Medusa groaned as Lucinda's phone continued to blare. "What's going on? Why is your phone so loud?" she asked, blinking her eyes open. Checking her own phone, she cursed under her breath. "Lucinda, wake up! You're going to be late for work," she said, shaking her friend awake.Lucinda grumbled, "Can't I just sleep a little longer?"Lucinda's phone rang again, and Medusa showed the caller ID to her. "It's your boss. I told you going out last night was a bad idea," Medusa scolded.Lucinda sighed and sat up, burying her face in her hands. "I thought we were just living the good life."Medusa shook her head. "Well, now you're extremely late for work. Maybe you can call in sick?"Lucinda grinned hopefully. "Can't you just make the call for me?"Medusa rolled her eyes and tugged the sheets off the bed. “Better late than never. Stop being lazy and get out of bed," Medusa said. “You haven't told me who that handsome guy was who dropped you off at home last night."Lucinda stood up, holding he

Lucinda and Ralph walked out of the company, the cool night air hitting their faces. Barbie approached them, her high heels clicking on the pavement."Hi, Lucinda, how are you?" Barbie asked."I am fine," Lucinda replied, trying to hide her exhaustion."Are you free tonight? How about you come hang out with me and my friends? Nathan is asking for you, he says he'll see you at home," Barbie said, grinning at Lucinda. Ralph's eyes widened in surprise."Who is Nathan?" Lucinda and Ralph said in unison."Are you for real? Don't you know Nathan, the guy you danced with yesterday?" Barbie said, looking keenly at Lucinda. She stroked her hair backwards."I don't remember," Lucinda muttered, trying to recall anything from the previous night."Maybe if you see him, you will remember. I'm going now, bye!" Barbie said, waving as she headed off. Ralph drove them to the restaurant.As they waited for their food, Lucinda's mind wandered. She couldn't remember anything from yesterday, except for the

"What's with the look?" Ralph asked, raising questioning eyebrows."What about me? What will I wear?" she turned."Don't worry, I'll bring one for you," Ralph said as he entered the mansion."How can someone live alone in a big house like this?" Lucinda said, observing the mansion. "Doesn't he get lonely staying here alone? I wonder how it looks inside." She walked to the window of the mansion and stuck her head out, peering into the interior. "It's magnificent!" she exclaimed, gazing into the opulent interior. As someone put a hand on her shoulder, she vibrated and turned back slowly, gazing into his big green eyes."What are you staring at?" Ralph asked, looking at her."I was--I was..." he interrupted her."Shh, let's go," he said, handing her an armor. She looked at the armor and glared at him."How will I wear mine?" she asked and a smile curved on his face."Wear it on top of your dress," he replied in a funny manner.Lucinda struggled to wear the armor. "Isn't he going to help

"Lucinda, Lucinda, are you alright?" Ralph asked, his gaze fixated on her with an unsettling intensity. Lucinda weakly met his eyes and replied, "Yes," before slowly walking away, her nose wrinkling as blood began to trickle from it. Concerned, Ralph rushed to her side, holding her hand gently. "You're bleeding," he remarked, swiftly retrieving a handkerchief to staunch the flow. "Thank you," Lucinda muttered, forcing a smile that failed to conceal its artificiality."That's a warning from me," Lucifer interjected as Lucinda and Ralph made their way to the company cafeteria. They settled down, Ralph ordering their food while Lucinda attempted to immerse herself in her meal. Just as she was about to take a bite, her phone rang, revealing an unfamiliar number on the screen. "Hello," she answered, her tone cautious. "How are you? It's me, Nathan," a familiar voice declared bluntly. Unfazed, Lucinda inquired, "I'm good. Why are you calling?" Nathan's response was straightforward:

"That was fast," Ralph remarked, eyeing Lucinda warily as she handed him the cup of coffee. His suspicions lingered in his gaze, a flicker of doubt in his mind. "I hope this is not poisoned?" he questioned, his voice laced with an undertone that sent a chill down Lucinda's spine. His instincts warned him against drinking the coffee, but he ignored the inner voice and brought the mug to his lips. The rich aroma filled his senses, and he took a sip. The taste was sweet and refreshing, a testament to Lucinda's skill in brewing the perfect cup."You can go now. I'll call you when I need you. In the meantime, go through this file and report back to me," Ralph instructed, handing her a folder. Lucinda accepted it, a sly smile playing on her lips, and she sashayed back to her desk on the other side of the office. Ralph's gaze followed her, captivated by her movements as she glanced at the file, her fingers trailing through her hair and a pen teasingly placed in her mouth. He shook his head,