"What? And you agreed to it?" Mira asked in shock.
"What choice did I have? He said it was part of my job," I replied, trying to ignore the rapid beating of my heart. It was pounding so loudly that it almost drowned out every other sound.
"Lucca took advantage of you. Just because he's paying you a high salary doesn't mean he can ask you to do whatever he wants," Mira said with a frown.
"It's not a big deal," I answered.
At least, that's what I wanted her to believe.
To me...
It was a very big deal.
Ever since Lucca asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend, smiled at me, held my waist, and almost kissed me...
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"It's not a big deal?" Mira repeated. "Then why have you been spacing out ever since you got home? You're acting like your mind is somewhere else."
I simply shrugged.
"I'm going to take a bath. It's been a long day," I said as I stood up.
Before I could leave, Mira grabbed my wrist.
"I'm not done talking to you yet." She narrowed her eyes. "You've had a long day? You're still recovering from being sick, yet you were out the whole day? Did Lucca make you work right after you were discharged?"
"No. I..." I hesitated. "I went to visit my grandma's grave."
The anger on Mira's face immediately softened.
"I missed my grandma," I said quietly. "And Lucca didn't make me work. He may be rude, but he wouldn't do something like that."
Mira crossed her arms.
"Now you're defending him."
"You know what? Stop looking at me like that and let me take my bath," I complained as I gently pulled my hand away.
This time, she let me go.
The moment I stepped inside the bathroom, I leaned against the door and let out a long sigh.
My heartbeat still hadn't calmed down.
Every time Lucca's face appeared in my mind, it would race all over again.
Before...
I never wanted to see him.
I avoided him whenever I could because I hated rude and sarcastic men.
So why did I suddenly want to see him now?
Why did I find myself thinking that it was okay if he was rude or sarcastic, as long as I got to see him?
And why couldn't I stop replaying his smile in my head?
It was like a scene on repeat.
I shook my head.
This couldn't be real.
Maybe I was only feeling this way because today I had discovered a different side of Lucca.
Still...
I couldn't help wondering.
When would I see him smile again?
He was already handsome when he looked serious.
But somehow...
He became even more handsome when he smiled.
Then another thought crossed my mind.
Why did he ask me to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of his ex?
If I compared myself to her...
I'd lose without question.
She was stunning.
If I hadn't known she was Lucca's ex-girlfriend, I would've thought they were siblings. They were both unbelievably attractive.
As I continued showering, my thoughts kept circling back to Lucca.
Maybe I should ask Dominic about Hillary instead.
I'm sure Lucca would never answer any of my questions.
I could already imagine the look he'd give me if I asked.
Without realizing it, I smiled.
The moment I caught myself smiling, I quickly frowned.
Why was I smiling all by myself?
Was I going crazy?
Did Lucca make me crazy?
I sighed once more.
If Mira found out about this, she'd definitely accuse me of starting to like Lucca.
...
Wait.
Did I really like him?
Romantically?
I immediately shook my head.
No.
Absolutely not.
That was impossible.
Lucca was the complete opposite of my ideal man.
I liked someone simple.
Someone who wasn't complicated.
Someone kind.
Someone responsible.
Not someone rude and sarcastic.
...
But...
Wasn't Lucca kind to me, despite his sarcastic attitude?
He was actually quite simple.
He could cook.
He did things himself instead of depending on servants.
In fact, the last time I visited his mansion, I hadn't seen a single maid.
Even though he was unbelievably rich, he never acted spoiled.
Responsible?
Yes.
At least, that's how I saw him.
Everything he had done for me proved that.
He treated my safety as his responsibility.
He made sure Damon's men couldn't get anywhere near me.
He protected me.
Without realizing it, I smiled again.
Warmth spread across my cheeks.
Did that mean...
He actually fit everything I wanted in a man?
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
My heartbeat became erratic again.
I struggled to breathe normally.
What had Lucca done to me?
I felt like I was losing my mind.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
I had to.
If Mira noticed anything strange, she'd definitely think I had gone crazy.
After getting dressed, I applied moisturizer to my face before leaving the bathroom.
Mira was already waiting outside.
She was sitting on my bed with her arms crossed.
"What?" I asked nervously.
The way she was staring at me was making me uneasy.
"We're not done talking yet," she said. "I only let you take your bath."
She patted the empty space beside her.
"Now come here, sit down, and let's talk."
Hillary's POV
"The fuck!" As I entered Damon's mansion, I couldn't stop cursing because of Lucca and his girlfriend. Lucca had stepped on my ego, and I couldn't accept it at all.
"Let me guess. Did you fail?" Damon asked with a grin. He was sitting comfortably on his black sofa, holding a glass of wine.
"If Lucca hadn't caught us before, we'd probably still be in a relationship. It's your fault," I said, blaming him.
Instead of apologizing, he smiled at me. "So what? Can't you be grateful to me? He never liked you. It was all about the bet, not because he had feelings for you."
"Fuck you!" I cursed. He was making the situation worse instead of calming me down.
"Wake up, Hillary. He likes his current girlfriend now. Can't you see that? He's guarding her 24/7, so even my men can't make a move. Just like you, I'm annoyed with Lucca," he said before finishing his wine in one shot and pouring himself another glass.
"I'm not annoyed with Lucca. I'm annoyed with his new girlfriend. Didn't you see her? She's so plain and ordinary. I don't even know why Lucca lowered his standards. He keeps stepping on my ego."
Damon laughed. "Ugly? Seraphina isn't ugly to me. In fact, I think she's cute," he said dreamily.
I made a face. "Cute? Where? You can't seriously be that blind."
"You're just jealous," he said, continuing to provoke me. And he was good at it.
"The fuck! Stop pestering me. I'm not in the mood to listen to you."
Damon took another sip of his wine before moving closer to me. Then he looked me straight in the eyes.
"I want Seraphina to be mine just as much as you want Lucca to be yours. Isn't that a win-win situation? We both get what we want," Damon said, leaning closer while his gaze lingered on my lips.
"Now I'm even more pissed that you want Seraphina too. What does that woman have that every guy I know likes her?" I whispered. Our lips were only inches apart.
"I missed you," Damon whispered, closing the remaining distance between us with a kiss.
That night, we found comfort in each other's company. Though we were both frustrated and bitter about the situation, we let the closeness between us quiet our thoughts, if only for a while.
Seraphina's POV
I wasn't able to sleep the whole night because I couldn't stop thinking about Lucca. It was the first time I had ever lost sleep over a guy. If Mira found out about this, she would definitely tease me endlessly.
Since I couldn't fall asleep anymore and it was already past five in the morning, I got out of bed and left my room. I saw Damian sleeping on the couch in the living room. I still couldn't believe he was guarding me just because Lucca had asked him to.
Out of the three of them, Damian was the one I was never close to. I never dared to be because I could never understand his behavior.
I went to the kitchen to drink some water before looking through the ingredients to prepare breakfast. Dominic had really bought so much food that it could last me for months. Did he think I was a big eater? It was as if he had bought every food item he saw. Even my cabinets were filled with snacks and ready-to-eat meals.
I decided to make a chicken mayo sandwich and a banana smoothie. I missed my usual breakfast from when I was still working at Dominic's company.
While I was preparing the food, Damian suddenly walked into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of cold water, and drank it as if he hadn't had a drop in days. I silently watched him finish the entire bottle.
He was about to leave when I spoke.
"Damian, thank you. I know it's not your responsibility to guard me, but thank you for keeping Mira and me safe."
The night before, Mira had asked why Lucca insisted that she and Damian spend the night at my house. She had told Lucca she could stay with me without Damian, but he refused. Damian simply told her that he wanted to stay because he would miss her. That explanation had made Mira incredibly happy.
"I'm not doing this for you," Damian replied. "I'm doing it for Lucca."
I nodded.
Of course he was. They were close. If it weren't for Lucca, Damian would never have squeezed himself onto the tiny couch in my living room.
"Of course," I said quietly.
Without another word, he walked away.
I continued preparing breakfast when my phone vibrated inside the pocket of my pajamas. I took it out and checked the message.
You'll start working with me today. Be ready at eight.
The moment I read Lucca's message, excitement bubbled inside me. He was the reason I couldn't sleep, and it was entirely his fault. Yet no matter how much I blamed him, I couldn't stop smiling.
Half an hour later, I placed the food on the dining table. Since Mira and Damian were still asleep, I ate breakfast alone. Today was my first day at work, so I still had to get ready.
After washing the dishes, I returned to my room to grab some clothes. When I opened the door, I found Damian cuddling Mira as they slept peacefully together. I simply shook my head, stopping myself from overthinking, before taking the dress and underwear I planned to wear.
The dress had been Mira's birthday gift to me years ago. I had never worn it because I thought it looked too girly. But today, I decided to give it a chance.
It was a soft blush-pink, knee-length A-line dress with short puff sleeves and a square neckline that subtly highlighted my collarbone. The fitted bodice hugged my waist before flowing into a gently flared skirt that swayed with every step. Tiny pearl-like buttons decorated the front, giving it a delicate, elegant charm. Its pastel color made my fair skin appear even brighter.
I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, took a shower, and applied moisturizer followed by sunscreen. Since I couldn't get dressed inside my room, I put on the dress in the bathroom instead.
When I stepped out, Mira was already awake.
The moment she saw me, her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
"Sera!" she shouted.
Her loud voice immediately woke Damian.
"What? You just woke Damian up," I said, glancing at him as he frowned in confusion, wondering why Mira had screamed.
"You're wearing that dress? I thought you didn't like it. I've never seen you wear it before." She smiled brightly. "It suits you so well. You look like a proper lady."
I couldn't help but smile.
"I brought my makeup with me. Do you want me to do yours?" she asked excitedly before suddenly pausing. "Wait... where are you going anyway?"
"My first day as Lucca's personal assistant," I answered.
Mira narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You've never put this much effort into getting ready before."
I tried my best to hide my feelings.
"Didn't I tell you I'm pretending to be his girlfriend? What if his ex comes to the office and thinks I don't deserve to be his girlfriend? Yesterday was the last time she'll see me looking like that."
"I agree," Mira said, crossing her arms. "But you've never cared about what other people thought before. People used to call you a nerd, and you never let it bother you. Is his ex really that pretty?"
I leaned closer and whispered,
"Very pretty."
"Then that's settled." Mira clapped her hands excitedly. "We're giving you a makeover and buying you new clothes. We'll make you even prettier than her."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I do that?"
"To make you look more presentable. Isn't that what you want?" she replied. "After work, text me, and we'll go to the mall. My treat. It's your first day at work."
She pointed at the chair.
"Now sit down. I'll do your makeup."
"Don't put too much on my face. I'm not going to a party," I warned.
"Yes, ma'am," she laughed before getting to work.
While she carefully applied my makeup, I barely noticed Damian anymore. Mira and I were too busy chatting and laughing.
About thirty minutes later, she stepped back to admire her work.
"What a goddess," she exclaimed dramatically.
"You're overreacting," I said.
"No, I'm not. You're already beautiful. I just enhanced what was already there." She gently brushed my hair behind my shoulders before adding, "After we buy you some clothes, let's go to a salon. Your hair's gotten too long. Isn't it time for a new hairstyle? I think bangs would look adorable on you."
For years, Mira had been trying to convince me to get a makeover, but I always refused because I wasn't interested in those kinds of things.
But today...
I didn't know what had changed.
I'd had my long hair for years, and for the first time, I was finally considering letting part of it go.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car horn outside.
I looked at my watch.
Eight o'clock.
I stared at my reflection one last time and finally understood what Mira meant whenever she said I looked completely different with makeup on.
"Good luck on your first day," Mira said with a warm smile.
I smiled back, nodded, and walked out of the house.
A second later, I hurried back inside.
"I already made breakfast. It's on the table," I said before leaving the house once again.
As I opened the gate, Lucca stepped out of his car at the same time.
I tried not to look surprised, but I couldn't hide the expression on my face.
He looked unbelievably handsome in a tailored charcoal-gray suit that fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame. Beneath it was a crisp white dress shirt with the top button left undone, giving him a balance of elegance and effortless charm. A sleek black watch rested on his wrist, while his neatly styled hair completed his polished appearance. Everything about him looked immaculate.
As he walked toward me, the subtle scent of his expensive cologne drifted through the air. It was clean, sophisticated, and undeniably attractive.
I didn't know what was happening to me.
It felt as though I was slowly losing my mind.
I didn't even know how to act around Lucca anymore without making him suspicious of my feelings.
"Hop in," he said.
I quickly smiled and nodded before walking over to his car and climbing inside.
Lucca's POV
Yesterday, after I dropped Seraphina off at her house, I couldn't get that moment out of my mind.
The moment when we almost kissed kept replaying in my head.
I honestly couldn't sleep the entire night because of it. No matter how hard I tried to forget it, I couldn't. Eventually, I gave up trying and decided to get ready for work instead.
Before leaving, I sent Seraphina a message.
You'll start working with me today. Be ready at eight.
She never replied.
Couldn't she at least text back with an Okay or See you later?
I sighed.
Then again, what was I expecting?
She was just like me, introverted, aloof, and mysterious. Yet somehow, yesterday had been different. I had seen another side of Seraphina. She laughed, teased me, and smiled more than I had ever seen before. That cheerful side of her lingered in my mind.
After taking a shower and eating a light breakfast, I walked into the garage and looked over my collection of cars before deciding to drive my black Rolls-Royce Ghost. Its glossy finish reflected the morning sunlight, while the handcrafted leather interior and polished wood trim embodied understated luxury. The V12 engine purred almost silently as I started it, making the drive as smooth as gliding over glass.
Today was going to be busy.
My executive assistant had informed me that a mountain of paperwork was waiting for my signature. Although I rarely stayed at the office and usually entrusted most responsibilities to him, he always kept me updated on everything happening in the company. Recently, I had been trying to become more involved again.
When I arrived outside Seraphina's house, I lightly pressed the horn to let them know I was there.
A few moments later, the gate opened.
Seraphina stepped outside...
...and for a second, I completely forgot how to breathe.
She looked different today.
Instead of her usual dark and simple outfits, she was wearing a blush-pink knee-length A-line dress with short puff sleeves and a square neckline that elegantly framed her collarbone. The fitted bodice accentuated her slim waist before flowing into a soft, flared skirt that swayed gently with every step she took. Tiny pearl-like buttons decorated the front, adding a delicate touch to the already feminine design.
Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, while light makeup enhanced her naturally beautiful features. A hint of rosy blush warmed her cheeks, her eyelashes appeared slightly longer, and her pink glossy lips caught the morning sunlight every time she moved.
She looked...
Beautiful.
No.
She was breathtaking.
I didn't know how long I had been staring at her before I finally came back to my senses.
Especially her lips.
I just hoped she hadn't noticed where my eyes kept wandering.
"Hop in," I said.
Those were the only words I managed to say.
I wanted to walk over and open the passenger door for her, but that would have been too obvious. We were only pretending to be a couple, not actually dating.
So why was this arrangement affecting me so much?
Ever since yesterday, I hadn't been myself. Her face refused to leave my mind.
I even found myself thinking about Monica and Xavier... except this time, it was Seraphina and me.
Why did I suddenly want to be closer to her?
Why did I care so much about every little thing she did?
Most importantly...
Why did I have to keep reminding myself that none of this was real?
The drive continued in silence.
When we stopped at a red light, I stole another glance at her.
Her expression was softer than usual. She was quietly looking out the window, and somehow I could tell she was in a good mood today.
Without realizing it, I smiled.
Then Seraphina turned to me.
"I thought I wouldn't see that smile again."