Dominic's POV
We headed to our next destination after having a late breakfast at one of Mira's restaurants. The driver dropped Seraphina and Lucca off at the villa before continuing the trip.
During the ride, Mira was still in disbelief about Seraphina and Lucca staying behind together.
"Aren't you curious, Dominic? Lucca and Seraphina are staying together. Don't you think it's going to be chaotic in the villa? I mean, I know they're both nonchalant, but knowing Lucca's behavior and how much Seraphina dislikes him, it will probably be a disaster," Mira said, unable to stop herself from asking questions.
Her curiosity made me laugh.
"Aren't you supposed to be happy for them? At least they're getting along," I replied.
Mira's eyes widened.
"So that means Seraphina accepted Lucca's offer?" she gasped. "I knew it! I knew Seraphina would accept it because of the high salary. Even if she doesn't like Lucca being her boss, she'll go through with it because of the money."
I laughed harder.
Mira and Seraphina were really innocent. They were the kind of people you never wanted to see get hurt.
"Just let them be," I said, ending the discussion.
I then glanced at Damian, who was quietly staring out the van window.
Leaning closer to Mira, I whispered, "Why don't you talk to your nonchalant boyfriend? He's probably jealous because you keep talking about Seraphina and Lucca."
I chuckled again.
Mira immediately listened and moved closer to Damian, who didn't seem particularly happy about her clinginess.
I shook my head.
Why did I become friends with Damian and Lucca in the first place?
They were honestly a headache.
But at the same time, I was grateful to have met them.
I just hoped Lucca would finally be able to convince Seraphina to give him the ring.
Seraphina's POV
The driver dropped us off at the villa. Lucca was about to hold my arm to help me, but I shot him a warning look. The people inside the van were still watching us, and I didn't want to attract any more attention.
He gave a fake cough before heading inside the villa first.
When the van finally drove away, I called out to him.
"Lucca."
He looked at me in disbelief but walked back toward me anyway.
"You deserve the pain, you pretentious woman," he said sarcastically.
I frowned at him.
"And what? Let Dominic and Mira interrogate me? Luckily, they didn't see my wounds."
"Because you're good at hiding them," he replied.
"Can you please stop being sarcastic? I know you don't like me, and you're only helping me because I'm your new employee now," I said before looking away and continuing to walk.
This time, however, Lucca grabbed my arm to support me.
"I don't help my employees," he said.
"Then why are you helping me?" I asked.
Before he could answer, the elderly housekeeper from upstairs spotted us.
"What happened, Ma'am?" she asked.
I immediately straightened my posture.
"Ah, nothing. I'm just tired from the hike," I replied with a smile.
She smiled back, but there was a knowing look in her eyes. She glanced at me and then at Lucca.
"Would you like some refreshments?" she asked.
"Yes, please," I answered quickly, hoping she wouldn't ask any more questions.
"Of course. I'll bring them to your room."
"Thank you."
She went downstairs, and I let out a deep sigh.
Was she thinking something about me and Lucca?
I hoped not.
When we reached my room, Lucca opened the door for me.
"Thanks for helping me," I said. "You can rest now."
"I'll treat your wounds properly. I wasn't able to do it thoroughly earlier," he replied, glancing at my hands and feet.
"I'll call you later after I take a shower. I feel sticky all over."
He nodded and walked away. His room wasn't far from mine.
The moment I closed the door, I sighed heavily.
This trip to Sagada would definitely be unforgettable.
Not only because I was enjoying it, but also because of Lucca.
Not that I had a crush on him or anything. I had simply discovered another side of him, sarcastic and rude, yes, but also kind and helpful.
Sometimes I wondered if he was helping me because he needed something from me.
But then again, Lucca already had everything. Surely, there was nothing he could possibly need from someone like me.
Maybe it was because I was Dominic and Mira's friend.
Maybe our connections had simply grown deeper.
Then my thoughts drifted back to the dream I had about Xavier.
Was that really the end of their story?
Did they truly not get their happy ending?
A knock on the door startled me.
I thought it was Lucca, but it was actually one of the helpers carrying a tray with a glass of lemon juice.
"Oh, thank you," I said as I took the glass.
"Where's your boyfriend, Ma'am?" she asked with a smile.
I blinked.
"What boyfriend?"
"The gentleman who was with you earlier," she replied.
I immediately felt my cheeks heat up.
Why would she think Lucca was my boyfriend?
"No, no. You've got it wrong. He's not my boyfriend."
"Oh, not yet?" she teased. "So he's still courting you?"
I helplessly scratched my head in frustration.
Did we really look like a couple to her?
"Don't deny it," she continued with a grin. "You two look good together. I wish you a happy relationship."
With that, she excused herself and headed toward Lucca's room to deliver the other glass of lemon juice.
I sighed deeply before finishing my drink in one gulp.
Suddenly, I felt thirsty because of that conversation.
Did we really look like a couple?
To me, we looked more like enemies forced to stay together because of circumstances.
A happy relationship?
Maybe she should wish me luck surviving a working relationship with him instead.
Hopefully, I'd last at least a year.
After finishing my drink, I went into the bathroom and took a shower.
I couldn't help wincing whenever water touched my wounds.
That was when I discovered several scrapes on my knees as well. I hadn't noticed them earlier because I was wearing leggings.
Ugh.
There were even more scratches than I thought.
I had never been this careless before.
After fifteen minutes, I finished showering and changed into a knee-length pair of shorts and a comfortable shirt.
Lucca didn't even know I had wounds on my knees too.
While combing my hair, I heard another knock on the door.
I expected it to be the elderly helper again, but to my surprise, it was Lucca.
He had already taken a shower.
His damp hair was neatly pushed back, and he looked annoyingly handsome. A clean scent lingered around him, making him look even more refreshed than usual.
For a moment, I simply stared.
Then I immediately looked away before he could catch me doing it.
I shook my head when I realized I had started daydreaming again. This was neither the right time nor the right place, especially since the person I had been daydreaming about was standing right in front of me.
"What?" Lucca frowned when he saw me shaking my head.
"Ah, nothing. Why are you here?" I asked, trying to ease the tension I had created.
"Didn't I tell you earlier that I would treat your wounds?" he asked before glancing at my legs.
A deeper frown immediately formed on his face.
"You have wounds on your knees?" he shouted.
"Quiet, Lucca! They might hear us!" I whispered urgently.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he asked.
"I only discovered them when I took a shower. I didn't notice them before."
He was still frowning, but he stepped inside anyway without even asking for permission.
"Hey, Lucca. I can treat my own wounds. You don't have to help me."
He shot me a death glare, instantly making me shut my mouth.
"Sit."
I didn't argue and simply obeyed.
I sat on the edge of the bed while he rummaged through his medical kit.
I wanted to tell him again that I could manage by myself, but I was afraid he would either shout at me or get even angrier.
First, he applied Betadine to the wounds on my knees. He carefully dabbed the cotton over the scratches until they were fully covered. Then he treated the wounds on my feet and hands.
Afterward, he took out an ointment and gently applied it to my knees, feet, and hands.
The entire situation felt incredibly awkward.
If the old lady happened to see this, she would definitely think Lucca was my boyfriend.
I mean, have you ever seen someone this caring toward a person who wasn't even their friend?
Should I ask Lucca if we could be friends?
No.
That was a terrible idea.
He would probably mock me for even suggesting it.
Since I had nothing else to do, I simply watched him.
For some reason, he reminded me of Xavier Knight.
The resemblance was uncanny.
After that dream, several days had already passed, and I hadn't dreamed about Xavier and Monica again.
"Do you like me?"
The sudden question caught me completely off guard and snapped me back to reality.
"Huh?"
That was the only sound that came out of my mouth.
"Do I have to repeat myself every time I talk to you? It pisses me off," he said while continuing to apply ointment.
"T-The thing you said surprised me," I stammered. "What makes you think I like you?"
"Because you keep staring at me?" he replied sarcastically.
"So I'm not allowed to stare at you?" I shot back.
"Tsk."
I frowned.
There he was again.
He never answered directly.
He was always irritated, sarcastic, and impossible to understand.
Next, he wrapped bandages around my feet since he knew they were sore.
I protested at first because Mira would definitely ask questions when she saw them later.
Fortunately, Lucca assured me they were only temporary and that he would remove them later along with the ice pack.
"Lie down."
My eyes widened.
Why was he suddenly ordering me to lie down?
And the fact that we were alone in my room didn't help.
"W-Why?" I stammered.
"Because you need to rest your feet. What else?" he snapped.
I frowned, not because he shouted, but because I felt embarrassed for thinking otherwise.
Maybe I had watched too many dramas.
"Should I carry you to the bed?" he asked sarcastically.
"No. I can manage."
I stood up to move farther onto the bed.
Unfortunately, the moment I put pressure on my injured foot, a sharp pain shot through my leg.
I lost my balance.
Instinctively, I grabbed Lucca's shirt.
The problem was that he wasn't expecting it.
As a result, both of us fell onto the bed.
Lucca landed on top of me.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
We simply stared at each other.
I could feel his warm breath against my face.
The proximity made me nervous.
Embarrassed.
Awkward.
Yet Lucca didn't even flinch.
He just kept staring.
His eyes seemed darker somehow.
Deeper.
More intense.
Dug. Dug. Dug.
My heart pounded loudly inside my chest.
I felt heat rising to my face.
I wanted to push him away.
I really did.
But for some reason, my body refused to move.
"Ma'am, I—"
The moment we heard the old lady's voice, Lucca immediately stood up and looked toward the door.
The old lady stood there with a smile that made my embarrassment ten times worse.
"I'm sorry if I disturbed you. I didn't mean to."
"No, no! You misunderstood!" I quickly said. "What do you need?"
Honestly, I was desperate for her to stay because I didn't want to be left alone with Lucca after what had just happened.
"I came to call you because I prepared some snacks in the kitchen," she said. "But I can see that you two are busy. Just finish what you started."
My face instantly turned bright red.
The old lady excused herself and left.
Silence immediately filled the room.
I couldn't even look at Lucca.
His gaze alone was enough to make me melt.
"I'm leaving. Rest first."
Lucca finally broke the silence before walking out of the room.
The moment the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath.
I pressed a hand against my chest.
I couldn't believe what had just happened.
It was entirely my fault.
If I hadn't stood up, it wouldn't have happened.
If I hadn't grabbed his shirt, it wouldn't have happened.
"Ugh! Why am I so reckless and stupid?" I groaned.
I wanted to smack myself, but the wounds covering my body reminded me not to.
I already had enough injuries.
I didn't need more.
I closed my eyes, hoping to get some sleep.
But every time I did, all I could see was Lucca's face.
His stare.
His eyes.
The way he looked at me.
I immediately opened my eyes again and frustratedly punched the mattress with my fists.
Why?
Why now?
How was I supposed to face him after this?
I couldn't pretend it was nothing.
I couldn't simply forget it.
Because I knew I wouldn't be able to.
No matter how hard I tried, Lucca's face kept appearing in my mind.
I tried taking ten deep breaths to calm myself down, but it was useless. My heart kept pounding hard and fast.
When would it stop?
I sat on the bed with pillows supporting my back. I knew that if I lay down, my heartbeat would only get worse.
I grimaced.
But even sitting up didn't help me calm down.
Why?
Why?
Why?
I slapped my forehead and then lightly patted my cheeks, desperately trying to regain my composure.
"Calm down. Calm down," I muttered to myself. "It was just a stare. It was just an accident. Why are you making such a big deal out of it? I'm sure Lucca isn't even thinking about it anymore."
I pressed both hands against my burning cheeks.
"Please, self. Cooperate with me."
I sighed heavily.
At this point, I probably looked like a crazy woman talking to herself in an empty room.
Lucca's POV
"Damn! Damn! Damn!"
The moment I entered my room, I slammed the door shut.
I wasn't feeling well.
I felt hot, and I didn't know why.
When Seraphina grabbed my shirt, I hadn't expected it. That's why both of us ended up falling onto the bed.
Everything seemed to freeze at that moment.
For the second time, I found myself staring at Seraphina's face from such a close distance.
We had looked at each other before, but this was different.
I could hear a heartbeat.
Was it hers?
Or was it mine?
I didn't even think about looking away.
I didn't try to end the moment quickly.
All I wanted was to keep staring at her a little longer before it ended.
"Damn! Damn! Damn!"
I kept cursing under my breath as I ran a hand through my hair.
Only afterward did I realize how awkward the situation must have been for both of us.
I had never felt like this before.
Not even with my ex.
We had kissed.
We had even made love.
Yet I never felt anything significant.
But with Seraphina?
This was completely messed up.
I was still in that state when someone suddenly barged into my room.
Dominic.
"Are you okay, Lucca? You look shocked," Dominic asked seriously.
I cleared my throat and frowned.
"You didn't even knock, you piece of shit."
Suddenly, he burst out laughing.
That only irritated me more.
"Something happened, didn't it?" Dominic asked with a grin.
"Shut the fuck up! Get out of my room now, or else..." I threatened.
"Now I know the answer."
Still laughing, he immediately walked out of my room.
I sighed heavily.
I could never hide anything from Dominic.
He was worse than a detective.
Seraphina's POV
"Sera..."
A knock came from the door.
I immediately recognized Mira's voice.
Panicking, I grabbed the blanket and covered my legs so she wouldn't notice the bandages on my feet.
"Come in," I called out.
Opening the door myself wasn't an option.
Mira entered with a bright smile.
"How was the rest of your day with Lucca here at the villa?" she asked.
Immediately, my mind replayed the scene from earlier.
The moment when we had almost kissed.
I quickly coughed to clear my throat.
"Why? Did something happen?" Mira asked suspiciously.
"No!"
The answer came out too fast.
And from the look on Mira's face, I knew I had made myself even more suspicious.
"I knew something happened. Care to share?" she asked.
Judging from her expression, she wasn't going to leave until she got an answer.
"Nothing serious. I... accepted his job offer."
I quickly changed the subject.
There was no way I was telling her what had happened earlier.
"Really?" Mira's eyes widened. "That means you won't be staying here with me for long?"
Her voice carried both excitement and sadness.
"One hundred fifty thousand is a lot of money. I can't just let that go," I said. "Besides, I think I can handle Lucca's attitude."
Mira frowned thoughtfully.
"Then maybe I should apply to his company too. That way, we can still be together."
I laughed.
"Dominic will definitely get jealous if you do that."
"Nah. I think he'll understand."
She tapped her chin.
"Should I ask Lucca directly? Or maybe I should ask Damian to help me convince him?"
At this point, she wasn't even talking to me anymore. She was talking to herself.
"You don't need a job. You're already rich."
She immediately frowned.
"So what am I supposed to do when I go back to the city? I don't want to stay there while all of you are in Davao."
"Don't you miss your hometown? Why not spend more time with your family?"
"If Damian agrees to stay here too," she added.
I glared at her.
She was hopelessly in love.
Everything always came back to Damian.
Should I be jealous?
"I won't stay long," Mira said as she stood up. "You look sleepy. I'll leave you alone."
Before I could respond, she was already out the door.
I sighed heavily.
If dinner came later, how was I supposed to hide my bandages?
Maybe I should just skip dinner altogether.
Mira's POV
After leaving Seraphina's room, I went downstairs to get some water.
The old caretaker was in the kitchen preparing dinner while the younger helpers were outside tending the garden.
"That smells amazing," I commented with a smile as I poured myself a glass of water.
"Are you hungry already, Ma'am?" she asked kindly.
"A little. The smell is making me hungry."
After washing my glass, I was about to leave when the old lady suddenly spoke.
"Your friends seem very much in love. They spent the whole afternoon together."
I immediately stopped walking.
"In love?"
I turned around, confused.
"Yes. The couple who stayed behind instead of joining the next adventure."
My eyes widened.
"Lucca and Sera?"
"Yes, yes! Now I remember their names."
"But they're not a couple," I said.
The thought was so absurd that I almost laughed.
The old lady shook her head.
"Are they not? Because from what I saw, they looked like a loving couple."
"I think you misunderstood. They're not even friends."
I chuckled at the thought.
If Lucca and Seraphina heard this, they'd probably be horrified.
"Did I?" the old lady asked. "Because I saw Sir Lucca enter her room."
My smile slowly disappeared.
"And when I went to call them for snacks, I found them lying very close together on the bed."
I froze.
"I thought they were making out."
My eyes widened in shock.
The old lady wasn't the type to invent stories.
If she said she saw something, then she probably did.
"Did you see anything else?" I asked immediately.
Now I was completely invested.
Did they kiss?
Why were they suddenly spending time together?
Did Lucca purposely stay behind so he could be alone with Seraphina?
The old lady blinked.
"I thought you knew they were a couple."
I laughed awkwardly.
"I wish I had seen what you saw."
Then I shook my head.
"They're not even friends. That's why it's hard for me to believe Lucca would enter Seraphina's room. He's not usually like that."
I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince the old lady...
Or myself.
Maybe I should ask Seraphina about it later.