I was shocked when Mira introduced Damian as her boyfriend because I didn't know about it. All I knew was that they were still getting to know each other. She didn't even ask for my advice or what I thought about saying yes to Damian.
Damian stood up and bowed his head.
"It is nice meeting you, Tita and Tito," he said respectfully.
Mira's parents were smiling widely, then Mira's mom said, "I knew it."
Mira was still blushing.
"Nice meeting you, hijo. Welcome to the family," Mira's mom said, still smiling. I could feel that she had already accepted Damian as her son-in-law.
"Mom!" Mira called out like a helpless child.
"What? Shouldn't I welcome my future son-in-law?" she asked, making Mira blush even more.
Damian was still smiling. Didn't he feel awkward that Mira's parents were already treating him as Mira's future husband?
"Enough of this, Mom and Dad. I know you still have somewhere to go today, right? Just go," Mira said, gently pushing her parents to avoid the awkward situation.
"I have all day to tease you, my dear. That's how much we missed you," Mira's mom said, hugging her.
"Mom, please not in front of my friends," she said.
"You're not a baby anymore. You already have a boyfriend."
"Mom!" Mira's face turned even redder.
"That's enough, dear. Let them enjoy the rest of the day," Mira's dad interrupted while laughing, saving his daughter.
I saw Mira quietly thank her dad. She really looked like a daddy's girl.
Mira's mom pouted. "But I miss our baby."
"Not in front of her friends. We'll do that later, okay? We need to go now and attend a meeting," Mira's dad said.
Mira was really lucky to have loving parents. I couldn't help but wish I had parents like them too.
"Okay, dear," she said to her husband, then looked at us. "Feel at home, guys. You can do whatever you want. Just don't hesitate to ask Mira, okay?" Mira's mom said.
"Thank you, tita," Sera, Dominic, and Damian said in chorus, while Lucca remained silent as if he didn't exist.
"We'll go now," she said, then left the dining room with her husband.
"Whew!" Mira said while wiping her forehead.
"You became the hot topic," Dominic said, chuckling. "I didn't even know you and Damian were already in a relationship. I thought you were just getting to know each other."
Dominic and I had the same thoughts. They never mentioned that they were already a couple.
Mira smiled awkwardly while looking at Damian, who was sitting calmly and confidently.
"It's actually a long story, guys. You don't want to listen to our love story the whole day, right? Let's start exploring my hometown," she said, trying to change the topic.
I didn't push her because I could see how uncomfortable she was. Dominic also didn't insist.
The maids helped us carry our luggage and guided us to our rooms.
The room they showed me was huge, maybe ten times bigger than my room. The walls were painted white, and paintings were hung everywhere. There was also a bathroom inside and a walk-in closet. Everything I could see looked expensive.
I was afraid to move because I might accidentally break something. Even though I knew Mira wouldn't let me pay for anything, I still wanted to be careful.
I opened my luggage and placed my clothes inside the closet. I wished I had something like this in my own room.
After that, I went into the bathroom to take a quick shower since we had been traveling for so long. The shower had both hot and cold options. Because of the cold environment, I chose hot water to relax my body and ease my back pain.
After showering, I went back to my luggage to choose what to wear for the day. Since it was cold outside, I decided to wear a long white skirt paired with a thick pink cotton jacket. I wore white sneakers since sandals would make my feet cold. I tied my hair in a ponytail and applied light powder and red lipstick. Then I grabbed my black sling bag and went out of the room.
I was still amazed by how rich Mira was. I couldn't stop staring at the expensive paintings hanging on the walls. I was starting to truly appreciate art because of what I was seeing.
It took me a while to go downstairs because I walked slowly, taking in the atmosphere of the mansion. I was also admiring the figurines displayed along the hallway on the second floor. I knew they were expensive just by looking at their design and detail. After all, rich people wouldn't display cheap ones.
"Can you stop staring?"
I was startled and gasped when I heard a voice behind me. When I turned around, I saw Lucca standing there with his hands in his pockets.
I couldn't help but admire his appearance. He was wearing a blue collared polo shirt tucked into black slacks, paired with his signature belt. His black shoes completed his polished look.
Just when will I stop admiring things?
"I am not a figurine," Lucca said, snapping me back to reality.
"Ah… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up. I was definitely blushing, and it was obvious.
Lucca didn't respond and simply walked down the grand gold staircase. I followed him quietly, making sure I wouldn't annoy him.
But because I was too distracted, I didn't notice that Lucca suddenly stopped.
I kept walking without looking ahead—
My face hit his back.
Hard.
It hurt.
I was never this clumsy before. I was always mindful and careful that other people even thought I was weird.
Lucca's face was getting red, signaling that he was mad at me. I was about to say sorry, but he spoke first.
"Don't ever say sorry again. I've heard enough from you, and it irritates me. Can't you just look in front of you?"
I was about to utter the word sorry, but since he told me not to, I just nodded.
He continued walking down the endless stairs until we reached the living room. Everyone was already waiting for us. I didn't know they had been waiting. I expected that I would be the one waiting for them.
"Let's go?" Mira asked excitedly. She even held my hand as we walked toward the parking area.
"Aren't your boyfriend going to get mad at me? You're supposed to be holding his hand," I whispered while we were walking.
"He's mine this evening," she said with a mischievous smile, as if she was planning something evil for tonight.
"Don't tell me—" I wasn't able to finish my sentence when she giggled, and the boys noticed.
"What are you whispering about, Mira?" Dominic asked as he joined us. The two others were standing not far away, observing.
I looked at Lucca again, who was wearing his usual expressionless face.
"Nothing. It's a girl thing," Mira said with a smile, then winked at Dominic. He didn't force us to explain and just laughed.
We all got into the van. Mira told us we would be visiting famous spots in their city. I couldn't help but feel excited. I had never felt like this before. It felt like I was opening my heart and mind to a new world again.
At first, I was hesitant because the boys were here, but I realized: why should I be bothered by them when I was here to relieve stress?
"What a weirdo."
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Lucca speak.
"What did you say?" I asked, even though I had heard him clearly.
"Why would I waste my time repeating it?" he said sarcastically.
The annoying Lucca was back again. I thought he had already changed after helping me and protecting me from my mother.
"I am not here to start a fight," I said, then glanced out the window.
"Neither am I," he responded.
I looked at him curiously. What was he up to? Did he join this trip just to annoy me?
My thoughts were interrupted when Mira started explaining our next destination. I didn't fully understand everything, but I listened as if I did.
I don't know how many minutes we traveled. I only knew we arrived when the van stopped and Mira announced it.
"Camp John Hay… how I miss this place," Mira said, taking a deep breath as we got out of the van.
I looked around and immediately liked what I saw. The cold breeze touched my face, making me flinch slightly. I could now say I wasn't used to cold weather. I also started to question if I had worn the right outfit.
Mira served as our tour guide, happily explaining how much she loved this place since childhood. The first time she visited, she couldn't take her eyes off it and always asked her parents to bring her back.
"I just love strolling here, guys. It makes you feel relaxed," she said, still smiling as she continued talking about the city.
I tried to listen, but the scenery captivated me. Mira was right. You couldn't take your eyes off this place. I found myself wishing I could live somewhere like this: peaceful, quiet, and away from crowds.
But according to Mira, it wasn't always this peaceful. Tourists came every month, making the place more crowded.
"I still remember having picnics here with my classmates in high school," Mira said, pointing to a corner where picnic areas were set under the trees.
Dominic listened attentively, while Damian kept using his phone. I wasn't sure what he was busy with, maybe business. Lucca, on the other hand, walked silently with his hands in his pockets, seemingly uninterested in Mira's story.
"Let's go to the Secret Garden, guys!" Mira exclaimed, and we headed there.
We didn't ride the van since Mira wanted us to walk and enjoy the nature vibe. No one complained, walking was part of the experience. No wonder people here stayed fit.
"Damian," Mira called.
He stopped typing on his phone. Mira walked closer and held his hand, intertwining their fingers right in front of us.
"Tsk."
I looked at Lucca at the sound of his click of irritation. He seemed annoyed.
I moved closer to him and whispered, "You're just jealous."
I frowned at him.
His blank expression turned into a frown. I had managed to annoy him twice since we arrived.
Nobody noticed. Only the two of us knew we were both irritated with each other.
"You're just jealous," I repeated quietly, making sure the others wouldn't hear.
"Why would I be?" he asked.
"Because you keep saying 'tsk.'"
"So? Does that mean I'm jealous now?"
"Yes," I answered firmly.
"Tsk." he said again. "Good luck to your friend," he added, then walked faster, making sure I wouldn't catch up.
I stopped walking when I heard what Lucca had said. It made me pause and think about Damian. Did Lucca's words have a deeper meaning? Does he know something about his friend?
I looked at Mira, who was happily holding Damian's hand. And when I looked at Damian's expression, I realized that he didn't even show excitement while being with Mira.
Good luck to your friend…
That phrase kept replaying in my mind. I wanted to ask Lucca about it, but he joined the group and pretended to be listening intently.
As we arrived, we strolled a bit more, and I took photos of the scenery. While I was busy doing my own thing, Mira called us to gather because she wanted to take a group picture.
I looked at Lucca again to see his expression, but he still didn't even budge. That made me believe he didn't care.
"Excuse me, can you take a photo of us?" Mira asked the girls who happened to pass by. When they saw the boys, their eyes sparkled as if they had seen actors.
"Sure," one of the women said without hesitation. Mira told us to position ourselves. So our arrangement was: Dominic – Damian – Mira – Seraphina – Lucca.
I don't know why Lucca didn't go with Dominic, or maybe there wasn't enough time to change positions?
"One, two, three," the woman taking the photo signaled. It only took a few seconds before she finished. Then Mira approached the two women and took her phone back.
"Can we ask a favor too?" Woman 1 asked.
"Sure, what is it?" Mira asked.
"Can we take a photo with the boys? It's our first time seeing Greek gods," Woman 2 said.
Mira laughed but agreed. She even volunteered to take their photo.
They giggled as they approached the boys. Dominic, being jolly and energetic, entertained the two women, while the other boys didn't show much interest. Still, they allowed the photos. I looked at Lucca again. He was emotionless as always. What was he thinking? Was he planning to torture the girls who asked for a photo?
"Should we regret coming with the boys?" Mira said, laughing.
I looked at her. "You should. It was supposed to be just us, not them," I said, rolling my eyes.
"What's going on between you two?" Mira suddenly asked out of the blue.
"What do you mean?" I looked at her intently.
She pointed at Lucca, who was still standing with the girls taking photos.
"What about him?"
"I can feel the tension," Mira said.
"You just felt it now? Haven't you felt it before when we met him?" I sarcastically asked.
She laughed again. "I know, but I feel like the tension is different from before. There's something I can't even explain," she said.
"You're just hallucinating. The tension between us is nothing new. You know we can never be friends with him," I said, then looked at the person we were talking about.
And when I looked at him, his eyes met mine. That made me look away immediately. I couldn't handle his gaze and I would never dare try.
"He looked at you," Mira giggled again.
I should understand her because she's in love with Damian. But Lucca's words earlier kept echoing in my mind.
"He looked at me with annoyance. Don't think of anything beyond that," I said, then turned away.
That was when the girls finished taking photos with the boys.
"It's a gift from heaven, guys. We should get used to it," Dominic said to Damian and Lucca, who looked serious.
Mira went to Damian and held his hand. "Are you tired? Do you want to eat?" Mira asked, and I flinched. I knew how caring Mira was. I just wasn't used to seeing her act like that with a guy she loves.
Mira, Damian, and Dominic walked ahead. Lucca and I followed behind, but I kept some distance between us.
"You flinched," Lucca suddenly said.
I looked at him while still walking. "Are you talking to me?" I asked, just to make sure since he is such a sarcastic person.
"Do you see anyone else I can talk to?" he replied sarcastically.
Of course. That's just his nature, being sarcastic seems to complete his day.
"I didn't flinch," I said.
"You did, and I saw it," he insisted.
"Can you please just mind your own business? I thought you didn't want me talking to you because I'm annoying. Does my flinch annoy you?" I said in a low voice so the others wouldn't hear.
"And yet you just said you flinched," he said with a smirk.
I took three deep breaths to calm myself down. My breathing caught the attention of the three people walking ahead of us.
"Are you tired, Sera?" Mira asked, and Dominic and Damian looked at me.
"Huh? What? No, I'm okay," I said.
"I just heard you sighing," Mira said, looking concerned.
"Just don't mind me," I said, forcing a laugh.
"Do you want me to carry you?" Dominic said, which made me react.
"What? No! I said I'm fine. Now let's continue walking," I said, then walked ahead first. I saw Lucca in my peripheral view, smirking at my situation. What an evil guy!
"Let's have coffee, guys," Mira announced to everyone, and we all agreed. We went to an expensive café in Camp John Hay, and a waiter approached us and handed over the menu.
"Just order whatever you want. It's on me," Mira said while smiling, then focused on the menu.
"Lowkey flexing your wealth, huh?" Dominic teased.
Mira just laughed and then gave her order to the waiter. "What about you, Sera?"
I looked at the menu, but I didn't understand some of the food and beverage options. They weren't familiar to me since I wasn't used to living a lavish lifestyle.
"I'll just have tea, please," I said.
"Just tea? No! You should eat more," Mira said.
"I'm not that hungry."
"You're getting thinner," she said, then looked at the waiter and ordered more food for me.
"Eat everything I ordered for you," Mira said.
I wanted to complain, but I remained silent. It was her treat after all, and I had no right to refuse. Besides, I should be grateful that she was treating me on this trip.
"Mira's right. You should eat more," Dominic said while smiling.
"I am not that thin," I defended myself.
"Sadly, you are," Dominic replied.
I frowned at him, and that made him giggle. "But you're still beautiful, don't worry," he added, shifting back to his flirtatious tone.
I rolled my eyes and kept myself busy by looking at the artwork displayed on the café walls. I loved the peaceful ambiance and the silence I had long been wishing for.
While we were waiting for our order, Lucca excused himself and went out of the café. He didn't say where he was going, and no one asked because we weren't that curious.
After 15 minutes, our orders arrived, but Lucca still hadn't returned.
"Where did Lucca go? He doesn't want his drink to get cold, huh?" Dominic asked while looking around.
A brief silence filled the moment. That was when I spoke.
"I'll call him," I said, then excused myself and went outside the café.
I saw him sitting on a bench outside, his legs crossed and arms folded. Shouldn't he be spending time with his friends?
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" he replied.
"Can't you answer directly?" I asked sarcastically.
He didn't respond, so I spoke again.
"The food and drinks are served. Your friends are looking for you," I said.
He still didn't say anything and simply stood up and walked back inside the café without waiting for me. Such a jerk!
I tried to calm myself down, and the tea I ordered helped me relax. I made the right decision ordering this drink.
"Try this almond croissant. It's delicious," Mira said, handing me a large croissant. It looked big enough for two people to share.
"Finish it," Mira said with a smile.
I nodded and didn't argue. The bread was so good that I even thought of buying one again for tomorrow's snack. Of course, I didn't say it out loud and just kept it to myself. Aside from bread, Mira ordered chips, pasta, and other pastries. It felt like she ordered almost everything on the menu. The boys were eating well, but not too much. Maybe they were just avoiding sweets to maintain their physique.
I glanced at Lucca, who was silently sipping his tea. He didn't eat anything. Was he on a diet?
I wanted to offer him some of my croissant, but I stopped myself. He would definitely refuse, and our friends might find it strange if they saw me being friendly with him, especially since I supposedly hated him.
"Do you want steak for dinner, guys?" Mira asked.
"Can you recommend a good steakhouse?" Dominic asked.
"Yes. One of our restaurants. I'm sure you'll like it," she said confidently.
"You know what? I'll treat you when we go back to our place," Dominic said, smiling.
"I doubt we'll go back with you guys," Mira replied, then looked at me.
"Mira and I might stay here for a while since we don't have jobs to return to," she said while smiling.
Dominic suddenly looked sad, then realized that I was no longer his employee.
"Right. I forgot," he said while laughing, though I knew it wasn't genuine.
Wouldn't it be nice to stay here for a while since the city has made me feel exhausted for so long? Living here with Mira would allow me to relax and, at the same time, heal from depression. That is what matters to me at the moment.
I didn't join their conversation. I just let everything go with the flow. Since this is my life now, I should at least be grateful. I still have millions in my bank account, and I still have my grandma's house, that is what matters most to me.
Maybe I'll take a break for a year, then decide to look for a job afterward. Even if it doesn't pay as much as my salary in Dominic's company, as long as the workplace is not toxic, I'll be fine.
Lucca's POV
As soon as I heard that Mira and Seraphina would be staying here for a while, concern lingered in me. Just as my master had said, for me to keep my strength, I needed to stay close to Seraphina at all times. If I returned to my place while she remained here, my strength would likely disappear as well.
Now what should I do? I couldn't just tell her that I need to stay by her side to maintain my strength. We're not close, and she despises me because of how I treated her, so I have no valid reason to stay with her here. I also don't want to force her to go home, since she doesn't have a job to return to, although she still has her grandmother's house.
Now I feel doomed, and I don't know what solution I can come up with to prevent this from happening. Would it be obvious if I stayed here? Dominic and Damian would understand, but the ladies, especially Seraphina, I doubt it.
"What are you thinking, bro? You've been so quiet all the time," Dominic asked as we walked back to our van.
"Are you still not used to it?" I replied sarcastically.
"You're worried," he said, making me look at him.
"Worried about what?" I asked, keeping my expression neutral.
"About the ring. If Seraphina stays, how can you convince her to give it to you?" he said.
I sighed. "I only have 10 months left, and I still can't do anything. It's near, yet it feels so far," I said, expressing my frustration to Dominic. The others walked ahead so that they couldn't hear our conversation.
"Why not stay here? Or maybe I can convince Damian to stay longer so you'll have company."
"What about your company?" I asked.
"We have people we trust. In fact, they were the ones running the business even before we took over, right?"
I nodded.
"But please, Lucca, make a move. You shouldn't annoy Seraphina. How can she give what you want if you keep irritating her?"
"Am I not kind enough in helping her? As far as I know, I've been a great help to her," I said sarcastically.
"I know that. What I mean is, be gentle and kind when talking to her. Avoid being sarcastic, okay? You already told me you only have 10 months left. That should be your motivation to strive harder and make her like you."