Raya tossed and turned in bed, her mind restless, replaying the conversation she had with Luke the night before. His words echoed in her thoughts, his story blending with her own pain. There was an undeniable connection forming between them, something quiet but powerful—a slow burn that made her heart flutter despite her efforts to push it away.
She knew she shouldn't feel this way. Luke was her boss, after all. And maybe, just maybe, he was only being kind because of everything she had been through. Perhaps he saw her as someone fragile, someone he needed to protect. But deep down, she couldn't help but notice the way he looked at her, the way his voice softened when he spoke to her. She couldn't ignore the small moments they shared—the looks, the touch of his hand on her arm, the way he made her feel seen. Still, she wondered. Was it all in her head? Was she reading too much into his kindness?
Unable to shake the thoughts and unable to sleep, Raya threw off her blanket. The soft glow of dawn was beginning to creep through the windows, painting the room in gentle light. She decided to head to the kitchen, her restless energy urging her to do something—anything—to keep her mind occupied.
The house was still quiet when she entered the kitchen. Mrs. Mitchell, the housekeeper, hadn't arrived yet, so Raya had the space to herself. She opened the fridge and began pulling out ingredients, scanning the shelves for something to cook. After a few moments, she decided on lasagna and turkey sandwiches, something hearty that could bring comfort to everyone.
She set to work, chopping vegetables and preparing the sauces, her hands moving in practiced rhythm. The process was calming, each step easing the tension in her shoulders. As she layered the lasagna and seasoned the turkey, her mind wandered back to Luke. His face, his words, the way he shared his own painful past with her—it all played in her mind like a movie she couldn't turn off.
Just as she was sliding the lasagna into the oven, Mrs. Mitchell entered the kitchen. She paused, surprised to see Raya already at work. "Well, good morning," the housekeeper said with a warm smile. "Didn't expect to see you up this early, and cooking no less."
Raya smiled softly, wiping her hands on a towel. "I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd make breakfast. I hope you don't mind."
Mrs. Mitchell chuckled. "Mind? Not at all! It's nice to see you in here. Need any help?"
"I'd love some help with the turkey," Raya admitted, grateful for the company. As they worked together, Mrs. Mitchell shared a family recipe for lasagna, teaching Raya a few new tricks along the way.
While they chatted and cooked, Luke quietly entered the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway, watching Raya and Mrs. Mitchell with a small smile. There was something comforting about the scene—Raya, laughing softly, her hands busy with the food, and Mrs. Mitchell guiding her like a mother would. Luke's heart warmed at the sight.
He stepped closer, his presence finally noticed when he stood just behind Raya near the stove. The smell of lasagna filled the room, rich and savory, and the turkey sandwiches were already plated and looking delicious.
"Smells incredible in here," Luke said, his voice low as he leaned closer to Raya. She turned, surprised to see him so close, her breath catching for a moment.
"I didn't realize you were awake," she replied, handing him a small slice of turkey sandwich. "Here, try this."
Luke took a bite, their hands brushing briefly in the exchange. The moment was simple, but intimate, and neither of them seemed to realize just how close they were standing. Mrs. Mitchell, however, noticed it all, smiling to herself as she continued preparing the food, feeling like a third wheel in their quiet dance.
"This is great," Luke said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Thank you."
Raya smiled, her heart fluttering again as he walked away to get ready for work. The kitchen returned to its peaceful buzz, the smell of food growing stronger as the lasagna neared perfection.
A short while later, Aunt Maggie and Cassie came downstairs, drawn by the heavenly aroma. Cassie's eyes lit up as soon as she saw what was on the table.
"Lasagna?! You know that's my favorite!" she exclaimed, rushing to the table. Aunt Maggie chuckled as she took a seat, while Raya poured her a cup of coffee.
Cassie reached for a mug as well, but Raya stopped her with a small smile. "That's for Luke," she said, a touch of something in her voice that didn't go unnoticed.
Cassie raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Aunt Maggie. "Oh really?" she teased taking another cup of coffee.
Raya blushed lightly, trying to stay casual. "Speaking of Luke where is he? .I went to check on him earlier. He was still in the shower, so he would be down anytime soon ."
The room went quiet for a moment, Aunt Maggie and Cassie exchanging knowing looks while Mrs. Mitchell grinned from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the subtle shift in Raya's demeanor. Raya, however, remained blissfully unaware of how much she had revealed.
Luke appeared moments later, freshly showered and dressed for the day. He greeted everyone with a nod and a smile, his eyes lingering on Raya for just a beat longer than usual. As she handed him his coffee, their fingers brushed again, a spark of something unspoken passing between them.
The breakfast table buzzed with warmth and conversation, everyone chatting like they were family. At one point, Luke casually wiped a bit of sauce from Raya's cheek, the gesture so natural that even he didn't seem to realize its tenderness. Aunt Maggie, Cassie, and Mrs. Mitchell exchanged glances, smiles tugging at their lips.
After breakfast, Luke left for work, and Mrs. Mitchell soon followed. The house grew quiet again, the comfortable silence settling over them like a blanket. Aunt Maggie, Cassie, and Raya lingered at the table, enjoying the calm.
Eventually, Raya broke the silence, her voice small but filled with emotion. "I'm sorry," she said, looking down at her hands. "For everything. For shutting you all out. For making you worry."
Aunt Maggie reached across the table, placing a gentle hand on hers. "You have nothing to apologize for, Raya. We're just glad you're here. You don't have to go through this alone."
Cassie nodded, her eyes soft with understanding. "We're here, okay? Always."
Raya smiled, her heart finally beginning to heal, surrounded by those who loved her. And as for Luke—well, maybe, just maybe, the sweetness of life was beginning to seep through the bitterness, one small moment at a time.
The past few days had been so unexpectedly sweet between Raya and Luke that sometimes they seemed to forget anyone else was around. There was a quiet, unspoken connection growing stronger with each passing moment. Luke's casual touches—brushing against her hand, a gentle arm around her shoulders, or his steady gaze that lingered just a bit too long—left Raya feeling more alive than she had in months. These small moments made her forget the dark cloud she'd been living under. But despite how much her heart ached for more, her mind remained wary. She had too many battles to fight, and she couldn't drag Luke into her mess. Not until everything was sorted out. Not yet.
One afternoon, everything came crashing down. Raya felt a sharp, persistent cramp twisting her stomach. She groaned and clutched her abdomen as she walked into the kitchen, hoping to find some medication. The house was eerily quiet. Cassey had left for a wedding in Miami, Aunt Maggie had gone to San Francisco for their grandmother's memorial which Raya wanted to follow her but Aunt Maggie persistently refused , and Luke was at work. She didn't want to leave the house, but the pain was getting worse. With no other choice, Raya grabbed her jacket and forced herself to make the short walk to the nearest pharmacy.
As she made her way back home, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled with unease. She had the distinct feeling that someone was watching her. She quickened her pace, her heart beating faster with every step. Just as she reached an alley, a strong hand grabbed her from behind and slammed her against the cold, brick wall. Her breath caught in her throat as fear coursed through her veins.
"Well, well... So this is where you've been hiding, huh?" sneered a voice, dripping with malice. Raya looked up and saw one of her father's men, his face twisted into a cruel smile. "You thought you could hide forever? Guess what? You're not that smart after all" Her father said , "Well today is your lucky because that rich boy just saved your life. Now, listen closely," he whispered menacingly, his grip tightening on her arm. "Make sure you send the money when the time comes. Or else Aunt Maggie and Cassey? Well, they might just go missing. You can't hide from me. I'll always find you, even if you're under a rock. I'm that good."
With a sickening grin, he released her and disappeared into the shadows. Raya stood frozen in place, her mind racing, heart thudding in her chest. Somehow, she managed to make it home, but her hands were still shaking. The moment she stepped inside her, she bolted the door behind her and collapsed against it, gasping for breath. Her thoughts were spiraling out of control. She needed to leave. Now.
Without thinking, Raya sprinted to her wardrobe and started throwing her things into a suitcase. She had to go. She couldn't risk Aunt Maggie, Cassey, or Luke getting hurt because of her. She thought of Luke, his kindness, his unwavering support—and the tears came harder. She couldn't drag him into this chaos, not after everything he had done for her.
Just as she was about to leave, the door to her room opened, and Luke walked in, loosening his tie. He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing when he saw the packed suitcase.
"Raya, what's this?" he asked, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "You running away? Didn't think I was such a bad host."
Raya stiffened, avoiding his gaze. Her heart was pounding so loudly, she was sure he could hear it. "I—thank you, Luke, for everything, but I can't stay here anymore. I've... found a new place."
Luke's smile faded, and his brow furrowed in confusion. "Raya, what's really going on? Did your dad find you here? Is that why you're leaving?Com'on Raya talk to me "
She shook her head, trying to force a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "No, he didn't. I just... I need to go. It's time for me to move on. You've done more than enough for me."
Luke stepped closer, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "Are you running again? Why do you keep letting him control you like this? Why do you let him make you run? You don't have to do this alone, Raya. I can fight him with you. We can face him together."
"No!" Raya cried, her voice trembling as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "You don't understand, Luke. My father will kill you. He's dangerous—more dangerous than you know. This isn't a fight you can win."
Luke's jaw clenched, frustration evident in the way he ran a hand through his hair. "Raya, I know you're scared. But you can't keep running. Not from him, and not from this. Let me help you. You don't have to push us away to handle this alone."
"I'm not pushing you away," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. "I just... I care about you too much. I've already put so many good people in danger. I can't let you get hurt, too. You're a good person, Luke, and I—"
Before she could finish, Luke closed the distance between them in one swift movement. His lips crashed onto hers, silencing her words. The kiss was soft but intense, full of passion and unspoken emotion. Raya's heart raced as shock turned into surrender. She melted into the kiss, her hands gripping his shirt as she poured all of her emotions into that one moment.
The world around them seemed to disappear, the fear and pain fading into the background as their connection deepened. The kiss was slow, deliberate, and filled with a longing that neither of them could deny any longer. Raya's breath caught as she realized just how much she had been holding back. She had thought she wasn't thinking straight after seeing her father , but this... this was something entirely different.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. Luke's voice was soft, barely a whisper.
"Raya, I don't care how dangerous he is. I'm not leaving you to face this alone."
The weight of his words settled over her like a blanket, warm and comforting. For the first time in a long time, Raya felt something she thought she had lost forever—hope.They kissed one more time before settling to talk about the issue.