Lea missed her grandmother's presence. She hadn't seen her since breakfast, and a pang of loneliness settled over her. She wandered through the sprawling mansion, hoping to catch a glimpse of her grandmother, but her search proved futile.

Finally, she encountered one of the servants, a woman with a kind face and gentle eyes.

"Where's Grandma?" Lea asked, her voice tinged with a faint longing.

"Ay, she already left, ma'am," the woman replied, her voice soft. "She left when you went to school."

Lea nodded, a sense of disappointment washing over her. She felt a strange pull toward her grandmother, an unspoken connection that had always been a source of comfort in her life.

Her grandmother rarely traveled alone. She and Grandpa, her other pillar of support, were inseparable. Their love was something extraordinary, a rare bond that defied the passage of time.

They were a puzzle that fit together perfectly, each piece complementing the other, making them whole. They were imperfect, but their imperfections made their love all the more profound, all the more meaningful.

Their love was a testament to the enduring power of connection, a love that transcended the boundaries of time, a love that defied the harsh realities of life. Lea envied their bond, a bond she longed to experience for herself.

Lea sighed, a wistful longing settling in her heart. She craved that kind of love, the kind that her grandparents shared, a love that transcended flaws and imperfections. A love that was a source of strength and comfort, a love that made the world feel a little brighter.

"Love can make you feel lucky for finding it, at the same time, jinxed for losing it," she thought, a bittersweet truth resonating in her heart.

She spotted Lucian talking on the phone, his voice a low rumble that was both captivating and intimidating.

He hung up and turned to look at her. Lea felt a jolt of anxiety as his eyes met hers. His gaze, always intense, always filled with a depth of emotion that she struggled to decipher, made her uneasy.

"Hey," he said, his lips curving into a playful smirk. "Will you go out with me?"

His words caught her off guard, a surprise that made her stumble over her response. A date? With Lucian?Why? What was his motive?

"W-where?" she stammered, her voice betraying her nervousness.

She chastised herself for her hesitation. This was just her cousin. She needed to relax.

"Anywhere you want," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

He was playing a game, that was certain. But what were the rules?

Lea was dumbfounded. This man was unbelievable! He was inviting her out, but he was also making it seem like her decision was a formality, as if her answer would determine his actions. Why did her choice even matter to him?

"Ahmm..." she hesitated, unsure how to respond.

He cocked a brow, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity that made her self-conscious.

"I know a cafe, if you don't mind?" Lea suggested, her voice wavering slightly.

A flicker of tranquility, a softer expression, crossed his face. It was a stark contrast to the usual intensity that seemed to emanate from him.

"Your call," he said, his attention unwavering.

"I'll go get a quick shower," she said, turning away, unable to meet his gaze.

She felt a strange pull towards him, a force that made her both excited and nervous. Those hazel eyes had a way of making her feel vulnerable, weakening her resolve.

"Okay. Take your time," he said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Lea walked away, her mind racing, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. What was happening? What was he up to? And why did her heart feel like it was about to burst out of her chest?

Lea stood at the window, the cool breeze brushing against her skin, carrying with it the promise of a new beginning. A sense of peace settled over her, a quiet respite from the whirlwind of emotions that had been swirling inside her.

It was hard to believe that just minutes ago, she had been caught off guard by Lucian's proposition. His invitation, so unexpected, had left her flustered. Why was she suddenly feeling so awkward?

Was it the realization that her life was about to take an unexpected turn? Or was it something more?

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the unsettling thoughts. She needed to focus on the present, on the unexpected opportunity in front of her.

She entered her room and quickly showered, the warm water washing away the lingering tension of the day. She slipped into a comfortable white flared skirt and a navy blue blouse, then tugged her hair into a tight bun, her movements a blur of preparation.

Half an hour later, she was ready. A series of knocks echoed through the room, pulling her back from her thoughts. Lea grabbed her purse and sunglasses, and unlocked the door.

Standing in the doorway, a figure emerged, his presence as commanding as ever.

Lucian's eyes swept over Lea, taking in her outfit. He didn't smile. Instead, a disapproving frown creased his forehead.

"Go get changed," he said, his voice laced with a sharpness that made Lea's heart sink. "Your skirt is too short. Boys out there will drool over those legs of yours."

Lea bit her lip, a wave of frustration washing over her. He wasn't complimenting her. He was criticizing her attire, reducing her to a mere object of male desire.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" She leaned against the door, crossing her arms defiantly. "This is how I dress."

"It'll catch some attention," Lucian said, his tone unwavering. "You don't want me to get involved in trouble because of that, do you?"

"Lucian, this is my fashion. Don't worry about it," Lea said, her voice firm.

He shot her a look that made her spine tingle. It was a look that spoke volumes, a look that conveyed his disapproval, his frustration with her defiance.

"Tsk! Let's go before I change my mind," he said, his tone clipped.

On second thought, Lucian's words were a reminder of the world she lived in, a world where appearances mattered, where a woman's worth was often tied to her physical attributes.

She knew he was right. She wasn't safe, not in this world, not with her mother's ambition and their family's wealth attracting unwanted attention. But she also knew that she wasn't going to let someone dictate her style, her sense of self.

Lea took a deep breath. He couldn't understand Lucian's strange behavior. One moment he was being charming, the next he was criticizing her clothes.

He was a whirlwind of contradictions, a puzzle that she struggled to solve. Was he truly a bad boy, or was there something else going on behind his guarded facade?

Lucian waited impatiently outside, his expression a mix of annoyance and impatience.

"Why so slow? You're not related to a turtle, are you?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of mockery.

"You have bigger legs than mine! How can I keep up with you when you take steps like a giant?" Lea retorted, her voice a mix of frustration and amusement.

She couldn't believe how he could be so dismissive of her. Did he really think she was slow?

He smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Then you should run instead," he said.

Lea rolled her eyes. His suggestion was unhelpful, to say the least. But there was a playful tone to his words, a sense of camaraderie that made her heart beat a little faster.

She knew he was testing her, pushing her buttons.

Lea's frustration bubbled over. This man was driving her crazy! He was a constant source of irritation, pushing her buttons, making her lose her patience.

"Ugh! Run that face of yours!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with mock anger.

She slammed the car door shut, a silent declaration of her frustration. Lucian, unfazed by her outburst, settled comfortably into the driver's seat, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Where are we going, anyway?" he asked, buckling his seatbelt and drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.

Lea fought back a sigh. Why was he being so nonchalant? Did he even care about her feelings?

"Just drive the car, and I'll lead you the way," she replied, her voice a dull monotone.

She wasn't in the mood to engage with him. She was too tired, too frustrated. Every word he uttered seemed to be laced with a hidden barb, a subtle jab that chipped away at her patience.

Lea didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her frustrated. She just wanted to get to the cafe, to escape this constant battle of wills.

She hoped that maybe, just maybe, once they were away from the confines of the house, away from the pressure of their families, they could have a more peaceful conversation. But she wasn't holding her breath. Lucian was a wildcard, and anything could happen.

"The little princess is kinda mad," Lucian chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.

Lea rolled her eyes, her annoyance growing. This man was infuriating. He was always teasing her!

"Let's have a real talk here, Lucian. Tell me frankly, do you have a problem with me?" she said, her gaze steady, her voice filled with a quiet determination.

He winked, a sly grin spreading across his face. His jaw was clenched tightly, and there was an intensity behind his smile that made her uneasy.

Where did he get that from? Tito Diego, her uncle, was a kind and gentle man. But Lucian... he was something else entirely.

"Do I have a problem with you?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

"Don't answer me with the same question, Lucian! I'm serious here," Lea said, her voice rising with a hint of frustration.

Lucian shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He glanced at her before focusing back on the road.

But then, his expression shifted. He seemed to become serious for a moment, but then a soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"I know you're serious, so am I." he said, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

She had never been so intrigued, so conflicted. This man was both a source of frustration and a source of fascination.

Lea's heart skipped a beat. He was finally getting serious but what did he mean?