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

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I rushed through the grocery store, not wanting to leave Serina alone for one minute more than necessary.

I was happy to find gelato, arancini, and panzerotti in the frozen section. Considering that Serina spent her last three years in Italy, I assumed that she will appreciate these Italian snacks.

I also got milk, eggs, crisps, biscuits, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, lettuce, noodles, and a variety of fruits. I knew that I had flour, oil, and spices in the pantry.

With all this, I can easily whip out a quick meal when needed and we also have options that don't require preparation.

I don't cook at home, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to. My mother taught me enough so that I never go hungry, and I am confident that my skills are not shabby. However, since I started Eclipse, I didn't feel like spending time around the stove, so I usually go for easy options of ordering delivery or eating out.

I paused in the family planning section of the store. Should I buy a box of condoms? I don't have any on me and I don't think we are there yet, but… I took two boxes. One should be prepared.

On my way to the cash register, I grabbed juice, sparkling water, and a bottle of wine. I know that Serina said she doesn't drink wine, but I want to give her options. If we don't drink it, I can use it to prepare a meal.

Ah, if I knew that she will come to my place, I would tidy it up and fill the fridge and pantry with all kinds of food.

I was giddy while returning to my place with hands full of grocery bags that were heaping with yummy goodness, and I wondered if I made a mistake by not getting some seafood or beef for roasting. I could also spice them up and throw them on the skillet. Potatoes would go well with that. I'm quite proud of my clam chowder. Ah, I didn't buy any clams! Would Serina like it?

I realized that I have no idea about Serina's food preferences. Good thing I got all kinds of stuff, I'm sure there will be something she could eat, and I will find out what she likes to eat.

The elevator door opened on the fifth floor and my steps halted.

The door of my apartment was open and Serina was there, with her arms crossed over her chest, looking sternly at my neighbor from the fourth floor. What's her name…?

I reminded myself not to talk until I understand the situation.

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, Serina's eyes met mine and I felt the chills emanating from her. What's with this atmosphere? Why do I feel murderous intent directed my way?

"There he is…", Serina said stiffly to my neighbor while pointing her chin in my direction. "Now you can offer him the cookies in person."

Cookies? Only then I realized that the woman is holding a container in her hand.

"Drago…", she called sweetly while ignoring Serina's glare. "I prepared these for you, I hope you won't refuse. They are chocolate chip cookies I made with care."

"Yeah…", Serina squeezed through her teeth angrily. "Suzy is here to offer you her goods."

My eyes darted from Suzy to Serina, and I wondered what happened to make Serina so hostile. Just cookies from a neighbor can't be a reason for this. Right? What's with that choice of words? Offer me her goods?

Chills ran through my body as I realized the reason behind her glare. She is not thinking…? No way! I wouldn't even know the woman's name if Serina didn't say that it's Suzy!

I mean, I met her a few times in the hallway, and I noticed that she was interested in me, but there are so many of them and I didn't think it's important to remember her name or to engage in more than 'hi-bye' courtesies a neighbor should have.

"Miss Suzy, that is very kind of you.", I said while maintaining a neutral expression. "Unfortunately, I can't accept the cookies because my girlfriend is allergic to them."

Suzy frowned at my words, but I didn't care. What mattered was that Serina's expression turned from angry to an almost-surprise and the murderous intent reduced.

"She is allergic to cookies?", Suzy repeated. "But I made them for you."

"And my boyfriend is allergic to chocolate!", Serina interjected.

My heart jolted. Serina called me her boyfriend!

God, how much I love her.

I wanted this woman to scram so that I can hold Serina in my arms and shower her with kisses.

"My next-door neighbor, Sergio, loves sweets. You should give them to him." I pointed at the door with '5C' on it.

"And he is single as well.", Serina added.

Suzy was flustered. "That's not what… I mean…"

"It doesn't matter what you meant.", Serina cut her off. "You need to face the reality. You brought cookies here, I said they are not welcome, yet you insisted on talking to Drago. My boyfriend refused your cookies and whatever else you are offering. Why are you still here? Don't you see that his hands are full, and you are in the way?"

Suzy frowned and took a step back and I used that opportunity to get into the apartment.

I heard Serina snort before slamming the door shut. She was so cute!

"You!", Serina hissed at me. "No wonder your fridge is empty! How many women come here offering you food and who knows what? "

I dropped the bags on the floor and pulled Serina into my embrace.

She was jealous and I loved every minute of it! She was claiming me as hers and called me her boyfriend!

Serina tried to push me away, but I knew that she was doing that only out of irritation because of Suzy's appearance, and I rushed to pacify her.

"Don't be jealous, Serina…", I said while burying my face into her hair. "I can't stop them from coming to my door, but I don't accept it either."

"Who said I'm jealous!?", Serina denied it angrily. "How do I know that you wouldn't accept if I was not here? When I asked her why she came, Suzy said that she heard footsteps from above because her apartment is below yours. Is that some secret code you are sharing? And it's quite obvious that she was delivering much more than cookies! Do you have codes for a girl who lives above your apartment or next to yours?"

She was angry and adorable. I wanted to say that my apartment is the top floor unit, so there is no neighbor above, but that might open a can of worms that is better left untouched.

"Serina, the only person who comes here other than me is Sergio and he has a key so normally I don't answer the door unless I'm expecting a delivery. If you ignored the doorbell, she would go away."

Serina stopped struggling in my arms. "When I heard the doorbell, I thought that you forgot the key or maybe your hands were full, so I opened the door only to see a scarcely dressed woman coming to offer herself to you."

Scarcely dressed? I didn't notice.

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