Consider Me

Chapter Forty Four: Lucas

I replay the video on my phone. Once. Twice. Until the image printed itself in my head. The quality wasn't poor or grainy. It was in perfect shape. Like watching a YouTube video on high quality. 

This meant two things, the guy wanted me to see him. And second, he wasn't afraid to tell me I can run his face on every internet surface I want but I won't find him. It was a mock. A fucking taunt that he was better in the chase. 

Cal thinks he is an ex-student. But so far we have nothing to prove that allegation. The only thing we know is that he has someone working for him from the inside. Someone with power or else he wouldn't be able to slip inside as a student so easily. Much less talk to Lily of all people. Everyone knows she is my girlfriend so she is off-limits. My brothers aren't to be messed with. And I have a reputation that goes as far as kicking someone out for messing with my people.

And Lily holds the priority list. 

So, I admire the guy for his audacity to challenge me. Either he is brave or extremely stupid. 

I was returning from my meeting with Cal who is as pissed as me after finding out some fraudster is trying to impersonate me. When I saw the video last night, I wanted to punch the guy. Not only was he trying to create misunderstanding between us but he was trying to break us up. I smelled his plan from a mile away which is why, I had to confess to Lily. 

She needed to know I was Luke before that fake Luke puts words against me. 

And bless my girl, she didn't appear upset at the news. I was scared as shit. For a moment, I imagined us actually breaking up because of my lie but she acted mature and saved us. I couldn't put into words the relief I felt hearing her. 

Our classes for the day is over along with my basketball practice. Meeting Cal was the last errand I had for today so I went to the parking where Lily was waiting for me. We had some plans for tonight and I was looking forward to see her. I need to tell her this news about Luke. He isn't something she should underestimate. 

Yesterday when she offered to befriend the fake Luke and find out what he was plotting sounded good. Only now, I don't think she should do it. That guy isn't right. If he is capable of hiding his identity then he is capable of a lot of things. A doubt I don't want to entertain. 

I jog to the parking lot and stopped by the entrance when I notice Lily next to my car. She was on the call with someone. Looked tense. Her expression betrayed the calm she tried so hard to feel. 

I slowly walked towards her, adjusting my backpack then once I am in her view, she gives me a tense smile. I don't disturb her while she talks. Instead I shove my bag on the rear seat, roll down the windows to let some of the car smell out. A minute later, I close them and start the air conditioner. 

Lily was done by the time the car got cold.  "Hey sorry. It was my mum. We go into an argument,"

If they argued that means- "You told her about your father?"

I had checked Seth Arison. A complete background run and what I found was impressive on the paper. He was the running President of Arison Airlines. Expanded his family business when he took over the company in his early thirties. Youngest person to win the Gratitude Awards. His image is as clean as a whistle. Nothing worthy of controversy. He is married to a woman of his status and has two children. A girl and a boy but no pictures or other information of them could be found. His family has a tight privacy unlike Hawthorne clan where each of us have faced our fair share of amount in the news.

"No," she massages her temples and release a sigh, "I just asked her about their story. What happened and stuff. I don't want to think she lied to me so when she called I didn't think much and asked her. I thought since we don't ever have problems talking to each other maybe she will tell me,"