Chapter 22
“You mean GoGo? It’s in the room. I’ll let it out in a sec.”
Luciana paused mid–swallow.
GoGo? Was that the name of Alicia’s dog? As in… Thiago?
There was a brief silence between them. Alicia just stared at Luciana–blatantly and unapologetically staring.
Last night, she had her manager do a little digging. It didn’t take much to figure out that the “classmate” Thiago had casually mentioned was none other than Luciana.
So, today, Alicia came up with a flimsy excuse to bring Luciana to her place, just to see for herself what was so special about her.
Thiago had sworn up and down that they were just classmates, but come on- -Alicia knew him way too well. The guy wouldn’t jump out of a moving car and chase down a city bus just for a classmate. He wasn’t stupid.
Luciana could feel Alicia’s gaze crawling all over her. Her skin prickled. Trying to break the tension, she asked tentatively, “Um… Alicia, when are we starting the art session?”
“No rush.” Alicia waved her off. “Weren’t you about to grab lunch before I showed up? Have you eaten? Wanna order something? We can eat first and draw after.”
Luciana had no idea what Alicia was really up to, but she kept it polite. “I’m not hungry. Pets are a little trickier to sketch, so I’d rather finish the job first and then eat.”
“Alright then. I’ll let GoGo cat.”
Seeing how Luciana wasn’t budging, Alicia dropped the act and headed to the back room at the end of the hallway.
Luciana sat alone on the couch, her eyes slowly taking in every corner of the lavish penthouse. She couldn’t help but think. She could work her whole life, maybe even two lifetimes, and still never afford a place like this.
After graduation, she just wanted to land a decent job, maybe buy a modest apartment in Jaxwell, and bring her parents over from Januview so that they could live together. As for marriage and kids? She wasn’t expecting much.
Finding someone she liked and who liked her back–well, that was easier said than done.
Her thoughts were suddenly shattered by a sharp bark echoing down the hallway. She jerked upright, heart in her throat. Before she could even process it, a blur of gray and black came charging straight at her like a missile.
Luciana froze. She couldn’t move or think. She just stood there like she had been paralyzed.
Then, she heard Alicia shriek, “GoGo! Get your furry ass back here!”
The husky launched itself off the floor, landed right on top of Luciana, and tackled her flat onto the couch. Luciana’s head slammed into the cushions with a thud so hard it left her dizzy.
The husky was panting like crazy, drooling everywhere. It whined at Luciana like she was its long–lost bestie–totally obsessed. Luciana covered her head with both arms, sure she was about to die a tragic, slobbery death at age 20.
The dog inched closer to her face, tongue aiming straight for her cheek. Lucíana squeezed her eyes shut, totally resigned to her fate. Just as that hot, slobbery tongue was about to land on her soft, pale cheek, the husky let out a yelp and went flying off to the side.
Luciana jolted upright with wide eyes, sweat dampening her hairline. Her heart was still pounding in her chest. She was completely shaken.
Thiago stood there, looking deeply unimpressed. He gave the dog a light kick. “Alicia, how many times do I have to tell you to get this thing neutered? He’s out here trying to hump on people now.”
The husky seemed to recognize him. It immediately flopped against Thiago’s leg, wagging its tail like some pathetic, submissive sidekick. It looked like an advisor sucking up to the emperor.
Alicia grabbed the dog by its collar and dragged it away. “I’m so sorry, Luciana! You’re too pretty. This horny GoGo couldn’t help himself. I tried to stop him “
Thiago thought, “Why does it sound like that insult had my name on it?”
Lucien’s face turned bright red as she scrambled to her feet. “It’s okay! Maybe I smell like something he likes,”
klicts cathe over, smoothing out Laciana’s shirt. “Did GoGo lick you? Is your first kiss still intact?”
