Lucca's POV
It was already lunchtime, and I needed to eat because I had to take my medicine. Mira and Seraphina decided to go down to the cafeteria for lunch. At first, Seraphina wanted to help me eat, but I refused, telling her that I could manage on my own.
I couldn't help but smile. This day was so different from the days before when we would always fight and get annoyed with each other. But who would have thought that this day would come when we wouldn't even mind being this sweet and clingy toward each other? This was something new I had discovered about myself. I had never been like this with Hillary. I had never given her the kind of attention I was giving Seraphina.
It was completely different. I hadn't liked Hillary in the first place.
As I was eating, someone barged into my room. I stopped eating when I saw Dominic pushing Master's wheelchair.
"Master…" I called out.
My master tried to stand up, but Dominic stopped him.
"Don't stand up. I'll let you two talk. I'll just go with the girls to have lunch," Dominic said. He then looked at me, nodded, and left.
"Master… when did you wake up?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.
I felt a little regretful because instead of taking care of him, I was here in the hospital with him. But, of course, it wasn't anyone's fault. I had no idea what Damon and Hillary were planning.
"Just a while ago," he answered.
I nodded. "You should be resting instead of visiting me here," I said.
"I've heard about you and Seraphina," he said.
"That she was kidnapped by Damon and my ex?"
"Not only that. Dominic mentioned that you two are in love with each other?" he asked, looking rather sad.
I didn't answer him right away. Why did it seem like he wasn't happy for me at all? Didn't he want me to be in a relationship?
"I'm not against it. I… I… I'm just scared," he said.
I looked at him intently, my eyebrows furrowing. "Why are you scared about us?"
"You know about the dream, don't you? About the curse?"
"Yes, I know about it."
"Do you want to end up like Xavier and Monica?" he asked.
"Master…"
"You are the continuation of the curse, Lucca. You and Seraphina."
I didn't know what to feel. At that moment, I felt as though my head was spinning.
"I lied when I told you that I didn't know about the curse. I lied because I thought you would never find out. But I never expected that this day would come."
"What do you mean, Master? Why did you lie about the curse?" I asked.
"Because it was my fault, along with Seraphina's grandmother's," he answered.
Confusion spread across my face, but my master immediately continued.
"Seraphina's grandmother and I were part of the past. We were the reason the curse was created. The dream about the king and the queen? We were the ones who lived through that past," Master admitted.
"Why… why are you telling me this now? First, you lied about not knowing where the ring was. And now, you're telling me you lied about the curse, too?" I asked, feeling betrayed.
"Lucca… I… I've hidden so much from you. There are so many things I've kept from you," my master said, his voice trembling.
He was starting to cry. I looked at him. He looked old and helpless. He was no longer the master I had known before.
"You don't have to tell me everything now if you're not ready. This revelation alone is already enough for me to take in. I will do whatever it takes to break the curse," I said with determination.
"You cannot break a curse as powerful as one born from an abandoned mother's despair."
I looked at Master but said nothing.
"You cannot fall in love with Seraphina," he added.
"But why? Just because you don't want me to end up miserable, just like Xavier and Monica?"
My master didn't answer me. Instead, he told me, "Falling in love with someone like Seraphina will only bring you pain, Lucca. You are not meant for each other, just as Xavier was never meant to be with Monica."
Master's words stayed on my mind. I couldn't get them out of my head, even after he was no longer in front of me.
Dominic, Seraphina, and Mira returned to my room after they had finished eating. Dominic took Master back to his room. Mira told us that she would go home for a while to get some rest and that we should call her if we needed anything.
Only Seraphina and I were left in the room.
She was smiling at me, looking more at ease now, unlike this morning when she had cried endlessly.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Seraphina said before sitting beside me.
"You haven't finished your food," Seraphina remarked. "You haven't even taken your medicine. Have you forgotten?" she asked, trying to reprimand me.
"I… I was just busy talking to my master," I replied.
"You don't seem okay, Lucca. What happened?" she asked as she handed me a bottle of water and my medicine.
She placed the tray on the table, which I had barely touched. I had already lost my appetite.
"I just feel sorry for my master. He's getting old and becoming forgetful," I said.
She smiled at me. "I felt the same way when Grandma was getting old, too. I understand how you feel."
Luckily, she didn't ask any more questions. But Master's words were still bothering me. They were the reason the curse existed. Would Seraphina believe me if I told her that her grandmother was involved in the curse I was carrying?
I let out a deep sigh. I was already this far. There was no turning back now. I was getting closer to my goal: finding the ring and attaining eternal life. Once I achieved my goal, I would do everything in my power to break the curse.
"Lucca…"
I snapped out of my thoughts when Seraphina called my name.
Seraphina's POV
I had called Lucca's name several times, but he seemed not to hear me. It was as if his mind was occupied with something after his conversation with his master. I didn't think it was just an ordinary conversation. I was sure they had talked about something more serious that was making Lucca space out.
On the fifth time I called his name, he finally snapped out of his thoughts. He looked at me with a confused expression, as if wondering why I had been calling him.
"You barely ate anything for lunch. Here, eat this," I said before handing him the peeled apple.
He didn't refuse and started eating the apple I had given him.
As he was eating, he began spacing out again. I was sitting in the living room, right in front of his hospital bed, wondering what they had talked about. Should I ask his master myself? I shook my head. After all, I had no right to interfere in their private affairs. Whatever they had talked about, I shouldn't be nosy.
I didn't bother engaging Lucca in conversation. I let him do whatever he wanted. Instead, I scrolled through my social media to keep myself occupied. If I went home, I would definitely bring some of the books I hadn't read yet and share them with Lucca.
It took about fifteen minutes before Lucca called me and told me he was done eating. I handed him the bottled water and helped him lie down. I was about to leave and return to my seat when Lucca suddenly pulled my hand, making me turn toward him.
"Sera…"
"Hmm?"
"I want to sleep, but can I hold your hand while I sleep?" Lucca asked.
I nodded and sat on the chair beside him. It was the least I could do after all the sacrifices he had made for me. I would never forget this day when Lucca ended up hospitalized because of me. He wouldn't have suffered those wounds if it weren't for me.
Lucca closed his eyes, his eyebrows furrowing. Even while sleeping, he still seemed to be frowning.
I finally had the time and opportunity to look at him this closely. I liked every physical feature he had. Hadn't I been mesmerized by his beauty even when he was still annoying me?
I remembered the first time I met him. It was when he almost crashed his car into me. He looked so handsome back then, but he was also annoying, sarcastic, and rude.
I had tried my best to avoid him before, but fate wouldn't let me. And I was thankful for that experience. If that encounter hadn't happened, if we hadn't gone on those trips or annoyed each other so much, I might never have realized that I liked him. I might never have opened myself up to dating or being in a relationship.
Lucca was already in a deep sleep when an idea suddenly popped into my head.
Since we were planning to start dating, I might as well make a list of things we could do together.
I asked AI for some suggestions on what we could possibly do on a date. It suggested several activities, and there were a few that I particularly liked.
One of them was going on a date at an amusement park.
When I was a kid, I wasn't used to visiting amusement parks. I wasn't particularly fond of riding attractions or winning toys from carnival games. Growing up in the province, my childhood goals and experiences were quite different from those of other kids.
I searched for amusement parks in the city and found several suggestions. Then, I started planning which rides we could try and what food we could eat.
I had never ridden a Ferris wheel before. I thought it would be better to ride one around sunset. It would be romantic.
As I took notes about our first date, I couldn't help but smile while glancing at Lucca. He was sleeping peacefully, as if he weren't in pain at all.
Lucca had always taken care of me and made so much effort, even before we became this close. Now, it was my turn to put in a little effort to make our date special. I wanted him to feel comfortable and enjoy every moment of it.
I felt so excited just imagining what might happen on our date.
I hoped everything would go well, and more than anything, I hoped Lucca would love it.
Even though my body and hand were starting to feel numb, I stayed beside Lucca. I couldn't pull my hand away because he was holding it so tightly.
Then, a nurse entered the room carrying a tray. She told me that she was going to administer some medicine through Lucca's IV line. I nodded and shyly looked away since Lucca and I were still holding hands.
Afterward, the nurse excused herself, and I let out a deep sigh. Would she think I was being too clingy with the patient?
I shook my head. Why should I care about what other people thought or what they might say? It was my life, not theirs.
Finally, after four hours, Lucca woke up and released my hand. I grimaced as I felt the numbness in my hand and body.
"Did I make you uncomfortable?" Lucca asked as he opened his eyes.
I smiled, trying to hide the numbness I was feeling. "I'm fine," I assured him.
"Can you sleep beside me later?" Lucca suddenly asked.
That left me speechless. What should I say to him?
"The bed is spacious and big enough. You're too thin to take up much space anyway," he said.
I frowned. Should I be offended by his comment about how thin I was?
"I don't want you sleeping on the sofa," he added.
"I don't want to accidentally touch your wounds while we're sleeping. I'd be better off sleeping on the sofa," I replied.
"But what if I told you it was a favor?" he asked.
I didn't respond immediately. Should I agree and let myself sleep beside him?
"Okay," I finally answered.
He smiled when I agreed. Lucca looked even more handsome whenever he smiled. I liked the Lucca I was seeing now more than the one I had known before. He had really changed a lot.
I went to the lavatory and started peeling some oranges for Lucca's snacks. I also peeled an apple.
"Here. Finish these," I said.
"Let's share them," he replied before taking a bite of an orange.
"Okay," I said, then sat beside him on the bed as we watched TV.
I should be a good girl and follow Lucca's wishes for now.
"The fruits you bought are so sweet. I really like them," Lucca said.
I nodded and continued eating. I was enjoying them, too.
Just as we finished eating the fruit, the nurse arrived with Lucca's dinner. I checked my phone and realized it was already 6 p.m. It was dinnertime.
"Eat your dinner now," I said as I prepared everything he would need.
"Let's share this," Lucca said again.
Instead of refusing, I agreed. I let Lucca eat first. I fed him, and he willingly accepted it. Then he took the spoon from me, scooped up some rice and viand, and fed me in return.
Even though I was hesitant at first, I eventually accepted it. The hospital food was actually good. When we had lunch at the cafeteria, all the food Dominic had ordered was delicious, too.
"Should I ask Dominic to order more food for you? How about some steak?"
"Don't bother Dominic. I'm fine with this. I'm not a big eater, you know," I replied.
While we were eating, someone suddenly entered the room. It was Damian, carrying several plastic bags.
"Damian," I called out.
"I bought some dinner for the two of you. I won't stay long because I'll be visiting Master," he said before immediately leaving.
Lucca and I looked at each other. Then I got off the bed to check what Damian had brought.
"Lucca… he bought so much food! There's fried chicken, stir-fried noodles, Caesar salad, and burgers. Why did Damian buy so much?" I asked.
"Let's just eat it. Can you help me get up? Let's eat at the table," Lucca said.
I immediately attended to him and carefully helped him get up. Once he was seated on the sofa, I prepared the food Damian had brought.
Lucca started eating, and I followed. Honestly, everything Damian had bought was delicious. I didn't even know how many chicken drumsticks I had eaten because I kept eating without counting. I thought there would be so much food left, but it turned out that we had finished everything.
I gulped down some bottled water after finishing my meal. Everything was so delicious, and I was incredibly full.
"You like it," Lucca remarked.
"I didn't know I'd like it this much," I replied, then laughed.
"Can you help me get to the bathroom?"
"Of course!" I answered.
"I'll take a sponge bath, too," he said.
"Can you manage on your own?" I asked.
"Why? Do you want to help me?" Lucca asked in a flirtatious voice.
I shook my head. This wasn't the right time or place for whatever Lucca had in mind. I shouldn't let him do that here.
"No. I'll call Dominic," I said.
"Don't bother. I can manage on my own," he replied.
I helped him get to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. I also prepared his pajamas and underwear.
I gulped when I picked up his underwear. I kept shaking my head, trying to get the image that had suddenly popped into my mind out of it.
Lucca was injured, and here I was, thinking about something like that? No. I had to stop.
After ten minutes, Lucca called me, and I handed him his towel. I tried not to look inside or accidentally touch him. Afterward, I handed him his clothes.
"Are you done?" I asked.
"Almost," he answered.
I patiently waited for him to finish so I could open the door for him. After another five minutes, he was done, and I opened the door.
Even though he was wearing pajamas, I couldn't stop admiring him. Was there ever a day when he wasn't handsome?
I helped him back onto the bed and arranged his pillows.
"Does this feel a little like déjà vu?" Lucca suddenly asked.
"How so?"
"You took care of me before," he said.
"Yeah, I remember. But the only difference was that I did it for Dominic, not because I wanted to," I replied.
"But what about now? Are you taking care of me because you want to, or are you being forced to?" he asked.
"What do you think?" Instead of answering him, I threw the question back at him.
"Come here and lie down with me," Lucca said.
"Take your medicine first before you forget," I reminded him.
I fetched his medicine and a bottle of water.
After taking his medicine, he let me lie down beside him.
"We just had dinner. Shouldn't we be sleeping already?" I asked as we faced each other.
"Use my arm as your pillow. Come on," he said.
"I told you I don't want to hurt you. I can do that when you're feeling better," I replied.
"So, are you going to sleep with me when I get better?"
I gasped when I realized what his question meant. I could feel my cheeks turning red.
He smiled at me and gently touched my cheek. "I was just teasing you," he said, looking into my eyes.
"Lucca…" I called softly.
"Hmm?"
"When you're discharged, let's start dating," I said.
"Aren't we dating already?"
"I mean a real date, not a hospital date," I said, frowning.
"I was just kidding," he said with a laugh.
"Since when did you start joking? You told me before that you didn't know how to joke."
"Ever since I opened up to you," he answered in his hoarse voice.
He looked at me intently, and I did the same.
I smiled at him. Looking into his eyes from this close meant so much to me. The overwhelming fear I had felt last night had turned into overwhelming happiness simply because I was with Lucca.
We didn't speak. Instead, we let our eyes speak for themselves. It was a moment of silence as we lay beside each other, feeling each other's touch and listening to the beating of our hearts.
No one was there to judge us. It felt as though we had created our own little world, where nothing else mattered except the two of us.
"Lucca… I…" I paused for a moment, still looking intently into his eyes.
Then I continued.
"I… like you, Lucca."
There. I had finally said what I had been wanting to say. I let my feelings out and confessed to him while looking straight into his eyes.
Why should I hide my feelings when it might already be too late?