Chapter 93

\*\*LUCIANA'S POV\*\*





After the conversation with Damon, I felt relaxed and, slowly, without knowing it, I drifted to sleep.



A peaceful sleep this time, without the creepy nightmares and imaginations.



...



My eyes snapped open, and I felt a deep sense of refreshment run through my spine that was expected after all. 



I'm supposed to head back home today. I'm much better now, there's really no need to stay back and inconvenience Arielle and Duncan. 



My salary of three thousand dollars per month was already enough for her.



Wait...



"I've got three thousand dollars in my account right now" I whispered, sitting up and a bright smile found its way to my lips.



"Sounds like a lot", I heard a teasing voice beside me. 



My face turned red in embarrassment as it dawned on me that I wasn't alone in the room, Damon was also with me.



Wait, he didn't leave last night?



I turned to face Damon, my cheeks burning in embarrassment. 

"You...you stayed?"



He chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "I didn't want to leave you alone. You were sleeping so peacefully. I'd have tagged you a sleeping beauty, but I'm no prince, and I can't stand you kissing a prince or living happily ever after with him."



My cheeks got hotter. 



He's definitely so good with words.



I glanced around the cozy room, avoiding his gaze. "How long did I sleep?" I asked, trying to regain composure and change the topic.



"It's eight am already, so yes...about six hours." He replied, standing and stretching.



My eyes widened in shock. "Six hours? I didn't know I was that tired."



It's been a while since I last slept this long. I'm always waking up to creepy dreams and nightmares.



"You needed sleep. You've been through a lot." Damon smiled shortly. "Today is my day off, so I can tell you how."



I nodded, grateful. "Thank you so much Damon. For everything."



Our gazes met, and I saw the genuine happiness and affection in his eyes, causing a flutter in my chest.



Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Heyy... I brought breakfast." Lyra's soft voice announced as she walked into the room with a tray.



I cleared my throat, breaking for the moment. "Thank you."



Damon took the tray from her, and she bowed, walking out of the room.



It would take forever before we finally start to get along. If ever..



"You want to have breakfast now?" He asked me to place the tray before me.



I nodded negatively. "Uhm… I've not freshened up. Besides, I'm not hungry." 



My stomach sensed what was going on, and growled, embarrassing me. 



Not now!



"Well...your stomach says otherwise" he smirked. "Forget freshening up, you'll do so once you get to Celine's."



I looked away from him, unable to hide my smile. "You're not helping."



Damon grinned. "I'm just stating facts. I don't recall that being a crime. Anyway, eat, then we'll head to Celine's."



He handed me a plate, and the aroma of scrambled eggs and toast filled my nostrils, making my stomach growl louder.



"Fine," I surrendered, taking a bite.



Damon chuckled, sitting beside me. "I knew you'd finally admit you were starving."



As we ate, the tension between us slowly faded away, replaced with comfortable silence, only interrupted by the sounds of cutlers.



"You'd like to freshen up first, or head to Celine's?" Damon asked once we were done eating.



"Celine's" I murmured. "Then I'd join Arielle at the office tomorrow."



"Let's get going then" he replied softly, and I nodded off to bed.



We walked out of the room, bumping into Lyra in the process.



Whatever the deal with her is.



...





As we stepped into the black SUV, Damon smiled at me.



"Ready to go?" He asked, starting the engine. 



I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. 



Celine might be mad at me for not showing up last night. I hope she forgives me though.



The drive to Celine's started quietly with only the soft hit of the radio interrupting the silence.



Damon's gaze met mine occasionally, his eyes sparkling with warmth.



"Celine won't mind me dropping you off, right?" He asked.



"No, it's fine," I replied. "Thanks for taking care of me, Damon."



"It's nothing. I enjoy spending time with you, Luciana." He said softly.



My heart skipped a beat. It's been doing so quite frequently today. 



Soon, the crush will fade.



As we pulled up to Celine's house, Damon turned off the engine.



"My feelings for you have grown deeper, Luciana. It's okay if you don't feel the same way yet, I'll wait no matter how long." He whispered, softly.



My cheeks reddened. 



I'm not just figuring it out now, but it felt so different.



Before I could respond, Damon continued. "No pressure, Luciana. Just wanted to be honest."



I smiled, touched by his sincerity.



"Thanks, Damon." I whispered. "Your friendship means a lot."



He leaned in. I felt my heart skip countless beats as he placed his lips on my forehead. "Anytime."



I stepped out of the car, and waved back at him. "See you around."



As he drove off, I watched him go before turning to enter the house.



The air inside felt awkward.



I took a deep breath and turned the door open, stepping inside.



Celine's dress was hiked up, her hair was disheveled, and a pink blush colored her cheeks.



"Hey princess," she grinned, waving at me. "It's been forever... Arielle and Duncan should just adopt you."



"Morning Celine" I smiled widely. "Your hair looks rather..."



Jericho stood nearby, unusually quiet.



"Hey," I said, nodding at him. "You're unusually red."



The tension in the room was unusual. 



Celine and Jericho are usually always at each other's neck, so what's going on?.



"I saw the dude that dropped you off, you're finally dating the cute dude" Jericho teased, his eyes flickering, but I still sensed unease.



"Shut up, Jericho," Celine chimed in, laughing.



I rolled my eyes, smiling. "He's just a friend, Jericho."



"Save it Luciana. You spent hours in his car before stepping in." Jericho raised an eyebrow.



Celine leaned in, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Spill the beans, Luciana. What's going on?" 



I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. If I spoke to them, I'd get taunted forever.



Jericho's expression suddenly turned serious. "Luciana, be careful."



"About what?" I asked, my mind wandering.



He glanced shortly at Celine before returning his gaze to mine. "Just be careful dear Luciana."



"What's going on? 



Celine and Jericho seemed to be hiding something rather crucial.



What about Damon? Does he perhaps have bad intentions towards me?



"Stop hanging there, come in fully. Let's go to the dining room for breakfast. I've really missed you." Celine said and got up, adjusting her dress, she moved closer to me and held my wrist leading me to the dining room...