Romance With The CEO

Chapter36: The Presents 2

The night had not yet reached nine o'clock, but drowsiness had already settled in Velia's eyes. There was only one reason for it: exhaustion after a full day of shopping.

A faint sound startled Velia. The drowsiness that was causing her eyelids to feel heavy vanished instantly. She got up and glanced across the room.

There was Lucas. His sneaking gesture came to a halt when Velia caught sight of him.

"Are you trying to surprise me?" she accused, her gaze filled with accusation.

Lucas laughed in response to the accusation. Now he walked towards her casually, but there was something strange about him.

"What do you have there?"

Velia was intrigued by the fact that both of Lucas's hands were hidden behind his back. She tried to see, but Lucas blocked her view.

"Did you expect me to bring something?" Lucas asked teasingly. "Why didn't you call me?"

Velia shook her head. "I didn't want anything. I was just curious about what you have."

"No need to be curious. This is indeed for you."

Lucas stopped in front of Velia. His hands emerged and presented a velvet box.

Velia's eyes widened instantly. Instinctively, she pulled her hand back, trying to refuse the item, but Lucas held her back.

"Luc."

"This is for you. Go ahead, open it. I'm sure you'll like it."

Velia could only stare at Lucas for a moment. He responded with a reassuring gaze and nodded once to dispel Velia's doubts.

Slowly and still somewhat uncertain, Velia opened the luxurious velvet box. She held her breath, and when it opened, it felt like the air disappeared from around her.

Velia was stunned. She was captivated. Her eyes sparkled with wonder.

"Luc."

Velia's face lifted. Lucas smiled and said.

"I knew it. You must like it."

Lucas shifted closer. He took the jewelry from the box and skillfully placed it behind Velia's hair. It did not take long for the string of diamonds to encircle her slender neck.

Velia looked down. Her hand instinctively touched the pendant hanging below her collarbone. She caressed it, and her body trembled.

"Luc."

Lucas turned Velia around. He admired the beautiful sparkle that now enhanced Velia's beauty, while tidying her hair.

"You look absolutely stunning."

Like any woman, Velia floated with the gift. Her emotions were once again touched and uncontrollable.

"T-this..."

Velia's voice seemed choked. She seemed unable to breathe.

"...seems too much."

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Should I go back to the store and ask them to remove one of the diamonds?"

"Luc."

Velia's frustrated groan caused Lucas to chuckle. He rubbed her upper arm and reassured her.

"I realized it after we were together recently. You don't wear necklaces."

"I don't wear them because I don't own any."

"Now you own one," Lucas continued. "So, I want you to wear it always."

"Always?"

Velia immediately remembered her job that was coming back. Could she work with a string of diamonds like this?

Lucas's finger rose and landed on Velia's lips at the right moment. He prevented her protest by presenting two undeniable choices.

"Wear it, or you don't work?"

Velia hurriedly answered, "I'm sure I can hide it beneath my shirt."

"Or you can say it's an imitation," Lucas joked. "Isn't that a good idea?"

"No one would believe it's an imitation."

The sparkle. The weight. The flawless cut. At least it already indicated its authenticity.

"You're right. Especially because you're a terrible liar."

Velia was slightly taken aback by Lucas's words. However, she could not dwell on it for long. Lucas changed the topic to something equally surprising.

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot something important."

Lucas took hold of Velia's hands. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he caressed her fingers and occasionally squeezed them gently.

"Do you remember the red car earlier?"

"Yes," Velia nodded. "I remember. There was a-"

The words Velia was about to say vanished instantly. They were replaced by shock that could not even be expressed in various languages.

If the diamond necklace had made Velia's eyes widen, this was different. Velia's face turned pale, and her lips trembled uncontrollably.

"You can't be serious, can you?"

"Of course, I can."

Velia jumped up. She almost leaped from her seat, but Lucas held her hand and stopped her.

"Listen, Ve. You know my nature and character. I really don't want to imagine you cramped in public transportation with the possibility of many men's eyes on you."

Speaking of Lucas's nature and character, Velia understood them fully. He was truly protective of everything he had. No one was allowed to touch or disturb them.

"So, I thought this was the solution. A middle ground for both of our desires."

Velia faced reality with wide-open eyes. What Lucas had done so far had exceeded her tolerance. Therefore, Velia could only accept Lucas's decision.

"A dark-tinted car, and no one will see you. Carter will drop you off and pick you up at a special parking spot. I'll instruct Vlora to take care of everything. You don't have to worry."

"Thank you."

Lucas fell silent for a moment. His broad statement was met with a short, concise reply, but it felt truly peaceful. Just as peaceful as the embrace that suddenly enveloped them. It was unclear who initiated it, but they held each other for a few moments.

Velia closed her eyes. Resting on Lucas's chest, she leaned against it. She could hear the beating of his heart, providing a soothing rhythm.

"Luc."

Velia's soft voice interrupted Lucas's caress. His hand stopped at the curve of Velia's waist.

"Yes?"

Velia opened her eyes. "What about your snack?"

"Snack?" Lucas feigned ignorance for a moment, then burst into laughter. "What kind of snack did you make?"

Velia released herself from Lucas's embrace. With joy, she happily invited Lucas to move to the dining table and showed him.

*