Celyn's eyes darted around the room, her gaze darting to Florencia's figure standing in the distance. She quickly shifted her attention to Lucian, who was staring intently into her eyes. His piercing eyes made her legs tremble.
"Y-your mom is watching us," Celyn whispered
Lucian winked, his eyes sparkling with calculations . "Yeah, I know." He leaned in closer, his face just inches from Celyn's. Celyn felt her heart racing as she wondered if he was going to kiss her.
Celyn's eyes closed with a snap, and she imagined the worst-case scenario. How could Lucian even think of doing something so bold in front of his mother?
"What are you thinking, Miss Santos?" Lucian's voice brought Celyn back to reality. She opened her eyes to find Lucian releasing her from his embrace.
Celyn looked up at Lucian, and for a moment, they just stared into each other's eyes. Lucian winked, a smirk spreading across his face.
Celyn's gaze shifted to Florencia, who had already left. "Oh my goodness!" Celyn sighed heavily. "Your mother is... unpredictable."
Lucian chuckled. "Indeed, she is. You're a good liar, Celyn. How come I didn't notice?" He tried to change the subject,
But Celyn wasn't having it, she crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pursed. "You're a pervert... Don't ever think of trying to—"
"Kiss you?" Lucian interrupted, his eyebrows raise d trying to appear innocent
Celyn's lips remained pursed "Otherwise?"
Lucian stared at Celyn, trying to read her expression. "You're wrong, Celyn... I'm not interested in doing such things." His voice was cold and detached.
Celyn's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
Lucian shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Yes, Celyn."
Celyn couldn't hide her wariness "What should I call you?... Um... a trickster?"
Lucian laughed. "Away from that... We're getting married this weekend."
Celyn's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"You know what that means, right?" Lucian chuckled darkly. "You will have to kiss me... Celyn." He emphasized the word "kiss."
Celyn felt like she'd been punched in the face. How could she possibly kiss Lucian in front of his family?
"What?... Why do I have to do that?" Celyn asked, trying to process the situation.
Lucian shrugged again. "Because you will be my wife. Don't tell me you didn't know about that."
Celyn's eyes narrowed. "B-but you said we wouldn't do anything inappropriate, didn't you?"
Lucian clicked his tongue. "Of course, Celyn!"
Celyn frowned, unsure of what Lucian's words meant
Just then, Emma interrupted them. "Celyn, Brother... what are you guys discussing?"
Lucian chuckled. "We're discussing our wedding. "
Emma's eyes lit up. "Wow, really?... I can't wait for you two to get married."
Celyn's face remained expressionless, but her eyes screamed "How could you Lucian"
Celyn watched, her eyes narrowing, as Lucian leaned in, his fingertips brushing against her skin. He gently removed the strands of hair from her face, his touch sending shivers down her spine. But before she could process her emotions, Lucian's expression changed. He pinched her chin, "Stay with Emma for a while. I'll be back."
Celyn's eyes flashed with annoyance, but she bit her lips to hide it. She wasn't impressed with how quickly Lucian's demeanor had changed. Her gaze lingered on his back as he disappeared from sight, her mind racing with unanswered questions.
Emma noticed Celyn's stare and giggled softly. "Hey, want to take a walk in the garden with me?" she asked, her voice laced with kindness.
Celyn snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a smile. "Yeah, sure...that sounds nice."
As they strolled through the garden, the sound of crickets and rustling leaves filled the air. Celyn's smile genuine this time. "This place is amazing," she said
Emma nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah, Father usually walks here when he's stressed. Sometimes I join him...but he's out of the country right now."
Celyn, out of curiosity, wondered what kind of person Mr. Olivares was, what kind of relationship he had with his family
Suddenly, Emma turned to Celyn, her expression serious. "Celyn, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Emma. What's on your mind?" Celyn replied, her voice gentle.
"I just wanted to know...do you really care about Lucian?" Emma asked, "He's been hurt before, and I don't want to see him get hurt again."
Celyn's heart went out to Emma, who was obviously protective of her brother. "Emma, I promise you...I do care about Lucian deeply," she said, trying to convince herself as well as Emma.
But when Emma's face lit up, her lips broke into a warm smile, Celyn felt a pang of guilt. She was lying, and she knew it. What would happen when Emma and Lucian found out about the contract? Would they hate her?
Celyn's mind flooded with questions, but she pushed them aside, focusing on the present. She forced a smile, trying to appear sincere
....
Lucian found his mother, Florencia, not far from where he and Celyn had spotted her earlier. "Mom, shouldn't you be resting? What are you doing here?" he asked, his expression serious.
Florencia's gaze softened. "Son, you love her so much, don't you?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Lucian paused, trying to process her words. He nodded. "Yes, and we're getting married this weekend."
Florencia's eyes teared up as she looked at her son with a mixture of emotions. She reached out and caressed Lucian's face. "Son, I'm proud of you... and I'm sure your father would be proud too."
Lucian felt a wave of relief wash over him. He kissed his mother on the forehead. "Thanks, Mom."
Florencia wiped away her tears. "Alright, I'll go upstairs now... get some rest."
Lucian nodded and watched as his mother disappeared upstairs. He then headed back to find Celyn.
Celyn and Emma were chatting and laughing together. Lucian deliberately coughed to announce his presence. "May I know what's so funny?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Emma's smile froze, and she exchanged glances with Celyn. "Oh, um, it's nothing serious, brother. Celyn and I were just having a girl talk."
Lucian's eyes shifted to Celyn. "What girl talk are you having with my sister?"
Celyn rolled her eyes. "What's it to you,? Why do you care so much?"
both Lucian and Emma couldn't be more surprised, Emma couldn't help but giggle
Lucian's eyes sparkled with amusement, recalling the day he had first met celyn, she was "this celyn"
"Come with me, Celyn." He said
Celyn followed Lucian, and they went back inside. "Can I say goodbye to Mrs. Florencia? I think it's time I head back," Celyn said firmly.
Lucian turned to look at her. "Mom is upstairs. I'll call her."
But Celyn quickly disagreed. "No, I'll go say goodbye. She must be resting."
Lucian tilted his head sideways and chuckled. "Okay, let's go."
Celyn followed Lucian to Florencia's bedroom door. Lucian knocked, and Florencia opened the door with a warm smile. "Celyn, please come in."
Celyn glanced at Lucian, looking nervous, but then forced a smile and went inside.
Florencia walked to her wardrobe and grabbed a box. "Here you go, child," she said, smiling warmly.
Celyn's eyes relaxed as she smiled back. "Oh, um, thank you, Mrs. Florencia."
Florencia's eyes teared up. "Don't worry, Celyn. This was already set a long time ago. I prepared it for whoever was going to marry my son... and look, it's you."
Celyn's heart was overwhelmed with emotion. "I'm glad I'm going to be part of this great family, Mrs. Florencia. I feel so lucky."
Florencia wiped away her tears. "Please, call me Mother... okay?"
Celyn laughed, her eyes tearing up too. "Yes, Mom."
After what seemed like forever, Celyn came out of the room, her eyes slightly swollen. Lucian looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Why do you look like you've been crying?"
Celyn shoved his question away. "Let's go, already."
Lucian shrugged, and they both headed downstairs, where they met Emma. "Oh, you're leaving now?" Emma asked, looking disappointed.
Celyn laughed. "Yes, Emma. I'll see you soon"
After hugging Emma, Celyn and Lucian left. Lucian drove Celyn to her apartment.