Chapter 6
Luciana turned around and saw Hugo approaching with his hand in his pocket. He waved at her, and she politely waved back.
“Hi, Hugo.”
His gaze soon averted from her and landed on Vivian. “Wow. Your friend is… stunning.”
Vivian’s brows furrowed slightly, and she didn’t say a word. Instead, she shot Luciana a look as though saying, “What’s with this guy, acting so flirty?”
Seeing that the two were silent, Hugo maintained his radiant smile and asked, “What’s your name?”
Yet all he received was a cold glare from Vivian. He was hot, sure, but he was probably a hímbo.
Luciana frantically cut in, “This is my best friend, Vivian Taylor. She’s Nigel’s girlfriend.”
“Oh.” Hugo nodded, seemingly deep in thought. “He has a great eye.”
Just as Luciana assumed he would give up and leave, he fished out his phone and asked Vivian, “Can I have your number?”
Luciana was at a loss for words while Vivian unhesitatingly rolled her eyes. “I don’t remember my number.”
“In that case, why don’t you call Nigel and tell him to give me your number?”
“Am I hearing this right?” a stunned Luciana thought.
By then, Vivian had lost her patience. She barked, “Do you have a loose screw in your head?”
Hugo was stunned for a second by the sudden scolding. What the hell? Was this the result of his first attempt at asking for a woman’s number? Were all ladies this fierce these days?
Luciana knew Vivian had a fiery temper. If they didn’t leave now, she was afraid Vivian might kick Hugo in the face the next second. Thus, she swiftly shoved the paper bag into Hugo’s hands.
She said hurriedly, “Sorry, Hugo. Vivian and I have to run. Could you please pass this along to Thiago for me? I had it dry–cleaned. Tell him I said thanks!”
Before Hugo could even react, Luciana grabbed Vivian and made a hasty escape. Not long after, the two sat across from each other in the campus cafeteria.
Luciana was quietly stuffing food into her mouth when a loud snap on the table nearly made her drop her cutlery.
Vivian slammed her hand down, clearly indignant. “What the hell was wrong with that guy earlier? Does he think he can go around hitting on anyone just because he’s rich and works with Thiago? Does he think I’m a shallow woman who flirts with every guy she meets?”
Luciana joked gently, “Well, you are pretty. Pretty girls attract attention.”
Vivian clapped back without missing a beat. “It’s not my fault I’m pretty. It doesn’t mean I have to put up with every damn loser who thinks he’s got a shot.”
Luciana laughed. “At least you have admirers. Look at me–no guys are into me.”
Vivian laughed out of frustration. “Don’t give me that ‘nobody is into me‘ crap. Every time a guy confesses to you, you play dumb. Be honest, Luci–do you already have someone you like? Otherwise, why keep turning everyone down?”
Luciana choked slightly, suddenly finding the meatball in her mouth a lot less flavorful
“It’s not that… I just think they find me pretty and don’t actually like the real me. I’m already swamped with my part–time gigs just to get by. Where would I even find the time or energy to date?”
While the two were deep in conversation, two figures suddenly appeared and sat down on either side of them.
Thiago, wearing his usual mischievous grin, leaned in and asked, “Who finds you pretty, Luciana?”
“Hey, we meet again Hugo, resting his head on one hand, fixed his eyes on Vivian.
Vivian was speechless.
Luciana instinctively shifted away, her clear, glistening eyes shimmering with unease. “No one… No one finds me pretty…”
Vivian frowned slightly, perplexed. Why did Luciana always look so frightened whenever she saw Thiago?
“What are you talking about, Luci? Tons of people think you’re gorgeous. I heard from Nigel that guys in the med school group chat call you the goddess of the design department.”
Luciana instantly froze in embarrassment.
Thiago, on the other hand, smirked provocatively. “Who said that? Those med school kids have too much free time. They should get more decent corpses to mess with and see what life’s really about.”
Chapter &
2/2
Luciana stayed silent.
Meanwhile, the flirtatious Hugo cast an ambiguous smile at Vivian. “If Luciana is the goddess of the design department, then what makes you?
“Your dad”
This time, Hugo fell silent.
Thiago still wore the same black jersey. His damp bangs clung to his forehead, revealing one side of his sharp, defined brows. Strangely, the pine scent on him grew even stronger after his workout. It was so intoxicatingly fresh that Luciana lost focus for a second.
He tilted his head, asking, “Why didn’t you personally return my shirt?”
She dodged eye contact and continued her meal. “You looked busy,”
“I see.” Thiago slid his hands into the pockets and lazily leaned against the chair. “I thought you were trying to get me into trouble.”
At that, Luciana instantly cocked her head up. The corners of her eyes were tinged red. “What? How?”
“Well…” He deliberately dragged his words. “I found this in the paper bag,”
With a tug at the comer of his lips, he quietly slipped a white object into Luciana’s hand from under the table.
Across the table, Vivian and Nigel shared an unprecedented moment of silent understanding as both craned their necks to see. She asked, ” What’s so secretive about it?”
Nigel chimed in, “We’re all adults here. Can’t we take a look? Is it some kind of… personal care item?”
By then, Luciana’s cheeks were already crimson. She quickly tucked away the sanitary pad that Thiago had handed her.
Indeed, it was the very same brand, Soffey, that Thiago had helped her buy yesterday. How did a pad end up inside the paper bag?
This was impossible–simply impossible!
ad she been overthinking while folding the shirt and inserted it by accident? Was her mind playing tricks on her?
At that moment, Luciana felt the last thread of her sanity snap inside her mind. She felt a wave of despair, losing the will to leave.
With her head bowed, she looked up at Thiago and softly apologized, “I’m sorry. I think I was too distracted. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, and Thiago’s heart seemed to melt from it. He looked up, pressed his tongue against his cheek, and grinned like a charming rogue. “What if I insist on taking it to heart?”
Luciana raised her head, a trembling voice barely escaping her throat, “W–What do you mean?”
Sering her so gentle yet guarded made Thiago’s mood brighten even more. “I’ll think about it. Once I have an idea, I’ll text you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, his phone rang, Luciana unintentionally glanced at his phone screen and saw that the caller was Monica.
He stood up with the phone and reminded Luciana, “Wait for my text.”
Then, he answered the call and strode out of the cafeteria.
Meanwhile, Vivian had also glanced at the caller’s name. Curious, she turned to Hugo and asked, “Are Thiago and Monica dating?”
Hago wore an ambiguous smile. “Dump Nigel and I’ll tell you,”
At the side, Luciana watched Thiago’s figure as he walked away, forcing down the surging bitterness in her chest. She lowered her gaze for a few seconds, then quietly turned her attention back to her food.
She should focus on eating instead. That way, she would have the energy for her shift at the restaurant later that evening.
