CHAPTER EIGHT REKINDLED FEELINGS

Liam approached Luca.

"Big brother, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. You don't have to worry," Luca replied.

Liam turned to Luca's assistant, Miss Mia.

"You borrowed my car last time. Was it because you knew there was evidence on my dashcam? That Leo might have tampered with Luca's car?"

Mia nodded. "We didn't see Leo on the parking lot CCTV the day of Luca's accident, but your car was parked there. I thought there might be a clue."

"You should've told me earlier. I didn't even know my car had a dashcam," Liam said.

"This was my decision," Luca interrupted. "It has nothing to do with you, Liam. I didn't want to drag you into this mess."

Liam sighed. "Big brother, we're family. Brother Leo… he didn't mean everything he said. He wouldn't actually try to harm you."

Luca's gaze darkened. "Don't worry. I'll handle it."

He turned to Mia. "Let's go."

Mia nodded, following him out.

---

Outside, in the car

As they reached the parking lot, Luca and Mia got into the car. Mia glanced at him.

"I'll drive you to Rhea's home now."

Luca shook his head. "We can't go back. If Leo catches wind of anything, he won't let go so easily. He'll be keeping a close eye on us. If we go to Rhea's place now, he'll find out where she lives."

Mia lowered her head. "I'm sorry… it's all my fault."

"Just make sure Rhea stays safe. No harm must come to her," Luca said firmly.

"Yes, sir," Mia replied, gripping the steering wheel tightly as she drove.

---

Rhea's Apartment

Rhea sat on her couch, lost in thought. The image of Luca and Mia entering the same hotel room flashed in her mind. She sighed deeply, then slowly drifted into sleep.

Moments later, her phone rang. Half-asleep, she picked up without checking the caller ID.

"Hello, Luca…?"

"Hello, bestie! It's been so long. You've totally forgotten about me, haven't you?"

Rhea's heart sank. It wasn't Luca—it was her best friend, Mary. Her face turned pale.

"What do you want now?" she asked, her voice distant.

Mary chuckled. "Ouch, that hurts! I guess your boyfriend has officially replaced me?"

Rhea stiffened. For a brief second, she imagined Luca sitting beside her, casually flipping through a newspaper.

"I didn't hear anything," he would say with that teasing smirk.

She smiled at the thought—until the vision faded, and reality crashed back in. Luca wasn't here.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Rhea? Rhea! Are you listening? Is the signal bad?" Mary's voice brought her back.

"He's gone," Rhea whispered, her voice trembling as silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

---

Carson Estate – Luca's Study

Luca sat in his study, reviewing files. After a while, he set them aside and picked up his phone, scrolling through pictures of Rhea. A small smile formed on his lips.

He wanted to text her. But he stopped himself.

His phone rang.

"Mr. Luca, you have a meeting with Mr. George at 10 AM," Mia's voice informed him.

"Okay, arrange it," Luca said before hanging up.

He put his phone down, walked to his closet, and got ready.

---

Rhea's Workplace

Rhea was busy writing down a list of deliveries for the next day.

"Rhea, are you still here?" a coworker passing by asked.

"Yeah," she replied without looking up.

"You should go home. The company doesn't allow overtime anymore."

"I'll be done in a minute."

"You can take the company shuttle. It runs until ten o'clock," her coworker added.

"Hmm… why is the company suddenly so generous?" Rhea muttered.

"Who knows? Anyway, I'm heading out. See you tomorrow!"

"Bye," Rhea responded absently.

---

Outside Rhea's Apartment

As Rhea walked home, she noticed something odd—newly installed light bulbs lit up her neighborhood. When she reached her stairs, a small red light blinked from the corner.

A CCTV camera?

Who installed this?

She shook the thought away and went inside.

---

Meanwhile, in Luca's Car

"Mr. Luca, the CCTV cameras have been installed as you requested. We can monitor Rhea's safety now," Mia reported as she drove.

"Good," Luca replied.

"But, sir… I worry Rhea might hate you for this," Mia hesitated.

"It's fine. As long as she stays out of trouble," Luca said, staring out the window.

---

Elsewhere – Lyla Anderson's Night Out

Inside a moving car, Lyla sat with her friends.

"Lyla, look!" one of them nudged her. "Isn't that Luca's car?"

Lyla glanced out the window just in time to see a black luxury car drive past.

She froze. Memories flooded back—of Luca in high school, pressing a light kiss to her cheek.

"I heard he survived and is back to focusing on his career," her friend said, watching her reaction.

Lyla's face turned pale.

Sensing the tension, her friend forced a smile. "Uhh… let's not talk about him."

"Lyla, how's your company doing?" another friend quickly changed the subject.

Lyla exhaled. "Angela, drop me at the intersection ahead. I don't think I feel like drinking anymore."

"It's late. It's not safe to get off here," Angela frowned.

"My driver will pick me up. Don't worry."

Reluctantly, Angela pulled over.

"Text me when you get home," she said.

"Will do," Lyla replied before stepping out.

Her friends drove away, leaving her standing alone on the dimly lit street.

Minutes later, a car pulled up beside her.

The window rolled down, revealing Liam.

"I don't know if I have the honor of being this fairy's driver tonight?" he teased.

Lyla smiled faintly. "What a coincidence."

"It's not. I planned this chance encounter," Liam admitted with a smirk. "So, will you get in?"

Lyla hesitated—then nodded. "Of course."

She got into the car, and they drove off.

---

A Quiet Moment by the River

After a while, Lyla dozed off.

Liam pulled over at a quiet spot, glancing over to find her fast asleep. He gazed at her for a moment, then gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.

Lyla stirred at the touch and opened her eyes. She looked outside.

"Why did you bring me here?" she asked.

"Whenever I'm feeling down, I come here," Liam said. "It helps."

Lyla stepped out of the car and walked towards the peaceful river. Liam followed, draping his jacket over her shoulders.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "It's so quiet here… so peaceful."

"You should listen to me more often," Liam chuckled.

Lyla turned to him. "You always seem cheerful and carefree. Do you ever have troubles?"

Liam sighed. "On the surface, maybe. But think about it—my two brothers are at war. Tell me, how can I be happy?"

Lyla's eyes softened. "I heard Luca is back."

Liam nodded. "The internet is going crazy over it."

"No one's even seen a photo of him, yet everyone's talking," Lyla mused.

"Luca always survives," Liam said with a small smile. "Even this time, he did the same."

"Is he doing okay?" she asked.

"Honestly? I don't know. He's shut himself off, drowning in work. He's a proud man."

Lyla stared at the river. "I believe he'll be fine. Because he's Luca Carson. No one can bring him down."

Liam looked at her thoughtfully.

"Lyla… do you still like Luca?"

She hesitated, then exhaled deeply.

"How do you forget years of love?" she whispered.