Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Duke didn't let go of my hand as we entered the restaurant.

At first, I thought of ripping my hand out of his, but then I gave up and went with the flow.

It was childish and silly, and... I liked it. I was never the one to attract attention, but my hand in his felt right, just how it felt good when Duke was by my side. From the first day we met.

The semi-private room had a number of white tables that could seat two, arranged next to each other with gaps for a person to pass between them. There was nothing excessive on the tables other than glasses, cutlery, and napkins, but the whole interior reminded me of the sunroom at home with massive windows, a glass ceiling, and numerous plants arranged through space. The cushioned chairs with floral patterns blended with the jungle theme perfectly.

Duke led the way and I followed him while ignoring poisonous glares directed my way, like many years ago when all those schoolgirls were jealous of the attention Duke gave me.

I thought that we reached the end, and he will take me out through some back exit, but then he stopped at one table that was in the corner, nicely snuggled between plants that were providing privacy.

He let go of my hand and a feeling of loss washed over me.

How stupid of me. I wanted him to let go of my hand, yet now that he did, I'm missing it.

"My lady…", Duke said in a singing voice, and I saw that he is holding a chair for me to sit.

I glanced at the big gap that was between us and all other tables. "Are you sure it's OK for us to sit here?"

He shrugged. "I booked this place. We can sit anywhere we want. If you wish, we can ditch them and leave, but the food here is good." He tilted his head, reminding me to sit.

A giggle escaped my lips. Somehow, I forgot how cheeky Duke is, and it seems that his bravery increased over time.

I always had fun in his presence. That didn't change.

The waiter came to take our orders and placed a stack of papers on the table.

"Everyone signed, Mr. Orsini."

I glanced at the papers. "Non-disclosure agreements?"

Duke smiled, obviously pleased with my reaction. "If anyone talks about our event to outsiders, I will hit them with a lawsuit."

I was confused. "It's just lunch, is there a need for such things?" And how come I didn't get one?

"Give us a minute to decide what we will have, and take the agreements away. I will take them on my way out…", Duke sent the waiter away before focusing on me completely. "I don't want people gossiping."

"About?"

"About anything. I believe there is a reason you are not publicizing yourself as Seraphina."

I was touched by how considerate he is. He was always thinking about me.

"Thank you."

He brushed it off. "Don't worry about it. It's for me as well."

"For you?"

He ran his hand through his hair. "Gossips. There were many about me. Sometimes people would see me with someone and exaggerate, and some stories started without me being there at all. It created a fake image of me indulging with women." He let out a long exhale and looked at me. "I didn't care about them because they were false, and I knew they will die out eventually. What I didn't know was that someone dear to me will hear them and be hurt."

His gaze bore into mine pleadingly, and I wondered if I'm that person he was talking about.

"Is making people sign non-disclosure agreements working?", I asked.

"It's not foolproof, but in the last three years, the gossips diminished greatly. People talk about me as a private man who is focused on his business, and not spreading baseless stories that I'm sleeping around."

"Do you plan to run for parliament, so you care about public opinion?"

"No.", he said bluntly and reached for my hand. He pulled it up toward his face and I felt his lips moving over the back of my palm as he spoke, "I care only about your opinion, Serina."

His endlessly blue eyes were full of sincerity, and I forgot how to breathe.

I had so many doubts and fears and I erected numerous walls around my heart, yet he is crushing everything and making himself at home right there, in the middle of my soul, where he belongs.

I shifted in my seat and tore my eyes from him. "Uhm… let's order something."

"Serina…", he called in a low voice, and before he could say anything else, a figure approached us, and I yanked my hand out of his reflexively.

"Hey there, Drago!"

Duke's face shifted in irritation he didn't try to conceal. "Hi, David."

"I've been following the growth of your company. It's impressive."

"Thanks.", he responded dryly. "I assume there is a reason you came here."

David was visibly uncomfortable, but he was not discouraged. "I heard that you made many people rich. Can you spare advice or two for your friend?"

Ah, so he came for financial advice. Well, Duke's company has a very good reputation.

Duke reached into his jacket's inner pocket. "Sure, here is the number. Schedule an appointment and I will see what I can do for you."

David frowned at the business card. After a slight hesitation, he took the card and left with an insincere 'thank you'.

"Shouldn't you be more polite toward your customers?", I asked.

Duke snorted. "A customer? He came here hoping I will do him a favor."

"You don't like people who ask favors?"

"I don't like people who interrupt my time with you."

Duke grabbed my hand again and pulled it back toward him. He held my hand firmly, but not to the point of hurting.

I loved his touch and his words, but it was all confusing. How can he act like the last seven years didn't happen?

"I wish that you stop saying such ambiguous things."

"Ambiguous?", he inched closer to me. "I am speaking my mind, Serina. I'm done with games and secrets. I missed you and I want to be with you. Is that difficult to accept?"

By the time he finished talking, his delicious breath splashed on my face, and I swallowed hard.

Duke was throwing a bomb after bomb at me, and my brain malfunctioned from overload. Did he say that he wants to be with me? Like friends or…?

My eyes darted nervously toward the rest of the private room.

The plants provided some privacy, but I could still see our ex-classmates, some were looking our way.

"People will start talking.", I said in an urgent whisper.

Duke narrowed his eyes at me. "Are you afraid of rumors that might tie you to me? Will it spoil your current relationship?"

"There is no such thing.", I blurted out with urgency, and I saw him smiling. "I mean… I'm not in a relationship with anyone, but… Didn't you say that you had rumors about you and women?"

His smile widened. "I wouldn't mind rumors if they are about the two of us getting together."

"They are already talking about us.", I said.

"You have an exceptionally good hearing."

I stifled a laugh. "I don't need to hear anything. The way they are looking this way is speaking volumes."

Duke reached for my face and caressed my cheek with his thumb. "I don't want them to gossip about us, but I would prefer if what they are saying is the truth."

'BOOOM!'

And just like that, my mind exploded, and I was unable to respond.

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