She knew exactly what he meant; her own parents had been painfully clear about the kind of man they expected her to marry—one with money, pedigree, and a face that photographed well at charity galas. She hated it. She hated being treated like a commodity to be traded. But she had never told Luca that, terrified he'd take it the wrong way…
And now, with his arms tightening around her legs as he carried her on his back through the quiet night, the truth felt too close to everything she had tried to avoid.
Seo-in's jaw clenched, but her voice stayed steady. "I don't care about society's standards."
Luca scoffed under his breath—humorless, sharp. "You sure about that?" he said, eyes fixed on the pavement. "You could have any guy you wanted … but you chose me."
Seo-in inhaled sharply, her fingers curling a little tighter on his shoulders.
"Yes," she snapped, impatience slipping through—rare for her. "Because I love you, idiot. Not because you're tall or rich or whatever else people think a man is supposed to be."
Luca halted for half a second—just long enough for her to feel him freeze—before he exhaled slowly and started walking again.
"…I know," he muttered at last, softer, almost scolding himself. He knew he had no right to doubt her. He knew better. They both did.
And if later that night she finally confessed about the arranged marriage looming over them like a silent noose … maybe then he'd realize the truth had been right in front of him all along—clinging to his back in ridiculous heels, refusing to let go no matter how much the pavement burned.
***
Next day, Luca wasn't with Seo-in. He was hunched at his desk, staring at car prices like someone trying to decode a foreign language. He kept replaying her words from yesterday—Because I love you, idiot—and the idea somehow twisted into something reckless.
What would her face look like if she saw a car waiting in front of her?
Would she be touched? Offended? Furious?
Was buying a car proving his sincerity … or proving he didn't listen?
He wasn't sure. But he kept scrolling anyway.
That was when a voice suddenly spoke behind him:
"Wow. Did you win the lottery?"
Luca nearly jumped out of his chair. He slammed the browser window smaller by pure instinct and whipped around to see Felix standing there, arms folded, eyebrow raised.
"Uh—no," Luca said, trying for nonchalance and failing miserably. "Just … window shopping."
Felix leaned an elbow on the desk, smirking. "Since when do you 'window shop' cars, Luca? Last I checked, your preferred ride has two wheels and no proper engine."
"Yeah, well, I was just thinking … what if there's a good deal on a used car." He cleared his throat, visibly unraveling.
"A used one. With … manageable vehicle tax."
Felix stared at him like he was watching a toddler lie about eating cookies.
"Uh-huh. Used car. Sure."
He tilted his head. "You do remember I know exactly how broke you are, right?"
Luca let out a groan and slumped back in his chair, defeated before he could even invent a better excuse.
Felix peered at the screen the moment Luca stopped blocking it.
Low whistle. "Damn. Nice taste. Shame you can't even afford breathing near that thing."
Luca shot him a glare. "Wow. Thank you. Very supportive."
Felix grinned wider. "I'm just trying to protect my investment."
"…What investment?"
"My forty euros you still haven't paid back."
Luca blinked. "Oh Mein Gott, that again—"
"You borrowed it to buy that giant bouquet for Seo-in, remember?" Felix reminded, raising a brow. "The one that was bigger than her torso? Don't pretend you forgot."
Luca recoiled like he'd been stabbed with the truth.
"…Okay, fine. I didn't forget. I just—haven't had the chance."
"Uh-huh. And now you're browsing BMWs? Right." He patted Luca's shoulder. "Love really fries people's brains."
"Can you not hover like a debt collector?" Luca muttered.
"Can you pay me back?"
"No."
"Then I hover."
Felix straightened, smirk still firmly in place. "Oh, and by the way—forty euros plus interest now."
Luca gave him the blandest middle finger he could manage while Felix walked out laughing.
Left alone, Luca sighed and leaned back. His eyes drifted to the minimized tab.
A BMW.
Gorgeous. Unnecessary. Completely out of reach.
He clicked the tab closed with a muttered curse.
Some dreams were safer locked away.
***
That was when his phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Luca stared at it, annoyed. Probably another scam call. He considered ignoring it. Then curiosity pushed his thumb forward.
He answered abruptly:
"Hallo?"