Seraphina's POV
When Lucca mentioned that I looked like Monica just as he looked like Xavier, all the pieces started to fall into place. How could we both have the same dream? Did he know that Xavier and Monica didn't have a happy ending?
"What now? I'm losing my patience, woman," he said, irritation evident on his face.
"Do you know what happened to them?" I asked instead of answering his question.
"That they didn't have a happy ending? That Xavier's ex-girlfriend cursed their generations? Yes," he answered, confirming my suspicion that we had been having the same dream.
"Then how come we both have the same dream?" I asked curiously.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he replied, not letting go of his sarcasm. He looked both annoyed and impatient.
"I don't know either. I wish I knew how it happened," I answered.
He fell silent before standing up.
"Get some rest. And don't forget to remove those bandages tomorrow before you go out. You don't want Mira or my friends to find out about it," he said. Without another word, he left my room.
Really? After all that, he just left without explaining what he knew about Xavier? I didn't even know why I had said that name. The moment I looked at him, the name had slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
I lowered my gaze to my feet before climbing into bed. I pulled the blanket over myself, making sure my feet were completely covered. I didn't want Mira to notice the bandages.
The moment I closed my eyes, sleep quickly claimed me.
Lucca's POV
I went back to my room, my curiosity growing with every step. Those dreams had started the moment I planned to get Seraphina's ring. So that meant I wasn't the only one affected, she was too.
Now I wanted to go back to our city and ask my master how all of this had happened. Did it mean that whatever I dreamed, she dreamed as well? So she knew that she looked like Monica too? Did those dreams reveal our past lives?
"Ugh!" I groaned in frustration. If only she hadn't mentioned that name, I wouldn't be taking this so seriously. Knowing that Seraphina was aware of it made everything even more complicated. It wasn't that I didn't want anyone else to have those dreams. It was just... awkward. We saw each other's faces in both the present and the past. Although our clothes were different, our faces were exactly the same.
My thoughts were interrupted when Dominic suddenly entered the room with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and two wine glasses in the other.
I was about to ask where Damian was, but Dominic answered the question before I could speak.
"He's on a date with his girlfriend," he said.
He sat on the couch and placed the bottle and glasses on the table.
"You seem lost in thought. Care to share?" Dominic asked as he opened the whiskey and poured some into both glasses.
"It's nothing interesting," I replied before taking the glass he handed me and drinking it in one gulp.
"Hey, relax! Don't finish the whole bottle right away," Dominic said.
"Tsk."
"You look stressed and bothered. You can't hide it," he said as he studied my face.
"Because I'm annoyed with you. I was about to rest, but you barged into my room," I replied, still frowning.
"Oh, I thought you and Sera had a fight. I saw you leaving her room. What happened? Have you convinced her already?" Dominic asked, firing one question after another, making me even more annoyed.
"I'm still trying to make her like me. Do I really have to explain that to you?" I answered sarcastically.
It seemed Dominic thought something significant had happened between us when, in reality, our conversations always ended with us being rude to each other.
"But I think your plan is working. Just make her like you a little more. Be more helpful and less sarcastic. Stop being so rude. Just think about the months you have left," Dominic said, his voice now filled with concern.
I didn't respond. Instead, I poured myself another glass and drank it in one gulp. I wanted to crush the glass in my hand, but it would only make a mess, and Mira would probably think Dominic and I had gotten into a physical fight.
"I know what you're thinking, Lucca," Dominic said. "The poor glass didn't do anything to you. Don't make a mess."
"Tsk."
That was my only reply. I was so irritated that I couldn't even explain where all these emotions were coming from.
"No matter what happens to you, Lucca, I'll always support you. Damian and I will never leave your side."
I made a face. Seeing him act like that made me cringe. He had always been dramatic, but hearing those words again sent chills down my spine. Guys usually didn't express their feelings to one another, but Dominic never hesitated to do so.
After we drank together for a while, Dominic finally left. It was time for me to call my master and hopefully ease the burden weighing on my mind.
The phone rang, and my master answered almost immediately.
"Lucca..." he began. "What made you call me?"
"She knows," I said without hesitation.
"What? I don't understand what you mean."
"She knows about my dreams. We've been sharing the same dreams ever since I touched her ring."
My master didn't answer right away. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh. He didn't even sound surprised.
"You already knew?" I asked, trying to confirm my suspicion.
"Lucca... I..."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"You and Seraphina have already been connected because of that ring," he said calmly.
"So you expected this the moment I told you about the dreams."
My master fell silent once again.
Now I wasn't just curious about Seraphina and me. I was curious about my master as well. It felt like he was hiding something from me.
"Is there something else I should know? Ever since the ring became involved, I feel like you've changed."
That had been my observation ever since I discovered I was growing weaker and needed the ring.
"I'm not hiding anything," my master replied.
"But you are. You knew Seraphina might have the same dreams, yet you didn't warn me. If she hadn't called me Xavier earlier, I never would have known."
"Lucca... whatever happens, I want you to stay focused on your goal—the ring. Once you have it, you'll gain eternal life."
Those words no longer excited me. Maybe I would achieve that goal... or maybe I wouldn't.
"Have you been making an effort to get the ring? I hope you have," my master asked, forcing a cheerful tone as he changed the subject.
Now I wanted to know what he was hiding from me. I only hoped the truth wouldn't hurt either of us.
"I'm doing fine. We're getting closer," I replied tiredly.
"How are Dominic and Damian? Are they doing well? I haven't received a call from either of them."
"They're fine. Once I see them, I'll tell them you're waiting for their calls."
"All right. I hope to hear from them soon."
"I'll end the call now. I'll come to your house once we get back," I said before ending the call.
I let out a long, heavy sigh.
I didn't think I'd be able to sleep tonight. Too many thoughts kept lingering in my mind.
Seraphina's POV
I woke up early and removed the bandages from my feet. They felt much better than yesterday, thanks to Lucca's treatment.
I went into the bathroom to wash my face and use some mouthwash before heading downstairs. I was hungry and wanted a glass of milk with peanut butter toast.
As soon as I entered the kitchen, I saw the old housekeeper already preparing breakfast. I greeted her good morning, although I still felt a little uneasy because of what had happened yesterday.
"Are you hungry? What would you like to eat?" she asked.
"No, thank you. I'll get it myself," I replied before opening the refrigerator to look for some milk. Luckily, there was still some left.
Then I walked to the pantry to get a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. While I was spreading peanut butter on the bread, the old housekeeper suddenly spoke.
"You two look cute together. It reminds me of when I first met my husband."
I looked at her in confusion.
"Pardon?" I asked.
She smiled brightly.
"You and Sir Lucca."
Fortunately, I hadn't taken a sip of my milk yet. Otherwise, I probably would have spat it out.
I forced a smile. This was becoming awkward again, just like yesterday.
"You misunderstood," I said, trying to make it clear that Lucca and I weren't in a relationship.
"My husband and I were like that too," she replied. "But we still ended up together."
I simply smiled in response instead of arguing. If she didn't believe me, there was no point explaining further. Besides, we'd be returning to Baguio tomorrow.
I placed the bread in the toaster to crisp it slightly.
"You know," she continued, "in such a short time, I've already noticed everything. Sir Lucca isn't the only one who likes you. Sir Dominic does too."
That statement made me look at her again.
Just then, the toaster popped. Instead of getting my toast immediately, I answered her.
"You misunderstood again. Sir Dominic is my former boss, and Sir Lucca is my current boss. There's nothing between any of us."
I took the toasted bread and bit into it. It tasted delicious.
"Nope," she said confidently. "I'm certain of my intuition. Both of those young men like you. I can see it through their actions."
I stopped chewing and stared at her.
"You may deny it now, but one day you'll remember what I told you."
She smiled before returning to preparing breakfast.
I stood there for a moment, trying to process everything she had said.
Eventually, I sat at the dining table, watching her cook.
"Can you talk to me while you're cooking?" I asked as I continued eating.
"Of course. About how I knew those two like you?"
I nodded, genuinely curious about what she had noticed.
"Their actions speak louder than words. Especially Sir Lucca. I can see the longing in his eyes."
"Longing?"
Immediately, the memories of Xavier and Monica flashed through my mind again. The scenes repeated over and over until I remembered falling asleep last night.
Our conversation was interrupted when Lucca entered the kitchen, looking as though he had just woken up. His messy hair somehow made him even more handsome.
I froze.
What am I thinking?
I quickly shook my head. I shouldn't think of him that way. He was rude, sarcastic, and my boss. That's all.
The old housekeeper noticed my reaction and smiled knowingly.
I pretended not to notice.
Lucca stopped walking when he saw me. He grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator before leaving the kitchen without saying a word.
I sighed.
How was I supposed to treat him now without thinking about Xavier?
"Did you two fight?" the old housekeeper teased. "No good morning kiss?"
"I... I should go. Thank you."
I quickly drank my milk and carried my toast with me since I hadn't finished eating it.
I couldn't handle any more teasing.
"Already finished?"
I stopped walking when I heard Lucca's voice.
He was sitting in the living room, and I had to pass by to reach the garden.
"Not yet," I replied, raising my toast for him to see.
He finished drinking his water before standing.
"I don't like the old housekeeper," he said with his usual poker face. "She's too nosy."
I wished I could see him smile just once. Was smiling really that difficult for him?
"We're going back to Baguio tomorrow. You won't have to see her anymore," I replied.
He didn't answer. He simply stood there with both hands in his pajama pockets, staring at me.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I finally asked, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Because I still can't believe we shared the same dream."
Once again, the memories came flooding back.
My appetite instantly disappeared.
"Are you upset because I didn't tell you?" I asked quietly. "I didn't know you had those dreams too."
"No," he answered. "I'm not."
He slowly walked toward me.
Instinctively, I stepped backward to keep some distance between us.
"Why are you coming closer, Lucca?" I asked, unable to hide my nervousness.
"Good morning, Sera!"
Lucca immediately stopped.
I silently thanked Dominic for interrupting us.
Both of us looked at him, and I smiled warmly.
"Good morning, Dominic."
"What are you two doing here so early? I thought I'd be the first one awake."
"I got hungry, so I went to the kitchen."
I raised the now-cold toast in my hand.
"How about you, Lucca?" Dominic asked.
"I couldn't sleep."
As he answered, Lucca looked at me again.
I quickly looked away.
Yesterday, our faces had been so close that we were almost about to kiss.
Just remembering it made my cheeks burn.
I flinched when Dominic suddenly placed his hand on my forehead.
"Are you sick? Your face is red."
"N-No. I'm fine. Thank you."
I cleared my throat, trying to act normal, but my heart kept racing.
What was happening to me?
Was I really getting sick?
"I thought..." Dominic began.
Before he could finish, Mira walked in.
"What's with the serious faces?" she laughed. "Are you having a meeting this early?"
"We're just chatting," Dominic replied. "Can we eat breakfast now?"
"Of course."
We all headed to the dining room.
I avoided looking at Lucca, although I could still feel his eyes following me.
I quickly finished the bread I had been carrying.
"Oh! You're already awake, Ma'am Mira," the old housekeeper greeted. "Please wait a moment while I prepare the utensils."
"Can I help?" Mira offered.
"Oh, no. Let the other helpers do it."
She called the other two helpers to assist us.
A few moments later, Damian entered the dining room, still yawning.
"He's so handsome," Mira whispered to me with a smile.
Was that what being in love felt like?
Did thinking someone was handsome mean you were attracted to them?
I shook my head.
Why would I be attracted to Lucca?
He wasn't even my type.
But he is handsome.
I shook my head even harder.
"You'll get dizzy if you keep doing that," Mira laughed before leaning closer to whisper, "Why does Lucca keep staring at you? Does he find you attractive now?"
I gasped.
"What are you thinking?" I whispered back with a frown, pretending to be offended.
She only laughed.
"What are you girls whispering about?" Dominic interrupted.
I hoped Mira wouldn't tell him.
"It's girl talk," Mira answered.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Breakfast was delicious, and I enjoyed every bite, although I occasionally caught Lucca staring at me for no apparent reason.
Did he think I was hiding something from him?
He didn't even bother hiding the fact that he kept looking at me.
"We're going to our last tourist destination today," Mira announced. "Seraphina, you're coming with us this time. No more excuses."
Although my wounds hadn't fully healed, they no longer hurt as much as yesterday. Lucca's treatment had been surprisingly effective.
After breakfast, Mira told us to change clothes and prepare our bags.
We were going to Pongas Falls, but we'd have to hike before reaching it.
That made me nervous.
A hike?
Although the pain had lessened, I didn't want to put too much pressure on my feet.
Still, I had no choice.
I couldn't let Mira find out about my injuries.
I returned to my room and packed my things.
While I was busy organizing my bag, the door suddenly opened.
Lucca walked in.
He was already fully dressed.
Did he get ready before everyone else?
"What do you need?" I asked as he walked toward me.
I was sitting on the edge of the bed with nowhere else to move.
"Take this."
He handed me a tube of cream.
"Apply it to your wounds before we leave."
Then he handed me a small bottle of medicine.
"And take this. It'll help with the pain while we're hiking."
He sighed.
"You know how foolish you're being? You could've just told your friend that you're not well enough to join today's activity. Instead, you're pretending to be strong just to keep it a secret."
"You already know why," I answered softly. "And I'm sorry about that. This is our last day here, and I think I can manage."
I looked at him sincerely.
"Thank you for the medicine and the cream. I really appreciate your kindness."
"Hey, Lucca! What are you doing in Seraphina's room?"
The door suddenly swung open.
Mira stood there, looking at both of us.