Seraphina's POV
I don't know why I had been so emotional since last night. But who could blame me? I didn't want to experience what I had experienced with my grandma before. I couldn't let anyone die because of me.
"Sera… stop it. Do not feel guilty because I am not blaming you. No one blames you," Lucca said, trying to comfort me.
I slowly touched the wounds on his face. I couldn't help but feel sad. If only I had been more careful. If only I hadn't made them worry. If only…
I was lost in my thoughts when Lucca suddenly hugged me again.
"Stop thinking about whatever you're thinking. I want you to get some rest for a while," Lucca said. He then let go of me and looked me in the eyes. "I will get better. I promise."
Mira, Dominic, and Damian suddenly entered the room. Mira ran toward me and hugged me tightly.
"Sera…"
I tried not to let the tears that had started forming fall. Mira looked at me.
"Did you sleep? Why are your eyes red? What happened to you?" Mira asked worriedly.
"Mira, please accompany Sera and let her rest for a while. Dominic, can you please assist them and never let them out of your sight?" Lucca asked for a favor.
"Of course. I won't let them out of my sight. Not anymore," Dominic answered with a smile.
Lucca nodded, and we left Damian there with Lucca.
"Sera, did you cry all night?" Mira asked while holding my arm.
I nodded. What's the point of hiding the tears I had shed when I was so worried about Lucca?
"You like him so much, don't you?" she whispered into my ear so that Dominic wouldn't hear.
"I'll get the car for a while, girls. Just wait here," Dominic said and left.
"That confirms my feelings for him, Mira. I really like him. I admit it. I thought he was going to die. I couldn't bear the pain if that happened," I said.
"You don't just like him, Sera. You're already in love with him," Mira said with a smile.
That made me stop and think about it. Am I really in love with him? I don't know. I had never felt this way before. I had never been with a man or had a relationship before. Was this what love felt like?
Dominic's car stopped beside us. We immediately got in.
"I won't be sleeping at my house. After I take a bath, I'll go straight back to Lucca," I said.
"You won't follow his order?" Dominic asked while driving. Mira sat in the front, while I was in the backseat.
"Does he think I can sleep peacefully when I know he's in the hospital? I can take a rest there. In fact, I should help you since your master is in the hospital too," I said.
"Okay. I won't argue with that."
"Thank you," I said to Dominic.
We drove quietly until we reached my home. I immediately went to the bathroom and took a bath. Afterward, I put on some clothes and prepared my bag, packing some clothes and other essentials since I would be staying at the hospital until Lucca was discharged.
After twenty minutes, I told Dominic and Mira that we could go back to the hospital. But before that, Dominic stopped at a restaurant.
"What are we doing here?" I asked when Dominic turned off the engine.
"Lucca texted me, telling me that you haven't eaten breakfast yet. Let's eat breakfast here," Dominic said.
I didn't feel hungry at all. Maybe because I was so stressed that I couldn't feel it. I wanted to refuse and tell them to go back to the hospital, but then I realized that maybe they hadn't eaten breakfast either. I should think about them too.
"Pick whatever you want, Sera," Dominic said while looking at the menu.
"I'll just have a warm glass of milk and a tuna panini," I said.
Dominic gave my order to the waiter, and they mentioned their orders too. They seemed hungry because they ordered quite a lot.
"So, Sera, what's your plan now? We don't want time to pass before we can report Damon to the police," Mira said while looking at me.
I looked at Dominic, who seemed a bit surprised by what Mira had said.
I actually had no plan to report Damon. If I did, Lucca's identity would be revealed as well as Dominic's, and I didn't want that to happen. Who would believe them if they said that Dominic and Lucca had fought hundreds of men?
"Lucca will deal with it himself. He'll help me," I answered.
"He can't help you now. Why don't we just report it to the police and let them investigate?" Mira asked.
"I don't want a messy investigation, Mira. I trust Lucca with this. I know he'll make sure this won't happen again."
Even though Mira was still curious as to why I was refusing to report what had happened, she decided to let it go. Dominic tried to change the topic.
"So, Mira… I know you didn't sleep well at the hospital last night. You and Damian should take a rest tonight. I will take care of my master since Sera is already here to take care of Lucca," Dominic said.
"You don't have to let Damian accompany me. I can go by myself," Mira said.
I looked at her. She looked sad, as if she and Damian had an argument. I wanted to ask her about it, but since Dominic was here, I decided not to.
The food didn't take long to arrive. They immediately served everything we had ordered. I grabbed the warm milk I had ordered to at least help calm my body. And it worked, even if only a little. Then I started eating my tuna panini.
"I ordered food for everyone. Sera, don't hesitate to eat more. You need your strength. Taking care of Lucca isn't that easy," Dominic teased.
I suddenly blushed, but luckily, they didn't notice. I could feel my cheeks getting hot because of Dominic's joke.
"Okay." That was the only thing I said.
After eating, I asked Dominic if we could go to the grocery store because I planned to buy fruits and other food for Lucca and his master. Dominic agreed, and we went there.
Mira helped me choose the food I could bring for Lucca and his master. I wanted Lucca to eat more so he could regain his energy.
"I'll pay, Sera," Dominic volunteered and was about to take out his card, but I refused.
"No need. I have my own money," I said as I took out my card and paid for the items I had picked.
Dominic carried all the plastic bags we were supposed to carry. But then I remembered that he had super strength too, so I let him carry them. He put the plastic bags in the back of his car and then started the engine as we headed to the hospital.
As soon as we arrived, we went to their master's room first. Their master was still unconscious.
"Is he getting better?" I asked, looking at the old man.
"The doctor said we should wait until he regains consciousness," Dominic said while putting the food we had bought in the refrigerator and on the table.
"You should stay here, Dominic. I'll take care of Lucca. Thank you for coming with us today," I said with a smile.
"Okay," Dominic replied.
Mira and I went to Lucca's room. As we entered, Lucca was watching TV.
"Where is Damian?" Mira asked.
That's when I realized Lucca was alone.
"He left for business," Lucca answered.
Mira nodded sadly. She sat on the sofa while scrolling through her phone. I arranged the food I had bought, putting some in the refrigerator and some on the table.
"You bought a lot," Lucca said when he noticed.
"Do you want to eat some grapes? I'll wash them first," I said before going to the lavatory to wash the grapes and put them in a bowl.
Luckily, this presidential suite was complete with everything a patient might need. There was a living room, a large bathroom, and a kitchen.
After washing the grapes, I went back to Lucca and fed him a piece.
"You need to regain your energy," I said as I opened my mouth, prompting Lucca to open his too.
"I am wounded, not ill," Lucca said while munching on the grape.
"It's still the same," I said before putting another grape into his mouth.
I was being gentle as I sat beside him.
"Didn't you follow my order to rest for a while at home?" he asked.
"Do you think I could sleep well?" I asked.
He simply shrugged his shoulders before putting another grape into his mouth.
"You should join me in eating," he said in a husky voice.
Even with so many wounds on his face, he was still as handsome as ever.
"I'm full because I ate breakfast with Mira and Dominic," I said.
But Lucca didn't seem to hear what I had said. He picked up a grape and put it in my mouth.
"Open your mouth," he whispered.
I opened my mouth. But before Lucca put the grape inside, he leaned closer and whispered in my ear, "Too bad Mira is here. If only she weren't here, who knows what I would do?"
That made me slap Lucca's chest, and he flinched from the pain. I was shocked by what I had done and immediately realized that I had slapped him too hard.
"Ouch!" he shouted.
Mira heard him and immediately asked, "What happened?"
"Ah, nothing. I just accidentally touched his wound," I said, trying to laugh even though, deep inside, I was a bit nervous.
I glared at Lucca, who was amusingly looking at me.
I fed him five more grapes before he finally said that he was already full. I put the bowl on the table and went back to sitting beside Lucca, facing the TV.
"Do you want me to get you some books?" I asked.
"No. Your presence can entertain me."
"Am I some sort of comedy movie?" I asked.
"Nope. But you are quite an amusing date."
When he mentioned the word date, I remembered what he had said before the kidnapping.
"Do you still remember what you said to me?" I asked.
"Why would I forget it? I have wounds, not amnesia," he said with a laugh.
"You often laugh and smile now. I like it," I said.
"Do you want me to frown?" he asked.
"No. I like the Lucca you are now more than the one before. Please don't go back to being rude and sarcastic."
"Then allow me to date you," he said.
I looked into his eyes. Those eyes were silently asking me to date him.
Our moment was interrupted when Mira coughed. We both looked away.
"Hello? I was still here, you know?" Mira said sarcastically.
I couldn't help but smile while biting my lip. We had almost forgotten that Mira was sitting in front of us, watching us tease each other like teenagers.
"Can you put some distance between you two for a while? It makes me cringe looking at you two. You were enemies before. How come you became lovers now?" Mira asked while shaking her head.
"Are you mad at us because Damian, your boyfriend, isn't here?" Lucca asked.
"Yes." Mira didn't hesitate to say what was on her mind. "You know what? Why do I feel like I prefer the Lucca from before? It's so awkward seeing you being sweet with Seraphina. I couldn't even imagine you two being this sweet when, in the first place, that isn't your characteristic."
I laughed at Mira's reaction. She didn't hide her disgust toward us.
"Why not go home and take a rest for a while, Mira? I've heard from Damian that you slept here at the hospital," Lucca said.
"And what? So that you can do whatever you want to Seraphina? No way!"
"Mira!" I called her because she was being far too honest.
"We will not do it here in the hospital, especially since I have an IV in my hand," Lucca answered.
"Lucca!" I looked at him and warned him with a glare.
"I knew it! That wasn't the only kiss I saw in the video, right? There was a second… a third—"
Mira didn't finish her sentence because I stopped her.
"Enough, Mira," I said firmly.
Mira sensed that I was starting to get annoyed. She zipped her mouth and didn't say anything anymore. She simply scrolled through her phone.
Lucca held my hand. I looked at him angrily, but instead of letting go, he held my hand tightly.
"Would you believe me if I told you that seeing you and having you here by my side is already helping me regain my energy?" Lucca asked.
"Am I some sort of charger or what?" I asked.
Lucca didn't answer. He simply smiled.
Lucca's POV
When Seraphina asked if she was some sort of charger, I smiled. If only I could tell her that she was my source of energy now. That if I weren't beside her, I would lose my super strength and the energy I needed to fight back.
I never thought that this day would come, that I would meet someone like Seraphina.
The worries were still there, especially when it came to asking Seraphina for the ring and everything else. I remembered what my master had said: that every day, I was getting weaker and that I couldn't fight properly anymore.
I looked at the ring Seraphina was holding. It didn't do anything to me, unlike the last time I had tried to hold it. Maybe the ring sensed that I was no longer a threat?
"Lucca…" Seraphina whispered to me.
I looked at her.
"Would you believe me if I told you that this ring saved us?" she asked quietly, trying not to let Mira hear what she was saying.
Who wouldn't believe her?
"Of course, I believe you," I said.
"This ring… maybe my grandma knew I needed protection. That's why she protected us," she said with a smile.
How could I tell her that it originally belonged to my master? How could I tell her that I needed that ring to regain my strength and live longer?
"I'm glad your grandma protected us from Damon," I said. "Can I meet your grandma after I get discharged from the hospital?" I asked.
She looked surprised by what I had said but smiled anyway.
"Yes."
Dominic's POV
I was busy scrolling through my phone when suddenly, I heard my master let out a long breath. I immediately stood up and went to him.
"Master… what happened to you?" I asked. He looked like he was having a nightmare.
"Where is Lucca?" he asked.
I didn't respond right away. Should I tell him that Lucca had been hospitalized as well because we had fought Damon's men last night?
"Do not dare to lie," Master said when he sensed that I was about to lie.
"I don't want to make you worry about him," I said.
"So where is he?" my master asked. Though he looked exhausted, he was forcing himself to talk.
"He's here in the hospital," I answered.
"Where did he go? The cafeteria? The nursing station or what?"
I bit my lower lip. Even though I didn't want to tell him, I had no choice because he had warned me not to lie.
"He got hospitalized just like you."
Master's face immediately showed concern.
"What happened to him?"
I understood why Master was so worried about Lucca. Since we were kids, Master had always given him special treatment. Though I could feel that Master loved me and Damian, the attention Lucca received was different.
But I never got jealous or held a grudge against Lucca or Master. In fact, I was grateful to Master for raising us when our parents were too busy running their businesses.
"We went to Damon's house and fought his men. Seraphina was kidnapped last night, and we tried to save her. But Lucca suddenly felt weak and couldn't fight anymore," I admitted.
"I knew this would happen."
"Why is it happening, Master? Is it because Lucca's time is getting shorter?" I asked.
"Yes. And he needs Seraphina to regain his strength."
"I think they're both in love now, though Lucca hasn't confirmed it yet," I shared.
"They're in love?" Master's face looked almost hysterical.
Wasn't it a good thing? Lucca was finally becoming more human.
"Wasn't it a good thing? Lucca didn't use his strength to hurt Seraphina physically like he had planned before," I asked. I was becoming curious as to why Master wasn't even happy to hear that Lucca and Seraphina seemed to be falling in love with each other.
"It isn't. The goal is to get the ring, not to fall in love with her," Master said while staring out the window.
"Master, what do you mean? He's getting the ring now, and I know Seraphina will understand and give it to Lucca. She knows about Lucca's strength. Shouldn't we be happy for them? Isn't their love just a bonus?" I asked.
He looked at me sadly.
"Do you like her, Dominic, don't you?"
That question made me fall silent.
Yes. The moment I met Seraphina, I liked her. But I let my feelings go for Lucca because I wanted Lucca to live longer.
"My feelings don't matter. All I care about is Lucca's life," I said.
"They shouldn't be in love with each other. History will repeat itself."
"History? What do you mean, Master? I'm so confused by the things you're saying. I thought you wanted Lucca to get closer to her so that he could get the ring. But why are you concerned now?" I asked.
Master's words were confusing me. He looked as if it would be the end of them if they fell in love with each other.
If they weren't supposed to fall in love in the first place, why hadn't Master warned Lucca about it?
Why now, when the two of them were starting to develop feelings for each other?
"The curse wasn't just a coincidence. The curse… it was passed down from generation to generation. It is the curse of a person whom Seraphina's grandmother and I hurt so badly."