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Chapter 7

Author: G A Rose
last update Petsa ng paglalathala: 2026-08-11 02:36:03

The car stopped outside my apartment, and Lucian walked me to the door.

"Call me when you get home," I told him.

He smiled. "I will."

I watched his car disappear before heading upstairs.

A few minutes later, my phone rang.

"Did you get home?"

"Not yet. I'm still at the office."

"Alright. Call me when you do."

"I will”

The call ended a few minutes later.

I placed my phone on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

Things between Lucian and me had changed quickly.

Somehow, somewhere between our first date and everything that followed, he had become my boyfriend.

It still felt strange saying it.

My boyfriend.

Lucian Moretti.

The man my parents knew nothing about.

My phone suddenly rang again.

This time, it was my mother.

I frowned before answering.

"Hello, Mom."

"Where are you?"

"At home."

"Good. Your father and I need you to come home this weekend."

"Why?"

"We're hosting a ball."

I sat up.

"A ball?"

"Yes. It's an important family event, and you're expected to attend."

I sighed.

"Okay. When?"

"Saturday evening."

I glanced at my calendar.

"That's in a few days."

"I know."

There was a brief pause before she added,

"And please dress appropriately. There will be several important families attending."

I rolled my eyes.

Of course.

Everything with my parents always came back to appearances.

"Fine. I'll be there."

"Good."

She seemed satisfied.

Then she added,

"And Aurora?"

"Yes?"

"Don't bring anyone."

My eyebrows pulled together.

"What?"

"We're expecting certain guests, and we'd rather you come alone."

I stared at the phone.

She didn't know.

Of course she didn't.

My parents still had no idea that I was dating someone.

And there was absolutely no way I could casually tell them,

By the way, my boyfriend is Lucian Moretti.

The same Lucian Moretti whose family had been rivals with ours for years.

The same man my parents would probably consider the worst possible person for me to be involved with.

"Alright," I said quietly.

"Good. We'll see you Saturday."

The call ended.

I slowly lowered my phone.

For a few seconds, I simply sat there.

Then I looked at the bracelet on my wrist.

A smile appeared despite myself.

Lucian had no idea about the ball yet.

I picked up my phone and opened our conversation.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Then I typed.

ME: We have a problem.

His reply came almost immediately.

LUCIAN: What happened?

I smiled.

ME: My parents are throwing a ball on Saturday.

The typing bubble appeared.

LUCIAN: And?

I stared at his message.

I could already imagine the amused expression on his face.

I typed back.

ME: They invited me.

A few seconds passed.

Then—

LUCIAN: Then I'll come with you.

My heart skipped.

I quickly typed.

ME: You didn't let me finish.

LUCIAN: Go on.

I took a breath.

ME: They don't know I'm dating you.

The typing bubble disappeared.

Then returned.

LUCIAN: I see.

I stared at the screen.

That was all?

ME: That's it?

His response came almost instantly.

LUCIAN: What did you expect me to say?

I smiled.

ME: I don't know. Something more dramatic.

His reply made my stomach flutter.

LUCIAN: Aurora, I'm not worried about your parents.

I raised an eyebrow.

Then another message appeared.

LUCIAN: I'm more interested in whether you're going to introduce me as your boyfriend.

I covered my face with one hand.

He was impossible.

But as I stared at the screen, I couldn't stop smiling.

Saturday suddenly felt a lot closer than it had five minutes ago.

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