, who was drunk, grabbed my hand. “They’re not like you and me.” He said. “But that’s why Nike you you’re like my little sister-

Due to his coughing fit, he was unable to finish his sentence. It didn’t matter because I didn’t even want him to finish it. Little sister? I was indeed a little sister, but only to Alex. The brother I had distanced myself from to be with Marvin.

“Hey, are you okay?” Lucas, who was still sober, asked me. He carefully placed his hand on top of mine and looked into my eyes as if he was asking me for permission.

“I’m good, thank you.” I lowered my head, knowing Lucas wasn’t buying it. “Is it your family?” He whispered.

My eyes turned big, and I raised my head to look at Panther-but all I could hear were his snores. He clearly couldn’t take his liquor very well.

“Don’t worry about him. He’s done for the night.” Lucas chuckled. “We should head back inside and talk.” He suggested. “I want to get to know you.”

Get to know me why?

“We shouldn’t leave Panther alone,” I told him, but Lucas didn’t care.

“Pedro is a grown man, and he can take care of himself.

Hearing him call Pedro by his birth name was proof enough that Lucas was a determined and opinionated person who had a mind of his own.

Quite the opposite of Marvin, who obeyed his dad’s every word until he couldn’t take it anymore.

Almost forced to go along with Lucas, I got up from the couch and followed him back inside. He was the one who could expose my identity whenever he felt like it, so I had to keep him close. Who knew if he would be keeping his word?

“So, can I offer you something else to drink?”

“No, I’m good.” Lucas shook his head. He sat down at the kitchen table while I joined him. “So, where is Marvin?” He jumped right into the subject.

“W-why?”

“Because he happens to be my brother.” Lucas raised his brow and smirked. “We didn’t start off on the right foot, and both of our encounters ended with him having…anger issues.”

Anger issues?

“He’ll be here soon.” I nodded. “At least…I think he will “Are you guys fighting?”

“No, he’s just busy!” I clarified.

“With?”

“Stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?” Lucas kept pushing for answers. I gave him a doubtful look and watched as uncomfortable laughter left his mouth. “I’m sorry, it’s just an instinct.”

I figured. By the looks of it, Lucas was a workaholic who could not draw a line between playing detective and having a normal conversation.

“So your mom and…Marvin’s dad?” I asked. If he was allowed to do it, I was allowed to do it as well.

Lucas nodded.

“My mom passed away. She used to be a maid in this household.”

“I heard, and I’m so sorry about that,” I spoke.

“The maids around here seem pretty tight. I bet they knew her.”

I instantly regretted my words. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, especially since I didn’t know his intentions. He said he wanted to know his family, but what if he didn’t? What if there was more to it?”

“Hmm, interesting.” Lucas went into deep thoughts.

“What?”

“Nothing thank you.” He smiled, ending the conversation. Why would he thank me “So why are you keeping your identity a secret?” Lucas didn’t pass the opportunity to ask me a question.

“I think it’s best for everyone.” I simply answered. I wasn’t even that open towards Rona, so why would I open up to him?

“So do I. You made a good decision.” He spoke. “So you chose love over your family.”

“W-well, it wasn’t really like that.” I defended myself. At least, that was something I was trying to tell myself. “My dad kicked me out-”

“Because you chose love over family,” Lucas repeated. I looked around the room, ensuring there weren’t any maids and took a slight breath. It would be for the best to drop it.

“Sure, if that’s what you want to call it.”

Lucas had a regretful expression on his face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“That’s okay-trust me,” I said, not making a big deal out of it. Lucas leaned his chin in his hand and squinted his eyes.

“Why do you think it’s okay?” He wondered. “Is it because you’re used to the people in this household making you feel uncomfortable?”

“You’re doing it again, detective.”

“I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I guess old habits never die.” Lucas was someone challenging to read, and I couldn’t quite figure him out yet. He had so many questions, yet he chose to protect my identity.

“I guess they don’t.”

“You know, I love my dad and my brother-I really do.” I defended my actions. “Just putting it out there because I don’t want you to get the wrong idea of me.

A warm smile appeared on Lucas’ lips. “Same here.”

I had the urge to tell him to smile more often, as it made him look more attractive-but I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.

“So, how are you getting along with everyone?” I asked after an awkward moment of silence. Just like that. the smile on Lucas’ lips had vanished.

“Well, the madam of the house wants my head on a stick, and so do her sons.” He raised his brows.

I figured this had to do with these ‘encounters’ with Marvin, because as far as I was concerned-

Marvin didn’t care that much.

“Mario’s been nice.

“And Karina?”

Lucas clicked his tongue. “Highly unstable, probably one line away from OD’ing, but oh well, she has a good personality and has been texting me every single day.”

His honesty threw me off guard. If he planned on maintaining a healthy relationship with his family, that was definitely something he had to get rid of.

“Have you dated your pen pal before? Is that something you do often?”

I got chills throughout my body, suddenly remembering that I had already told this man my whole life story. If anything, him being here was dangerous-so why did I want to trust him!

“No…first time.”

Before the subject could get anywhere, Marvin entered the kitchen with a paled expression on his face. He looked from me to Lucas and walked closer.

“Here you are.” He pulled out a chair and wrapped his arm around my shoulder in a protective matter. “1 texted you.” He spoke, ignoring Lucas as he turned to meet my eyes. “Multiple times.”

“Hey, if you get to leave me on read-that means I get to do it as well.” I playfully pushed away his arm. Marvin’s cheeks flushed red. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know that was a crime.” He spoke. “I guess I’m still not used to this…texting stuff.”

I covered my mouth with my hand, trying not to laugh. Anyone would’ve thought Marvin had been in prison for centuries, but it had only been a few years.

“I see you were having fun without me.” He finally turned to Lucas. “With my…brother.”

Lucas chuckled. “I get the message, and you don’t have to worry.” He said. “She’s not my type.

Better yet- I wouldn’t touch her with a 10-foot pole.”

Alright, I could perfectly understand what he was trying to do here, but was that necessary?

“What do you mean she’s not your type?” Marvin spoke, offended. I knew that tone all too well because he used that whenever he felt like teasing someone.

“Marvin.” I giggled as he raised his hand to stop me from talking.

“Then do you think Elena is ugly?”

Lucas stuttered, trying to find the words to explain himself. “I’m sorry, I was just trying to get on your good side!” He spoke, flustered.

“By offending my girl right in front of me?”

“I didn’t mean to offend her-”

“So you didn’t call her an ugly pig just a second ago?” Marvin called him out. Lucas shook his head, confused. Surprisingly enough, this was a sign that Marvin felt comfortable enough to joke around with Lucas, meaning perhaps he did want to know him a bit better.

Marvin burst out in laughter while I joined him.

“He’s just playing. This is how he jokes around.” I explained to Lucas, who sighed, relieved. “I know, it’s stupid.”

“But I got him good-didn’t I?” Marvin pointed out.

Lucas grew an embarrassed smile. “Yeah, whatever.” He shrugged as if Marvin’s words hadn’t affected him just seconds ago.

Marvin pulled me closer. “Elena, what’s our judgment on him?” He whispered loud enough for him to hear. The truth was that I had no answer to that question, but Marvin trusted my judgment.

“Nosy, but we like him,” I spoke out loud, staring into Lucas’ eyes. Lucas shot me a grateful nod, not knowing this was all so he wouldn’t expose my identity “Do we?” Marvin looked at Lucas. “So, how did you end up here?”

“Panther invited me, but he’s…”

“Knocked out?”

“Yes, something like that,” Lucas confirmed. “So you’re back from work?”

Marvin paused for a second. “Yes, it’s been a long day.” His voice almost cracked, making me wonder what had happened.

“Doing?” Lucas went into detective mode, but unlike me-Marvin wasn’t here for it.

“Stuff that doesn’t concern you.” He politely put him in his place, making Lucas hold up his hands in surrender. “Got it.”

Awkwardness filled the room, which was something I couldn’t handle. “Hey, why did I have to hear from Panther that I’m not only pregnant but engaged as well?” I laughed at Marvin.

“He told you?” Marvin frowned before moving his eyes to my empty finger. “Where’s your ring?”

“You embarrass me, so I took it off.” I grinned.

“No, seriously-where’s your ring?”

“I took it off for work.” I kissed his cheek to calm him down. Lucas looked back and forth between us and placed his hands on the table. “So, I think that’s my cue to go.”

“No, not so soon.” Marvin stopped him. “We were just getting to know each other.”

“Were we?”

“Were you?” I followed Lucas’ words. Marvin released me from his grip and walked towards the cabinet as Lucas’ eyes met mine.

“Do you drink?”

“I do….do you?”

“I’m a Castillo.” Marvin grabbed a bottle. “Oh, I forgot, you’re one too.”

Marvin and Lucas were deeply immersed in conversation as I got interrupted by the sound of my phone, and received a text from the least expected person, Tiago.

Tiago:

I have something important to tell you.

I’m in front of the mansion. Don’t tell anyone I’m here.

I locked my phone and stared straight ahead. Was this a trap, or was it valuable information about this person he was so afraid of? Whatever it was, it appeared to be pretty serious.

I know I promised to focus on Marvin, but what if this could be the information I needed? The information which could restore the bond with my family and the key to the person who killed Maddens.

The key to clearing Marvin’s name?

“Give me a minute. I’ll be right back”