My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 138: Not Going Anywhere

Felix leaned against the side of his parked car, arms folded loosely as his gaze trailed to the grand entrance of the Crawford estate. The night air was crisp, but not cold enough to make him shiver—still, he exhaled like it carried the weight of his thoughts.

Just a few feet away, Lara Johanssen waved enthusiastically at his parents, her voice chiming like a schoolgirl’s, "Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford! I had a wonderful time!"

His mother waved back, beaming like a proud matchmaker. His father offered a small smile, though Felix could read the amused apology in his eyes.

This is ridiculous, Felix thought.

Earlier, when he stood and tried to make a swift and polite exit from the house, his mother had clapped her hands and declared, "Oh! Felix, darling, you should drop Lara off at her hotel. It’s late, and it would be improper to let her take a cab alone."

Felix’s face had frozen in mild horror. But before he could say anything remotely logical, Lara had already said, "Oh, I don’t mind at all! That would be lovely."

Trapped.

He didn’t argue. Not because he agreed. Not because he was eager.

But because Lara was a woman, and he was, unfortunately, a gentleman. That was exactly what he told himself as he now stood here, the very image of a man defeated by good manners and meddling parents.

And that was exactly what he would tell Lara if she dared try to turn this into some kind of romantic gesture.

"Bye, Mrs. Crawford!" Lara called again before practically skipping over to his car, her heels clicking against the paved driveway.

Felix quickly opened the passenger door for her. "Get in before they ask me to escort you to your hotel room too."

Lara giggled. "Now that’s not a bad idea."

Felix sighed, his jaw tightening as he closed the door after her and made his way to the driver’s seat.

"Bye," he muttered over his shoulder toward the front porch before sliding in and starting the engine.

The ride began in silence.

Not because it stayed that way.

But because Felix stayed that way.

Lara, unsurprisingly, filled the space easily.

"You know, I’ve been thinking," she started as she leaned back comfortably in the passenger seat, "if I’m going to stay longer, I might as well get myself a house. A small one. Just cozy enough for me. Oh, and a car! My dad offered to take care of it, but honestly, I’d rather pick something myself. Something trendy, but practical. Like a silver coupe. Or maybe a convertible? Do you think that’s too flashy?"

Felix tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, his voice dry. "I think you have a house. Back where you came from."

"I had a house," she corrected with a shrug, glancing sideways at him. "But I think I’m starting to like this place more."

Felix kept his eyes on the road, his brows knitting slightly. "So you don’t have plans to leave?"

"Not any time soon."

Felix exhaled slowly, resisting the urge to smack his forehead on the steering wheel. "Of course not," he muttered.

The silence that followed was fleeting—Lara was a one-woman radio station and showed no signs of turning down the volume. She kept talking about open floor plans, big windows, the idea of planting succulents in her new imaginary backyard. All while Felix just focused on not crashing the car into a tree.

By the time they arrived at the hotel, Felix pulled up to the curb and put the car in park with far more energy than necessary.

"Here we are," he said with relief. "Good night."

But Lara didn’t immediately move. Instead, she turned to him, her expression suddenly softer. "You know," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "I really had a nice time tonight. Even if you didn’t say much."

"I’m not exactly known for my chattiness."

"Still," she smiled. "You’re cute when you’re grumpy."

Felix opened his mouth to respond—but before he could get a single word out, Lara leaned in and gave him a gentle peck on the cheek.

It was soft. Quick. But unmistakably bold.

"Good night," she whispered, her voice light as air.

She reached for the door handle when Felix said, "Wait."

She paused, glancing back at him, half-twisted in her seat.

Felix cleared his throat, his hand tightening on the steering wheel. His voice came slower now, lower. "Miss Johanssen... we can’t keep meeting like this."

Lara tilted her head. "Like what?"

He looked at her fully now. "Like this. You showing up at my home, following me to work, having dinner with my parents like we’re..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "This isn’t going anywhere, Miss Johanssen."

Her smile didn’t falter. "Call me Lara."

Felix ignored that. "This... whatever you think this is—it’s not. I’ve tried to be polite, but—"

"Wow," she interrupted, pretending to glance at her nonexistent watch. "Look at the time. No wonder I’m feeling tired."

"Lara—"

She turned the door handle. "We’ll talk later, okay? I’m sure we’ll bump into each other again soon."

Before he could form a response, she was out of the car, her heels clicking once again as she skipped—skipped—toward the glass doors of the hotel.

Felix stayed frozen in place, jaw slack, hands limp on the wheel.

"...She’s clearly avoiding the topic," he said aloud, blinking.

He groaned and leaned back in his seat, throwing his head against the headrest and dragging a hand across his face.

His eyes followed her retreating form through the windshield, watching as she waved at the doorman, grinned like she had just won the lottery, and disappeared into the lobby.

"What should I do with this woman?" he muttered.

The light inside the car cast a soft golden glow over his features, but it didn’t warm him.

Not when all he could feel was the cold edge of impending chaos.

He sighed and muttered under his breath, "Please don’t bring me more trouble."