Three days later, just before Mom and Dad were finally home, I noticed that Lukas was acting a bit strange. He seemed clingy, touchy, and almost overly affectionate, which was both endearing and a little confusing.
While I was busy feeding the horses, I'd suddenly feel Lukas' presence right beside me. Before I could react, he'd steal a quick kiss, leaving me flustered. When I looked at him, he'd immediately turn back to feeding the cows, as if nothing had happened.
He followed me everywhere I went, his gaze lingering a little longer than usual. Striker, being the loyal horse he was, wouldn't allow anyone else to ride with him. Since he didn't know how to ride a horse, he'd ride with me, on a different horse, holding me close from behind. When we were riding, he'd nuzzle my neck and hug me tightly, making my cheeks flush with warmth.
When lunch came, I joined the workers as I had grown accustomed to doing. I loved the camaraderie and the sense of community we shared. However, Lukas had other plans. He sat down beside me and, without hesitation, began to spoon-feed me, even though there were workers around us.
"Lukas, you don't have to do that," I protested, trying to pull the spoon away from him, but he wouldn't let go. His grip was firm, and he simply smiled at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Just one more bite," he insisted, holding the spoon up to my lips. I felt my face heat up as the workers around us began to chuckle and tease us.
"Looks like someone is being spoiled!" one of the workers called out, and I could feel my cheeks burning even more.
"Yeah, Stella, you've got a real prince here!" another chimed in, and I couldn't help but laugh, even as I felt embarrassed.
With no choice but to comply, I opened my mouth and took the bite, trying to hide my smile. Lukas grinned triumphantly, clearly enjoying the attention and the playful teasing.
"See? Not so bad, right?" he said, his tone light and teasing.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't suppress the smile that crept onto my face. "Okay, okay, you win this time," I admitted, feeling a sense of warmth in my chest.
As we continued to eat, I found myself stealing glances at Lukas, who was now chatting with the workers, his laughter ringing out like music.
The day before dad's discharge from the hospital, mom came home that evening and the three of us had dinner.
It was silent the first few minutes but mom finally decided to speak.
"So... care to tell me what really happened?" mom said although she's looking at Lukas.
Although my parents were cheerful the first time I introduced Lukas to them they must have their doubts. I froze. I never really told about them what happened as to why I suddenly broke up with Jake and decided to live with Lukas.
"It's because of me... I—" Lukas started to speak but I cut him off.
"We were drunk when something happened between us...And we decided to live together..." I said.
Lukas only looked at me in surprise. I can't let him interrupt me so I continued talking half-lying and half-truth.
"Even though it was a one-night stand, I fell in love with Lukas at first sight and days passed and my love for him grew so I decided to break up with Jake..." I continued.
Mom studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Okay..." she finally said, her tone neutral as she picked up her spoon again and continued eating.
Lukas wanted to speak, but I held his arm beside me and softly gripped it, silently urging him to stay quiet for now. I could sense the tension in the air, and I wasn't ready for any more questions.
The rest of dinner was quiet, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. After we finished eating, Mom looked at Lukas. "Why don't you take a shower first, young man?" she suggested, her tone light but firm.
Lukas nodded at Mom, then turned to me, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. "I'll be quick," he said, a soft smile on his face.
I smiled back at him, feeling a flutter in my chest. "Take your time," I replied, watching his retreating back as he headed toward the guest room he was staying.
Once he was out of earshot, Mom called my attention. "Stella, let's talk in your father's study room."
"Alright," I said, my heart racing as I followed her. I knew that Mom wasn't satisfied with my earlier answer, and I braced myself for the conversation ahead.
As we entered the study, I could feel the weight of her concern. Estelle, my mother, was worried about me. She had always been protective, especially given the complexities of our world. She wished that I had been born a Luna, with all the privileges and freedoms that came with it, rather than an Omega like her. But the goddess had other plans, and I had to navigate the restrictions that came with my status.
As an Omega, I faced many limitations, and Mom had always been careful not to impose her own desires on me. She wanted me to make my own choices, as long as I understood the implications of those choices. Her only concern was my happiness.
"What about Jake? How's he doing?" she asked, her voice gentle but probing.
I froze, the question catching me off guard. I couldn't answer this easily because Mom was one of the few people who had witnessed my love with Jake from the beginning until the end. The memories flooded back, and I felt a pang of guilt. "He's already fine now and... I'm sorry for him," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Estelle shook her head gently, as if regretting the situation. She had always thought highly of Jake, believing he was a good person who could have been a part of my future. I could see the disappointment in her eyes, wishing that the two of us could have gone all the way to the end. But unfortunately, the goddess had intervened, altering my destiny in ways I never expected.
"Are you really going to be happy with that boy?" she asked, her tone serious. "Just tell me, and your father and I will make sure to prevent the two of you from marrying each other."
I felt a surge of defiance rise within me. "I'm happy with him, Mom, just as you are happy with Dad," I replied, my voice firm. I wanted her to understand that my feelings for Lukas were genuine and that I was ready to embrace this new chapter in my life.
"That's good then," Estelle said, her expression softening as she accepted my words. She fell quiet, and I could sense that she was processing everything.
After a moment of silence, I looked at Mom, curiosity bubbling within me. "Aren't you going to ask me more about Lukas?"
Estelle looked at me with a smile, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "You have already protected him so much; what more should I ask?"
Feeling a rush of gratitude, I looked at Mom and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mom."
"Stella, I just want to make sure you're happy. That's all that matters to me," Estelle said, her voice warm and reassuring.
After having a light talk with Mom, she headed to the master bedroom, feeling sleepy, while I made my way to my room. I was shocked to see Lukas standing by my bookshelf, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"What are you looking for?" I asked, a playful tone in my voice. "It's a pity I'm not fond of writing my diary."
"I'm just taking a look at what books you usually read," he replied, glancing over the spines of the books.
I pulled out the farthest book on the left side and handed it to him. "This is my favorite book so far but the author hasn't updated new chapters."
"I was transmigrated as an extraordinary extra?" he read the title. "So you like transmigration genres?"
"Yep! I just got hooked all of a sudden, and that is my favorite book so far," I said, feeling a sense of excitement as I talked about it. I loved how the story transported me to another world, filled with adventure and unexpected twists.
We fell into a comfortable silence, but it didn't last long. Lukas broke the quiet, his tone serious. "Why did you do that?"
"Huh?" I turned to look at him, confused.
"At dinner, why did you say that?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for answers.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the conversation. "I didn't want my parents to blame you or get angry at you. I thought it would be easier if I took the responsibility."
"But I'm sorry for what I did to you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "Why did you stop me from explaining our situation?"
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, feeling a mix of emotions. "You promised me that you would make it up for me for what you did," I smiled at him, trying to lighten the mood. "And besides, I want something more..."
Lukas suddenly raised his gaze and looked at me, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions—hope, uncertainty, and something deeper that made my heart race.
Perhaps his gaze encouraged me to continue. "If you want, this could also be your home from now on."
His eyes seemed to brighten at my words, but he remained still, processing what I had just said. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, and I felt a rush of warmth at the thought of him being a part of my life in a more permanent way.
Remembering the days when he used to kiss me, I approached him, closing the distance between us. I leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his lips, feeling a spark of electricity at the contact. It was a gentle reminder of the connection we shared, and I hoped it conveyed everything I felt in that moment.
As I pulled back, I laid down on my bed, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. "Goodnight, Lukas," I said, my voice soft and inviting.
He hesitated for a moment, then smiled, his expression brightening. "Goodnight, Stella," he replied, his voice warm and filled with affection.