Closer

Lucian and I became close that we actually became best friends sharing some secrets. When my 18th birthday came, mommy and daddy prepared it well. All their business partners were invited and published in some business papers. That's how grand my debut was. The number of people who attended and greeted me made me really happy. It's overwhelming, especially when people you know give you heartwarming greetings.

I chose some Griffins like Caiden, Phoenix, Nixon, Samuel, and Kuya Fausto for my 18th roses. Papa was my first dance, and Lucian was my last dance. I want Lucian to be my last dance. I want to confess to him that I like him.

I am confident since I know I'm about to pass his standard. I am 18, and he is only four years older than me, so I know I am among the girls he likes. Even if it's just a fling first, I'll make sure that we go beyond that, and our relationship will deepen.

But when my last dance came, I couldn't do it.

I don't know, but I felt cowardly telling him how I felt.

"You looked so wonderful, Lucila."

I smiled at him. "Thank you, Luci."

He caressed my cheek and smiled at me.

"I want to tell you something important," I am about to say this when he speaks first.

"Wow. My little sister turned as a lady now,"

I was stunned at what he said. Lucian laughed. "What are you going to tell me?"

I slowly shook my head because I didn't know what to say. It hurts knowing that he really sees me as his younger sister. Maybe it is not yet the right time to tell, Lucian.

I will just enjoy this night.

"Thank you," I told him instead,

He smiled again. "Nah. I am thankful because you grew up beautifully. In and out."

My heart warmed at his compliment. "How sweet of you to say that,"

He laughed at my remarks. Lucian and I danced. That was my happiest day because I felt like a princess, and he was my prince. He is such a gentleman.

He made my day more special when he kissed me on my forehead and whispered, "I love you, Luci. Happy birthday, babe." he said, making my heart melt with happiness. I slightly felt the pain in my chest because I know what kind of love that is.

I leaned my cheek on his chest. I can hear his heart beating. Which is not the same as mine.

"Thank you, Luci. I love you, Big Brother." I said in a low but full of sincerity.

Because I know that even his I love you for me is just as a friend and brother.

My heart is happy.

[Present Time]

The lift stopped at the floor on which Lucian's unit is located. I stepped out of the elevator and arrived at Lucian's condo unit.

To this day, he is still looking for Amanda, and they still don't know where she is. And to this day, I still feel guilty for what I did to them. I know I have sinned a lot to them because of why Amanda left. If I hadn't done that thing, she wouldn't have left.

My heart suddenly hurt when I saw Lucian. He's sitting on the couch, and his eyes are closed. He's hurting so much right now because Amanda left him, and it was because of me.

Fate is very treacherous; I waited a few years. I stayed in love with Lucian for years. I've been hurting for years, but he still hasn't given me what I've been dreaming of.

Lucian still cannot love me the way I want him to love me.

I couldn't get close to Lucian immediately because he seemed asleep. Maybe because of the tiredness he feels. Physically especially emotionally. I know he is in a lot of pain at this moment.

I slowly come forward. I sat beside Lucian. While looking at Lucian, my memory returned to the past where my heart hoped that Lucian would love me, so I committed a big mistake by hurting the woman he loves.

[Flashback]

Time has passed so quickly since my 18th birthday. Luciana and I have been busy studying and caring for a lot of school stuff at school.

I have become closer to Lucian in the past few days, and we have almost the same class schedule because we are taking the same course, so he is always with me. He is the one who accompanies me to school and often drives me home because I usually watch their basketball practice.

Lucian is one of the official basketball team members at the university. He was able to combine studying and playing and helping their company. I don't know how Lucian does that, but I can only say one thing, it's excellent! I am so proud of him because he is outstanding. He has everything you look for and dream of in a man.

"I told you, Lucila, don't wait for me anymore. I know you still have a lot of school papers to do," Lucian said when he noticed me on the bleachers at the gymnasium, where he was the only one practicing. Lucian is hard working, especially since he is the basketball captain. His colleagues had gone home earlier.

"Water for the hardworking basketball team player," I told him and handed him the water.

His jaw tightened, and he shook his head. "You are always very stubborn," he told me because he had told me several times not to wait for him.

I smiled very sweetly at him. "Don't you have anything else to say to me? It's just repeating itself over and over again. It's too tiring," I said jokingly.

He shook his head in disbelief. I laughed at him, but it stopped when he grabbed both of my cheeks and pulled them in a restraining manner.

I moaned and hit him, but he just laughed and avoided me, and walked away from me. "That's so painful, Lucian! You're annoying!"

He just laughed harder. I walked toward him and threw the towel I held at him so he could wipe off his sweat. I sat down again and arranged my things. "I've been waiting for you to finish, yet you're still like that," I told him and frowned. It hurt so much when he did it to my cheek.

Laughing, he came and sat next to me. He's already helping me to fix my things. My heart started to beat faster. When Lucian does stuff like this, I melt right away.

"Tsk! You really just want to wait for me because you just want me to bring you home and buy you dinner," he said.

"Hmph! Then don't take me home! I'll just take a taxi!" I said, acting like I was hurt.

He laughed loudly and touched my cheek again, gently caressing it. Butterflies in my stomach keep on fluttering. "Poor lady," he said and ruffled my hair. I pouted at him and brushed his hand off.

He laughed again. "Let's go. I'm sorry. I know you're hungry, so you're like that," he said.