I was staring at Lucca's back while he was busy cooking. He was wearing a white shirt beneath a black apron. I gulped. Why did I find Lucca even more attractive just by looking at his back? He hadn't noticed me yet, so I took the opportunity to watch him quietly.
My heart started racing again. Ever since I realized I had a crush on Lucca, it never seemed to calm down. It always beat wildly whenever I was close to him.
"Are you done watching me?" Lucca suddenly asked, making me jump.
So he knew I was there all along and had only pretended not to notice?
I frowned. Why was Lucca acting like this? He was making it seem as though I was completely obsessed with him.
He finally turned to look at me while holding a frying pan in one hand and a ladle in the other.
The moment our eyes met, I nearly melted.
Oh gosh. How am I supposed to calm myself down? Lucca hadn't even done anything, yet I was already falling apart.
"Sit down and wait for me to finish. I'm almost done," he said before turning back to the stove. He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't frowning either. His expression looked much lighter today, as if he had gotten a good night's sleep.
I had slept well too, so I guessed we were even.
"I'm sorry I woke up late," I said, still watching him.
"You're apologizing as if it were a sin," he replied while stirring the food in the pan.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked.
"What do you think?" He glanced at me before returning the question.
"You're answering my question with another question. Can't you just say yes or no?" I complained.
"No," he answered.
I didn't know whether he was answering my first question or my second one.
I sighed and stood up.
"Where are your utensils? I can help," I offered as I looked around the kitchen.
Only then did I truly notice the room. When I first walked in, Lucca had been the only thing in my line of sight. Now, I finally took in the entire kitchen.
Unlike the rest of the mansion, the kitchen was filled with warmth and light. Large windows allowed the morning sunlight to pour inside, making the polished marble countertops gleam softly. White cabinets lined the walls, while open wooden shelves displayed neatly arranged plates, mugs, and glass jars filled with spices. A small herb garden rested by the window, adding a touch of green to the otherwise elegant space. It felt alive.
It was completely different from the other rooms I had seen. The library, my bedroom, and even Lucca's room all carried a darker, quieter atmosphere. But this kitchen felt welcoming, as if it belonged to a different house altogether.
"Didn't I tell you to sit down and wait for me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't you want me to help?" I asked.
"If I did, I would've asked you earlier," he replied.
I had no choice but to obey. I returned to my seat and entertained myself by looking around the kitchen.
"We'll go grocery shopping after breakfast," he said. "The fridge is almost empty."
"Do I have to? " Mira was waiting for me at home.
"Have you forgotten that you're my personal assistant? You have to do as I say."
Only then did I realize something.
Right.
Lucca was my boss.
I had almost forgotten that I actually had a job to do.
Since I still had my phone with me, I texted Mira and told her not to wait for me because I'd be going to work with Lucca.
Then I remembered something else.
"I don't have any clothes with me," I said.
"We'll stop by your house first," he replied.
I nodded. That settled it.
A few moments later, Mira texted me back. She told me I should spend the night at her condo. It would be just the two of us since the boys would be away for a few days.
Right.
She still didn't know why the boys had been guarding me.
And she shouldn't.
"Lucca," I called.
"Hmm?" he responded without looking at me as he transferred the food onto a plate.
"I'll be sleeping at Mira's condo tonight," I said.
"Okay."
"It'll just be the two of us. She specifically asked me to stay."
He simply nodded.
"Okay."
Just like that?
He didn't insist on guarding me tonight?
Well, Damon's men probably wouldn't try anything at the condo. There were too many residents and security guards around, making it far too risky for them to make a move.
Lucca placed the plates on the table. Breakfast consisted of fried rice with vegetables, eggs, and meat. He went back to the counter to grab the cucumber he had probably sliced before I entered the kitchen. He also brought over sliced oranges and mangoes, along with a pitcher of water and two glasses.
"It's just a simple breakfast," he said. "We can eat at a fancy restaurant later."
"Thank you, Lucca. I should've been the one doing this since it's part of my job," I said. As his personal assistant, I was supposed to handle all-around tasks. But I had slept in, so I wasn't able to help.
He didn't respond and simply started eating. I followed.
The moment I took my first bite of the fried rice, I realized Lucca was actually a great cook. Who would've thought a wealthy man like him could cook this well? On top of that, he didn't even have a personal chef or a maid to prepare his meals.
"Lucca, I'm just curious," I said. "You have so much money, yet I don't see any maids around."
"I don't need one."
"Who cleans your house?"
"I hire professional cleaners once a week. Besides, I hardly make a mess because I'm rarely home."
Yeah, he had a point. Why would he need a maid when he barely stayed here and kept everything clean?
"Do you cook often?" I asked while eating.
"No."
"Then is grocery shopping really necessary?" I asked.
"You'll be staying here often, you fragile little woman, so I need to keep the fridge stocked. I can't have you starving."
"I'll be staying here?" I repeated before suddenly remembering the kiss from last night.
"Aren't you my personal assistant? Why do you keep thinking about insignificant things?" he asked, frowning.
"I'm not thinking about insignificant things," I said before stopping myself.
That kiss wasn't insignificant.
It was something I knew I'd remember for a long time.
I wanted to tell him that, but I held my tongue. I didn't want him to think I liked him so much that I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Did he already forget it the moment it happened?
"You're a good cook," I said instead, trying to push those thoughts away. It wasn't a good idea to think about the kiss while sitting across from the person who had kissed me.
"You're turning red," he said. "Are you sick?"
"Huh?" I touched my forehead and neck. I didn't feel feverish.
"I don't have a fever," I said.
"So you're blushing."
He said it so casually, without the slightest bit of hesitation.
The warmth on my cheeks instantly deepened.
Now I was really blushing.
Why did Lucca have to point it out so bluntly, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world?
I wanted to say something, but I kept quiet. I didn't want to embarrass myself any further. Letting Lucca kiss me was already embarrassing enough.
After finishing the fried rice, I helped myself to the fruit. The mangoes and oranges were so sweet that I wanted to eat the entire serving by myself.
When we were done eating, I volunteered to wash the dishes.
Lucca simply nodded before excusing himself.
I was actually relieved. I didn't think I'd be able to wash the dishes properly if he stayed there watching me. I was already melting under his gaze, what more if he kissed me again?
I shook my head.
I needed to calm down before I blushed myself to death.
I couldn't let Lucca know how much his presence affected me.
After I finished washing the dishes, I stepped out of the kitchen.
There, I found Lucca in the living room, busy talking on the phone.
I went upstairs to get my phone from the room where I had slept. When I came back downstairs, Lucca had just finished his phone call.
"Let's go," Lucca said as he slipped his phone into his pocket.
"Aren't you going to wear a suit since we're going to the office?" I asked.
"Who said we're going to the office?" he replied.
"Didn't you say we were going to work?"
"Is the office the only place where I can work?" Lucca asked.
I couldn't answer because he had a point.
"So where are we going?" I asked instead.
"I'm meeting a client. You're coming with me."
With that, he walked out of the mansion. I followed him until we reached the parking area. Lucca got into his car, and I climbed into the passenger seat. He started the engine and drove away.
Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at my house.
Lucca told me to take my time and that he'd wait in the car. But I hated making people wait for me, so I rushed upstairs, took the quickest shower I could, and changed into one of the easiest outfits to wear, something that didn't need ironing. Since Lucca wasn't wearing formal clothes, I didn't have to dress up either.
It only took me ten minutes before I hurried back outside.
"Did I make you wait long?" I asked between breaths after running back to the car.
"I didn't expect you to be this fast," he said, sounding slightly impressed.
"I just didn't want to keep you waiting."
"I didn't tell you to rush. I told you to take your time getting ready."
"I don't like making people wait for me. I'm not used to it."
"You and your principles," he muttered with a click of his tongue before driving off again.
The rest of the drive was quiet.
I didn't try to start a conversation because I still felt awkward about the kiss we had shared the night before. Every time I thought about it, my cheeks warmed. Lucca still hadn't explained why he kissed me. I was curious, but asking him outright felt too demanding. Besides, I didn't want him to think I was obsessed with that kiss.
After almost an hour, he parked in front of a high-end restaurant.
As soon as we stepped out of the car, I looked around.
The restaurant had a modern architectural design, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that reflected the afternoon sunlight. White stone pathways led to the entrance, surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges and tropical plants. Behind the main dining area was an elegant infinity pool whose crystal-blue water shimmered under the sun. Wooden cabanas and outdoor lounge chairs surrounded the pool, giving the place the atmosphere of a luxurious resort rather than a restaurant. Soft instrumental music drifted through the air, blending with the gentle sound of the fountain nearby.
We walked inside, and a man and a woman immediately greeted Lucca.
"Lucca! What's up?" the man greeted with a friendly smile.
Lucca returned a faint smile before shaking the man's hand. He then gave the woman a polite nod.
I guessed they were a married couple.
"Who's this young lady?" the man asked.
"Her name is Seraphina," Lucca answered.
They greeted me warmly, and I smiled back before introducing myself.
The four of us took our seats, and a waiter handed us the menus.
I was still full from breakfast.
"I'll just have a garden salad and a mango smoothie," I told the waiter.
Lucca glanced at me with a raised eyebrow but didn't question my order.
Instead, when it was his turn, he ordered enough food to feed four people.
That explained why he hadn't commented on my light meal.
"How's the company doing, Lucca?" the man asked while taking a sip of water.
"Good. Nothing's changed."
"But you've changed."
Lucca looked at him curiously.
The woman and I simply listened as the two men talked.
"You look like you're in love," the man teased with a grin. "I heard Hillary came back. Did you two get back together?"
I instinctively looked at Lucca.
His expression remained unreadable.
So they knew about Hillary.
I needed to be careful. I might accidentally reveal something that would ruin Lucca's plan to keep her away.
"Let's not talk about Hillary," Lucca said calmly. "Let's talk about business."
"All right. As you wish."
The two of them immediately shifted the conversation to business.
Honestly, I couldn't understand half the terms they were using. It sounded like a language only businessmen could understand.
To keep myself entertained, I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through social media.
Then the woman beside me spoke.
"Since the food isn't here yet, would you like to get some fresh air outside?"
I smiled and nodded.
At least I wouldn't have to sit there listening to a conversation I couldn't follow.
She and I walked to the outdoor seating area near the pool, where several wooden benches overlooked the water.
The breeze felt cool against my skin as we sat down.
Now that I could see her more clearly, I realized how striking the couple was.
They both looked like foreigners.
The man stood well over six feet tall with broad shoulders, neatly styled dark blond hair, and sharp blue eyes that made him look both intimidating and approachable. The woman was almost as tall as him, with long wavy honey-blond hair, emerald-green eyes, and porcelain skin. She carried herself with effortless elegance, yet the warm smile on her face made her easy to approach. Together, they looked like they had stepped out of a luxury fashion magazine.
"You got bored too?" she asked with a laugh. "Honestly, so did I."
"Yeah... a little," I admitted. "I don't know anything about business."
"Did you know Lucca wasn't interested in business before? He hated meeting clients." She smiled. "I was actually shocked when my husband told me Lucca wanted to meet him, and personally, at that."
"Are Lucca and your husband business partners?"
"Partly. Their parents were the original business partners. Now they're continuing what their parents started."
I nodded in understanding.
She tilted her head slightly before asking with a curious smile,
"Are you Lucca's girlfriend?"
I didn't know how to respond, knowing that they knew Hillary.
If I told them I was only Lucca's personal assistant and they happened to mention it to Hillary, our act would be for nothing.
But what if Lucca got mad if I pretended to be his girlfriend without him being present?
Should I keep pretending?
"Hey? Are you daydreaming?" the woman asked with a laugh.
"Lucca seems to be in love with you. He's glowing compared to when he was with Hillary."
I wanted to correct her, yet at the same time, I didn't.
Instead, I decided to go along with it.
I simply smiled in response.
"So, what's he like as a boyfriend?"
"He's good," I answered briefly. I didn't want to say too much and risk exposing myself.
"Can you tell me more?"
She kept asking, leaving me no choice but to elaborate.
I paused for a moment and thought about Lucca, not as a boyfriend, but as a person.
"He's helpful and caring. He can be a little rude and sarcastic sometimes, but he has a good heart. He takes good care of me."
Everything I said was true.
He really was kind, even if he could be incredibly annoying at times.
"So you fell in love with him because of that," she said with a smile.
I used to despise him.
Now, I found myself wanting to see him almost every day.
My heart no longer raced because I was afraid of him.
It raced because just seeing him filled me with excitement.
"You could say that," I answered indirectly.
She laughed.
"You seem shy. You don't have to hide your feelings from me. I understand because I was the same way with my husband."
I returned her smile, although it felt forced.
Not because I didn't want to answer her, but because I didn't want to keep lying.
"He's my first," I admitted.
It wasn't completely true.
But it wasn't completely false either.
He was my first kiss.
I'd never been this close to anyone before. Although we had started as enemies, things had gradually changed over time.
"I'm sorry if I sounded rude earlier when I asked about Hillary and whether they got back together," she said. "I didn't know you were his girlfriend."
"It's okay," I replied.
She looked toward the restaurant.
"Hmm... I think the food has arrived. Shall we go back inside?"
I nodded and followed her.
When we returned, the waiter was already placing the dishes on the table.
She sat beside her husband with a bright smile while I quietly took my seat beside Lucca.
"So, what did you two talk about?" her husband asked.
She looked at Lucca meaningfully.
"I just realized that Lucca has changed a lot," she said with a smile.
"Hmm. I guess love really does change a person," her husband added.
I glanced at Lucca nervously.
Would he get angry because they kept teasing him?
To my surprise, he simply smiled.
"It really does."
I nearly gasped but managed to stop myself.
His smile...
His answer...
They both felt so genuine that, for a split second, I almost believed I was really his girlfriend.
But I quickly reminded myself not to assume too much.
I didn't want to end up getting hurt.
Was I really starting to like Lucca?
I still didn't know.
My feelings were a complete mess.
But one thing was certain.
Lucca's kisses made it impossible for me to think straight.
I snapped out of my thoughts when Lucca placed several slices of steak onto my plate.
They had already been cut into bite-sized pieces.
I looked at him, but he didn't say a word.
He simply continued eating.
I followed suit.
The moment I tasted the steak, I realized how hungry I actually was.
I had convinced myself I wasn't hungry, yet now I wanted another serving.
As soon as I finished what was on my plate, Lucca silently placed more steak onto it.
"You really are a good boyfriend, just as Seraphina told me," the woman said after noticing what Lucca had done. She smiled at us before turning to her husband.
"I remember when we were their age, honey. We were inseparable."
"Yeah," her husband agreed with a chuckle. "They remind me of us."
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I hoped Lucca hadn't noticed.
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
He suddenly leaned closer and whispered into my ear.
His lips lightly brushed against the edge of my ear, sending a shiver through my entire body.
"A good boyfriend, huh?" he whispered.
The warmth of his breath made my mind go blank.
Why did every little thing he did affect me so much?
Was this normal?
Or was it because of our kiss?
Why was my own body betraying me?
No matter how hard I tried to stop trembling, I couldn't.
I looked at the couple.
They seemed amused by what they were seeing.
Meanwhile, I was struggling to keep myself together because of Lucca.
When he finally leaned away, I took a deep breath and tried to calm down.
I couldn't let him know how much his actions affected me.
I continued eating, but I'd already lost my appetite.
When Lucca reached for another slice of steak, I shook my head.
He didn't insist.
Instead, he ordered gelato for dessert.
I gladly accepted it.
Maybe something cold would help cool me down after everything Lucca had done.
After lunch, the two men continued discussing business until they finally reached an agreement.
They stood and shook hands.
The woman and I also stood, smiling as they wrapped up the meeting.
The couple left first.
Lucca and I remained at the table for a while.
I deliberately avoided looking at him because I still couldn't forget what he'd done earlier.
"You look tense," he said while watching me.
I reluctantly met his gaze.
"I'm not."
"Your body says otherwise."
"Then why did you whisper to me like that?" I asked, glaring at him. "And right in front of them?"
"I was only whispering."
He looked thoroughly amused.
"You weren't just whispering. You deliberately brushed your lips against my ear just to make me shiver."
"So... you were affected." A grin slowly spread across his face.
"Why? Weren't you? Aren't you affected by all those kisses and everything you've been doing to me? Because yes!" I blurted out. "I admit it! I'm completely affected by everything you do!"
My voice became louder than I intended.
Thankfully, the restaurant was still nearly empty.
Lucca's gaze slowly drifted down to my lips.
My heartbeat skipped.
I didn't know whether I should be relieved that he wasn't the cold, distant Lucca from before...
...or terrified by the way he looked at me, as though he could kiss me again at any moment.
"What are you looking at?" I asked nervously.
"Let's go back to the mansion," he said, his voice low and slightly hoarse.
That single sentence made my heart race all over again.
Would he... kiss me for the third time?