COVENANTS OF CHAOS

Chapter Twelve: The Public Outing

The café was alive with activity—pairs engaged in conversation over hot cups of coffee, students focused on their laptops, and the soft clattering of dishes resonating in the background. A cozy table by the window was set aside for Lucas and Isabella. Strategically placed in sight of passersby, it was evident that this was more than a mere outing. It was an act.

Lucas fiddled with the hem of his sleeve, looking around anxiously. “This is… comfortable,” he mumbled, his tone laced with irony.

Isabella, positioned opposite him, didn’t even take the effort to glance up from her phone. "Simply remain seated and be quiet." Grin occasionally when you are able to do so. "That's all you need to do."

“Whoa,” Lucas exclaimed, reclining in his seat. "You’re doing an excellent job promoting this loving fiancée concept." "Perhaps you should temper your excitement before others assume you genuinely care for me."

She finally looked up, her expression as sharp as a knife. “I don’t have to ‘sell’ anything, Kane. People aren’t here for you. They’re here to see me.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Right. Because the whole world revolves around you.”

“In this world? It does,” she said simply, before returning her attention to her phone.

Lucas shook his head, letting out a low whistle. “Unbelievable. You’re really something, you know that?”

“Something you’re stuck with,” she said flatly, not looking up. “So get used to it.”

Before Lucas could fire back, a waiter approached their table with a practiced smile. “Good afternoon. Can I get you both something to drink?”

“Black coffee,” Isabella said without hesitation, her tone clipped.

The waiter turned to Lucas. “And for you, sir?”

“Uh…” Lucas glanced at the menu, feeling the weight of Isabella’s impatience bearing down on him. “Same. Black coffee.”

The waiter nodded and disappeared into the crowd. Lucas leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “So, is this how it’s going to be? You snapping orders and me just sitting here like a prop?”

Isabella sighed, setting her phone down. “Look, I don’t like this any more than you do. But my father expects us to make this convincing. So unless you want to deal with the fallout, I suggest you play along.”

Lucas smirked. “You mean *unless you* want to deal with the fallout. Let’s be real here—you’re just as much a pawn in this as I am.”

Her gaze tightened. “Don’t act as if you have any knowledge of my circumstances.”

"I don't need to fake it," Lucas retorted. "Your father is managing your life just as he is managing mine." The sole distinction is that you've been living this way your entire life. "I'm simply the newcomer."

"Regardless of your experience, you're present at this moment," she said, her voice calm and straightforward. “If you get this wrong, it won't only be you facing the repercussions.Do you honestly think my dad won't pursue your mom if you disgrace him?"

Lucas stood still, his jaw clenched. "Don’t involve my mom in this."

“Then don’t provide him a reason to include her,” Isabella stated, her voice cold. "It's as easy as that."

The atmosphere between them was thick with tension, yet before Lucas could answer, the waiter came back with their coffees. He placed the cups down gently, unaware of the quiet conflict occurring between the two.

“Is there anything else I can assist you with?” the waiter inquired, his courteous grin steady.

“No, we’re okay,” Isabella replied dismissively, already grabbing her cup.

Lucas leaned forward again once the waiter was out of earshot. "Funny how you act like you're in control when you say you dislike this situation."

“I *am* the one in charge,” Isabella remarked, sipping her coffee. "At the very least in relation to this."

““Oh, is that the way it functions?” Lucas remarked, folding his arms. "You give commands, and I simply obey?" "That isn’t quite a partnership, you see."

"This is not a collaboration," she stated frankly. “It’s an exchange.” "Do not mix up the two."

Lucas emitted a hollow chuckle. "Absolutely." "Because nothing conveys ‘healthy marriage’ quite like a classic transaction."

Isabella placed her cup down a bit too heavily, her eyes fiery. “Do you believe I requested this?” "Do you believe I *desired* to be thrown into this chaos with someone like you?”

"Someone similar to me?" Lucas said again, his voice becoming louder. "What does that mean?"

"It signifies that you're in over your head," she retorted. "You’re not meant for this world, Kane." "You’re merely a short-term solution to an issue that should have never arisen originally."

Lucas looked at her, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "Are you aware of this?" You are correct. I *do not* fit in this world. And I definitely didn’t request to be pulled into it. However, if you believe I will simply remain silent while you speak to me as if I'm worthless, you're mistaken.

Isabella began to speak, but before she could finish, a voice cut in.

"Isabella?" “Is that really you?”

They both looked to observe a woman coming toward their table. She was towering and flawlessly attired, her blonde locks meticulously arranged, and her grin broad—yet it didn't entirely touch her eyes.

“Catherine,” Isabella said, her tone instantly changing. It was smoother, more polished, like she’d flipped a switch. “What a surprise.”

Catherine’s eyes flicked to Lucas, her curiosity barely masked. “And who’s this?”

“This is Lucas,” Isabella said, her smile tight. “My fiancé.”

Catherine’s eyebrows shot up. “Fiancé? My goodness, I didn’t even know you were seeing someone.”

“Well, we’ve been keeping things… private,” Isabella said, her tone measured. “But now seemed like the right time to make things official.”

Lucas forced a smile, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Catherine shook his hand, her eyes scanning him like she was trying to figure out exactly where he came from. “Fiancé, huh? And what do you do, Lucas?”

“I, um…” He paused, looking at Isabella for assistance, but she simply looked back at him, clearly anticipating his response. "I'm involved in, um... logistics."

“Supply chain management?” Catherine reiterated, lifting an eyebrow.

“Sure,” Lucas replied, nodding a bit too fervently. "You understand, logistics matters." "Shifting items from one location to another."

"How intriguing," Catherine remarked, although her tone implied she considered it anything but intriguing. She glanced back at Isabella, her smile becoming more defined. "Honestly, I have to admit, this is really unexpected." I need to inform my husband. He will be excited to receive the news.

“Of course,” Isabella said smoothly. “We’ll have to catch up soon. It’s been far too long.”

Catherine nodded, casting one final evaluative glance at Lucas before turning to leave. Once she was out of hearing range, Lucas exhaled a breath he hadn't known he was keeping in.

"Supply chain?" Isabella remarked, her tone filled with laughter.

"What was I meant to say?" Lucas replied sharply. "That I’m a delivery person who got caught up in this situation because your father considered me disposable?"

"That likely would have been an improvement," she remarked, grinning.

“Happy to amuse you,” he whispered, sipping his now tepid coffee.

For a brief time, neither of them said anything. The tension had diminished somewhat, yet it lingered in the atmosphere, thick and unarticulated. Lucas peered out the window, observing individuals stroll along the sidewalk, their lives joyfully simple in contrast to his.

"You did well," Isabella remarked unexpectedly, shattering the quiet.

Lucas looked at her, taken aback. "What did you say?"

"With Catherine," she replied, avoiding his gaze. "You didn't entirely mess it up."

“Thanks, I suppose,” he replied, uncertain whether it was a compliment or not.

She shrugged and grabbed her phone once more. "Don't become accustomed to it."

Lucas laughed quietly, moving his head side to side. "Absolutely, we wouldn’t want to disrupt the vibe we have established."

Isabella remained silent, yet for a fleeting instant, Lucas believed he noticed the edge of her lips move, as if she was holding back a grin. It wasn't a lot, but it was still something. And for the time being, he’d accept it.