I looked at him in shock. Why would he go inside?
"Why would you go inside?" I asked.
"I'm tired," he said.
He was sweating and looked exhausted. Even though I was hesitant, I let him in. It was only the second time I had allowed a man inside the house. I let him sit on our old sofa and went to the kitchen to get some water.
When I returned to the living room, Lucca was still sitting there, drenched in sweat.
"Drink this," I said, handing him a glass of water.
He accepted it and drank it in one gulp.
I turned on the ceiling fan to help cool him down.
"My house is small. There's nothing fancy about it," I said as I sat on the single sofa.
"I didn't say anything," he replied while closing his eyes. He leaned his head against the back of the sofa.
He seemed unwell, unlike the way he had spoken to Damon earlier. But why was he so quiet and subdued now?
"Are you okay, Lucca? You're still sweating," I asked.
His eyes remained closed, and he didn't answer. I was beginning to worry about him. If he was really that tired, how would he get home? I didn't even have a driver's license, and I didn't know how to drive.
Lucca lay back on the sofa as if he had already fallen asleep. The ceiling fan wasn't helping much with his sweating. I went to my room to get some facial tissues so I could wipe the sweat from his face and neck.
"Lucca," I called.
No response.
I tried calling him again, but he still didn't answer.
Looking at him now, he seemed so helpless and exhausted. It was the first time I had been able to look at his face this closely. His personality didn't match his appearance at all. If only he were kinder...
I quickly shook the thought away.
Trying to focus, I gently wiped the sweat from his neck, careful not to wake him. I couldn't help glancing at his perfectly sculpted face. He really looked like a Korean actor.
I stopped wiping his neck and stared at him for a moment.
I couldn't believe I was looking at him this closely while wiping away his sweat. In reality, if he weren't ill and tired, he probably wouldn't even let me touch the tip of his finger.
I snapped out of my thoughts when Lucca suddenly opened his eyes.
Startled, I immediately moved back, but it was a bad decision. I bumped into the table behind me, lost my balance, and fell to the floor. I managed to break my fall with my hand, but that only made things worse. My palm turned red instantly.
"Aww," I whispered to myself.
I didn't want Lucca to see that I was hurt.
When I looked at him while still sitting on the floor, he seemed concerned for a second, but his expression quickly returned to its usual blank look.
"You deserved it," he said, crossing his arms.
I frowned.
Fine. I admit it was my fault. But saying I deserved it? What the heck?
I immediately took back all the compliments I had given him in my head.
"I thought you were sleeping. You didn't even respond."
"And that gave you the right to stare at me?" he asked.
"I wasn't staring!" I denied.
"Then what were you doing that made you fall to the floor?" he asked mockingly.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I felt like I was being interrogated in my own house.
"I was wiping your sweat. You looked sick!" I reasoned.
Using the back of his hand, he touched his neck to confirm what I had said. Only then did he seem to realize how much he had been sweating.
"Here. Facial tissue. It won't irritate your skin."
I said it before he could assume it was some cheap tissue. Judging by his flawless skin, he probably used expensive skincare products.
He accepted the tissue and wiped away the sweat.
"I'll call Dominic to help you get home. I can't take you myself," I said.
"No need," he replied while continuing to wipe his face.
"No need?"
"I can get home on my own."
"But you said you were tired."
I hesitated. A few minutes ago, he had looked genuinely unwell.
"I'm better now. I was just resting with my eyes closed."
I studied him for a moment.
Yeah, he did seem better now.
He stood up and slipped his hands into his pockets.
"I'll go," he said.
I wanted to stop him because I was worried. It was already nighttime. Could he really drive in his condition? What if he got tired again?
Part of me wanted to let him stay, but then where would he sleep? In my bed? And where would I sleep? On the sofa?
In the end, I couldn't bring myself to say any of it.
I simply let him leave.
He opened the gate, looked back at me one last time, and said that he was leaving.
I just nodded.
He turned around, walked to his car, and drove away.
I waited until he was gone before going back inside the house.
Lucca's POV
After the confrontation with Damon, I suddenly felt weak and exhausted, even though I hadn't used much of my strength.
I hadn't planned on going inside Seraphina's house, but somehow my mouth said otherwise.
I had intended to stay in my car and rest for a while before driving home, but before I knew it, I had already asked to come inside.
It was my first time entering her house.
It was an old house, and the walls were covered with portraits of her and her grandmother. The moment I felt dizzy, I immediately sat down on the sofa.
I didn't know where Seraphina had gone, but when she returned, she was holding a glass of water.
"Drink this," she said.
I accepted it and drank it immediately. My throat felt dry, and I was surprisingly thirsty.
I didn't know what was happening to me. Was it a side effect of the medicine I was taking?
I closed my eyes and tried to rest for a while.
Seraphina called my name, but I didn't respond. I wanted her to think I was asleep. I heard her footsteps moving around the room, but I still didn't bother opening my eyes.
She called me again, but I ignored her.
I needed to regain enough strength to drive myself home.
Suddenly, I felt something soft dab against my neck.
A tissue.
Her touch was gentle, careful not to disturb my rest.
Was I really sweating that much that she felt the need to wipe it away?
After a while, she stopped, but she didn't move away.
I could still sense her presence nearby.
When I couldn't wait any longer, I opened my eyes.
The moment I did, our eyes met.
So she had been staring at me all this time.
Startled, she immediately moved back. Unfortunately, she lost her balance and fell to the floor.
I knew she had hurt herself.
For a moment, I wanted to help her up.
But I stopped myself.
I didn't want her to think I was concerned about her.
So I crossed my arms and forced myself to stay where I was.
I even acted rudely toward her.
Strangely, the weakness and exhaustion I had felt earlier were mostly gone.
At least I felt well enough to drive home now.
I told her I was leaving.
She didn't say anything.
From the look on her face, she seemed hesitant, as if she wanted to say something.
Was she worried about me driving while I was still tired?
I walked out of the house and headed toward my car.
After starting the engine, I glanced back and saw her still standing there, waiting for me to leave.
A smirk tugged at my lips before I drove away.
When I arrived home, I found Dominic sitting alone in the living room.
I wasn't expecting him to be there.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Where have you been?" he asked instead of answering my question.
Should I tell him I had gone to Seraphina's house and found Damon there?
I sat down on the sofa and leaned my head against the backrest.
Honestly, I hadn't planned on going to Seraphina's house at all.
But an unknown number had sent me a picture of Seraphina with Damon.
The moment I saw it, I immediately got into my car.
Even though I was supposed to be resting after leaving Master's place, I went straight to her house.
And there I found Seraphina and Damon talking.
"Wouldn't you give me an answer?" Dominic asked. "You know I was worried about you. You just got out of the hospital, and you immediately went driving?"
"I'm fine," I replied tiredly.
"Fine? Look at yourself," Dominic said in a reprimanding tone.
"Just talk to me tomorrow. I'm exhausted."
But he refused to let it go.
"I called Master earlier, and he told me you went there."
"Hmm."
"Then why did you come home so late?" he asked.
He sounded like a nagging wife.
I was already annoyed by how nosy he was being.
Couldn't he wait until tomorrow for an explanation?
"I couldn't wait until tomorrow," he said as if he had read my mind.
I opened my eyes and looked at him, though my head was still resting against the sofa.
"I went to Seraphina's house."
He looked amused.
I already knew what he was thinking.
"With Damon."
His expression immediately darkened.
"Damon was at Seraphina's house?" Dominic asked.
"Yeah. Imagine if I hadn't gone there. What do you think would have happened? Knowing Damon, he'll do anything to get what he wants."
"How did you know he was there?"
"Someone sent me a picture of them. I don't know whether Damon arranged it or if someone else sent it without his knowledge."
"He's really becoming a problem," Dominic muttered.
"Your friend isn't safe anymore," I said.
He fell silent, deep in thought.
I closed my eyes again.
This time, sleep finally claimed me.
Seraphina's POV
It was Monday, and I was going back to work again. Mira texted me this morning, telling me to see her later. I arrived 15 minutes early at the office. I went straight to my desk and placed my things on the side. I opened my computer and started checking my emails. I was sure I would be very busy today since I hadn't been in the office for almost two weeks. It felt like a vacation, but I wasn't able to rest my mind and body because I was at the hospital with Lucca.
"Bestie!" Mira greeted me, waving her hand. I smiled back at her.
"Have you eaten breakfast?" she asked.
I nodded. "I woke up early today."
"You're excited to go back to work?" she asked, laughing.
I shrugged. "Who would be?"
We were laughing when our department head entered and approached me.
"May I talk to you for a minute, Ms. Blake?" he asked.
I immediately nodded and followed him. I didn't know why he called me, though he occasionally did if there were work concerns. But since I had just returned, I didn't think there was any issue.
As we entered his office, he sat on his swivel chair while I remained standing. He didn't offer me a seat, but I didn't mind.
"How close are you with the CEO?" he suddenly asked.
"What?" I asked, hoping I had heard him wrong.
"The CEO. Do you know him well enough that he always gives you favors?"
"He's my friend," I answered, my tone becoming more serious.
"Just a friend? Or are you flirting with him?" His formal tone had turned casual. Was he accusing me of something?
"Why are you saying that I'm flirting with him, sir?" I asked respectfully, though I was already getting annoyed.
"Almost two weeks you were gone. He said he gave you special work, but I doubt it. What kind of special work was that?" he asked meaningfully.
"It wasn't just me. I was with Mira."
"Mira returned to work a week ago. You didn't."
"Do I need to explain everything I do with the CEO, sir? I wasn't on vacation. I was working," I said, though it wasn't the kind of work he expected; it was a favor from Dominic.
"Yes, because I am your boss," he said proudly.
"Are you the one paying my salary, sir?" Now I was completely annoyed by his arrogance. I thought he would understand Dominic's explanation, but he didn't. He wasn't like this before. Rumors had spread in the past, and he knew about them. He even said the CEO instructed him to lessen my workload, which I refused, and he didn't question it further. But now? What had changed?
His face darkened. "You are full of yourself, Ms. Blake. You're talking back to me because you have someone backing you up?"
"I'm not talking back because I have backing. Can't you hear yourself, sir? You're making baseless accusations."
"It's not baseless. I have evidence," he said, grinning.
"What has gotten into you, sir? You know the CEO, and I had rumors before, yet you didn't react like this. Why now?" I asked, genuinely confused. Why was he acting like this now when he could have done so before?
He looked almost cruel, and I wanted to punch him in the face, but I held myself back.
"Get a grip, Ms. Blake. The CEO is heaven, while you are just a piece of land," he mocked.
That hit my pride. But maybe that was the truth. Who would want to be my friend? I was just a poor, ordinary woman. Why would Dominic even befriend me in the first place?
I didn't respond and simply lowered my head. I wanted to fight back, but it would be useless since my boss was clearly acting unreasonably. I decided to stay silent just to end the conversation.
He dismissed me, and I returned to my desk. His words affected my performance.
"What did the boss say to you?" Mira asked, but I didn't respond. I stayed quiet the entire time until lunch break.
"I'll just eat here at my desk," I told Mira. She must have noticed I wasn't feeling well, because she nodded and went to the canteen alone.
I ate quietly, still thinking about why my boss suddenly became hostile toward me for being close to the CEO. I didn't even force anything; Dominic asked for a favor, and I agreed. I didn't know that decision would ruin my relationship with my department head.
Dominic said he had already explained my absence, and I thought that was enough since he owned the company.
I didn't finish my meal because I had no appetite after this morning's incident. I went to the restroom to relieve myself and brush my teeth. As I sat in the cubicle, I heard people talking outside.
"Really? Does that mean Seraphina was flirting with the CEO?"
I clearly heard my name.
Why do people always talk about others? Don't they have their own lives?
"I knew it the first time I saw them in the parking lot. She was being touchy."
Parking lot… was that when Dominic pranked me and pretended he liked me?
"Yeah! The nerve! And I heard from someone in their department that she was gone for two weeks, and guess what? She was with the CEO!"
They were laughing loudly as if it were something entertaining.
"She's really flirtatious, isn't she? Why would she even try to be his girlfriend when she's nothing? I'm way prettier than her. And her style? So old-fashioned. She looks like an aunt," the other one said.
I looked down at my clothes. Just because I didn't dress revealingly, I was already being called an aunt?
Why do people keep hurting me today?
Why do they judge me just because I was gone for a few weeks?
When I hadn't met Dominic, my life was simple and quiet. But when I met him and his friends, everything became more complicated.
But you were happy and exploring new places.
My other thoughts responded.
I admit I enjoyed going to the beach and staying at Dominic's townhouse. But I don't deserve this kind of treatment. They were labeling me as if I were trying to seduce our boss.
"I thought Seraphina was a quiet woman. Now I know she has dark intentions," the woman said, laughing.
"Excuse me? Are you talking about my friend?"
Mira's voice made me feel relieved.
"Oh, Mira! Why are you calling Seraphina your friend? You're only with her because you pity her. You don't have to pretend she's not a flirt. Didn't you know she's after the CEO?"
I bit my lower lip. Their words felt like daggers.
"Are you hearing yourselves?" Mira snapped. "Flirting with the CEO? You don't know the truth. And I didn't befriend her out of pity. I became her friend because I wanted to."
"Ha! Look at you, rich and pretty. Why would you stay with someone like her?"
"Then who should I befriend? You? People who gossip and badmouth others? I'd rather be with someone you call 'old' than people like you!"
"How could you—" the other woman started, offended.
"Stay away from Seraphina. If I hear you talking about her again, I'll make sure the CEO knows. And don't forget, I'm close to him too, not just her."
The other women fell silent, and I heard the door open. That was my cue to come out.
"Sera!" Mira looked shocked when she saw me.
"Have you heard everything?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied quietly.
She held my arms. "Is it affecting you? Don't take it seriously. I already warned them."
"I heard everything. I just couldn't come out because they were still talking."
Mira looked worried, but I assured her it didn't affect me. Deep inside, though, I was already deeply affected.
I didn't want her to see that I was weak. She knew me as someone who never cared about what others said. I had heard rumors before, being called a nerd or weird, but I never minded them.
But this time, it was different.
Maybe because it was affecting my work, not just me.
"I should tell Dominic about this," she said.
"No. Don't bother him. I don't want people thinking I'm using the CEO for my own benefit," I said.
"But what if they keep doing it?"
I forced a smile, trying to hide the pain I had been carrying since this morning.
"I'm fine. I told you, it didn't affect me."