Seraphina's POV
Mira and I spent the day getting makeovers and shopping at the mall. We left early because, according to Mira, we would spend half the day at the salon.
"I think a Korean hairstyle will suit you. Short hair with bangs," Mira said, looking at me.
"Won't I look like Dora?" I asked.
She laughed. "Definitely not."
As soon as we entered the salon, the staff greeted us warmly. They made us feel like VIPs.
Mira explained to the hairstylist what kind of hairstyle she wanted for me. I simply listened because I had no idea what would suit me.
I didn't know how many hours had passed. I only realized how long it had been when my stomach started growling, reminding me that I hadn't eaten lunch.
Finally, after several hours, the makeover was finished. The stylist didn't just fix my hair, she also shaped my eyebrows and applied some makeup. When I looked in the mirror, I could barely recognize myself. I looked so different, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly beautiful.
"Wow, Sera, you're so beautiful!" Mira exclaimed when she saw me. Her new look suited her as well. Her short permed hair perfectly complemented her skin.
"I like your new look too," I said.
After leaving the salon, we decided to have lunch since we were both starving. We chose a Japanese restaurant because Mira was craving gyoza.
After eating, we went to the department store to shop for clothes, hair accessories, makeup, and many other things. I ended up spending almost twenty thousand pesos on the items alone, not including the salon expenses. It was actually supposed to be Mira's treat, but I refused her offer. I still had millions in my bank account, along with my monthly salary, so money was no longer a problem for me.
"We bought a lot," Mira said as we loaded our shopping bags into her car.
I laughed. "This is the first time I've bought this many things."
We drove home immediately since it was already getting dark.
When we arrived at my house, the boys were already sitting on the sofa.
"Damian!" Mira shouted the moment she saw the love of her life. "I missed you so much!" she said as she hugged him.
Mira hadn't seen Damian for two days. He had told her he was out of town on a business trip.
"Whoa! Seraphina, is that you?" Dominic exclaimed as he stared at me. "If you weren't with Mira, I wouldn't have recognized you."
I glanced at Lucca, who was staring at me intently. I quickly looked away, trying to avoid his gaze. I felt like I was about to melt.
"You shopped a lot," Dominic commented as he looked at the bags we were carrying.
"Yeah. It was our girls' day out as well," Mira replied.
We went to my room to put away the things I had bought. Mira left her shopping bags in her car.
"So, let's have dinner now," Dominic said.
"We didn't buy anything," I replied.
"No worries. I already picked up some food on the way here. I even bought wine for after dinner." He then showed me the box of wine.
It was going to be another drinking night for the boys.
The kitchen was packed. With the three guys around, the house felt livelier than usual. Just as Dominic had said, he had bought plenty of food. It looked like a feast.
"Aren't you getting tired of coming here? My house is small," I said.
"But it makes us feel comfortable," Dominic replied.
We started eating dinner. Dominic had bought pizza, lasagna, garden salad, potato chips, siomai, and fruit shakes.
I took a bite of my pizza. As I ate, I couldn't help glancing at Lucca. The moment our eyes met, I coughed because he had been looking at me too.
"Hey, slow down," Mira said as she handed me a glass of water.
Why was Lucca looking at me so differently today? His eyes seemed to sparkle whenever he looked at me. Was I just imagining things?
Mira and Damian were busy talking, probably catching up after being apart. I had thought Damian had left Mira, but it turned out he had simply been busy with his business trip.
After dinner, I let them enjoy their wine in the living room while I washed the dishes.
As I quietly washed the dishes, I heard someone enter the kitchen. When I looked up, I saw Lucca placing the lunch box I had given him yesterday on the counter.
"You ate it?" I asked, looking at the empty lunch box. A part of me had wondered if he had simply thrown the food away.
"Of course. Make me some more," he replied, instantly lifting my mood. So he really had liked the food I prepared.
"Did I keep you waiting yesterday?" Lucca asked.
"Not really. I was just bored. I finished the work you gave me that morning," I answered.
"I did that on purpose so you could rest."
"Didn't you say that whenever you had meetings, I would come with you since I'm your personal assistant?" I asked.
"Next time, I'll bring you with me," he said.
I nodded and continued washing the dishes.
"I like your new look," Lucca said, breaking the silence once again.
His compliment made me blush.
"Ah, thanks." That was all I could say, but deep down, I wanted to burst with happiness.
I heard Lucca's footsteps fade away from the kitchen, probably heading back to the living room to drink with the boys.
After I finished my chores in the kitchen, I joined them. They had already started drinking, and I warned Mira not to drink too much.
She assured me that she wouldn't get drunk and cause a scene. But she broke her promise. Before midnight, she was already knocked out. Damian carried her to my room before coming back.
"Are you guys drunk? You're driving home later, right?" I asked, assuming they wouldn't spend the night here. My grandma's house was too small for all of us.
"Drive home later? We're staying here tonight," Dominic said with a laugh.
"What?"
"Don't worry about us. Tomorrow is Sunday, so we'll just sleep the whole day once we get home," Dominic added.
"Damian, you can sleep with Mira. I'll sleep here in the living room. Lucca and Dominic can share the bed in my grandma's room," I suggested.
"And let you sleep here alone? What if those villains attack you again?" Lucca asked, sounding annoyed.
"So... you're sleeping here too?" I asked.
"Yes," he answered before finishing his wine in one gulp.
"You can use your grandma's bed, Sera. Lucca and I will drink until morning," Dominic said with a wink.
I gave him a fake smile. There was no way I would let them drink until sunrise. Lucca simply stared at me while I tried to think of a way to stop them.
"Aren't you sleepy? You had a long day, right? Shopping and getting a makeover," Dominic said with a smile. He already looked a little tipsy.
"I can't let you drink until morning. Just go to my grandma's room. I'll stay here with Lucca," I said, knowing Lucca wouldn't let me sleep here alone anyway.
"I'm still fine. Don't worry. I have a high alcohol tolerance," Dominic replied with a grin.
I looked at Lucca, silently asking for help. Dominic was obviously drunk, even though he insisted he wasn't.
To my surprise, Lucca stood up, effortlessly lifted Dominic as if he weighed nothing, and carried him into my grandma's room. A moment later, he came back out and quietly closed the door.
I couldn't help but burst into laughter. I had almost forgotten how incredibly strong he was. Dominic looked as light as a feather in Lucca's arms.
"You should get some rest now. I'll stay on this single sofa," I said.
"No. I'll take the single sofa. You sleep here," he replied before gently grabbing my arm and leading me to the bigger sofa.
"Ouch. You're so strong. That hurt my arm," I complained, though I was exaggerating.
"Aren't you going to sleep?" I asked as I hugged my knees.
"I'm used to staying awake," he answered before taking another sip from his glass. It wasn't wine anymore. I was pretty sure it was the hard liquor Dominic had brought.
"Stop drinking that. I can tell it's hard liquor," I said with a frown.
"Unlike the other two, I have a much higher alcohol tolerance," he replied. "I'm still completely sober. Now go to sleep and get a good night's rest."
He emptied another shot.
"I'm not sleepy yet," I admitted.
Even though I was exhausted from the day's activities, Lucca's presence kept me wide awake. How could I possibly sleep when the person I had a crush on was sitting right there? Just imagining him watching me sleep made my cheeks burn.
"Then we can talk," he said as he placed his glass on the table. Crossing his arms, he looked at me.
"Are you still seeing Dr. Keith?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"It's been a while since my last visit. I feel like I've already recovered from my depression, so I don't think I need therapy or medication anymore."
"Me neither," he replied, still looking at me.
"I wonder if he's been asking himself why neither of us ever came back," I said with a laugh. I imagined Dr. Keith's reaction if we suddenly showed up at his clinic again.
"Was it painful?" Lucca asked softly. "Being alone after your grandmother passed away?"
It surprised me. This was probably the first real conversation we'd ever had where he was asking about me. Usually, Lucca never seemed interested in my life. But tonight felt different. Maybe he was just trying to keep me company until I fell asleep.
"It was the most painful thing I've ever experienced," I answered, forcing a small smile despite the ache in my chest. Remembering Grandma still hurt.
"What about you?" I asked. "Did you miss your parents?"
"No."
His answer was short.
"Oh."
I didn't know what else to say. I thought talking about our families would make us feel closer, but instead it made the atmosphere awkward.
"Oh, by the way..." I quickly changed the subject. "Do you like the books we bought?"
I tried to sound cheerful.
"I haven't read them yet," he answered. "Do you want to borrow some books from my library?"
It was an offer I couldn't refuse.
"Of course! When?" I asked excitedly.
I hadn't explored Lucca's library before because I had always felt uncomfortable around him. But now that we had grown a little closer, I couldn't wait.
"Now," he said.
"Now?" I blinked. "In the middle of the night?"
"What's the problem with that?" he asked.
"You've been drinking," I replied.
"I've been drinking, but I'm not drunk. Those are two different things," he said.
I was about to refuse, but he had already stood up and was waiting for me. With a sigh, I stood as well.
"What about your friends? What if they look for us?" I asked.
"They won't."
"What about Mira?" I asked again.
"Mira is old enough to take care of herself. Now, let's go before I change my mind and get annoyed with you," he said, his voice becoming more authoritative.
I followed him outside. I quietly locked the front door and gate because I didn't want to disturb the neighbors. We got into his car, and Lucca started the engine.
"Lucca, they might hear your car," I whispered.
"So what? It's not as if they can stop me," he replied confidently.
Right. Lucca's personality wouldn't let anyone stop him from doing what he wanted. He could be incredibly stubborn and always did things his own way.
After about fifteen minutes of driving, we arrived at his mansion. This was only the second time I had been here, and I couldn't hide my excitement about seeing his library again.
Lucca parked the car beside the other luxury vehicles lined up neatly in the spacious garage before getting out. I quickly followed him.
Since I was still unfamiliar with his house, I simply walked behind him. My eyes wandered around the grand mansion. The marble floors reflected the warm golden lights hanging from the high ceiling. Elegant chandeliers sparkled above us, while expensive paintings in ornate frames decorated the walls. Every corner of the house looked sophisticated, making the entire place feel more like an art gallery than a home.
I couldn't help but wonder if Damian's and Dominic's houses were just as enormous.
Lucca walked upstairs, and I followed him while admiring the paintings along the hallway. Most of them were landscapes and old portraits that looked centuries old. Some paintings depicted peaceful forests and vast oceans, while others showed noble-looking men and women dressed in elegant clothing. They looked so realistic that they almost seemed alive.
This was the first time I had truly observed his house. During my first visit, I had been convinced that Lucca would kill me. But now... I felt much more comfortable around him.
Lucca opened the familiar door leading to the library.
"Feel free to borrow whatever books you like. I'll go downstairs and get us some snacks," he said.
I wanted to tell him I wasn't hungry, but he had already left.
I stepped inside the enormous library and slowly browsed through the bookshelves. Thousands of books filled the room from floor to ceiling.
As I looked around, a single book resting on the reading table caught my attention. My curiosity got the better of me. Since it had been left there, I assumed Lucca had been reading it.
I picked it up.
The cover immediately caught my eye.
A black ring.
It looked exactly like the ring I was wearing.
I stared at the intricate design engraved on the cover before instinctively looking at my own hand.
It was the same.
The shape.
The engravings.
Every tiny detail matched perfectly.
My heart skipped a beat.
I slowly opened the book and began reading.
It was entirely about the mysterious ring, but most of the contents were difficult to understand. According to the book, the ring had once belonged to a certain master, although no name was mentioned. It also stated that the ring had the power to free someone from a curse.
I sat down, becoming more absorbed with every page I read.
Just then, the library door opened.
Lucca entered carrying a tray of snacks.
The moment his eyes landed on the book in my hands, his expression instantly darkened.
Without saying a word, he hurried over, placed the tray on the table, and gently but firmly took the book from me.
"What are you reading?" he asked, his voice unusually cold.
"I just saw it on the table and got curious," I explained. "The ring on the cover looks exactly like the one I'm wearing."
I raised my hand so he could see my ring.
"I'm not letting you borrow this book," he said before placing it on a higher shelf.
"Why?" I asked curiously.
"I'm still reading it. I don't lend books that I haven't finished yet."
He had a point.
I didn't like lending books before I finished reading them either.
I nodded and smiled.
"Of course. I'm sorry," I said. "I'll just look around and find another interesting book."
Lucca just nodded, but I could tell he wasn't in the mood.
Lucca's POV
The moment I entered the library and saw Seraphina holding the one book she wasn't supposed to read, I immediately walked over and took it from her.
I knew my reaction had confused her.
She wasn't supposed to discover that the ring she was wearing was the same one depicted on the cover.
When Seraphina pointed out that the ring in the book looked exactly like the one she was wearing, I felt a sense of dread.
She couldn't know about my plan to help her uncover the truth behind the ring. Not yet.
I knew she was confused by the way I had acted, but thankfully, she didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she simply smiled and walked toward another corner of the library.
I let out a quiet sigh.
I had forgotten that I had left the book on the table after reading it earlier. I never expected to invite Seraphina over tonight. The idea had come to me on impulse because I knew she wasn't sleepy yet.
I quickly hid the book inside one of the drawers before sitting back on the sofa. Then I waited for Seraphina to finish browsing the shelves.
About half an hour later, she returned with a stack of books in her arms.
"Can I borrow all of these?" she asked with an excited smile.
"Yeah. You can even keep them if you want. I don't mind."
"You're just going to give them to me?" she asked in surprise.
"Why not? I already have more books than I could ever finish reading."
"Then why did we even go to the bookstore when you still have all these unread books?" she asked thoughtfully.
"I already told you the reason. Now stop asking questions before I change my mind about letting you take those books."
Seraphina hugged the books tightly against her chest.
"You already let me borrow them, so they're mine now," she said childishly.
Before I realized it, a smile escaped my lips.
It disappeared too late.
"I saw you smile!" she exclaimed happily.
I immediately forced my expression back into a frown.
How could she catch the slightest change in my expression so easily? It was almost as if she had been waiting for me to smile.
"I wasn't smiling," I denied, avoiding her gaze.
Still grinning, she walked closer to me.
She was nothing like the timid Seraphina I had first met.
A part of me was glad she had become this cheerful.
Another part of me found it incredibly troublesome.
"I told you I saw you smile. Why are you hiding it?" she asked, placing the books on the table before continuing to tease me.
"Stop what you're doing, Seraphina... or else," I warned.
"Or else what?" she asked innocently, completely unaware that she was stepping into dangerous territory.
Without another word, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward me.
She gasped in surprise as she lost her balance and fell onto me.
I was lying on the sofa while Seraphina ended up on top of me.
For a brief moment, neither of us moved.
I could hear her heartbeat.
Mine wasn't any calmer.
Her face turned bright red as she stared at me, unsure of what to do.
I slipped one arm around her waist, preventing her from standing.
Selfishly...
I wanted this moment to last just a little longer.
"Lucca..." she whispered nervously. "Can I get up now?"
Her voice trembled as she glanced at the arm still wrapped around her waist.
"I warned you," I murmured. "But you kept teasing me."
We were so close that I could feel the warmth of her breath against my face.
I knew she could probably feel mine too.
This time, I didn't kiss her.
I simply wanted to stay like this for a little while longer.
To keep her close.
"I'm... I'm sorry," Seraphina stammered.
Her body was trembling.
Slowly, I loosened my arm around her waist.
She carefully stood up, believing I had finally let her go.
But just as she took a step away...
I caught her wrist again.
Gently pulling her back toward me, I closed the distance between us and kissed her.