"Hehe, shouldn't you be treating me to a meal?" Elora shamelessly asked, demanding her due.
"Of course, you're my hero," Lucas replied, his face beaming with a smile that came from the heart.
Elora was momentarily dazzled by his smile. "Lucas, you look so handsome when you smile," she blurted out before realizing what she had said. She froze, her face turning crimson, too embarrassed to meet his eyes. Lowering her head, she nervously played with her fingers, muttering, "That... that was just sleep talk... yes, I must have been sleepwalking. You didn't hear anything, right?"
As she lowered her head, her slender neck was revealed, bathed in sunlight streaming through the glass, gleaming like jade. Lucas felt an unexplainable thirst. He awkwardly picked up his cup of tea and took a sip.
Not hearing any response from Lucas, Elora cautiously looked up and saw him gulping down her tea.
"Lucas, you've got the wrong cup. That's mine."
"Cough… cough..." Lucas choked and quickly set the cup down.
Elora chuckled as she patted his back, laughing heartily. "Lucas, are you sleepwalking too?" she teased, sending him a playful look that said, I know what you're up to.
Lucas, slightly choked, ignored her and focused on reviewing the documents in front of him.
Elora wasn't offended. "Lucas, since we've agreed to cooperate, we should finalize the proposal in the next few days."
"Got it. I'll follow your lead." Elora's suggestion made sense; it was best to settle things quickly to avoid unnecessary delays.
Seeing that everything was on track, Elora didn't want to disturb him. She relaxed on the sofa, picking up her phone to play a puzzle game.
Perhaps because she had woken up early, Elora began to feel drowsy after a short while. Her head nodded repeatedly. Since she had nothing pressing to do, she comfortably stretched out on the couch and fell asleep.
The room was filled with the sound of papers rustling, occasionally interrupted by the soft, steady rhythm of her breathing.
Lucas glanced at the time and realized two hours had passed, and it was almost lunchtime. He lifted his head to call Elora, but when he saw her peacefully asleep, he instinctively quieted himself. Shaking his head, he stood and walked slowly to her side. He knelt beside her, mesmerized.
She was truly stunning. Even with her eyes closed, her beauty remained undiminished. Her face, as delicate as a peach blossom, captivated him. Unable to resist, Lucas gently stroked Elora's face, marveling at its soft warmth.
As if under some spell, he lowered his head and kissed her eyelid.
Ding… Male lead affection +9. Current affection: 62.
The sound of the notification made Elora's eyelids flutter, and her long, curled lashes stirred. She pouted her slightly flushed lips and slowly opened her eyes, gazing at Lucas. "What's wrong?" Her sleepy eyes met his.
"Get up. Let's go have lunch," Lucas said, standing up and sitting down on the adjacent sofa. He suddenly felt shy, avoiding eye contact with her, remembering the kiss he had just stolen.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
…
Less than a week later, Ridge Group completed the proposal, and BluePeak Realty officially established a partnership with Summit Ridge Realty.
"Hello?" Elora, excited, answered the phone as she picked out clothes. This was the first time she had received a call from Lucas—she couldn't contain her happiness!
"Do you have time today? I'd like you to join me for a gathering tonight," Lucas asked casually, though his tightly clenched hand on the pen betrayed his nervousness. He was afraid she might refuse, and ever since he had kissed her, her face had been on his mind, leaving him somewhat distracted.
It had been three days since they signed the contract, and three days since he had seen Elora. He had wanted to ask her out but couldn't come up with a reason. Finally, he found an opportunity and couldn't wait to call her.
"Sure, I'd love to. Will you pick me up tonight?" Elora quickly agreed, her excitement clear.
"I'll be there at 7. Don't be late. I have to go now." Lucas sighed in relief, glad that she had accepted.
"Okay, I'll be waiting," Elora said with an unstoppable smile.
Elora had been planning to buy some new clothes, and with it being the weekend, she invited her friend Vivian to go shopping. Just as she was about to head out, she received Lucas's call.
It was a good thing she was shopping today—she definitely couldn't wear her old clothes.
"Look at you, practically glowing! Don't tell me you're secretly hoping someone notices you're thinking about men?" Vivian teased, looking at Elora with exaggerated distaste.
Vivian was the youngest daughter of the Bennett family. Though Bennett wasn't as prominent as Carter's BluePeak Realty, it was still a well-known name in A City. Vivian and Elora had grown up together. While they were best friends, their personalities couldn't have been more different. Vivian was fiery and straightforward, while Elora was more reserved.
"What are you talking about? Anyway, help me pick out this dress!" Elora, not bothering to argue, held up a dress to her body.
"Try this one on," Vivian said, pointing to a soft green dress nearby.
Vivian knew Elora was pretending to be tough, but she didn't press the issue. She knew that in time, Elora would open up.