I closed the curtain again because I couldn't take that look. He looked so scary and mysterious. When I peeked through the window again, I didn't see what I had seen a while ago.
Who is that guy? Why was he staring at me like that, as if he wanted to kill me?
I tried to ignore what I had experienced and went to bed to sleep. But instead of having a peaceful sleep, I had a nightmare.
"Don't kill my baby!" the woman shouted at the guards while crying.
"My baby is gone, and I needed yours!"
The woman cried harder and knelt before the queen.
"Please, Your Highness, don't kill my baby. He's the only one I have."
"The only one you have? What about me? I lost my baby too. And now the king might cast me aside and replace me with you because you still have your child?" The queen was crying in pain as well.
"We will go far away. I never wanted your throne, Your Highness. Believe me."
I suddenly woke up from that dream, sweat dripping all over my face. I was panting so hard that I could barely breathe.
Why was I seeing Mandy Moore's face? Did she lose her baby? But the surroundings looked ancient, as if it had happened hundreds of years ago.
I got out of bed and went to the kitchen to drink some water. Why was I seeing such strange things? Were they related to me somehow?
My phone suddenly rang, and I hurried to my room to get it. Mira was calling.
"Hi, Sera. Where are you now?"
"Home," I answered.
"Lucca already left?" she asked.
"Yeah, this morning."
"Ah, okay. Do you want to have lunch with me?" she asked.
I wanted to decline her offer because I didn't want to leave the house, but then I remembered the man and the dream I had. Both scared me more than I wanted to admit.
"Okay," I said, deciding to accept her invitation. We planned to eat at a Korean BBQ restaurant. She would come to my house and pick me up.
I went to my closet to choose what to wear. I settled on a pair of jeans and a white printed shirt, pairing them with white sneakers.
Ten minutes later, Mira's car arrived. It would actually be a late lunch since it was already two in the afternoon. I got into her car.
"I expected you'd say no to my offer since I know you don't like going out."
I fastened my seatbelt. "I'm hungry," I reasoned.
"Just hungry?" Mira asked while driving.
I knew she didn't believe me. Back then, I had always been aloof. Even when she invited me out for coffee, I usually refused.
I sighed deeply, and Mira heard it.
"What's bothering you?" Her voice sounded concerned.
I wanted to tell her about what had happened earlier. Someone had been staring at me from outside the house. A pale-skinned man dressed entirely in black. He had been grinning at me as though he wanted to kill me. Then there was the dream, which was equally disturbing and filled with death.
But if I told Mira, she would surely tell Dominic. I didn't want them to worry about me.
"Sera?" Mira called when I remained silent.
"It's nothing. I'm just really tired," I said.
I wanted to fall asleep, but I was afraid I might see that dream again.
"Do you want a massage? We can get one after lunch."
"Okay," I agreed. A massage might help me relax and ease the tension in my body.
Lucca's POV
After Damian dropped me off at home, I waited for him to leave before leaving the house myself and driving my sports car to my master's place.
I was confused and curious as to why he hadn't visited me while I was in the hospital.
The drive took less than thirty minutes. As soon as I arrived, I got out of the car and knocked on the door. He opened it immediately, as if he had been waiting for me. He didn't even look surprised to see me.
He let me in, and I sat on the couch. He went to the kitchen to prepare some tea.
"You just got out of the hospital and drove here right away?" he asked as he handed me a cup of tea.
I took a sip and looked at him.
"My strength has already returned," I said.
"That's good news," he replied before taking a sip of his tea.
"Why didn't you visit me in the hospital?" I asked.
"Because I wanted to give you and Seraphina some time together," he said.
"Time together?"
"Aren't you glad your power is back? You should thank her."
Master said this before taking another sip from his cup.
"I had another dream last night..." I began.
He paused, set his cup on the table, and looked at me seriously.
"It was set in ancient times. I saw the same woman from my previous dream. But this time she was different. She looked pitiful and worked as a servant for the royal family."
I was referring to Mandy Moore—my lover from the previous dream.
Master simply looked at me. He didn't seem surprised at all, as though he already knew everything.
"Those dreams have been bothering me ever since I touched the ring," I said.
"It is not only you who has experienced them."
"What do you mean?"
"Seraphina is surely experiencing them as well."
"What? Why?"
"You were reconnected," he said.
"Reconnected? What does that mean?"
"Because of that ring."
"Was it my fault then, Master?"
"No. It was mine."
He spoke so softly that I barely heard him. When I tried to ask what he meant, he simply took another sip of his tea.
"Now that your strength has returned, I hope you won't do anything to ruin it. Take care of yourself, Lucca," he warned.
"So I shouldn't touch Seraphina's ring?" I asked.
"Don't even think about stealing it," he replied.
I sighed.
Eleven months left before I die.
I spent an entire month searching for that ring, and now that I've finally found it, I can't even take it.
I let out another deep sigh. If stealing was impossible and buying it wasn't an option either, then did I really have to get closer to her like my friends suggested?
I had already tried that, but we could barely stand each other.
Or maybe I was the one who couldn't stand her.
"Try getting closer to her and convince her to give you the ring."
Master interrupted my thoughts.
He said it as if convincing her would be easy.
"I'll go now," I said, feeling defeated.
I walked back to my car and stared blankly at the street ahead.
If only things were that simple.
Now I realized that money can't buy everything.
Seraphina's POV
"Thank you for today," I said to Mira when she dropped me off at home.
"Anything that makes you happy." Mira smiled.
I removed my seatbelt and said goodbye before getting out of the car. I waited for her to leave before finally entering through the gate.
As I closed it, I noticed a man standing not far from the gate, staring at me with a grin on his face.
It was the same man I had seen earlier through the window.
A shiver ran down my spine, but I tried to ignore it. Pretending I hadn't seen him, I hurried inside the house.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. Then I went to the kitchen and drank some water.
When I finally felt a little calmer, I went to my room and placed my bag on the bedside table.
I peeked through the window and saw that the man was still standing there.
He looked creepy, like a ghost waiting to kill or devour me.
What was he up to? Why did he keep staring at me?
I was startled when my phone suddenly rang.
Perfect timing to scare me even more.
It was an unknown number.
"Hello? Who's this?" I asked.
"You didn't save my number?"
Oh.
It was Damon.
"I didn't," I answered coldly.
"Should I be offended?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Why are you calling this late at night?"
"I was just wondering if you were home."
"Why are you asking?" I asked while still looking out the window.
The man was still there, staring directly at my room.
"I wanted to come over."
"What? You don't even know where I live."
"I do," he replied, and I was sure he was smiling.
"How?"
"I have my ways, baby," he said in a husky voice, obviously trying to flirt.
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me.
He laughed.
"You're rolling your eyes again, aren't you?"
Huh?
How did he know that?
Did he have some kind of power that allowed him to see things from afar?
"By the way, I'm already on my way. Just meet me at your gate."
"Wait... what?"
But he ended the call.
I stared at my phone with a puzzled expression.
How did he know where I lived?
Had he really been spying on me when he said he had his ways?
I looked outside again.
The man was gone.
Now I couldn't help but wonder if Damon knew that creepy man.
Or worse, had he hired him to spy on me?
But why would he hire someone that creepy?
Just to scare me?
My phone beeped again, making me jump.
I was getting startled far too easily today.
I checked the message.
It was Mira.
She texted to tell me that she had arrived home safely.
I replied with a simple "Okay" before lying down on my bed.
I sighed deeply.
Why do creepy people surround me? Why do I keep meeting strangers? Is all of this just a coincidence?
Then I remembered the dream again.
It was vague, and I still couldn't understand it.
What bothered me most was why I kept dreaming about strange events that seemed impossible.
Another text message came in.
This time, it was from Damon.
I'm at the gate.
I didn't want to see him, but curiosity got the better of me.
I got out of bed and headed outside.
And sure enough, Damon was standing by the gate, smiling.
My eyes drifted toward his car.
It was a red Ferrari.
Now I understood that he was wealthy.
From his manners, appearance, expensive clothes, and confidence, it was obvious that he came from money.
"Are you in love with me now?" he teased.
I frowned.
I hadn't even realized I had been looking him up and down.
I opened the gate and stepped outside.
There was no way I was inviting him into my house.
I still didn't trust him enough for that.
"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" I asked.
It was already eight in the evening.
"Wouldn't you miss me?" he asked, flirting again.
"Why would I?"
"That's why I like you. You're not an easy girl to get."
"Stop messing with me. How do you know where I live? Have you been spying on me?"
He laughed.
"Spying? Hmm... maybe."
He didn't even bother denying it.
I glared at him before remembering the creepy man.
"Did you send someone here earlier?" I asked.
"No. Why would I do that?"
Then who was that man?
Why did he keep staring at me like that?
Should I report him to the police?
"What are you thinking about?" Damon asked.
I shrugged.
"Nothing. Just go home."
"I just got here. Won't you invite me inside?"
"No!"
I said it so firmly that even I was surprised by my reaction.
"Whoa. You could've said that a little nicer."
He laughed again.
"Stop messing with me. It's not funny."
"Can I borrow your phone?" he asked, staring at the phone in my hand.
"Why?"
I tightened my grip on it.
"I need to save my number and put my name in your contacts."
Before I could stop him, he grabbed my phone and quickly typed something.
Then he handed it back.
"So the next time I call, you'll know it's me."
He winked.
I immediately looked away.
"Can we go out tomorrow?"
I looked at him in confusion.
"Let's go on a date," he said straightforwardly.
My mouth fell open.
This guy was unbelievably bold.
He never seemed embarrassed by anything he said.
He was shamelessly flirtatious and painfully straightforward.
"I have errands to run," I replied.
In reality, I wanted to stay home and rest.
It had been a long week, and I wanted some time to myself before work on Monday.
"Then I'll help."
"I don't need your help."
"Why are you so distant with me? Am I not handsome enough for you?"
"I didn't say that."
"Then why haven't you?"
I was about to answer him when a bright beam of light from a car that had just parked near the Ferrari blinded us.
I immediately closed my eyes because the light was too bright.
When the headlights dimmed, Damon and I both turned to look at the owner of the car.
It was my first time seeing that vehicle. I couldn't even tell what brand it was because it was parked behind the Ferrari.
"Lucca?"
I was shocked when I saw him walking toward us.
These two never failed to amaze me.
Visiting me in the middle of the night, huh?
I glanced at Damon, who suddenly looked much more serious than before. I even noticed his jaw tighten.
When Lucca finally reached us, Damon smiled at him.
"Lucca. What brings you here?" Damon asked.
But from the tone of his voice, I could tell he was annoyed.
Was he really that irritated to see Lucca?
I looked at Lucca, who was staring directly at Damon with a blank yet serious expression.
"Shouldn't I be asking you the same question?" Lucca replied.
Damon chuckled and crossed his arms.
"Can't I flirt with someone?" he asked, clearly provoking him.
The two men stared at each other intensely.
I could practically feel the sparks flying between them.
The tension was growing stronger by the second, and it felt like either one of them could explode at any moment.
"Stay away from Seraphina."
Lucca spoke through gritted teeth, emphasizing every word.
Damon smirked.
It was the first time I had seen such a sinister smile on his face.
"What makes you say that? Do you own her?" Damon challenged.
The tension rose even higher.
My anxiety rose with it.
If they started fighting, there was no way I could stop them.
What strength did I have?
I was just a petite woman.
"What if I say yes?" Lucca shot back. "Would you leave her alone?"
Damon grinned.
"Leave her alone? You know me, Lucca. Once I want something, I'll go after it no matter what."
He stepped closer to Lucca, as if proving he wasn't afraid of him.
Lucca wasn't intimidated at all.
Instead, he stepped forward as well.
The distance between them grew smaller.
I was getting stressed.
It felt like they could start throwing punches at any second.
"You know me too, Damon," Lucca said. "I won't just sit back and do nothing. Aren't you afraid of what I did to your people? Remember? I'm more powerful than you."
His words confused me.
Was he talking about wealth?
That he was richer and more influential than Damon?
I had always assumed they were on the same level.
Damon smirked again.
"If I were afraid, I would've stopped a long time ago."
Their glares alone seemed hot enough to start a fire.
I was growing more nervous by the second.
The last thing I wanted was for my neighbors to come outside and witness two men fighting in front of my house.
I certainly didn't want them to think they were fighting over me.
"I can't take this anymore. Just stop, please."
Finally, I found my voice.
I tried to remain calm even though I was scared.
I wasn't usually like this.
I had never been the type to feel afraid so easily.
But lately, everything felt different.
Fortunately, Damon looked at me and smiled.
At least I had gotten his attention.
"This is just how friends talk," Damon said.
I didn't believe him for a second, but I nodded anyway.
I just wanted the confrontation to end.
Damon spoke again.
"I'll see you next week then. Let's go on that date."
He completely ignored Lucca's presence.
I glanced at Lucca.
His fists were clenched so tightly that it looked like he was seconds away from punching Damon in the face.
"Ah... just wait for my call," I said quickly.
Then I grabbed Damon's arm and gently guided him away from Lucca.
I practically escorted him to his car.
"Go home now," I said.
He smiled and nodded.
"Bye, love," he called out loudly.
I didn't know if he did it on purpose, but at that point I didn't care.
I just wanted him gone.
He started his car and drove away.
I let out a deep sigh.
This day had been exhausting.
All I wanted was peace, yet it seemed impossible to find.
I turned toward Lucca, who was now standing there with his arms crossed.
"Call him?" he asked mockingly.
"I only said that to stop the tension between you two. You looked like you were about to fight."
I frowned.
"What are you even doing here? You just got out of the hospital. You're supposed to be resting at home."
"If I hadn't come, how would you have handled that man?" he asked.
"I could have handled it myself. You didn't need to interfere. Damon listens to me."
"Hah. Listens?" Lucca scoffed. "Why don't you listen to yourself?"
"Hey! Did you come here to mock me? In the first place, I didn't even know he was coming. I wasn't planning to invite him inside either."
His eyes narrowed as though he were trying to determine whether I was telling the truth.
He looked suspicious.
Like he didn't believe a single word I said.
"I mean it! If you don't believe me, then you're free to leave."
I turned around and was about to open the gate when he stopped me.
"I'm coming inside too," he said without hesitation.