The bus station was quiet, the late evening wind dancing through the empty lanes. Lila stood beneath the flickering light, her wine-red dress hugging her figure, elegance and allure rolled into one. She looked breathtaking—every inch of her radiated beauty and mystery.
Nico Damaris was driving past, his sleek black car humming smoothly against the pavement. Business had drained him, his mind lost in numbers and negotiations. But the moment his eyes landed on the woman at the station, something shifted. Time froze.
She was... ethereal.
He slowed, mesmerized. His heart thudded painfully against his chest as he turned into a side lane to park. But when he glanced back at the station, she was gone.
"Damn it," he muttered, gripping the wheel. "Why didn't I just walk up to her? Idiot."
Frustrated with himself, Nico shook the thought away and drove toward his destination—his father's house. Travis and Helena had invited him for dinner. Maybe some company would clear his head.
But fate, as always, had other plans.
As he stepped out of his car and approached the porch, his breath caught in his throat.
Her.
The girl from the bus stop. Standing there, confused, beautiful, even more radiant up close.
He smiled. "Hey, beautiful lady. You look a little lost. This is my mom and dad's house—do you need help with directions?"
Lila blinked. "Oh, I was just looking for... this address."
She showed him the message Helena had sent.
"That's this place," he said with a stunned grin. "Wait—are you... Lila?"
Her eyes widened. "Are you Nico?"
They both burst out laughing, disbelief flooding their voices.
"I can't believe it," she said.
"I'm the lucky one," he replied with a wink. "Let's go inside?"
They walked in together, laughing as if they had known each other for years. Helena and Travis, who were setting the table, stared at the two in surprise, then joy.
"You've already met?" Helena asked, delighted.
"Something like that," Lila giggled.
Dinner was warm and filled with light conversation, jokes, and laughter. For the first time in a long while, Lila felt at peace.
"I'm really lucky," she thought, watching her mother laugh, her new father beam with pride, and Nico looking at her like she was the brightest star in the sky. "A real father, a kind mother, a charming not-so-annoying brother. Maybe fate is finally being kind."
After dinner, Helena suggested Nico drop Lila home. Lila protested but Nico insisted.
They drove off, soft music filling the car. Conversations flowed easily, teasing and laughter echoing between them. They felt like real siblings—or something deeper.
When Nico suddenly stopped in front of a supermarket, Lila looked confused.
"Can you grab a juice for me?" he asked. "I'm parched."
She nodded with a smile and ran in. She searched for the perfect bottle, unable to decide. Nico soon joined her.
"I like this one," he said, grinning.
At the cashier, an old man chuckled. "You two make a lovely couple."
They both turned red. "We're siblings," they said in unison, then burst into laughter. As they left, the cashier shouted, "You could be a couple, I swear!"
Outside, Lila shook her head. "Excuse me? Siblings!"
Nico just laughed, though the word "couple" echoed sweetly in his mind.
Outside her apartment, he said goodbye.
Outside her apartment, someone watched her from the shadows—Roman Astor, hidden by night, his heart thrumming with rage. When Nico dropped her off with a soft smile, something inside him snapped.
Moments later, a sharp knock.
"Who is it?" Lila asked, but the silence chilled her. She opened the door.
Astor.
His jaw was clenched, his eyes dark as storm clouds.
"You've got a boyfriend now?" he asked bitterly, stepping inside uninvited.
"He's not my—" she began.
But he was already moving, his hands gripping her wrist, pulling her close. The air changed—thick with tension and lust.
His lips crashed onto hers, unforgiving and raw. His mouth moved over hers with desperate hunger, his grip possessive. One hand slid up her thigh, fingertips tracing the hem of her dress as his body pressed her against the wall.
"Roman—stop—" she gasped, struggling.
But he didn't. His tongue traced her bottom lip, demanding entry, and when she turned her head, he kissed down her neck, hot and fevered.
"You're mine," he growled into her skin. "No one else gets to look at you like he did."
She shoved him. "Get the hell off me!"
He froze. Her anger hit him like ice water.
"I said stop!" she yelled.
He backed away, breath ragged, his chest rising and falling.
"Don't slap me," he whispered hoarsely. "Just... don't."
"Why would I even want to touch you?"
"I didn't know he was your brother," he muttered, gaze burning. "I thought you were... with him."
"Even if I was, it's none of your business," she snapped.
He ran a shaky hand through his hair, remorse flickering behind his obsidian eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice rough. "I—can't think straight when it's about you. You looked so happy. With him. I felt... like I was losing you. Again."
Lila stared at him, her anger battling the vulnerability she saw in him. It made things harder. Always did.
He sighed and placed a small box on her table.
"A gift. For you."
"I'm not taking anything from you."
"You don't have to wear it. Just... keep it."
With that, he left, the door shutting quietly behind him.
Inside, Lila opened the box.
A necklace. The letters L.A. in delicate gold.
Lila. Astor.
—
At work the next day, life went on. Breakfast with Maya and John brought some comfort. But as always, Astor found reasons to call her into his office. Too often.
Later that evening, an email from Helena arrived:
"Your dad and I are going on a honeymoon. Nico will be alone. I want you both to stay at our house. No excuses."
Lila refused—at first. But then Nico called, excited, offering to pick her up.
She gave in.
Dressed perfectly again, she stepped outside—only to nearly get hit by a speeding car.
Astor.
He jumped out, panicked. "Are you okay? I didn't see you—I was chasing someone—"
"It's fine," she said calmly.
Nico appeared, shouting, "LILA! What happened?!"
He pulled her away, glaring at Astor. Lila assured him she wasn't hurt. "Please... don't tell Mom Later that evening, Lila and Nico curled up on the couch, a bowl of popcorn between them and an old crime-thriller playing on the TV.
"I don't know how you still watch these," Lila teased, feet tucked under her.
"It's a classic," Nico grinned. "Besides, I'm a sucker for a brooding anti-hero."
"Is that what you think you are?"
He shrugged playfully. "You tell me."
As the movie went on, the energy between them mellowed. The TV's glow cast soft shadows on Lila's face. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she slowly leaned against Nico's shoulder.
He looked down at her—soft breathing, lips slightly parted, a tired angel in red.
He moved gently, reaching for a blanket to drape over her. He didn't want to leave her alone. She looked so peaceful. Too peaceful.
"I'll stay a bit... just till you wake up," he whispered.
He settled beside her, leaning his head back, eyes closing.
Minutes passed.
Sleep claimed him, the sound of her breathing syncing with his own. It wasn't passion. It wasn't an impulse. It was comfortable.
—
In the morning—
A shriek pierced the morning calm.
"AHH!"
"WHAT?!"
They both bolted upright, blankets tangled, breathless.
"Why the hell are you in my bed?!"
"You fell asleep during the movie, and I didn't want to leave you—then I fell asleep!"
Lila blinked. "Wait, we're in my room?"
They looked around. Somehow, sometime in the night, Nico had carried her to bed—and collapsed beside her.
"Oh my God," she groaned.
"Nothing happened. I swear. I just... passed out."
She laughed. "Relax. I know."
He grinned. "You don't look mad."
"I'm not. Just... stunned."
They both fell into a fit of laughter, the awkwardness melting.
The rest of the day was peaceful—golf, swimming, laughter. It felt like a dream.
Eventually, Lila got an urgent office call and left. Nico made her breakfast—so good, it reminded her of Astor's cooking during those strange days. She shook the thought away.
At work, Astor called her in again. She groaned.
"What now?"
"Company emergency," he replied seriously.
"Oh. Sorry. What do you need?"
"A presentation. Charts. All ready by tomorrow."
"I'll stay late," she offered.
He nodded.
Later, an email from Nico arrived.
"Are you okay?"
She smiled faintly and replied:
"Yes. But I'm staying up late. Urgent work. See you tomorrow."
At 10 p.m., Astor approached her again, his voice low.
"Aren't you tired?"