I was stunned and taken aback when Lucca said those words. I didn't want him to remember me in that situation. I didn't want to remember his furious face, as if it had been my fault he almost hit me. He was the one who sped up; it was his fault. But when the crowd started to gossip, I left the scene and entered a convenience store as if nothing had happened. And now… Lucca remembered that moment.
"Should I apologize too because of that?" I asked hesitantly. I couldn't tell if his blank expression meant he was angry or not. I didn't want to prolong the conversation; I wasn't comfortable talking to him.
"Why didn't you sue me?" he asked, his brows furrowed.
"Why would I?" I replied, confused. I thought he would scold me, but instead he was asking why I didn't sue him. For what? I didn't like dealing with people, especially after something like that. It made me feel suffocated.
"I almost hit you with my car," he said.
"But you didn't," I answered.
Truthfully, I had been scared back then. I thought I was going to die. But strangely, the thought of death made me think I could be with Grandma again.
Lucca didn't seem to like my answer. Still, I wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible. I wasn't comfortable around him. There was something dangerous in the way he looked at me, something that made it hard to hold his gaze.
"I need to go back to the villa," I said before turning away.
Luckily, he didn't stop me.
When I returned, I saw Mira and Damian talking as if they were close friends. Mira was cheerfully chatting, while Damian stood there listening, or maybe just forcing himself to.
"Seraphina, where have you been?" Dominic called as he stepped out of the villa. He noticed me standing there, watching Mira and Damian. My presence caught their attention, and Mira smiled at me.
I suddenly felt someone behind me. When I turned, I saw Lucca standing there, looking blankly at his friends.
"Did you go to the seaside?" Dominic asked.
"No," I said.
"Yes," Lucca said at the same time.
We both paused and looked at each other, but I quickly looked away. The conflicting answers made everything awkward. Dominic, on the other hand, looked completely confused.
"Okay… I don't know what happened, but I think something definitely happened at the seaside," he said, giving us a meaningful look.
I glanced at Mira, silently asking for help. Luckily, she caught on.
"Oh, Seraphina! Can you help me in the room? I need to fix something," Mira called out. She walked over, grabbed my hand, and pulled me inside the villa.
As soon as we entered the room, I let out a deep sigh and thanked her.
"You owe me an explanation," Mira said, crossing her arms.
Of course, she would interrogate me; it was in her nature. But I didn't mind. She had saved me from that awkward situation.
"Lucca remembered me," I began.
"Remembered what?" she asked immediately.
"That he almost hit me with his car."
"What?"
Mira didn't know about it. I had never told her. I kept it to myself because I didn't want her to worry. I explained everything, and her expression shifted through a mix of emotions.
"You went into a convenience store as if nothing happened?" she asked, half-amused.
"I didn't want people gossiping, so I left. I didn't think he'd remember; it happened a long time ago."
"A long time ago? Seriously? If it really was, he wouldn't remember," she said.
"My point is, it's in the past. Why bring it up now? I'm fine. I've already moved on. I didn't blame him, and I didn't even file a complaint."
"Lucca's charm must be something else," Mira said sarcastically. "Even after he almost hit you, you didn't even think about suing him."
I rolled my eyes at her expression. I knew she was mocking me. I didn't feel the need to explain myself anymore. I was already drained.
Today was the last day of our beach trip, and tomorrow was Monday, back to work again.
I sighed deeply. This trip had been chaotic. From the people we went with, to the awkward comments when I was drunk, to that uncomfortable conversation with Lucca.
I shook my head, hoping none of it would happen again. I'd talk to Mira about it too. If we ever planned another trip, we'd make sure it was just the two of us.
Lucca's POV
"What? You almost hit her with your car?" Dominic asked after I mentioned that my conversation with Seraphina made me remember her.
"And she just walked away as if nothing happened?" Damian added. I nodded.
"She's a mystery to me. Aside from the fact that the ring is with her. I don't know how Dominic manages someone like that."
"Hey, don't criticize Seraphina," Dominic cut in. "Yes, she's nonchalant, but there's something about her I can't explain, something I really like. So don't judge her."
Dominic was right. Seraphina had something hidden. I noticed it earlier when we talked. She wasn't comfortable around people. She preferred being alone, staying within her comfort zone, and had no interest in making friends.
I wanted to understand her. I was curious about her background. Whenever I looked at her, it felt like I was staring at my own reflection. She hadn't killed anyone, at least, that's what I thought, but the personality she carried was eerily similar to mine.
"You should take that opportunity to get close to her," Damian said.
"Want us to teach you how to flirt?" he added with a grin.
"Take it easy, Damian. Seraphina isn't what you think," Dominic interrupted.
"Then let's make her what I think," Damian smirked.
Damian was just as quiet and mysterious as I was, but when it came to making someone fall for him, he was skilled. He enjoyed manipulating people.
"I'm not interested," I said flatly, emphasizing my lack of interest.
"Then how are you going to get the ring if you won't take my advice?" Damian asked.
I sighed. "I'll find my own way," I replied, even though I didn't have a concrete plan.
"Whatever it is, I'll support you. Just don't forget my advice, Lucca," Dominic said.
I walked to the kitchen counter and grabbed a bottle of wine. I poured a glass and downed it in one go.
"Hey, it's too early for that," Dominic said, taking the empty glass from my hand.
"As if I haven't done this before," I replied, taking the glass back and pouring another.
Dominic sighed, while Damian simply watched us, expressionless.
I finished the second glass and poured another. I didn't know why, but whenever I felt stressed, I craved alcohol. It numbed me, helped me forget, even if only for a while.
I stopped only after finishing the entire bottle. Dominic sighed deeply, knowing he couldn't stop me. He understood that once I started drinking out of stress, there was no stopping me.
"We'll head home after lunch. We still have time to swim," Dominic said.
I excused myself and went to my room to change. I put on floral shorts and paired them with a black fitted rash guard.
When I stepped out, I saw Seraphina leaving her room as well. She was wearing black cycling shorts paired with a black rash guard. Mira came out shortly after, wearing a one-piece swimsuit.
If I were to compare them, Mira carried herself with confidence, while Seraphina stood there as if she were wearing something far more revealing.
"Hey, it's not that revealing," Mira murmured. They still hadn't noticed me.
"You keep making me wear things I'm not comfortable with," Seraphina pouted.
"Didn't I tell you? You're sexy—you just have to show it a little," Mira said.
"And I'm not comfortable with that. I'm not here to show off. I'm here to relax."
"Alright, I get it. But let me at least teach you what fashion is all about."
Seraphina rolled her eyes and walked out. That was when she noticed me.
Our eyes met.
Her expression immediately shifted, aloof, uncomfortable. She gave me a quick, timid smile before walking away. I found myself watching her until she disappeared.
"Sorry about my friend, Lucca," Mira said, smiling at me.
I simply nodded before she left as well.
I walked toward the beach. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too gloomy.
"Lucca! Over here!" Dominic called, waving his hand. Damian stood beside him.
I ignored them and went straight into the water. Mira and Seraphina were already there, enjoying the sea.
I floated on my back, closing my eyes as the cool water and breeze brushed against my skin.
I needed to clear my mind. Figure out how to get the ring without hurting or forcing Seraphina… that fragile girl.
If it were up to me, I would have taken it by force. I had always been that way. I only thought about myself. But now, I had to consider my friends… and my master, who would definitely disapprove of that choice.
I never cared about other people's opinions. But for some reason, I listened to them this time, and it irritated me.
I had never cared about anyone else's situation before. Yet somehow, Seraphina's situation affected me.
I didn't come here to feel sympathy.
I only think about myself.
Selfish as it may sound, that's the truth. And the people closest to me know it.
My thoughts were interrupted when someone splashed water at me. I opened my eyes and saw Dominic laughing as he kept throwing water in my direction.
"You look too preoccupied, man. I thought you'd fallen asleep," he joked.
I was about to hit him back, with more force than necessary, but when I noticed the two women watching us, I stopped myself. Revealing my true nature would be dangerous.
"Mind your own business," I said, giving him a death stare.
But of course, Dominic was still Dominic. He wasn't afraid, never had been, as if I couldn't rip him apart if I wanted to.
"Your business is our business too, right, Damian?" Dominic said, glancing at Damian for confirmation.
Damian nodded, though it seemed a bit forced.
Dominic grinned at me before splashing water on my face again. My fists clenched underwater. I wanted to hit him hard. Maybe next time.
"What do you want to eat for lunch?" Dominic asked, now turning to the girls after he got tired of bothering me.
"Anything. We're not picky eaters," Mira answered with a smile.
I glanced at Damian and noticed he was looking at Mira. I shook my head slightly. Mira would just become another escape from Damian's past. I knew Damian wasn't over his ex-girlfriend yet. Too bad, she'd likely end up heartbroken because of him. If I were her, I wouldn't even dare to like him.
Seraphina stood beside Mira, quietly listening to their conversation.
Her expression was blank, just as it always was whenever I saw her.
I stared at her for a moment. She must have felt it, because she looked back at me. But it didn't last long; she quickly looked away. She couldn't hold my gaze.
I liked that.
"You're starting to flirt with her," Damian whispered beside me.
"I'm not," I replied.
"You keep staring at her. Doesn't that count?" he asked.
"I'm just curious about her. Nothing more," I said, trying to end the conversation.
But he wasn't done.
"You're not a good flirt. Seraphina's just as cold as you. I doubt she even has any relationship experience."
"I'm not a good flirt?" I raised an eyebrow, frowning at him.
"Have you ever been? You had an ex, but you didn't even flirt with her. She was the one chasing you. Knowing you, you're selfish and aloof. I've never seen you flirt with anyone."
"Why would I? I don't like pleasing people."
"Exactly. You don't know how to flirt. Good thing I'm here to help you. But this will take effort, especially since the woman you're trying to charm isn't interested at all."
I looked at Seraphina again. This time, she was talking with Mira and Dominic.
"Seraphina might be your biggest challenge for now," Damian added.
His words lingered in my mind, even after lunch.
Throughout the meal, I stayed quiet, simply observing. Dominic and Mira did most of the talking, while the three of us listened. Seraphina, on the other hand, quietly enjoyed her food. She ate well. She probably loved food.
Maybe one day, I could ask her out.
Then again, I doubted she'd accept. We weren't even friends.
After lunch, we all went back to our rooms to prepare for departure. The trip wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either.
Seraphina's POV
"I'm going to miss this trip," Mira said as we packed our clothes into our bags.
"Did you start flirting with Damian?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
"Yes, but it's still in progress," she replied confidently.
"Isn't it awkward to make the first move?" I asked.
"We're in the modern world, Sera. We're not living in the past," Mira said, rolling her eyes.
"I know that. But shouldn't we let the guy make the first move? What if they misunderstand?"
"Why?" she teased. "Do you want Lucca to flirt with you?"
Her question caught me off guard.
I had never imagined Dominic flirting with me, much less Lucca. Why was Mira's mind like that?