Chapter 18: The Strategy of Capturing the Childhood Sweetheart CEO 17
"To think you've had a secret crush on me for all these years?" Lucas leaned in closer to Elora, his breath brushing against her ear. The sensation made her feel a little ticklish. "No! That's not true!" Elora quickly averted her gaze, refusing to acknowledge her own confession from just moments ago.
"Heh~ I heard it!" Lucas teased, unable to resist the temptation to tease her as she fidgeted awkwardly.
"I'm not talking to you!" Elora, embarrassed and irritated, pushed him away.
Lucas gazed at her, her eyes shimmering with a hint of moisture, her lips slightly pursed in displeasure. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her delicate face, making her appear both ethereal and enchanting, stirring something deep within him.
He bent forward, closing the distance between them. Her eyelashes fluttered in the moonlight, causing his heart to skip a beat. Gently, he cupped her face and lowered himself to kiss her. Elora's face flushed a deep crimson as she closed her eyes, yielding to him. He continued to kiss her lips, soft and tender at first, then more insistently, slowly parting her lips, his cool tongue slipping inside, greedily claiming her breath, exploring every corner of her mouth.
...
"This lovely lady, would you care to join me for dinner this afternoon?" Elora tilted Serena's chin playfully, her expression mischievous, exuding the air of a playful rogue teasing an innocent woman.
"Stop it, you startled me," Serena said with a laugh, swatting Elora's hand away. "Wait here, I'll grab my things."
Elora nodded and sat quietly aside.
Due to her connection with Lucas, Elora often visited Summit Ridge Realty. One day, she found Serena clutching her stomach, drenched in cold sweat, leaning against the desk. Without hesitation, Elora rushed her to the hospital. The doctor diagnosed her with a serious stomach issue and advised her to eat regularly.
Elora had always liked Serena, and since she was one of Lucas's employees, Elora took it upon herself to remind her to eat on time. At first, it was just a casual suggestion since she visited Summit Ridge Realty every day anyway, but eventually, it turned into meals together. Over time, they became close, and it felt like they had known each other for much longer.
"Alright, let's go." Serena walked up to Elora and naturally linked her arm with hers.
...
"The signature dish here is really delicious; you should eat more." This restaurant was one Elora had been curious about for a while, and even Lucas had never been here.
"Why would I be polite with you?" When Serena first met Elora, she had wanted to be friends, but upon learning that Elora was the only daughter of the Carter family, one of the three major families in City A, and also Mr. Ridge's fiancée, she hesitated. She feared others might think she was using connections to get ahead.
However, as they spent more time together, Serena realized Elora was genuinely someone worth getting to know. She was beautiful, capable, and highly educated—without a doubt, one of the most admirable women Serena had ever met.
"How about we go for a walk after we finish eating?" Elora swallowed her food and said, "I'm feeling a bit too full. Let's walk off our meal. Don't worry, I'll ask Lucas to give you some time off."
"Okay, I'll follow your lead." After so many long days of work, this was the perfect chance to unwind.
...
"Serena, what do you think of this dress?" Elora held up a yellow sundress, seeking her opinion.
"Elora!" Just as Serena was about to respond, she was interrupted by a male voice. She turned towards the sound and froze. There, standing before her like a prince, was Milo. Her heart began to race uncontrollably.
"Milo, what are you doing here?" Elora asked in surprise. Why was he here, of all places, in a women's clothing store?
"I'm picking out a gift for my sister." The thought of his troublesome younger sister made him sigh. She had her eyes set on a dress that was out of stock in City B, and when she found out he was in City A, she pestered him endlessly to buy it for her.
"Do you want to join us?"
"Why not?" Milo thought it would feel less awkward with a girl accompanying him.
Elora was speechless. She had only mentioned it casually, never expecting him to agree. Was this really a good idea? But now that the words were out, there was no turning back.
...