Chapter 70

The next day, we decided to go to the beach and hopefully forget all about the day before.

I still felt so horrible about what had happened to Victoria, and I could tell she was just trying to forget all about it, so I didn't bring it up.

Thankfully, the beach was the perfect distraction.

It stretched out before us like an endless canvas, the sound of waves providing calmness to our day. The sun was out, but it wasn't too hot outside. It was as if we were blessed with the perfect weather today.

Everything seemed to feel that way until the tension slowly crept into our midst.

Lucas's phone buzzed, shattering the calm like a rock thrown into a still pond.

When he glanced down at his phone, his face shifted from unbothered to concerned. He frowned as he picked up the phone, "Hello?"

As he listened to the voice on the other end, his frown only deepened. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."

Immediately, I realized it was Kendrick. No wonder his face had turned so sour.

A cloud seemed to form over his features, and with a muttered excuse, he got up and walked away from the group.

Victoria sighed, her eyes tracking Lucas's retreating figure. "I know that all too well. Business calls never really take a break, do they?"

"Not even on vacation," Emily chimed in.

Her words prompted me to consider the other side of Lucas's life.

The side he hid from me most of the time... the business side of his life.

And all of it was to uphold his family's legacy.

I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be burdened by the same obligations as Lucas.

Victoria, sensing my contemplative mood, turned her attention to me. "You know, our families' businesses intertwine quite a bit."

I raised an eyebrow, curious about where this conversation was headed. "Really? I've wanted to ask you about it, but we're on vacation so I didn't want to talk about it."

She shrugged. "I don't mind, it is a big part of my life, after all."

Her fingers absently traced patterns in the sand. "My family's company often collaborates with Lucas's. We provide raw materials for various products."

"Interesting," I said, genuinely surprised by the revelation. "What do you mean by raw materials?"

"Oil," Victoria said simply.

"Wow... I never knew that."

"I didn't know that either," James said, butting into our conversation. "So, your family basically supplies Kendrick's business?

Victoria's lips curled into a wry smile. "There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes, but yeah. Simply put."

My gaze shifted to Lucas as he finally returned, his expression less tense than before. As he resumed his seat, Victoria eyed him with a knowing look. "Trouble in paradise?"

Lucas snorted. "I'd hardly call it paradise."

"What was it this time?" she asked. "Did it involve my family?"

"Not this time," Lucas exhaled deeply, rubbing the sides of his forehead. "Dad was just updating me on a meeting he had."

For the next ten minutes, Lucas and Victoria began a discussion that sounded more like a boardroom meeting than a romantic getaway.

It was strange that they weren't asking as lovey-dovey as I thought they would be.

It was weird, but I was grateful that I didn't have to see that in front of my face. I knew my jealousy would take over if I did.

However, curiosity gnawed at me like a persistent itch.

Their conversation seemed so practical, devoid of any endearments or intimacy. It was as if they were speaking in a language that only they understood—

a language of contracts and mutual benefits.

It was so clear that their relationship or arrangement was strictly built on partnership and not the romantic kind. It was like a business transaction, as sad as that sounded.

When Lucas and Victoria finally stopped discussing business, I felt as if I couldn't hold back anymore.

Feeling confident from the newfound friendship between Victoria and me, I leaned in closer. "Victoria, can I ask you something kinda personal?"

She raised an eyebrow. I could tell her guarded exterior was still intact, but her walls were down more than before. "Sure, what's up?"

I took a breath, deciding to choose my words carefully. "I've noticed that your relationship with Lucas is... well, way different than what I thought it was."

Her lips quirked, a mixture of amusement and kindness in her eyes. "You're quite the observant one, Shana. What gave it away?"

"Well, it doesn't seem very... affectionate." I continued, my curiosity driving me forward. "It feels more like a business partnership than an actual engaged couple."

"I guess you're not wrong in that sense." Victoria's gaze held a hint of sadness. "Our relationship is more of a strategic alliance than a whirlwind romance. Obviously, I'd rather be engaged to someone I actually loved in that way, but it just isn't that way."

I glanced at Lucas, who was now engaged in a discussion about profit margins and market trends with Victoria. "But what about all that flirtatious banter I saw before?"

She chuckled dryly. "Friendly gestures, mostly. It's easier for people to accept this arrangement if they think we have a real connection. My parents believe that if I'm content, the business relationship will thrive."

"Lucas has also been so understanding," Victoria looked over in his direction. "We know what this is, and we play our part well. I'm glad that we were convincing enough to trick you."

The realization struck me like a blow. The interactions I had misconstrued as signs of affection were, in reality, carefully orchestrated tactics.

None of it was real.

Their relationship was a bunch of false expectations, driven together by families and tied with the threads of duty and responsibility.

"Doesn't it bother you?" I asked, not sure if I was overstepping by asking her more questions.

Victoria's smile didn't fully meet her eyes. "That's actually the great thing about Lucas and I. We understand each other because our families are very similar. Just as he listens to his father, I'm accustomed to following my family's wishes. It's what I've grown up with. It's all I know."

"Do you wish you could escape it?" I asked, and this time, I really felt like I was overstepping. "I'm sorry-- I don't mean to pry."

"No, Shana." Victoria sighed, licking her lips. "I don't get to talk about it with people who don't really understand. It feels nice to get it off my chest sometimes."

"So, you wish you could escape it?"

Victoria thought deeply for a while. "I don't wish to escape it. I'm very thankful and grateful for everything that my family has done and provided for me. I just wish things could be different. I wish my parents would allow me to make my own decisions because I'm smart in my own right."

I nodded along with her answer. "I don't know you too well, but I can tell that you're very sharp. You'll make an incredible businesswoman one day and I'll be rooting for you."

Victoria gave me a genuine smile. "Thank you, Shana. That really means a lot to me."

Suddenly, it hit me that I was forming a bond with the very person I had once thought to be my enemy.

James stood, raising a drink to the sky. "Okay, enough business talk for today. Let's all unwind and have a few drinks! And let's toast to new friendships and this insane beach house that will one day be mine!"

We all laughed at James's toast, not convinced in the slightest.

"In your dreams, James!" Victoria cheered, lifting her glass to his.