"Damon…" I repeated his name.
He smiled widely and nodded. "Yup. As in D-A-M-O-N," he even spelled it out.
"You mentioned before when we first met that Dominic, Lucca, and Damian know you."
"Yup. They all know me."
"Then why didn't I see you mingling with them?" I asked.
"Do I need to?" he chuckled.
"If you're their friend, then yes," I answered.
He laughed again while still staring at me. There was something in his laugh and eyes, like there was a deeper meaning behind them.
"Let's change the topic. Since you already know my name, can I flirt with you now?" he asked.
"What? I didn't say—" I wasn't able to finish because he cut me off immediately.
"I'll treat you better than Lucca," he said, now with seriousness in his voice.
I didn't respond right away. Why was he comparing himself to Lucca? Was this some kind of competition?
"I didn't tell you to flirt with me. I'm not interested at all," I said firmly.
"Because you have a lover?"
My mouth fell slightly open in shock. He was way too straightforward. He didn't even hesitate to say what was on his mind.
"I guess Lucca is your lover."
Lucca again?
Why was he always mentioning Lucca? Were they really friends… or enemies?
I was so speechless that I couldn't even deny his assumption. And although I didn't like that he thought that way, part of me was relieved, at least he might stop pushing himself on me.
His expression changed when I didn't deny it. He forced a smile, but I could tell it wasn't genuine.
"Why is it always him?" he asked with a chuckle, though it sounded frustrated.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, curiosity creeping in. I really wanted to know why he kept bringing Lucca up.
"Oh well. I still won't change my mind. I'll keep flirting with you, whether you like it or not," he said without hesitation.
His arrogance was getting on my nerves. Yes, he looked good, but did that give him the right to act however he wanted?
"I told you, I'm not interested," I said firmly.
"But I am," he shot back immediately.
I sighed. My appetite was completely gone now. I couldn't even finish the food he ordered.
"I need to go back to the room," I said, standing up.
But he grabbed my hand before I could leave. I tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.
"Can't we talk a little longer?" His expression changed again. What exactly was he trying to do? It felt like he had different personalities.
I sat back down, staring at him in confusion. It felt like he had just trapped me in a public place.
"Let's talk about you," he said.
"There's nothing interesting about me," I replied.
"But I think there is. Why won't you tell me? I want to know you better."
"Then why don't you tell me about yourself? You still feel like a stranger to me," I answered.
"Now you're saying you're interested in me?" he grinned meaningfully.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. This man was something else. Just like Lucca, he felt dangerous in a way that made me want to stay away. But how could I avoid him if he kept pushing himself into my space?
"I told you, I'm not interested," I said again, letting my annoyance show clearly, but he still didn't seem bothered.
My attention was cut off when my phone beeped. A message from Dominic.
"Aren't you done eating yet?" Dominic texted.
I replied, "I'm almost done. Why? Do you want me to buy something?"
He responded immediately. "I was just worried you were taking too long."
I sighed deeply and looked at Damon, who was still smiling at me like nothing was wrong.
"I need to go. They're already looking for me."
"Are Lucca and them that possessive?" he asked.
Lucca again.
Why did his name keep coming up everywhere?
"Yeah. That's why I need to go back," I lied just to make him let me leave.
His aura darkened, but I ignored it. I stood up, and this time he also stood.
"Then see you around, babe," he said, then winked.
I almost snapped at him for calling me that, but I held myself back. I just nodded and quickly left the canteen.
I took the elevator back to our floor. When the doors opened, I immediately saw Dominic standing in front of it.
"Seraphina!"
I was slightly startled.
"Why are you standing here?" I asked as I stepped out.
"You didn't reply to my messages."
"Then?"
"I was about to follow you to the canteen."
I sighed. Why were these people acting like something bad would happen to me every time I left the room?
"I just ate, Dominic, for goodness' sake," I said, unable to hide my annoyance. Yes, he was my boss, and a handsome one at that, but they were becoming too controlling.
Then I remembered Damon's question.
Was Lucca this possessive?
Now I had my answer.
Not just Lucca, but Dominic too.
We entered the room, and Dominic kept talking.
"You wouldn't stay that long just to eat. I know that," he said firmly.
I stopped and looked at him.
Lucca was already there, sitting on the sofa. His dextrose had been removed.
"Should I report myself to you 24/7?" I asked, clearly annoyed.
"I'm just concerned," Dominic replied.
"You know what? I don't understand why you followed me to the canteen just to make sure I was eating. Don't you trust me?" I raised my voice.
"Sera… it's not like that. What I mean is—"
Dominic wasn't able to finish his words when Lucca suddenly butted in.
"You're eating with someone?" he asked, staring blankly at me.
How did he know? Does he have someone spying on me?
"How did you know? Are you spying on me?"
"No. But I could feel that you ate with someone," Lucca said seriously.
I looked at Dominic, then back at Lucca. They were definitely hiding something.
"Are you hiding something from me?"
"Who did you meet?" Lucca asked, ignoring my question.
Should I tell him Damon's name? Why would I even hide it?
"Damon," I answered.
That immediately made Dominic look worried, while Lucca's expression darkened.
"He told me you're his friend," I added.
"And you believe him?" Lucca asked, annoyance clear in his voice.
"Why shouldn't I? He seemed nice," I said. He really did seem nice when we first met, excluding the flirting, of course.
"Nice?" Dominic asked in confusion.
"Aren't you guys friends with him?" I asked again.
Lucca and Dominic exchanged a look, but neither of them answered. I was almost certain now, they were hiding something from me.
Before I could press further, someone suddenly barged into the room. Damian entered.
"What's with this atmosphere?" he immediately asked, sensing the tension.
"Ah. Are we going now?" Dominic asked him. Damian nodded.
"Yeah."
"Then let's go. Just send Lucca home, I'll send Seraphina home," Dominic said.
I glanced at Lucca, who was still staring at me. I couldn't understand his expression, but I knew it meant something.
"Let's go, Seraphina," Dominic said.
"Aren't we going to wait for them? What about Lucca's things?" I asked.
At that moment, several large men entered the room.
"Bodyguards will handle it," Dominic replied, smiling at me as if I hadn't been annoyed at him earlier.
I didn't respond anymore, and we took the elevator down to the ground floor where Dominic's car was parked.
"Thank you for taking care of Lucca, Sera. I already transferred the money to your account."
"What? Wait, I didn't ask for m—" I started, but he cut me off.
"I know you didn't ask for it. You helped him thinking it would repay what he did for you. But you've spent most of your week in the hospital. You still deserve that money."
I didn't respond. Part of me was grateful for the extra money, but another part of me didn't want them to think I was helping just because of it.
"Don't overthink it, Sera. By the way, can I call you Sera now? Seraphina is quite long," he asked.
"You've already called me Sera twice today," I replied.
He chuckled and started the engine. Dominic told me not to work tomorrow since it was Saturday. I should go back on Monday, he said.
While driving along the highway, Dominic kept glancing at me like he wanted to say something.
"You keep glancing at me. Just say it," I said, as if I weren't talking to my boss. Ever since I started spending time with them, I noticed my personality was slowly changing.
"You mentioned Damon earlier. When did you meet him?" he asked, now focusing on the road.
"On the rooftop," I answered.
"The rooftop?" He quickly glanced at me.
"Yeah. The other day. He already knew my name, so I thought he was your friend. But I guess not," I said while looking out the window.
"Try to avoid him," he said.
I looked at him. "Avoid him? Why?"
"He's not what you think he is. You said he seemed nice earlier, I don't think so," he replied.
Whatever their issue was, I didn't want to get involved anymore. If they used to be friends and something happened between them, that wasn't my problem.
"Now answer me. Were you friends before?" I asked again.
"No," he said firmly.
I thought he wouldn't answer, since earlier at the hospital both he and Lucca were hesitant to talk about him.
"Then why do you both know him?" I asked, staring at him.
"Business," he answered.
Oh. So maybe rivals in business? That's what rich people usually deal with.
"Okay," I said without hesitation.
"So you won't see him starting today?" he asked again.
"It depends if I bump into him," I answered. I couldn't even fully ignore him, he was too persistent, too flirty. Like he had this aura that would do anything to get what he wanted.
And that includes you, my mind added.
I sighed. Maybe Dominic was right. I should avoid him so he wouldn't keep flirting with me.
Finally, we arrived home. Dominic helped carry my bag, but I took it back once we entered the gate.
"Thank you," I said.
"Won't you let me in?" he asked.
I didn't answer right away. I wasn't used to letting guys inside the house. What would the neighbors think? Some of them were definitely gossipers.
On the other hand, it would also be rude not to let Dominic in since he had helped me.
In the end, I gave in and let him enter.
He carried my bag until we reached inside the house.
"Don't judge it. It's too small," I said.
"I didn't say anything," Dominic chuckled.
I excused myself and went to the kitchen. Luckily, I had something in the fridge. I decided to serve him fresh orange juice and toasted peanut butter bread.
When I went back to the living room, I saw him looking at the portrait displayed on the wall.
"Your grandma is beautiful, just like you," Dominic said sincerely.
I placed the tray on the table and called him.
He looked at me while still smiling. "I can imagine you and your grandma living here," he said as he sat on our old sofa. It was a bit hard, but Dominic didn't complain.
"I'm not used to it… letting a man into our house. I've never done this before," I said.
"It's my pleasure then," he replied with a wide smile before picking up the glass of juice and taking a sip.
"This tastes so good," Dominic complimented.
"It's real orange juice, that's why," I answered.
"Thank you," Dominic said, still smiling.
What did I do to deserve a boss like him? He's practically a total package—rich, powerful, handsome, attractive. You name it, and women would definitely be drooling over him.
But I was different from other women. I didn't feel anything romantic toward him. It felt like he was more of a brother to me. Though I had to admit, he could still annoy me sometimes, just like earlier, but that feeling always faded whenever he talked and smiled at me.
Maybe because he was my boss?
"After you finish eating, you should go now," I said, avoiding his gaze.
"Right away?"
"Yeah. Right away. I don't want my neighbors thinking you're my boyfriend."
"Can't I be one?" he teased.
I rolled my eyes. Why did every man I meet keep flirting with me? Except for Damian, who was now interested in Mira, and Lucca, who would never do such a thing.
Dominic laughed at my reaction. "I'm just kidding."
"Yeah. I don't take it seriously."
He kept laughing while munching on the food.
"I like your toasted peanut butter bread. Can I come here again just to eat it?" he asked with a smile.
"No," I answered firmly. I didn't want him coming to my house alone, unless he was with Mira.
"Why not?" he asked, giving me puppy eyes. If he wasn't handsome and my boss, I would've thrown him out right there and then.
"I already told you. I don't want my neighbors to start talking," I said.
"Just let them think what they want."
"Like what you did in the parking lot? Employees saw it too," I reminded him.
Do you still remember when we weren't that close yet? When we were in the parking lot and he intentionally flirted with me just to make the employees think there was something between us? I was so angry then that I didn't want to talk to him. But eventually, I forgave his playfulness.
He laughed loudly as he remembered it. "You were so mad at me."
"Yeah. Maybe I'll get mad again if you keep coming here alone."
"Oh, so I can still come, just not alone."
"With Mira," I clarified.
He smiled. "Noted."
"But why are you planning to come here again? Our house isn't even as fancy as yours."
"Oh, right. I just remembered I haven't invited you to my house yet. But you've already been to Lucca's," he said, then frowned slightly at the memory.
"So?"
"Do you want to come to my place?"
"Can I have my me time first? I've been so exhausted being with you this week," I said, frowning.
He laughed again. "Okay, okay. I'll give you your me time. Maybe I should invite you next week?"
"Yeah," I answered, then yawned.
"You look sleepy."
"I am," I said, still yawning.
Dominic smiled and stood up. "I won't bother you anymore then. Thank you again, Sera."
I stood up as well. "Thank you for the money too. But if you ever plan to take it back, I'm willing to return it."
He chuckled. "And do you really think I'll take it back? It doesn't even affect my wealth, don't worry," he said.
I walked him to the gate until he left.
"Thanks for the food. Make it for me again next time," he said before leaving.
I nodded, smiled, and waved at him. I waited until his car disappeared before going back inside.
I opened my phone and logged into my bank account to check how much Dominic had transferred.
"200,000?!"
Just for that week?
Why did he give me so much? I was grateful, but I didn't want him giving me this amount.
I almost called him, but I remembered he was driving, so I stopped myself.
I went to the bathroom to take a bath before heading to my room.
I opened the curtain of my window, and the moment I did, I saw a man in all-black clothes and shoes, with a pale face, staring at me while grinning.
My heart skipped a beat.