Chapter 4 Attraction

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

"What do you even want with that girl?! She has nothing to offer you-why would you be willing to-" Sera's mother's words died in her throat as the stranger fixed her with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

"Be quiet," he said, his voice flat and cold as he tossed a briefcase onto the ground before them.

Confusion warred with greed in their eyes as they saw the mountain of cash inside. All concern for Sera vanished-money was all they'd ever wanted, and this man was giving them more than they'd dreamed of for their daughter.

The stranger glanced at the governor, who couldn't meet his gaze-fear and nerves written all over his face. The governor knew exactly who this man was: a name famous in business and in the darker corners of the world. Dangerous. Way out of his league. Better to back off and let him have the girl.

Inside the car, Sera sat in total darkness, relying only on her ears, her sense of smell, and her touch to make sense of the world around her. The black void was still new-just yesterday she could see the vibrant colors of everything around her. Now, nothing remained but endless night.

She flinched as the car door opened and someone slid in beside her. Instinctively, she pressed herself against the far door, wrapping her arms around her knees. She had no way of knowing if this man meant her harm-if he wanted to hurt her, she'd be helpless to fight back.

"You're safe now. I won't hurt you."

His voice was like ice, sending shivers down her spine. She stayed silent, too scared to speak.

"From what I understand, you're blind-not mute, are you?"

"I'm not mute," she blurted out before she could stop herself. She wanted to slap her forehead for reacting so quickly.

He let out a soft laugh-a sound that sent strange ripples through her body.

"Good. There's no thrill in a toy that can't make a sound."

Her jaw dropped. She turned toward him, even though all she could see was darkness.

She couldn't believe what she'd heard. The urge to throw herself out of the moving car was overwhelming.

"W-What-do you want my body too?!" She trembled, making the sign of the cross as the car pulled forward. "It's wrong to force someone! That's r*pe! I won't sleep with anyone-blind doesn with anyone-blind doesn't mean helpless! I can fight you-what's so funny?!"

He laughed again, even as tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

"Hmm... really? But what if you're my wife?" he teased, and she felt her temper flare hot enough to steam.

"Non-consent is r*pe, no matter who you are-husband, boyfriend, or-wait-wife?! What wife are you talking about?!" Terror seized her all over again. Did she just trade one nightmare for something worse?

He only laughed softly in reply, saying nothing more for the rest of the ride. He made no move to touch her or harm her, and exhaustion eventually pulled Sera into a deep sleep.

-

The sky was dark by the time they reached their destination: a sprawling estate within Chateau de Taltal, one of the city's most exclusive villages. The man stepped out of the car, his aura and gaze colder than ice-his striking emerald eyes impossible to miss, even in the dim light.

"Sir Lucian! The madam is inside-she's been waiting for you."

A guard rushed toward him, breathless.

"Tell her to wait a moment. I need to think."

The guard nodded and disappeared into the massive mansion as Lucian leaned against the hood of his car, arms crossed, eyes closed.

This wasn't the work he'd come to the Philippines for. How had he ended up playing hero and "hunting" for a woman?

Memories flooded back.

[FLASHBACK]

"Sir! The hospital is calling!"

Lucian's brow furrowed as one of his men rushed over, holding his phone with a worried look. He couldn't ignore it-not when his staff looked that panicked.

He peeled off his blood-stained gloves, tossed his baseball bat to the floor, and stepped over the bleeding man's hand without a second glance. He pulled out his vape, took a hit, then answered the call.

["Is this Mr. Vitale?"] a woman's voice asked on the other end.

Lucian exhaled slowly. "Yeah. What does Ferrer Hospital want?" He spoke coldly, gesturing for his men to clean up the mess around them.

["Sir... your grandmother-"]

He hung up without another word, striding out of the room and toward his car. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel as he started the engine.

"Damn it, old woman!" he growled, pressing his foot to the gas. Worry for his grandmother-the only family he had left-burned hot in his chest.

-

"Ma'am, please calm down! You'll hurt yourself!"

Lucian could hear nurses' panicked shouts before he even entered the room. Of course his grandmother was causing a scene-she'd always been stubborn as stone.

But relief washed over him when he saw her. She was alive, and seemingly unharmed.

"What's all the fuss about, old woman?" he called out as he walked in, and every eye turned to him. His emerald eyes, sharp nose, perfect jawline, full lips, and dark wolf-cut hair drew attention wherever he went-along with the heavy, cold presence that surrounded him.

Everyone felt the weight of his gaze... except for one person. His grandmother, still in a hospital gown despite her injuries, threw a pillow at his head.

He caught it easily. "What now? Why are you in here?" He walked to the chair beside her bed, then glanced at the nurses and nodded for them to leave. His grandmother quieted once he sat down.

He leaned back, studying her pale face.

"This is about that again, isn't it?" he asked.

She didn't answer, staring at the ceiling with a sad look in her eyes.

"L... I was kidnapped again," she said softly. "But a woman saved me."

He raised an eyebrow, listening.

"She was beautiful-like an angel, inside and out. She helped me even though she didn't know me. And in the end... she lost her sight because of it."

Lucian's face hardened at the last part. He noticed her voice was thick with tears-tears that were now streaming down her cheeks.

He muttered a curse under his breath, standing to pull her into a gentle embrace, rubbing her back.

"Stop crying. You're not a child."

She sobbed harder. "W-What will happen to her? The nurses said her own mother treated her like dirt here yesterday..."

He clicked his tongue. "This isn't a fairy tale... maybe it's not as bad as you think-"

She knew him well enough to see past his gruff words. He acted like he didn't care, but he always did. She was the only person he'd ever show softness to.

After a few minutes, she calmed down. He was peeling an apple when she spoke again.

"Find her, L," she said, her voice firm with authority.

He laughed lightly at the shift in her expression. "Finally back to your usual self?"

She shot him a glare. "I haven't cried like that in years. But I mean it-find her for me, my boy."

"Why should I? I'm busy," he said coldly, earning an even colder look in return.

"Oh really? Fine then-I'll ban you from setting foot in the Philippines ever again-"

"What's the point of finding her?" he cut in.

She smiled. "I want to repay her kindness. If I have all this wealth and can't even thank the person who saved my life... what good is it?"

"You're wasting your time. You should go back to Italy for your fashion show."

She cackled. "Idiot-do you see this stab wound in my side? I'm not going anywhere."

He had to admit she was right. His grandmother was infuriating.

"Enough of this. Did you take care of the ones who did this?"

"Of course I did. Who do you think I am?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I own a hundred franchises, I'm a world-famous billionaire-I bet everything I have, and reporters are lining up for my statement."

Lucian said nothing, but her next words caught his full attention.

"Find her... and marry her, L. Make it your grandmother's last wish."

-

And so he had. At first, he'd only planned to find the woman to silence his grandmother's pleas-marriage was never part of the deal. But seeing Sera up close... she was breathtaking. Even with her eyes closed, her beauty left him stunned. He'd changed his mind in an instant, deciding to give his grandmother exactly what she wanted.

Lucian had always been a sucker for beautiful women-a notorious playboy. Who would have guessed a blind girl from the provinces would affect him this deeply?

A man of his status, known across the globe... drawn to someone he'd just met?

A slow smile spread across his face as he looked at Sera, still sleeping soundly inside the car.

"Hmm? What's with that smile?"

He turned to see his associate approaching. "Get me a lawyer and a ready-made marriage contract."

His eyes drifted to Sera's full, pink lips, visible through the car window.

"I'm getting married. Damn it."