I didn't reply to my executive assistant's message.
The moment I saw my ex's name, I lost my appetite.
What was she up to?
Why was she here in the Philippines?
It had been years since we broke up.
I ended our relationship because I couldn't keep pretending that I loved her. It had all started because of a bet. I had never liked Hillary in the first place, but she had been so persistent in pursuing me that, because of that stupid bet, I eventually agreed to become her boyfriend.
A year later, I finally ended our relationship.
At first, she refused to accept it.
But I threatened her that if she kept forcing herself into my life, I wouldn't hesitate to cut all ties with her.
Hillary knew about my superhuman strength.
She also knew that Damian and Dominic possessed the same ability.
In fact, the two of them had liked Hillary as well.
But she chose me.
"Lucca?"
I was pulled back to the present when I heard Seraphina call my name.
I hadn't even realized she'd been calling me. My thoughts had been completely occupied by my ex-girlfriend.
"Do you want the waiter to serve our dessert now?" she asked.
I nodded before finishing the last slice of my pizza.
I had planned to eat a lot today, but after receiving that message, I completely lost my appetite.
A few moments later, the waiter served our ice cream.
Seraphina immediately began eating hers.
Without saying a word, I slid my untouched bowl toward her.
She looked at me in confusion.
"You don't like it?" she asked.
"I'm not hungry anymore."
"But you only ate a slice of pizza. You ordered all of this. How am I supposed to finish everything by myself?"
"We'll have the rest packed to go."
She looked at me carefully.
"Is something bothering you? Your mood changed so suddenly."
"We're going to the office after lunch," I replied.
Seraphina didn't ask any more questions.
She probably assumed that something had come up at the company, which explained my sudden change in mood.
Seraphina's POV
I could tell that Lucca wasn't in the mood when he said we would be going to his office after lunch.
The moment he read something on his phone, his expression changed. He completely lost his appetite. He had only eaten a single slice of pizza and nothing else.
I couldn't even finish the food because Lucca had ordered enough for ten people.
After finishing my own ice cream, and his as well, I called the waiter to pack the leftovers. I was completely full after eating so much ice cream. Fortunately, I loved the flavor, so finishing both servings wasn't difficult.
Once the waiter handed us our takeout bags, we headed straight to the car.
Just as before, Lucca remained silent while driving.
"Does my first day at work start today?" I asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Yeah. You could say that."
"What task are you going to give me?"
The moment I asked that, he suddenly slammed on the brakes, startling me.
He didn't even warn me.
Good thing I was wearing my seatbelt. Otherwise, my face would've hit the dashboard.
"What are you doing, Lucca? Are you okay?" I asked, looking at him in confusion.
"You asked me about your task."
"Yes... but that doesn't explain why you suddenly stepped on the brakes without warning."
"Pretend to be my girlfriend," he said without hesitation. "Just like what we did with Damon."
I was completely taken aback.
Pretend to be his girlfriend?
That was my first assignment?
"But... who am I supposed to pretend for?" I asked.
"My ex-girlfriend."
I gasped.
Everything suddenly made sense.
So that was why his mood had changed after reading the message.
Someone had informed him that his ex-girlfriend was waiting at his office.
But why did he need me to pretend?
What exactly had happened between them?
"Don't ask questions," he said. "It's part of your job as my personal assistant."
"So... I don't have the right to refuse whatever you ask me to do?"
Was that why my salary was so high?
"No. It won't last forever. Once she leaves the country, your job is over."
"Oh... okay."
I decided not to ask any more questions.
He had already made it clear that he didn't want to explain.
A few minutes later, we arrived at a twenty-story office building.
It was my first time visiting Lucca's company.
The building was just as impressive as Dominic's.
The security guards greeted us the moment we entered, and every employee we passed respectfully greeted their boss.
I was so busy looking around that I accidentally bumped into Lucca's back when he stopped in front of the elevator.
I hadn't even noticed he was no longer walking.
"Remember," he said quietly, "you're my girlfriend. So act like one."
The elevator doors opened.
As soon as we stepped inside, he pressed the button for the twentieth floor.
The employees waiting outside didn't enter with us.
Were they really that afraid of their boss?
"What kind of boss are you, Lucca?" I asked while the elevator slowly climbed upward. "Everyone here seems scared of you."
"They should be. I don't pay people to slack off."
The moment he said that, I instinctively straightened my posture.
Considering how much he was paying me, I should probably do my best as well.
"You're not a soldier," he muttered. "Stop standing like one."
The elevator doors opened.
I was about to step out first when Lucca suddenly grabbed my hand.
I looked down in surprise.
Instead of simply holding it, he intertwined his fingers with mine as though we were a real couple.
"Whatever I do," he whispered, "don't react. Especially in front of my ex."
Then he led me toward his office without letting go of my hand.
It was the first time Lucca had ever held my hand.
His palm was warm, and his skin was surprisingly soft.
It was obvious he had never done manual labor a day in his life.
Using his free hand, Lucca opened the office door.
Even after we stepped inside, he didn't release my hand.
"Lucca..."
A tall, slender woman stood from the sofa the moment she saw him.
She had porcelain-white skin, long chestnut-brown hair that cascaded in soft waves past her shoulders, and striking hazel eyes framed by thick lashes. Her delicate nose, full rosy lips, and elegant posture made her look like a model straight out of a luxury fashion magazine. She wore a cream-colored fitted dress that perfectly complemented her graceful figure, while a pair of pearl earrings completed her sophisticated appearance.
She greeted Lucca with a warm smile.
But the smile instantly disappeared the moment she noticed our intertwined hands.
I glanced at Lucca before looking back at the woman.
She was probably the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
I wasn't surprised that Lucca had fallen for someone like her.
Standing side by side, they looked like the leading actor and actress in a romantic drama.
They looked perfect together.
"Lucca, babe. Long time no see."
The woman walked toward us with a bright smile. She was about to hug Lucca when he deliberately raised our intertwined hands, making it impossible for her to get close.
Her smile immediately faded.
I couldn't help feeling sorry for her.
She was beautiful, elegant, and looked so innocent. Yet here she was, being rejected so coldly by Lucca.
Why was Lucca so determined to push her away?
Had she hurt him that badly?
"Who is she?" she asked, forcing a smile as she looked at me.
"Can't you tell?" Lucca answered with another question.
That was so like him.
He always answered questions with another question.
"Since when?" she asked. "I've only been away from the Philippines for two years, and you've already found someone. Someone who isn't even..."
She stopped herself before finishing the sentence.
But I already knew what she meant.
I wasn't in her league.
She was probably about to say that Lucca had lowered his standards.
Honestly...
I would've agreed with her.
She was perfect in my eyes.
Yet Lucca didn't even spare her a single warm glance.
"How dare you say something like that in front of my girlfriend?" Lucca said coldly. "Our relationship ended. So why are you here in my office?"
I could clearly hear the irritation in his voice.
It was obvious that seeing her was the last thing he wanted.
"I came because I want you back, Lucca," she said, her voice softening. "I still love you."
I couldn't help feeling awkward.
Not because of what they were saying...
But because I was standing between them.
They were both so tall that I had to tilt my head back just to look at their faces.
I felt like a child standing between two adults.
"Can't you hear yourself?" Lucca replied. "At least show some respect to my girlfriend. She's standing right here listening to everything you're saying."
His voice had grown even colder.
I found myself wondering what this woman had done to make Lucca react this way.
"Can I talk to Lucca alone?" she asked, turning to me. "Please. Just give us a moment."
I nodded and tried to pull my hand away.
But Lucca tightened his grip.
"You're not leaving me alone, Seraphina," he said firmly. "You're staying here."
Since he had already told me to follow his instructions, I simply nodded.
The woman suddenly laughed.
"My gosh, Lucca. I never thought you'd end up liking someone you can control." She smiled bitterly. "You know I was always willing to submit to you before, but you never accepted it."
I felt like the filling in a sandwich.
Caught between two former lovers without knowing what had really happened between them.
Part of me wanted to tell Lucca later that maybe he should give her the closure she was looking for.
"Lucca..."
"Get out of my office," he said, his voice dangerously calm. "Before I do something I'll regret."
His words shocked me.
Was Lucca really threatening to hurt her?
Knowing his strength...
It wasn't an empty threat.
"Fine," she replied, forcing a smile. "I'll leave for now. But I'll never give up on you, Lucca. You know me. I always get what I want."
"And I want you back."
Before walking out, she leaned close to my ear and whispered,
"I'll get him back... no matter what."
Then she left.
I stood frozen.
I only came back to my senses when Lucca finally let go of my hand.
A few moments later, his executive assistant cautiously entered the office.
"Sir..."
"Why did you let that woman into my office?" Lucca asked sharply.
"She was very persistent, sir. No matter how much I explained that you weren't here, she refused to leave." He swallowed nervously. "She even threatened to destroy the office if you didn't come back. That's why I had no choice but to text you."
Lucca let out a deep sigh.
That woman was impossible.
She really would do anything just to win him back.
Lucca's POV
Asking Seraphina to pretend to be my girlfriend turned out to be a good decision. It was the quickest way to get Hillary to back off.
Knowing Hillary, she would never let go of me no matter how many times I pushed her away.
Now I regretted ever agreeing to Damian and Dominic's bet.
The three of us had entered a car racing competition. Damian and Dominic told me that if I won, I could ask for anything I wanted and they would give it to me. But if I lost, I had to let Hillary become my girlfriend.
My pride got the better of me.
I accepted the bet without hesitation.
Little did I know that one stupid decision would make my life miserable.
The moment Hillary became my girlfriend, she was nothing but a headache.
She was clingy, talkative, and playful, everything I disliked.
I preferred silence.
She constantly interrupted it.
Even while I was working, she would show up at my office just to see me.
I never truly treated her as my girlfriend.
She was always the one making the effort.
I never loved her.
She knew exactly how I felt, yet she insisted on staying by my side.
Two years ago, when I saw her drinking at a bar with Damon, I ended our relationship immediately.
I knew they had probably been doing nothing more than sharing a few drinks.
But seeing my girlfriend with my greatest enemy wounded my pride.
It also gave me the excuse I had been waiting for.
After a year of being in a relationship, I finally broke up with her.
Even after that, she kept visiting my office and my mansion.
I never allowed her inside.
I refused to see her until I heard that she had flown to America because her parents wanted her to manage their family business after her father became ill.
I thought I was finally free of her.
Yet here she was again...
Back in the Philippines.
More determined than ever to win me back.
I could see the confusion in Seraphina's eyes.
I knew she had countless questions she wanted to ask.
Yet she remained calm and simply went along with everything.
Even when Hillary insulted her right in front of her, Seraphina didn't say a word.
Maybe she stayed quiet because she knew nothing about our past.
After Hillary left my office, I finally released Seraphina's hand.
She immediately rubbed it.
Only then did I realize I had been gripping it too tightly.
Perhaps my anger had made me lose control of my strength.
"Did I hurt you?" I asked, looking at her hand.
"A little," she answered honestly.
"I'm sorry."
Seraphina looked at me with obvious surprise.
I frowned.
I already knew what she was about to say.
It was unusual for me to apologize.
"Don't even say it," I warned.
Instead of listening, she smiled.
"That's the first time I've ever heard you apologize."
"Didn't I tell you not to mention it?" I shot back. "And what about you, Seraphina? You never smiled or laughed around me before. Now you're doing both."
She froze for a second, as though only now realizing how much she had changed.
Then she frowned.
"I know how to smile and laugh, so it's not unusual for me."
"But it is for you," she replied with a teasing grin. "Just like what happened earlier."
"Do you really want to find out what happens when I lose my temper?" I warned.
She immediately shook her head.
"No. Besides, you shouldn't be mad at me. I just did you a favor."
Looking at her now...
She wasn't the same Seraphina I had first met.
Back then, she had been distant and sarcastic.
Now she teased me without hesitation.
And somehow...
It annoyed me even more.
I reached out to grab her.
She quickly dodged me.
"I'm not going to let you catch me," she said before bursting into laughter.
Before I knew it, we were chasing each other around my office like children.
If someone had told me years ago that I'd be doing something so ridiculous, I would've laughed at them.
But Seraphina had a way of making me forget myself.
When I finally caught her wrist, she let out a startled cry.
"Lucca!"
To stop her from escaping again, I instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
She gasped.
For a brief moment...
Neither of us moved.
I looked into her eyes.
The sadness I had once seen in them had slowly disappeared.
Now they sparkled with warmth and life.
She was no longer afraid to show me what she was thinking.
She argued with me.
She teased me.
She even let herself laugh in front of me.
Seraphina had changed.
And perhaps...
I had changed too.
My eyes drifted from hers to the bridge of her nose...
Then lower...
Until they rested on her lips.
Without realizing it, I found myself staring.
The memory of the times we had almost kissed flashed through my mind.
"Lucca..."
Her soft voice pulled me back to reality.
Only then did I realize just how close we were.
I immediately released her and stepped back.
An awkward silence filled the room.
I silently cursed myself.
How could I let my guard down like that?
For one reckless moment...
I had actually wondered what it would be like to kiss her.
Seraphina's POV
It was all my fault!
If I hadn't teased Lucca, that wouldn't have happened.
I was back home now with Mira and Damian. They had decided to spend the night at my house. But I had a feeling Lucca had secretly texted Damian, asking him to stay here in case Damon's men attacked again.
Only Mira had no idea.
I still didn't know what convinced Damian to agree with Lucca.
But let's go back to what happened earlier.
When Lucca wrapped his arm around my waist, I completely froze.
I gasped, and for a moment, I couldn't even breathe.
Being that close to him stole my voice.
Then he looked at me.
Not just looked...
He stared at me as if he had forgotten everything around us.
You know that look the handsome male leads give in romance dramas? The kind that makes you feel like you're melting just because of the way they're looking at you?
That was exactly how Lucca looked at me.
Every time I remembered that moment, my cheeks grew warm.
How was I supposed to sleep after what had happened?
"Are you sure you're okay, Seraphina?" Mira asked.
The two of us were sitting on my bed while I kept replaying everything that had happened with Lucca.
"Yeah... I'm fine," I answered.
But I wasn't.
I placed a hand over my chest.
My heart was beating so fast and so loudly that I could barely hear what Mira was saying anymore.
"Sera!"
Mira snapped her fingers in front of my face.
I blinked and finally returned to my senses.
"Huh?"
"I've been talking to you for a while," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Why do you keep spacing out? Did something happen today?"
"What? No. Nothing happened," I replied quickly, looking away.
But Mira gently cupped my face and turned it back toward her.
"Now say that again and look me in the eye," she said suspiciously.
I only hoped she couldn't hear how loudly my heart was pounding.
It felt as though it was trying to escape from my chest.
Mira continued staring at me, patiently waiting for an answer.
I sighed in defeat.
"Lucca asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of his ex-girlfriend."
There.
I had just said the one thing I was supposed to keep to myself.