Vengeance In His Veins

Chapter 1: Insight

Lucas glanced at his father as he prepared the necessary files for the meeting he was about to have. The man’s focus when he worked still unnerved him.

He waited patiently for the man to finish his work. “Are you waiting to talk to me?” his father spoke but didn't glance up..

“Yes, but you seem busy, so I’ll come back later,” he said, poised to stand up.

His father glanced up with his eyebrow raised. “What did you do?” He demanded with a cautious gaze, his brows furrowed. Lucas understood where his thoughts were coming from and he smiled.

“I didn't do anything, I really just wanted to see you about something I think I should have said a long time ago,” he nodded.

“And what is that?” The man demanded.

Lucas leaned forward slightly in his chair. “I think it is high time I step up and start working with you.”

His father, Mr. Abnett, looked at him over the top of his glasses, clearly surprised. “Step up?” he asked, slowly setting his pen down on the desk. “Where’s this coming from?”

Lucas shrugged. He didn’t want to admit what was really behind his sudden change, not yet at least. “I just think it is high time I change.

I think I need to be better than I have been. You are getting older and the family's legacy will be mine to handle…” he gestured the rest of his thoughts.

Mr. Abnett stared at his son, his eyes scrutinizing him deeply. He never thought a day like this would come, a day when his son would take up responsibility.

He’d dashed any hopes of the boy ever becoming anything good and has been thinking of handing the company to one of his sisters or even his partner, Westfield.

He wondered what spurred his change but he was too excited to even ask.

“We will talk about this later, but I am really glad you are here now, thought this day will never come,” he smiled.

Lucas nodded. “Yeah, well, I’m here now. I’m serious about this.”

His father gave him a small smile. “Good. Let’s start slow though. You will not be diving headfirst into anything big just yet. I want to see you get a handle on the smaller tasks first.”

Lucas understood what his father meant, he hadn't been the best son and words won't be enough to convince a man as wise as him. “Yes dad, I understand.”

“Good,” Mr. Abnett said, leaning back in his chair. “I have a meeting in five minutes with Hans Gorgon, but tomorrow, we can sit down and go over a few things together.”

Lucas nodded, standing up from his chair with a smile. “I will leave you to your meeting,” he said with a nod.

As he left, he smiled to himself. Being a responsible person felt good and it wasn't always like this with him but he was glad that at last he was coming to terms with himself and he knew what he wanted to do with his own life.

He smiled as he saw the woman responsible for his improvement leaning against the balcony a few meters away.

“Well, don’t you look happy,” she teased as she saw him.

Lucas walked towards her, giving her a peck on the cheek.

"You should have seen my father if you think I am happy," he said with a chuckle. Ever since he met Sophia, he hadn't been the same person.

She laughed softly, hugging him. “You sound like he is about to buy you a pro version of paradise," she chuckled.

"It might as well be," he smiled as he half dragged her down the stairs and straight to his room. Just like every room in the mansion, his room was large enough to be a living room in a random house.

He led her to his bed and they both sat down at the edge.

"I went to talk to him," Sophia raised her eyes. "I know you said not to," Lucas gestured for her to pause. "He was glad I came actually and he wants to meet me tomorrow," he chuckled.

"What did you say?" She replied with wide eyes.

“I told him it was time for me to step up,” Lucas said, smiling in disbelief at his own words. “I told him I wanted to start taking more responsibility at the company.”

Sophia raised her eyes. "And he agreed? Just like that?" Lucas nodded. "Waoh, you are brave." She commented.

He shook his head.

"You’re the one I should be thanking." She laughed lightly. “I didn’t do anything, Lucas. You made that decision yourself.”

“No,” Lucas said, his tone more serious. “I mean it. I was a mess before I met you. A drunk, useless brat. But now…I feel like I’ve got a purpose. You gave me that.”

Sophia blushed slightly but didn’t argue with him. Instead, she asked, “What about the family meeting plan? Did anything change?”

Lucas shook his head. “Nope. My dad’s still meeting with Hans Gorgon at the diner in five minutes. That’s why I had to end our meeting.”

Sophia’s eyes widened. “Five minutes? Lucas, we don’t have much time, then.”

Lucas smirked. “We have enough time.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards himself. Sophia laughed as they stumbled into the bed together.

He kissed her, his hands sliding through her hair, and for a few moments, everything else disappeared.

But then, his phone started ringing. Lucas ignored it, focusing on Sophia, but the ringing didn’t stop. After the third time, Sophia grabbed the phone from the table beside his bed.

“It’s probably something crucial,” she said, handing it to him.

Lucas glanced at the screen to see the name Kenji appear. He rolled his eyes, it was his overprotective personal bodyguard.

“I’ll call him back later,” he assured, tossing the phone aside. He pulled her towards himself again, planting his lips on hers.

As they enjoyed their moment, Lucas’ phone rang again, but they ignored it. It laid forgotten on the bedside table, the screen lighting up with a message that Lucas didn’t see.

RUN, Lucas. RUN!