Chapter 10 (Suddenly?)

"What are you looking at, Luna?!"

Nick's voice was sharp, cutting through the air with coldness. His gaze locked onto Luna as if he had just been caught red-handed committing a serious crime, not just staring too long. His jaw tightened, the muscles in his temples tensed, holding back something even he himself was reluctant to admit.

He stood up hastily, still in the same position—both hands covering his ‘thing’—then turned quickly. His steps were long and heavy, leaving the living room as if the room itself was a witness too embarrassing to face. The door closed with a soft thud, but loud enough to show his agitation.

Donna, who had witnessed it all, burst into a hearty laugh. A laugh filled with the small triumph of a mother.

“Hahahaha... What a fool son.”

She shook his head slowly, then sat down next to Luna with a meaningful smile still on her face.

“It turns out I was wrong. My son still likes a woman.”

Luna could only manage an awkward smile. Her heart hadn't returned to its normal rhythm yet. Her face felt warm, and she wasn't even sure if it was the lingering effects of oxygen deprivation or something far more dangerous.

“Luna, you don’t need to hide your romance with Nick from me,” Donna continued in a soft, almost motherly voice.

"It's natural for people your age to fall in love and get carried away. Go ahead, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone."

“A-Ah, no, no, Mrs. Donna,” Luna hurriedly explained, her voice nervous and slightly trembling.

“I think you misunderstood. I choked on a cherry earlier. And Nick just helped me. That’s all.”

“N-Nick and I—”

“Come on, Luna.” Donna smiled understandingly.

“I’ve been in your position before.”

“Come here, come with me, I’ll take you on him.”

Her hand gently, warmly, and without force took Luna's wrist. They walked down the long corridor of the mansion. Luna's steps slowed unconsciously, her eyes darting in all directions, too busy taking in the luxury that seemed unusual for a residence.

The ivory-colored marble floor was no ordinary marble—its natural veins were smooth, glistening softly under the light of Italian crystal chandeliers hanging high on the ornately carved ceiling. Each of Luna's steps produced a soft echo, as if the floor was designed not only to be walked on, but to show who its owner was. Large pillars covered in pale gold stood firmly on the sides of the corridor, not excessive, but precise—luxury that did not scream, but forced anyone to bow in respect.

On the walls, classic Renaissance-style paintings hung neatly in antique gold frames. They were not replicas. Luna could sense it. The aura of these objects was different—calm, expensive, and timeless. Several large porcelain vases stood in the corner of the room, European porcelain with hand-crafted details that were impossible to replicate. Even the scent of the room was different—not a pungent fragrance, but the scent of old wood, expensive leather, and something that reminded Luna of a world-class museum.

“I’m not sure I could afford a luxurious mansion like this,” she thought to herself, this time more quietly, almost in disbelief.

Luna imagined the numbers in her head—not millions, not tens of millions. Billions. Maybe even numbers that were too big to even mention. As a specialist doctor, her income was way above average. She lived comfortably, stably, and independently. But standing here, all of that felt small, as if her achievements were just the first step compared to what the Luton Lancaster family had.

“How rich is this family?” Luna wondered.

“How many generations does it take to build such wealth?”

“And Nick... that man... grew up in such luxury?”

Suddenly Luna realized something that made her chest feel a little tight. If this mansion was just one of their many assets—not the center, not the main symbol—then the wealth of the Luton Lancaster family was not just about money.

“What is his real job actually?” she wondered.

“Is he an important person?”

Donna stopped in front of a large marble door that stood tall and sturdy, exuding a cold authority.

“Nick, come out,” Donna called, knocking on the door.

There was no response.

“Nick, I brought Luna here. Come out quickly.”

"Tell her, I don't need her. Let her go," Nick's voice sounded from inside, cold, sulking like a child whose pride had just been shattered.

“What we’re gonna do her, Mrs. Donna?” Luna asked.

“You and Nick will continue it, right? I mean... That thing...”

“W-What? No no no...” She was nervous, her mind was running wild.

“I have something to do soon. I have to go.” Luna said as she gently pulled her hand away from Donna’s.

“Wait, Luna.”

And before Donna could stop her, Luna had already walked away—quickly, nervously, and full of questions.

"I have to go now, Mrs. Donna. See you later." She said, waving her hand and walking away from Donna's view.

"Nick! Open the door, you idiot!" Donna knocked on the door harder.

But still, there was no sign that Nick would open his bedroom door.

"Damn it! You brat!" Donna cursed.

With a frustrated expression, Donna simply walked away.

(Author: Like a mom like a son Xixi.)

***

The antiseptic scent welcomed Luna back to her real world. The hospital. A place where everything was logical, measurable, and under control.

Whether or not she had succeeded in pretending to be Nick’s partner last night, Luna didn’t care. Now, her focus had to be on the patients waiting to be examined.

“Next, please come in.” Luna said without turning toward the door, her hands busy scribbling black ink on a white sheet.

The firm footsteps of someone entering the room.

That familiar, expensive aura returned.

And Luna recognized that masculine scent.

Nick stood in front of her, calmly placing a brown bag on the table, as if last night had never happened. But his gaze said otherwise.

“Mr. Nick...” he said, quickly grabbing her brown bag.

“Ah, geez, I must have forgotten it last night,” she thought to herself, recalling how last night’s thing had caused her to leave his belongings behind at Nick’s mansion.

Luna tried to distract herself by typing something on her laptop, doing her best to avoid the Nick’s gaze.

Nick, who saw Luna's behavior, just shook his head slowly. His eyes were fixed on Luna's laptop, typing letters that even an expert couldn't read it clearly. The letters were irregular and completely unreadable.

“Don’t act so busy, Doctor. You didn’t even say thank you after I brought your bag.”

“Thank you.” She replied briefly without looking Nick’s face.

“Uhm... Listen, I've been your fake girlfriend last night in front of your mom. Isn't that enough? Isn't there nothing more to talk about?”

“What are you doing here?” Luna asked, occasionally looking up at Nick, who was standing right next to her desk.

Unexpectedly, the man leaned forward, bringing his face close to Luna's pale face.

Their gazes locked for a few seconds.

The distance between them was now only a thin layer of heavy air. Luna could feel Nick's presence too clearly—not only physically, but also his aura. The man was like a solid wall standing too close, not pressing down, but enough to make anyone aware that backing away was not an easy option.

Luna turned her face away slightly, refusing to look at him for too long. She was afraid—not of Nick, but of her own reaction. There was something dangerous about the way the man spoke, not because of his words, but because of the conviction behind them.

“Stutterbug, I’ll give you one more chance.”

His gaze grew deeper, hypnotic, his smile slightly crooked.

“Marry me!”

“Will you?”

.

.

"Marry me, so you'll know that New York is under my control and wealth is just one of the many things that can never be separated from my identity."

~ Nick L. Lancaster.