Seraphina's POV
After spending the morning strolling, we all headed back to the house and decided to grill outside. Dominic had already marinated the meat for lunch, and we planned to cook seafood and fish as well.
Mira went ahead to prepare the rice, and I followed, not wanting to stay with the boys as they started the grill.
"You're avoiding them," she said with a chuckle.
"You already know why."
She only smiled and continued rinsing the rice.
"You look strange today," I added, watching the way her lips curved even when there was no joke to laugh at.
"Of course I do. I'm happy today."
"What's making you happy?"
"Damian." She giggled, light, unrestrained, like a schoolgirl with an obvious crush.
I shook my head and reached for the vegetables. "You're too obvious. At least try to be hard to get."
"Sit. I'll do that," she said, but I ignored her and continued chopping cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions for the salad.
"Why don't you join them instead?" I pressed. "Get closer to him."
"And leave you here alone?" she shot back, then smirked. "Or do you prefer Lucca's company?"
"Hey! Lower your voice," I said quickly, glancing toward the doorway. No one was there. Still, I exhaled. "They might hear you."
Her smile only widened. "So it's true?"
"Lucca and I aren't on good terms. We're not even friends. He told me yesterday that I annoy him."
Mira frowned. "That's harsh."
"I'll let it go."
"You'll let it go?" she repeated, incredulous. "You don't even like him, and yet every time you cross paths, you argue."
"It's a coincidence."
She hummed, unconvinced. "Let's see how far that 'coincidence' goes."
I didn't answer. Instead, I focused on finishing the salad. Once done, I carried it outside to the table where we planned to eat. The boys were still tending the grill.
I returned to the kitchen for plates and utensils while Mira worked on fresh juice from the fruits in the refrigerator.
"I'm starving," I muttered.
"That's because we only had coffee and milk this morning."
"My stomach agrees," I said.
She handed me a glass. "Drink this first. It's healthy."
I took a sip. "It's good."
"It's my magic," she said with a proud tilt of her chin.
As I set the table, Dominic glanced at me. "Is your wound okay? You've been walking since morning."
I nodded, arranging the plates. The aroma of grilled meat hung thick in the air, enough to make my mouth water.
Lucca stood by the grill, slicing the meat into thin portions, while Damian carefully arranged the seafood on a serving plate.
"Oh, the rice," Mira said suddenly. "I forgot. I'll get it."
"I'll go," I told her.
Back in the kitchen, I washed my hands and transferred the rice into a large bowl. I hadn't noticed Lucca come in until he was beside me at the sink.
The suddenness of his presence caught me off guard, but I kept my focus on the task.
When I finished, I reached for the bowl.
"I'll carry it."
His voice was low, steady.
I didn't argue. I simply stepped aside and let him take it.
We walked back outside together, where everyone was already waiting.
"Thanks for the food!" Mira beamed as we settled in.
Lunch began with easy chatter. Everything tasted better than expected, especially the grilled meat. Mira and I ate with our hands, while the three boys stuck to spoons and forks.
"Dominic, you don't know how to eat with your hands?" Mira teased.
"I'm not used to it," he admitted with a laugh.
"Try it."
He did, and struggled at first, but eventually managed well enough.
"See?" Mira said. "Better, right?"
"It's… interesting," he replied.
"Damian, your turn?" she asked hopefully.
He only shrugged.
My gaze shifted to Lucca. He ate quietly, composed as ever, as if untouched by the noise around him.
Questions lingered at the edge of my mind, unasked.
He had already made it clear what he thought of me.
I had no intention of giving him another reason to be annoyed.
Lucca caught me staring at him again.
His gaze met mine, sharp and questioning, his brows drawing together in a faint frown.
I immediately looked away, heat creeping up my neck, silently hoping he would ignore it.
He didn't.
He stayed quiet through the rest of lunch, but the tension lingered, subtle, unspoken.
Then, as we finished, he spoke.
"Let's go wash the dishes, Seraphina."
The way he said my name caught everyone's attention. Even mine.
There was something about hearing it from him, unexpected, unfamiliar, that settled strangely in my chest.
"You know, you can just call me Lucca," Dominic joked, but Lucca ignored him completely.
He began gathering the utensils, and I followed, stacking the plates before trailing him back into the kitchen.
We set everything in the sink. I stood beside him as he turned on the faucet.
"What's your problem?" he asked, not even looking at me as he started washing.
"Huh?" I feigned ignorance.
"You kept staring at me."
Straight to the point.
I glanced at him, meeting his eyes for a second, just a second, before looking away again, suddenly very interested in the plates I was rinsing.
"I like observing people," I said.
"Even while they eat?"
"Does it bother you?" I asked. "If it does, I'm sorry."
"No," he said, a hint of pride slipping into his tone. "It doesn't bother me. I'm used to it."
I made a face at his reflection in the steel sink. Arrogant.
Still… he wasn't wrong. People did stare at him.
"And I'm guessing you're one of them," he added.
That made me look at him again.
Was I supposed to be offended?
I lifted an eyebrow. "I was just curious why you were seeing Dr. Keith."
That did it.
His expression darkened instantly.
"Are we close enough for you to be curious?"
I ignored the question. "Do your friends know?"
Silence. Then tension.
I had crossed a line.
"You're really annoying," he muttered, his voice colder now as he continued washing.
"I know," I said lightly. "And I'm still curious."
The water kept running. He said nothing.
I swallowed, then spoke again, softer this time.
"I understand why you wouldn't tell your friends. I felt the same way before. But when Mira found out… she became more caring. More understanding."
Still nothing.
Then—
"What do you know about me?"
I let out a small breath. "Not much. Just that you're cold, sarcastic… and rude."
He shot me a look, clearly unimpressed.
"But that same person helped you," he countered.
I nodded. "I know. I didn't even ask for it, but you still helped me. Even if we're not friends."
I hesitated, then added quietly,
"That's why I'm curious. Why do you keep helping me when I annoy you so much?"
No answer.
Just the steady rush of water and the quiet clink of dishes.
I reached for a towel and began drying what he had washed. We worked side by side in silence.
I found myself watching him again, not in the same obvious way as before, but in small, fleeting glances.
He moved with ease, like he was used to this.
Not what I expected.
I had always thought people like him, rich, polished, wouldn't know how to do things like this. But he did. Effortlessly.
He could even cook.
For some, that would make him perfect.
For me… his attitude made it complicated.
The silence stretched. I wanted to speak again, but stopped myself. I didn't feel like getting on his nerves any more than I already had.
Still, I couldn't leave either. It would feel wrong, like I was avoiding helping him.
Seraphina.
The way he said my name earlier replayed in my mind. Over and over.
I didn't even realize I had started shaking my head until—
"You're crazy."
I froze and looked at him, confused, then realized what I had been doing.
"Yeah," I admitted with a small shrug. "I am."
Overthinking had always been my thing.
"Seraphina… Lucca… are you done?"
Dominic's voice cut through the tension as he stepped into the kitchen.
I let out a quiet breath of relief.
Finally, someone had interrupted us.
Dominic's POV
"Let's go wash the dishes, Seraphina."
Lucca's words left everyone momentarily stunned.
Of all people, he had said it to her.
Lucca—who had never once bothered with dishes before. On every trip we'd taken, Damian and I were always the ones doing the chores.
I glanced at him. He looked completely at ease, as if he hadn't just surprised everyone.
Seraphina, on the other hand, looked caught off guard, unsure of how to respond.
"You know you can call me Lucca," I said, half-joking, trying to ease the tension that had suddenly formed between them.
He ignored me.
Without a word, Lucca began gathering the utensils and glasses. Seraphina stood and collected the plates and bowls, then followed after him.
Before leaving, she glanced back at me and smiled.
"It's okay, Dominic. At least I can help Lucca."
Then she was gone.
I watched them disappear into the kitchen, unease settling in my chest.
Was Lucca trying to win her over?
So she'd give the ring willingly?
He had been different these past few days, saving her when she collapsed, keeping a close eye on her, stepping in whenever she needed help.
Too different.
Because I knew Lucca.
He didn't believe in effort. To him, it was a waste of time and energy.
So what changed?
I doubted anything had.
"Hey, you went quiet."
Mira's voice pulled me back. I turned to her and forced a smile.
"Are you jealous?" she teased, laughing.
Jealous?
No.
Worried.
I let out a laugh anyway. "Nah. I just know Seraphina wouldn't fall for a rude, sarcastic guy like Lucca."
"Yeah," Mira agreed with a chuckle.
Across from us, Damian quietly sipped from his glass, his gaze fixed on Mira as she spoke.
Had he already fallen for her?
I couldn't blame him. Anyone would. Mira was beautiful and kind.
"I'll head to my room for a bit. I need to get my phone," I said, though it was only an excuse.
I wanted to give Mira and Damian a moment alone.
She caught my meaning instantly. I winked; she blushed.
I stifled a laugh and turned away.
But as I stepped inside, curiosity got the better of me.
I slowed near the kitchen.
"…Do your friends know about it?" Seraphina's voice drifted out.
I paused.
What was she talking about?
"…You're really annoying," Lucca replied, irritation clear in his tone.
"I know. And I'm curious, too."
I almost chuckled. She really had the nerve to talk back to him like that.
Their voices continued, back and forth. Seraphina pushing, Lucca shutting her down.
"I understand why you wouldn't tell your friends. I was afraid too. But when Mira found out, she became more caring… more empathetic."
That only made me more uneasy.
What exactly was she trying to get out of him?
"What do you know about me?" Lucca asked, his voice sharper now.
"I don't know you. I just know you're cold, sarcastic… and rude."
I had to bite back a laugh.
That was… painfully accurate.
"But that same person helped you," Lucca shot back.
"I know," Seraphina said. "Even if I didn't ask for it, you still helped me. Even if we're not friends… you still help me."
A brief pause.
"Which is why I'm curious. Why do you keep helping me when I annoy you so much?"
Her words lingered.
And with them came something heavier, guilt.
Because I knew the truth.
Lucca wasn't doing any of this out of kindness.
It was for the ring.
Seraphina didn't know that.
And when she found out…
Would she walk away from us?
"Seraphina… Lucca… are you done?" I called out, stepping into the kitchen before I could think twice.
"Ah yeah. Almost," Seraphina replied, turning to me with a small smile.
Relief flickered across her face.
As if I had just saved her from something.
Or someone.
Mira's POV
Dominic left me alone with Damian. He really knows the drill, and I'm happy about it. Since Damian told me that we should date, I couldn't help but feel excited and nervous at the same time. I don't know why I'm nervous, maybe because this is my first time dating someone. Yes, I've never been in a relationship before. I've had crushes, but they were never pursued.
I was fidgeting with my fingers because I felt uncomfortable. I suddenly became shy and quiet whenever I was near Damian.
I gasped when he suddenly held my hand, stopping me from playing with my fingers.
"Do you want your fingers to get hurt?" Damian asked.
I don't know why, but it made me feel kilig, even though it was just a small action.
He gently pinched my hand and smiled before letting it go.
I shyly smiled back at him and tried to sit properly. He was beside me, and we were close.
"Uhm… when you… when you told me to date you, did you really mean it?" I asked, stuttering.
"Why? Don't you want to? I thought you liked me," he said, his face serious.
"Yeah, I like you, and you know that. I'm just confirming if I heard it correctly."
"You heard it right," he said, then leaned closer.
I tried to move back, but Damian placed his hand behind me to stop me. He was just inches away from my face, and I could feel my cheeks burning. He looked into my eyes, then down at my lips. I gulped. Was he going to kiss me? If so, he would be my first kiss.
We stayed like that for a moment. Neither of us moved, but our eyes were locked. I wanted to read his thoughts, but his expression was unreadable. He was good at hiding emotions just like Lucca.
"After this trip, let's start our date," he said.
All I could do was nod.
He smiled and let me go. I held my chest as soon as he released me. It felt like my heart was going to burst from excitement, nervousness, and kilig. I couldn't explain the mix of emotions I was feeling. I was really happy because of Damian. I was expecting a kiss, but I reminded myself that he isn't my boyfriend yet, so I shouldn't assume.
But you were willing to give in a while ago, my mind whispered.
"I'll go to my room," Damian excused himself, and I just nodded. I still couldn't find my voice.
Lucca's POV
Seraphina excused herself and went to her room. I wiped my hands with a towel.
"Do you have anything to say to me?" Dominic asked.
I raised my eyebrows, questioning him.
"I heard your conversation," he said.
"You're becoming a gossip now," I replied calmly as I walked out of the kitchen. Dominic followed me.
"You're hiding something from us, Lucca," he said.
I went upstairs toward my room, and he continued following me.
"We're not getting any younger. We've been through a lot, but you're still not open to us," Dominic said, sounding offended, though I knew he was exaggerating.
"Stop being dramatic. I'm not hiding anything from you," I said.
"Then why was Seraphina asking if your friends know about it?" Dominic insisted. He clearly didn't want to end the conversation until he got answers.
I clenched my jaw. When I deal with Dr. Keith, he will definitely regret telling Seraphina about me and her sessions. He talks too much for someone who should know better.
I entered my room to get my towel and was about to go to the bathroom when Dominic stopped me.
"Lucca, tell me," he said seriously.
I sighed. Why is everyone getting on my nerves?
"Don't test my patience, Dominic. I already lost it with Seraphina," I warned him.
"Then lose it on me too," Dominic said, challenging me.
I looked at him, anger burning in my eyes. In an instant, I grabbed him by the neck and slammed him against the wall. His face turned red as he struggled to breathe. But he didn't fight back. He just stared at me, as if urging me to say what I was hiding.
"Even if you kill me now, I still want to know. You know I'm just concerned about you," Dominic said, stuttering and gasping for air.
"Lucca? Dominic?"
And just like that, Seraphina saw me gripping Dominic's neck against the wall.