Seraphina's POV
For three days of staying in the hospital, Lucca never came back to visit me. Maybe he was upset about our last conversation? I don't know. Or maybe I wasn't that important to him. There was no reason to visit me since I wasn't even his friend.
So many thoughts crowded my mind. I wanted to see him again and say thank you, even though I had already done that. I don't know why, but I was hoping he would be here, talking to me, even if I still wasn't completely comfortable around him.
"Sera, here's your lunch," Mira said as she walked in, carrying a tray. She placed it on the mini table and slid it over my bed.
I slowly sat up and looked at the food. It looked appetizing, too appetizing. I had never been confined in a luxurious room like this before. Sometimes, I even thought that someone like me didn't deserve it.
Then my grandmother's face flashed in my mind. What if she had experienced staying in a room like this?
"Are you okay?" Mira asked, her voice filled with concern, when she noticed I hadn't started eating.
"I was just thinking about something," I replied, then forced myself to focus on the food. It tasted delicious, but it was expensive. I wondered how much Lucca had paid.
"Mira…" I paused and called her.
"Hm?" she responded without looking at me, busy organizing my things. The doctor had already said I could go home tomorrow.
"Lucca seems mad at me," I said, finally voicing what had been bothering me. I had kept quiet about it for days. I didn't even ask Dominic about Lucca since he never brought him up.
"Why do you think so?" Mira stopped what she was doing and looked at me.
"He paid my hospital bill… but I insisted on paying him back," I said.
"You did?" Mira raised an eyebrow.
I nodded.
"Do you even know how much your bill is?" she asked.
I shrugged. I knew it was expensive, but not exactly how much.
"₱100,000," Mira said.
"₱100,000?" My eyes widened, my mouth falling open.
"Yes."
I knew it would be expensive, but not that expensive. I even told him I would pay him back, but how could I possibly pay that amount? Now I regret getting sick. I wasn't even discharged yet, and I already had a huge debt. How was I supposed to pay him? It would take me more than a year.
I'm doomed.
"Are you still going to pay him?" Mira laughed at my reaction.
"Of course…" I stuttered, though even I could hear the hesitation in my voice.
Mira chuckled, clearly entertained. She seemed to enjoy watching me panic.
"Your face says otherwise," she teased.
"Who wouldn't panic?" I shot back.
That made her laugh even harder, her voice echoing through the spacious room. I glared at her. She was really enjoying my suffering.
"You shouldn't have told him that. You know they're rich, it's just pocket change for them."
"I know, but I don't want to owe him twice. He already saved me, and then he paid my bill? That's too much."
"Yeah. For Lucca's personality, that is too much. I'm curious why he helped you and paid your bill without asking for anything. From what Dominic told me, he's aloof and not exactly kind."
I suddenly lost my appetite. Should I start working overtime just to pay my debt?
"Don't overthink it. You'll just stress yourself out," Mira said. "I'll pay Lucca."
"What?"
"What 'what'?" she asked casually.
"You wouldn't spend that much for a friend," I said.
"I don't know if I should be offended by that or think you're just concerned," Mira replied. "But you're not just a friend to me. I see you as my sister, my best friend."
I bit my lower lip, feeling conflicted. "It's still too much. We're both employees earning the same salary."
Mira smiled at me. "It's just spare money for me too, just like for Lucca, Dominic, and Damian." Then she winked.
Our conversation was interrupted when Dominic entered, carrying two baskets full of fruit.
"Hi, Seraphina," Dominic greeted with a wide smile.
I smiled back. "Hi."
"Did I interrupt your lunch?" he asked.
I glanced at the table full of food in front of me. I hadn't eaten much because of my conversation with Mira.
"Not really. Come here," Mira answered for me.
"She'll be discharged tomorrow, according to the doctor," Mira informed him.
"I'll fetch you tomorrow," Dominic said.
"No need. I'll assist my sister," Mira replied.
"Still, I insist," Dominic said, smiling at me before sitting on the couch.
Mira and I exchanged a look, as if silently saying something to each other.
"By the way, do you know where Lucca is?" Mira asked.
I glared at her, but she ignored me.
"He's a bit busy. He hasn't even contacted us for the past few days," Dominic answered.
"Busy with work?" Mira followed up.
Dominic nodded. "Possibly."
Then he looked at me. "You should finish your lunch."
I glanced at the table again and told Mira I wasn't hungry anymore.
"How can you recover if you don't finish your food?" Mira nagged, as if she hadn't been laughing at me earlier.
"Finish your food," Dominic added.
I wanted to frown, but I managed to control my expression. Silently, I ate and finished everything in just a few minutes. Mira handed me a bottle of mineral water, and I drank it all at once. After a while, the nurse entered and gave me my medicine.
"I won't stay long. I have a meeting this afternoon, but I'll visit again later," Dominic said. "Mira, do you need anything for dinner?"
Since I was sick, I wasn't allowed to eat anything unhealthy.
"Steak, maybe?" Mira said with a straight face.
I thought she was joking, but she wasn't.
Dominic laughed and nodded. Do rich people really act like this? As if they were just buying candy?
"I'll go now."
We said our goodbyes and watched him leave until he disappeared. I looked at Mira, who was already busy scrolling on her phone.
"You know you can go home anytime you want. You've stayed here since I was admitted. I'm not your responsibility. I can take care of myself," I said.
"Yeah, right," Mira replied sarcastically as she sat on the sofa where Dominic had been sitting.
She faced me. "I'm craving steak. I hope Dominic finishes his meeting early."
"You seem too busy scrolling on your phone," I commented.
"I miss Damian already, that's why I'm looking at his photos." Mira showed me her screen, revealing pictures of Damian.
"Instagram?"
"Yeah. He accepted my follow request after the beach trip," she said, giggling.
I rolled my eyes and didn't bother her anymore. I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. The doctor didn't allow me to use my phone or watch television. He said I needed complete rest.
I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep.
The next thing I heard was Dominic's voice echoing in the room. When I opened my eyes, it was already night. I looked around and saw two men sitting on the sofa while Mira was opening plastic containers on the table.
"Dinner for the patient," the nurse said as she entered and delivered my food. Mira took it and looked at me.
"You're awake. Dominic and Damian are here," she said.
Dominic smiled at me, while Damian looked at me with amusement. I smiled back at Dominic and gave Damian a timid smile.
"Wow, my steak!" Mira exclaimed like a child. She opened the container, and the aroma of herbs filled the room.
"I'm hungry now," she said.
Before eating, she prepared my dinner and placed it on the mini table. I thanked her.
"When you're fully healed, I'm going to treat you to a steakhouse," Dominic said, probably because he saw me drooling earlier.
I pretended I wasn't and focused on my food. "You don't have to," I replied.
"Treat me again," Mira said while eating her steak.
"Yeah, yeah," Dominic laughed.
Damian was quietly eating his steak, clearly enjoying it. Dominic looked just as pleased. And me? I was stuck with a balanced hospital meal.
"By the way, why didn't you bring Lucca with you?" Mira suddenly asked.
I choked on my food.
"Hey, are you okay?" Dominic quickly asked, handing me a glass of water.
"Thanks," I said as I drank it.
"Take it easy," Dominic said, while Mira looked at me meaningfully. I glared at her, but she just laughed.
"He said he had something to take care of. He didn't say what it was," Dominic added.
I sighed. I actually hoped he wouldn't visit me. I didn't know how to face him or have a conversation without it becoming awkward.
"Did he tell you anything?" Mira asked again, clearly unwilling to drop the topic about Lucca.
"About what?" Dominic replied.
"About how he found Seraphina."
Dominic's POV
Flashback...
"Why are people so dramatic?" Lucca said, clearly annoyed.
"What are you so annoyed about?" I asked.
"Your friend is quite annoying. I already paid the bill, but she still insisted on paying me back," Lucca replied.
I laughed at his frustration. Good thing I was used to his personality; otherwise, I might've punched him by now.
"If I were her, I'd do the same. I mean, we're not even friends, and you suddenly paid her hospital bill?" I said teasingly. "But seriously… why did you do that?"
He seemed taken aback by my question, but Lucca being Lucca, he quickly masked it.
"I did it for the ring," he answered shortly.
"Not out of concern?" I pressed.
He frowned. "Why would I do that?"
"Was it really just a coincidence that you found her and brought her here?"
Now he was visibly annoyed. "Think whatever you want. I'm tired of this chaotic and dramatic situation!" he snapped before walking away.
But since I'm me, a stubborn and teasing friend, I quickly caught up with him and walked beside him.
"You don't have to hide your feelings. If you want Seraphina to be your friend, just ask her," I said.
"And why would I do that?" he shot back, clearly irritated.
"To make it easier to get the ring, maybe?"
He suddenly stopped walking and stared into the distance. Maybe he was already thinking of a way to get closer to her.
"You know what I learned today?" Lucca said after a moment, his voice turning serious.
"What?"
"That all this drama is incredibly annoying," he replied flatly before walking away again.
Now I was the one frowning. I thought he was about to say something meaningful, only for it to be something like that.
I let him go. He probably needed some fresh air to clear his messy thoughts.
Seraphina's POV
Today was the day I would finally be discharged. My things were already packed, and Mira and Dominic were carrying my bags.
"Let me help you," I kept insisting, but they didn't listen. Mira gently assisted me as we walked out of the room. As I stepped outside, I glanced back, reminiscing about everything that had happened over the past few days.
I ended up riding in Dominic's car while Mira drove hers. I had insisted on riding with Mira, but Dominic was just as persistent about me riding with him.
"Are you feeling completely fine now?" Dominic asked as he drove along the highway.
"Yeah. Thank you."
"I think you should thank Lucca again. Even though he's not here, he helped you a lot, right?"
Right. Lucca was the reason I made it to the hospital. If it weren't for him, what would've happened to me? That alone was already a huge debt, on top of the money I owed him, which I couldn't pay anytime soon.
"Can I have his contact number?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'll give it to you later."
I nodded, and we stayed silent until we reached my house.
Mira's car pulled up behind Dominic's. He helped me out of the car as if I were fragile, holding my hand until I was safely inside.
"Do you want to eat? I can prepare something. Sorry if my house is a bit messy and small," I said, glancing at him.
He laughed. "I don't mind. I actually like old houses. And don't worry about cooking, I already ordered food online."
"You're staying longer?"
"Do you want us to sleep here?" Dominic asked with a playful grin.
"No." I immediately shook my head. I didn't like the idea of a man sleeping in my house.
He laughed loudly. "Just kidding. Anyway, I already ordered your dinner. I won't stay long, I have a meeting. I'll see you next week."
"Next week? I can work tomorrow," I said.
"You're going back to work already? Do you think the company owner would allow that? No. I won't deduct your salary, don't worry."
That left me speechless.
"You too, Mira, take care of Seraphina and use the remaining days to rest and unwind," Dominic added before saying goodbye.
He was really thoughtful, kind, and considerate. I appreciated it a lot.
"He really likes you," Mira said with a smile.
"Friends do that, right? You do the same for me," I replied.
"We're different, and you know what I mean, Sera," she said meaningfully.
I ignored her look and excused myself to the bathroom. As I stood in front of the mirror, I examined myself. I had lost some weight over the past few days due to my lack of appetite. My skin looked dull, and I appeared haggard.
But I was fine. The doctor wouldn't have discharged me otherwise.
I washed my face and went out. Mira was already arranging the clothes I had used in the hospital. She insisted on doing the laundry despite my refusal, saying I wasn't allowed to do any chores yet. I didn't argue; she was too stubborn.
Beep beep.
"Oh, the food's here," Mira said before heading outside. She came back carrying plastic bags.
"Let's eat," she said as she opened them one by one. I sat down and helped her.
"Chicken soup with moringa leaves and papaya, this must be for you," Mira said, handing me the bowl.
I took the spoon and started sipping. It was warm, comforting, and just right, not too salty. I liked it.
Mira, on the other hand, was enjoying her kani salad and buffalo wings. The wings smelled so good, but she didn't allow me to taste even a little since the doctor had given strict instructions on my diet. Even though I was used to eating healthy, I still craved unhealthy food sometimes.
"Dominic really knows how to win a woman's heart," she said while eating.
"Do you like him more than Damian?" I asked.
"Of course not. I still like Damian, no one else," she answered firmly.
That gave me my answer.
"After dinner, you should go home," I said.
"You don't want me to stay here?"
"It's not that. I just want you to sleep comfortably. I saw how your back suffered in the hospital."
"That's okay."
"But it's not okay for me. I insist. You can come back tomorrow morning, just bring me breakfast."
"Fine. I'll buy you breakfast tomorrow," she said with a smile.
I smiled back.
After dinner, Mira cleaned up and made sure I didn't need anything before finally leaving. I let out a soft sigh. I owed her a lot, not in money, but in being a better friend.
I went to my room and changed clothes. I wasn't sleepy yet, and I didn't want to lie down again after doing that for days. My back felt sore, and I needed to move.
I put on jogging pants and a fitted black shirt, planning to take a walk to help digest my dinner. I made sure Mira's car was gone. If she found out, she would definitely nag me.
I stepped outside, locked the gate, and started walking. I took a deep breath, enjoying the cool night air. The sky was dark, but the stars and moon were clearly visible.
I kept walking aimlessly. I just wanted to sweat a little and enjoy the quiet night before going back to bed.
As I passed near the park, I saw a familiar figure stepping out of his car.
"Lucca?" I whispered, though I knew I shouldn't have said his name; it slipped out naturally.