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

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~ Genoa ~

I was in my bed, holding the phone and enjoying my morning video chat with Duke.

"When will we see each other again?", Duke asked me for the third time in the last ten minutes.

I sighed and looked at his expectant face.

It's more than three weeks from our weekend in Frankfurt and to be honest, it's increasingly painful to stay away from him.

I repeated the well-rehearsed lie, "You know that I'm helping my father with this new formula. We are in the testing phase and making adjustments as necessary. Leaving it now would be detrimental because it's time-sensitive and he is relying on my help. No one else can step in because it will increase the risk that our work leaks and competitors get their hands on it. As soon as I can step away, I will let you know, and we will figure out something."

Duke looked at me like an abandoned puppy and my heart tightened. I didn't want to lie to him, but I couldn't tell him the truth.

"I need to go now. We will talk in the evening, alright?"

He pouted and I wished for the power to kiss him through the screen.

"Alright.", he said eventually and wished me a good day.

After a brief response, I tapped the red 'X' to end the call before murmuring to my blank screen, "I miss you, Duke. I promise to figure this out quickly."

I missed him like crazy.

I pushed myself into a seated position, making the cover fall down and reveal that I'm fully clothed. I didn't sleep last night. Actually, in the last few weeks, I'm focusing on figuring out this pesky ability and I don't sleep unless absolutely necessary. Every minute counts.

Related to my latest ability, during our weekend in Frankfurt, I discovered that it was manifesting when Duke held me. But just a hug was not enough. Kissing was also involved and increased heart rate as well, and I was not sure if it was love or arousal. Probably both.

I was able to repeat those emotions and after numerous tests, we concluded that my ability is not detrimental to my surroundings. Quite the opposite. Any living thing is benefiting from it as it increases the healing rate and invigorates vitality. It's like a serum that helps someone reach their peak condition, without side effects. That explained Duke not needing to sleep when he was with me.

Another characteristic is that the effect of my ability wears off gradually, so the enhancement is not permanent and after it wears off, the lifeforms affected continue as nothing happened.

Now for the bad part.

The ability is detrimental for my body as it saps my vitality.

The silver lining is that I'm immortal and that with sleep and food I can replenish what was lost, but Aldus didn't want to verify what would happen if I used too much at once. His theory is that I would enter eternal sleep which is something like a coma for immortals without a known cure.

There was a relief that only Duke could make me experience those emotions that would trigger my ability, so I didn't need to avoid anyone else, but at the same time, that was a problem because Duke was the only person I wanted to be with.

Ah, such a bother!

My current practice consists of sitting next to a plant and reliving the memories of Duke's hugs and kisses while trying to prevent my energy from swelling to the point of affecting the plant.

Since the emotions are concentrating the energy in my abdomen, I'm imagining a pipe lodged in my belly through which vitality is leaving my body, and through mental practice, I'm trying to reduce the diameter of that pipe.

I'm making progress, but Aldus is not willing to approve of me going to see Duke until I can block it completely.

I understand Aldus's point. If only a few minutes of hugs and kisses are making me fall asleep like someone pulled the plug, I can't imagine the effect if Duke and I go beyond kisses.

Me fainting under him and waking up in a hospital would be quite embarrassing, and telling him not to call the hospital if I pass out is out of the question.

"Young Miss…", Maria's voice drifted in through the door that was ajar.

"Yes?"

"Master asked if you will join him for breakfast."

"I'm coming.", I responded while scooting off the bed.

…

I found Aldus in the dining room, and he greeted me with a smile while pulling the chair for me.

Aldus always held a chair for me, but in the last few weeks, this gentlemanly act reminds me of Duke. Ah, everything reminds me of Duke.

"How is your practice going?", Aldus asked, and I knew that the question was related to my practice to control my latest ability.

Aldus is genuinely concerned that I will disappear and as much as I'm touched, sometimes it's suffocating.

I guess this is how a loving parent acts, and I regret not experiencing this kind of care when I was a child and when I needed it the most.

For a man who cut my arm bone-deep to prove that I can heal quickly, Aldus changed drastically into a protective father who doesn't want me to leave his sight if there is any sign of danger.

"I'm almost there.", I gave him the same response as usually.

It's not like I have a measuring device that can give me a percentage and estimate of when I will reach full mastery. But I wish that there is such a device because then I would be able to tell Duke when we can see each other.

I noticed three creases of worry between Aldus's eyebrows that didn't ease up after my response.

"Did something happen?", I asked.

Aldus gave me a small nod before speaking, "I would prefer that you focus on your practice, but I promised that I will not exclude you if Giantshade Industries is involved."

He got my attention. "What about them?"

Aldus reached on the side and placed a folder in front of me.

I quickly skimmed through it and it didn't take me long to understand the contents.

"They are asking for our help?", I couldn't believe that I said this, but it was clearly stated in the document. "And the conditions they are offering are favorable."

I flipped all the pages and made sure there is nothing else in the folder before asking, "Where is the catch?"

Aldus shrugged. "It doesn't seem there is one."

I pressed my lips into a line.

In the last few years, I studied business and management and I read many books about the art of making deals and establishing solid partnerships, and these documents with proposed collaboration between Giantshade industries and Notte Pharmaceuticals made me frown for more than just my intuition telling me that it's fishy.

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