CHAPTER 450

"It's just a normal date, not some engagement ritual," Sebastian said. "Madeline picked the lady herself, and you're telling me you won't go?"

"I don't think my opinion matters. Yours does though. I'm just too chicken to go on this date."

"I need a coal miner in Africa."

"Okay, sorry." Lucas held both of his hands up. "I shouldn't have been honest. Nothing good comes from being honest. Best policy, my foot."

"Alright, stop f*cking around and get ready. It's almost time."

Lucas had a look of reluctance on his face. "Can I not go?"

"I don't know. Can you?" Sebastian asked.

Lucas sighed. "Things have changed in our household. You used to be the boss, but now Madeline is. Men change the world, and women change men. That's an adage that has withstood the test of time." Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

"Yeah." Sebastian said, "And I hope you'll find the lady who can change you today."

"Please don't." A frown knitted Lucas' brows. "I thought matchmaking was for middle-aged women. Madeline doesn't even look like she graduated college, so why does she do this? And the order's all wrong. Didn't you tell her Grayson and Anthony are still single too? Even if she wants to play matchmaker, she should start with Grayson, not me."

"You talk too much." Sebastian said, "I told you, the girl specifically asked for you."

"God f*cking damn it." Lucas looked even more reluctant now. "Did Madeline tell her I'm an illegitimate son?"

"So?" A frown knitted Sebastian's brows. "Your mother didn't wreck someone's marriage willingly. Mario duped her. If those accidents never happened, you would have been born in wedlock. And only despicable illegitimate children are hated. You're an upright lad. Why are you so insecure?"

"I'm not insecure." Lucas scratched his nose nervously. "I mean, Madeline's a good woman, so her friends must be alright too. They can get anyone they want, so why me?"

"I know the girl. She's fine," Sebastian said. "Madeline wanted this, so just play along and see her. Maybe she's the girl who can change your life. Maybe you guys will get married and have cute children like Madeline and I do."

He's showing off his family again, and this time, he even includes his son. Ever since he has his family, that's all he talks about. And he loves the boys the most. Sebastian would give them anything they wanted. He's a family guy now, but the boys are indeed adorable. Even I love them, let alone their own dad. If I had a pair of kids like them… Nah. Sebastian's blessed enough to have that life, but I'm not. I shouldn't even think about it.

Lucas cursed himself quietly and groaned, "Fine. If it's what Madeline wants, then I'll do it. But if I don't like the girl, then I won't force myself to marry her, even if it's for Madeline."

Sebastian cocked his eyebrow. "Do you think I'm the kind of guy who'd make you do that even though I

know you won't like it?"

"No, but this is a different thing," Lucas said seriously. "Everyone thinks they're doing the other person a favor when they matchmake them. You might force me to marry the girl because you think it's for my own good."

"Oh, so you think I'm a stubborn man who can't be reasoned with," Sebastian said.

"Alright, fine, I'm sorry."

Sebastian finally let him off the hook, seeing that he apologized. "Talked enough? Then go back, take a shower, and get changed. Don't embarrass Madeline."

Ever since he had his family, I'm becoming less and less important to him. But I'm a man. I need to be tough and generous. I won't fight a woman and children for his love.

The tough Lucas left the office and returned to his abode to take a shower and get changed. He hated blind dates, but Sebastian was right. Madeline was kind enough to set this up for me. Now that I've decided to go on this date, I might as well straighten myself out. It's basic respect and courtesy.

The date was scheduled at 6.30PM, but he arrived at the venue fifteen minutes earlier. It was a high- end restaurant that catered to couples.

This was his first blind date, but he heard how it usually went. His friends told him girls would usually be late for it—half an hour at least and one hour at most. Lucas took his seat and scrolled through his phone to tide him through the bore… wait.

To his surprise, a girl approached him at 6.25PM, and she was a familiar face.

Leigh came up to Lucas with a smile. "Hello, Lucas. We meet again."

Lucas had a lot of questions, but he stood up and asked Leigh, "You're just passing by, aren't you?"

"No." Leigh smiled. "I'm here for a blind date."

It's not me, is it? Lucas looked around, desperately hoping that he was wrong. "So, is your date here?"

She was amused, and she laughed. "He's right in front of me."

Oh crap. I should never have hit on her that night. I know I'm hot, but I never knew my charms would land me in trouble. She fell for me after we talked for a night. She even asked Madeline to push me into this date. Just my luck.

Lucas huddled closer to her. "I told you that night that I'm a celibatarian. My goals are far beyond marriage."

"Is that so?" Leigh blinked. "I was wicked drunk that night, so I don't remember a thing."

"Do you remember that I'm an illegitimate son then?"

"Ah, that I do," she said. "The Griffins' drama is hilarious. You had five half-sisters, but one of them is gone even before I get to meet them. That's funny."

Goddammit. Even when she's sober, she still has a few screws loose in her head.