Wrapped in His Arms (Julie and Lucian) novel Chapter 10

"Jules, you're here. Grab a seat."

Blaine greeted Julie warmly. He even stood up to tuck her chair in.

Julie was a little bit surprised. As she sat on her chair, she muttered softly, "Thank you."

Blaine stretched his arm out and patted her on the shoulder warmly. "No need for the formalities."

He had just finished speaking when he felt a pair of cold eyes staring at him. Blaine looked to his side and found Lucian's eyes locked on him, staring him down. He could feel a gust of cold wind coming from Lucian.

Blaine could not help but shiver. He awkwardly withdrew his hand and sat down on a chair nearby.

Julie passed the bag with the coat over to Blaine. "Thank you for last night, Mr. Chandler."

Blaine peeked at Lucian from the corner of his eyes and reached out. "No need to thank me. I just did my duty as a friend," he said with a chuckle. 

Right after he said that, he stood up immediately. "Um, I'll have to excuse myself to the bathroom. It's urgent."

Before Julie could even react, Blaine had already left. Instantly, the atmosphere in the room became awkward.

Julie stood up. "Um, since I've returned the coat, I should—"

Before Julie could even complete her sentence, Lucian interrupted and said, "Sit down and have a meal with us."

Julie shook her head. "It's okay. I have places to be."

Lucian asked frankly, "Do you really have an appointment, or are you just avoiding me?"

She lowered her eyes without saying anything.

He let out a frustrated sigh. "Still have that temper of yours, huh? Forever ignoring others whenever you're upset."

Julie was instantly annoyed upon hearing that. "And is my temper any of your business?"

Silence filled the room right away.

When Julie felt that her emotions were about to escalate, she lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Lucian got up from his chair and went over to stand in front of her. "Are you still angry at me for leaving the country? I—"

When she heard those words, she immediately cut him off and said, "What right do I have to be angry over that?"

Lucian stretched his arm out and gave her hair a tousle. In a softened tone, he said, "Why wouldn't you? You're the only one in the entire world who has the right to."

Julie was speechless.

"Why don't you just sit down and join us for lunch? I've ordered your favorite filet mignon."

Julie did not budge. Instead, she angrily said, "I don't like it anymore. It's been a long time since I disliked it."

Lucian paused for a moment and suddenly realized something. "Jules, how have you been these past few years?"

"It's not important anymore. Please excuse me. I have to make a move."

Once she finished speaking, she walked toward the door. After five years of anticipation, she suddenly realized that it had all been a deception. She did not know how to face Lucian anymore.

…

Zayn was scrolling on his phone out of boredom as he sat with his blind date in the main hall of the restaurant. He only responded to her questions from time to time without much interest.

"Zayn, I heard from your mother that you became an intern at your family's company during your sophomore year in university. Is that right? 

Zayn replied half-heartedly, "My mom made me do it. I didn't want to."

Anna did not know what to say. She was rather saddened as she could tell that Zayn was not interested in her. If she were to be honest, Zayn checked all the boxes in terms of family background and outward appearance. 

Hence, she decided to be proactive. "By the way, a new movie just came out. Why don't we go to the movie theater tomorrow?"

When Zayn heard this, he suddenly recalled Julie having said the same thing before, about them going to the movie theater together.

He did go to the movie theater, but he brought another woman with him. He made Julie wait for him until the movie ended.

That time, when he walked out of the hall, he saw Julie obediently waiting for him at the ticketing booth. Then, he proceeded to go to a love hotel with the other woman. He even made Julie get the condoms for him from a store.

What kind of emotions did she experience at the time?