"What will Lucca and Dominic think when they see you?" Mira asked with a mischievous smile.
"Mira!" I tried to stop her, but she ignored me.
"It looks like I'm about to witness a love triangle tonight." She laughed again.
"That's not true! Lucca doesn't even like me," I protested.
"But what if he does?" Mira asked, waiting for my answer.
"It will never happen," I replied confidently.
"Hey, Mira, stop teasing her," Charlotte interrupted. "I don't want her refusing to attend the party because she's upset with you. I don't want all my hard work to go to waste."
His words made me smile. I really wanted him to become my friend.
"It seems you two get along really well," Mira commented with a smile.
"I like him more than you now," I said, pretending to frown.
"Hey! That's unfair!" Mira complained dramatically. "It took me years to win your heart, and now you like Charlotte more than me after only a few hours?"
"That's what you get for teasing me," I teased back.
She pouted.
"Okay, okay. I won't tease you anymore. Am I still your best friend?" she asked, hoping for the answer she wanted.
"I'll think about it tonight," I replied playfully.
"Sera!" she whined, sounding genuinely hurt.
Charlotte and I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.
"We're leaving now, Charlotte," I said, ignoring Mira's exaggerated sulking.
"I know you want to hug me, dear, but you can't," Charlotte laughed. "I don't want to ruin your makeup or wrinkle your gown."
I smiled.
"Can I hug you afterward?" I asked.
"Well, of course! Who am I to refuse?"
"Thank you for making me feel beautiful tonight, Charlotte. Thank you for boosting my confidence."
Charlotte gently held my hands and looked into my eyes.
"I meant every word I said, dear," he said warmly. "I'm happy to be your friend."
"Excuse me!" Mira interrupted dramatically. "I'm still here! Why do I suddenly feel betrayed?"
Charlotte and I burst into laughter before Mira and I finally left my room.
"I should've never asked Charlotte to do your makeup," Mira grumbled. "I knew you'd become friends. I just didn't expect to end up as your second favorite."
"Are you really going to the party wearing that grumpy face?" I teased. "What if your parents' investors see you frowning?"
"But you started it."
"Stop acting like a child, Mira. At this rate, I might replace you with Charlotte."
Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open in disbelief.
Before she could complain, I laughed.
"I was just kidding. You'll always be my number one best friend. Why would I replace you?"
Her smile instantly returned.
"Of course you wouldn't. I'm Mira Kraft. Who would dare replace me?" she said proudly.
I shook my head and laughed at her confidence.
Truthfully, though, Mira looked breathtaking tonight.
Charlotte had styled her long chestnut-brown hair into elegant Hollywood waves that cascaded gracefully over one shoulder. A few delicate strands framed her face perfectly, making her look effortlessly glamorous. Her makeup highlighted her naturally beautiful features, a flawless complexion with a soft matte finish, warm rose-gold eyeshadow blended seamlessly over her eyelids, thin winged eyeliner that enhanced her almond-shaped eyes, long curled lashes, and perfectly shaped brows. A touch of champagne highlighter shimmered on her cheekbones, while rosy blush added warmth to her face. Her lips were painted with a glossy deep rose shade that complemented her ruby-red gown beautifully.
She looked like a model walking straight out of a fashion magazine.
I was certain Damian would fall even more deeply in love with her tonight.
We walked downstairs to meet her parents.
They both gasped the moment they saw us.
"My goodness... what beautiful young ladies," Mira's mother exclaimed. "Seraphina, I almost didn't recognize you."
I blushed at the compliment.
"Thank you, Auntie."
"Where are the boys?" Mira asked as she looked around.
"They already left for the venue," her mother replied. "I told them to go ahead because the two of you were taking forever."
"Oh no! I'm sorry, Mom!"
"It's fine. It's our event anyway, well, partly. The investor specifically invited our family."
"I'm really curious about this investor," Mira admitted. "I thought it was just a simple dinner, but it turned out to be such a grand event."
"He's a very important investor," her mother whispered.
"Enough chatting, ladies," Mira's father interrupted with a smile. "They're probably waiting for us already."
We all smiled before heading toward the vans.
Mira's parents rode in a separate vehicle while Mira and I rode in another.
As we traveled, I couldn't stop feeling nervous.
Charlotte's words had boosted my confidence, but this was still my first formal party. It was my first time wearing an elegant evening gown and professional makeup. Even though I wasn't officially part of the business world, attending such a prestigious event made me anxious.
"Hey," Mira said softly as she held my hand. "Calm down."
"I can't," I admitted. "I'm not used to this."
"I know." She smiled reassuringly. "And I promise I won't leave your side."
"You won't choose Damian over me tonight?" I asked half-jokingly. "What if you see him and leave me all alone?"
She giggled.
"I promise I won't. But... if there's a dance later, can I say yes if Damian asks me?" she asked with pleading eyes.
I laughed softly and nodded.
"I guess that's fair."
"I still don't know if attending this party was the right decision," I admitted. "Maybe I should've stayed at your house."
"And waste all of Charlotte's hard work?" Mira asked. "He'd be heartbroken if he found out you didn't even attend after everything he did for you."
"That's exactly what I'm thinking," I sighed.
"Don't worry," Mira said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "I won't leave your side. I promise."
"She's flaunting so much," Lucca remarked.
I followed his gaze and looked at Mira, who was happily chatting with Damian while occasionally introducing him to some of the guests. She looked genuinely proud to have him by her side.
I chuckled softly. "She's just happy."
"She's showing him off too much."
"And what's wrong with that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lucca scoffed. "Nothing. As long as she doesn't regret it later."
I frowned at his response. "Why do you always think negatively?"
"I don't."
"You do." I crossed my arms. "You always expect the worst from people."
"I expect reality."
I sighed. "You're impossible."
He merely shrugged as if my opinion didn't matter.
To avoid arguing with him, I looked around the grand ballroom once more. Everywhere I looked, elegantly dressed guests mingled with one another while waiters in crisp uniforms gracefully walked around carrying trays of champagne, wine, and appetizers. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their warm golden lights reflecting beautifully against the polished marble floor. Fresh white lilies and blue hydrangeas decorated every table, while a live orchestra played soft classical music in the background. The entire venue looked like something straight out of a luxury movie scene.
"I'll just get something to eat," I said.
Lucca didn't stop me. "Go."
I smiled before walking toward the buffet area.
There were so many dishes that I didn't even know where to begin. Seafood, premium steaks, roasted lamb, fresh sushi, expensive cheeses, colorful desserts, and countless pastries filled the long buffet tables. I quietly grabbed a small plate and picked only a few foods that looked familiar to me.
As I was about to leave, someone suddenly stood beside me.
"I knew I'd find you here."
I turned around and saw Dominic smiling brightly while holding a glass of juice.
"I thought you'd already forgotten about me," I teased.
"I was dragged into several business conversations." He sighed dramatically. "Sometimes I hate being a businessman."
I laughed.
"You laughed again." He smiled. "I'm starting to see your smile more often."
"It's because you keep saying funny things."
"That's good." He looked at me from head to toe before smiling warmly. "By the way..."
"What?"
"You really are the most beautiful woman here tonight."
I blinked in surprise before lowering my head.
"You don't have to flatter me."
"I'm not flattering you." His expression became sincere. "I'm simply telling the truth."
Before I could respond, I felt someone standing behind me.
"I've been looking for you."
Both Dominic and I turned around.
It was Lucca.
His face remained expressionless, but his sharp eyes briefly landed on Dominic before shifting to me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"The investor has arrived."
"So?"
"Mira's parents are looking for everyone."
Dominic smiled. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The three of us walked toward the center of the ballroom, where Mira, Damian, and her parents were already standing near the entrance, welcoming a distinguished-looking man surrounded by several bodyguards.
Judging by the way everyone greeted him with respect, he was undoubtedly the mysterious investor everyone had been talking about.
I looked in the direction he was staring and smiled.
"I agree," I said while still looking at Mira.
Little did I know, Lucca was already staring at me.
When I caught him looking at me, it felt as though our world had gone silent. The bustling hall faded away, and everyone around us seemed to disappear. It was as if only the two of us remained.
Then I suddenly heard my heart pounding so fast.
Just his gaze was enough to make me melt. What would happen to me if it became more than just a stare?
All the accidental moments when we had touched each other flashed through my mind. Every single memory made my cheeks burn and my heart beat even faster.
"You look beautiful tonight," Lucca said with his usual blank expression. However, I caught a glimpse of admiration in his eyes before he quickly hid his emotions.
"Did you mean it?" I asked. It was so unusual for him to compliment me.
He didn't answer. It seemed that he had just realized what he had said.
So it had merely slipped out of his mouth... and he never intended for me to hear it?
He looked away and avoided my gaze, but he didn't leave my side. When a waiter carrying a tray of wine passed by, Lucca took a glass and emptied it in one gulp.
He looked tense.
Was it because he couldn't accept the fact that he had complimented me?
"I like your suit tonight," I said, complimenting him in return so we'd be even.
He looked at me again.
I smiled.
"But I think you'd be even more handsome if you smiled," I said sincerely.
I couldn't tell how he took my compliment because, once again, he hid his emotions.
I decided to let it go. At least he didn't seem as tense anymore.
"I feel hungry. Will you come with me and get some food?" I asked.
He cleared his throat before silently following me.
At least I had Lucca by my side tonight. At least neither of us was alone.
I saw the buffet in one corner of the ballroom. I immediately grabbed a plate and started filling it with food. Honestly, I didn't know the names of most of the dishes. I simply picked whatever looked delicious.
"Are you that hungry?" Lucca asked after seeing my plate piled high with food.
I put a bite into my mouth before nodding.
"I am hungry," I replied while chewing.
Lucca grabbed a plate as well and helped himself to some food. Afterward, we stood near the buffet because I had already told him that I'd probably come back for more once I finished eating.
I expected him to tell me that I looked like a beggar for eating so much, but he didn't.
He didn't stop me from getting seconds either.
"Just make sure all this helps you gain some weight," he said while eating.
"That's not as easy as you think. I've been trying to gain back the weight I lost."
"Were you still seeing Dr. Keith before this trip?" he suddenly asked.
His question made me stop eating.
Honestly... I hadn't even thought about Dr. Keith until now.
Did that mean I was finally moving on?
"What about you?" I asked instead of answering.
"I'm the one asking you."
"But I'm curious too."
Before either of us could continue, the host welcomed everyone to the party. He proudly announced that this was the grandest celebration ever attended by the country's wealthiest businesspeople.
His words made me feel small.
They reminded me that I didn't belong in this world.
"Not everyone here is a wealthy businessperson," Lucca said, catching my attention. "Don't believe everything the host says."
"When I walked into this ballroom, I wondered if I really belonged in your world. But the more I think about it... I realize I never did."
"Does that really matter to you?" he asked.
"Actually, no. I just don't want people thinking I'm only using you."
"Did you ever ask for our opinion? Do other people's opinions really matter more than ours?"
I looked into his eyes.
There was something about them that I desperately wanted to understand.
"I never cared about what other people thought... not until I met all of you," I admitted, referring to Mira, Dominic, Damian, and him.
"It's your life, not theirs. Do whatever you want."
"May I ask you something?"
Lucca looked at me with his usual blank expression.
"You're already asking."
I sighed. That was exactly the response I expected.
"What do you want to do?" I asked.
He became unusually quiet.
I waited.
Nearly a minute passed before he finally answered.
"I want to live longer."
His answer made me even more curious.
"Why are you saying that as if you don't have much time left on Earth?"
"What if I told you... I really don't?"
"Are you sick?" That was the first thing that came to my mind. He never joked around, so I couldn't simply brush off what he had said.
"No."
"Then what do you mean?"
"Are we really that close for me to tell you?"
I paused.
Were we?
I thought we were.
"Yes," I answered confidently.
For the first time, I saw the corner of his lips curve upward.
It wasn't quite a smile.
It was a smirk.
Still, it was the first time I had ever seen any expression on his face.
"Lucca..."
"What?"
"You just smirked."
"So?"
"It's my first time seeing you smirk."
"Well... congratulations," he replied sarcastically.
I frowned.
Couldn't he just accept a compliment without being sarcastic?
Still annoyed, I walked back to the buffet.
At least the food was delicious, and I was finally starting to enjoy the party.
I was grateful that no one seemed to notice me.
I avoided looking at Lucca, still irritated by his sarcasm. His remarks always made my blood boil.
I filled my plate again before returning to where we had been standing.
As I ate, I ignored Lucca.
Meanwhile, the host continued speaking until he finally reached the moment everyone had been waiting for.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the host announced, "the moment you've all been waiting for. Please join me in welcoming the man behind this magnificent evening. Give him a warm round of applause for Mr. Damon Devereux!"