The happy face of Lucca greeted me when he opened the door for us. He invited us over to his place for dinner.

"Good evening, everyone. Come on in." He cheerfully said as he bowed his head towards me as formality before air-kissing my grandparents. My grandpa then pushed my wheelchair while my grandma followed us behind.

We went to the living room.

"Where is Lana? I was expecting her to be here with us tonight." My annon remarked while looking around, looking for Lucca's mother.

"Mamma is not here, signora. She went to Switzerland with her friends. They will stay there for a couple of days." My grandma nodded her head in understanding before opening another topic.

Lucca's maids served some finger foods while we were waiting for the dinner to be served.

"This is for you, Lucca. I'm sure, you'll love this." My annon said with a smile and gave him the present that they specially bought for him abroad. It was an M10 Digital Rangefinder Camera. Lucca gasped as he stared at the packaging.

"Oh, my gosh! Is this what I think it is?"

"Of course. We know that you love photography so much so we thought of getting you something like this. Well, we know that you have a lot of good cameras but we still wanted to give you one. You've been a very good best friend to our Athena here so it's some sort of a reward too." My unnon said and Lucca squealed.

"I've been eyeing this camera for quite sometime now but I've been hesitating to buy it because of the price. You don't know how happy I am, signor and signora De Falco. Thank you so much!" He looked genuinely happy and my grandparents chuckled amusedly.

"You're welcome, Lucca." Lucca as was about to answer when I decided to kill his merry mood a little bit.

"So, you're accepting a reward for being my best friend?" I asked with an eyebrow cocked up. His eyebrows rose.

"Okay. I don't like that look on your face right now. If you're unhappy about it, I'll just return it." He was about to give it back to my grandparents but I burst into laughter.

"Of course, I was just kidding. I know that you will always be my best friend whether you have a reward or not." He sneered but then smiled.

"Of course. I will always be here for you no matter what happens. What friends are for, right?" I was about to answer when someone spoke.

"What about me? Don't tell me, you already forgot about your other best friend? Where's my reward too?" I looked at the one who spoke and I gasped in surprise upon seeing her. It was Daniella, standing near the staircase.

As usual, she was wearing a bloody red lipstick and thick dark eyeshadows. Thankfully, she's beautiful no matter what she puts on her face.

"Oh, Gosh! Since when did you come back?!" I inquired excitedly. She rushed towards me and gave me a hug. We were both so happy seeing each other again. The last time we saw each other was during the interment of my mother.

One of the things that made me difficult to be happy these past few months was my best friends weren't with me. My mother's death was the most painful thing that have happened to me and dwelling with the pain alone wasn't easy.

Yes, my family was there for me but it didn't help that my siblings couldn't help but to blame me of what happened. Yes, they didn't throw the blame to my face but I could feel it with their actions, especially Aria.

"Well, I just arrived earlier today. I came here because Lucca told me that you were here." She answered after pulling away from that hug. She went home to Monaco and spent a couple of months there.

She then greeted my grandparents as well.

"Sorry that we couldn't get you a gift, Daniella. No one told us that you were here too." My annon said and Daniella laughed.

"Don't worry about it, signora. I was just kidding. All I wanted was to come here and see Athena. Well, including Lucca too." She said the last sentence as if she was just forced to say so. I mentally shook my head. She's trying to piss off Lucca again.

The latter sneered and I couldn't hold back my laugh. Even though the three of us were best friends, Daniella and Lucca always fights like a cat and dog. Well, that's how they show their love for each other.

We chatted happily for about ten minutes or so because the household helpers called us because the food was ready.

Later on, we were already eating while continuously chatting.

"Where is your boyfriend, Lucca? Ath told us about him and we were excited to meet him." It was my annon. Lucca smiled.

"He'll be here any minute now, signora. He went out this afternoon for a business meeting."

My grandma smiled. "I'm happy for you. Finally, you found someone who accepted you of who you are. You're a good person so you deserve to be happy."

"My wife is right, Lucca. You've been through a lot and you deserve to be happy too." Lucca emotionally smiled at my grandparents.

"Aw. Thank you, signor, signora. I appreciate what you just said."

"That boyfriend of yours should make sure to take care and love you the way you deserve to be loved because I will surely kick him in the a*s if he hurts you." It was Daniella. Everyone looked at her direction. She sounded joking but I could tell that she was serious.

"You really know how to ruin the moment." Lucca remarked and sneered at her.

"Well, I was just saying what's on my mind." I chuckled. They really haven't changed. They argue every chance they get. Like a cat and dog indeed.

We were in the middle of eating when Greco finally arrived. He greeted everyone good evening and to our surprise, he had a bouquet of roses for Lucca. Of course, everyone cheered happily for them.

Lucca formally introduced Greco to my grandparents and Daniella. My grandparents happily talked to Greco while Daniella had this weird expression on her face.

"Have we met before, Greco? You seem familiar for some reason." She said and Greco smiled.

"If we already have met before, I'm sure, I would surely remember someone as beautiful as you, Ms. Daniella." Daniella's face went sour upon hearing Greco's answer.

"Are you trying to flirt with me, Mr.?" My eyes widened and was about to say something, anything to lighten the sudden heavy atmosphere, when Lucca spoke.

"Hey, your bitchy button is up again. I'm sure, Greco doesn't mean anything of what he said, right, babe?"

Greco smiled. "Of course, babe. I didn't mean to insinuate anything of what I've said."

"Okay, okay. Let's forget about all that and eat. Let's not ruin the moment." It was my unnon. Everyone agreed and shifted the topic to another subject.

While eating, my phone beeped.

'How's the dinner, mi hermosa? I missed you already.' I bit my lower lip as giddiness surged within me. We haven't seen each other since this morning because I told him to take a day off. He didn't like the idea at fist but when my unnon heard it, he insisted for him to do so.

Maximus couldn't do anything but to agree and I could still remember how I stifled my laugh because he looked so funny as my grandpa convinces him to take his day off. He obviously didn't want to but couldn't do anything but to agree.

According to him, he went to his friend's house to chill.

"Hey, I can see that your hands are busy." Daniella noticed and my cheeks reddened as everyone's gazes shifted to me.

"Someone just texted me." I alibied and she smiled teasingly. Thankfully, Lucca started another topic again and got their attention.

I replied to Maximus. 'We're still currently eating dinner. I missed you too. I wish you're here with me right now.' I then pressed send button. Yes, I already missed him. I haven't seen him the whole day and it didn't feel right. My day wasn't whole. Damn. I really am in love.

This was the second time that we haven't seen each other for a whole day but this time, we weren't fighting.

Yes, we had a mild tiff during Lucca's birthday party just because of how naughty Maximus was. I could still remember what happened during that night...

I gasped in awe upon seeing Maximus as he entered my room with a suave smile on his face. He looked so handsome, neat and manly wearing a black suit like that. He looked like a prince. A badass prince at that. I swallowed hard.

"Am I that handsome that you couldn't even utter a single word, mi hermosa?" I blinked innumerably when I heard what he said. I sneered at him which made him chuckle.

He sauntered towards me before leaning over and gave me a soft kiss of the lips.

"You look so lovely and alluring, mi hermosa. You're giving me a hard time." He whispered huskily as he touched my cheek with the back of his hand.

"Hard time?" I asked confusedly. He smirked naughtily and took my hand. To my surprise, he guided it hand to his fly, making me feel his hardness.

"Maximus! You're so horny!" He threw his head back as he laughed heartily.

"I can't help it. You're so sexy in that outfit. Damn. I want to take you right now but we need to go to the party." He sounded like he was having a hard time.

"You're hopeless. I am wearing a decent gown but you're fantasizing about naughty things. I can't believe you." I even leered at him.

"I love you." He professed.

"That's not fair. You're always saying that everytime you begin to get on my nerves." He laughed.

"Where's my 'I love you too', mi hermosa?" I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. I love you too." He smiled contentedly and kissed me one more time. After that, we drove to the party. It was only the two of us.

When we arrived there, many visitors were already there. No one recognized me because it was a masquerade party. I specifically told Lucca not to mention that I would attend so that people wouldn't notice me. I wanted him to be the center of attention because it's his birthday.

"I'm glad you two came." Lucca said upon approaching us. He was about to give me an air-kiss when Maximus suddenly went between us.

"Back off, man." My eyes went wide. He sounded so possessive and rude.

"Maximus! Lucca is my best friend! Don't be rude!" I rebuked in disbelief.

"I am not being rude. I am merely making sure that he knows his boundary." I could see the amusement in Lucca's eyes but I could tell that he was planning something.

"Boundary? What are you talking about, man? Athena and I are very close. You should be the one to know your boundary. You're just his PRG, right?" He tauntingly said. Maximus' eyes darkened in anger. I swallowed hard and was about to speak but Lucca continued.

"Anyway, I'll just borrow my best friend here. My mother wants to see her." Before Maximus and I could react, Lucca already pushed my wheelchair towards somewhere.

"Lucca! What do you think you're doing?!"

"Didn't you hear what I've just said? Mamma wants to see you. She's in the terrace, waiting for you."

"But—"

"—Don't worry about him. He'll be fine." He interrupted me, referring to Maximus. I looked back and saw him looking at our direction with his jaw flexed tightly. I bit my lower lip, feeling guilty of leaving him there.

When we arrived at the terrace, no one was there aside from Lucca's mom, Lana.

"Oh, my! Is that you, Princess Athena?" She enthusiastically said. She looked beautiful in her gown.

"Sì, mamma. It's her." Lana curtsied.

"I'm glad that you came, Your Royal Highness." She then looked at her son. "Why didn't you inform me beforehand? We could've at least welcomed her properly."

"Ath was the one who asked me not to specifically tell anyone that she would attend my party. You know her. She doesn't like attention." Lucca explained.

"Oh, I see why you chose masquerade party instead of our original plan. You wanted your best friend to attend your birthday party without any problem. Well, if that's the case, I won't tell anyone about Her Royal Highness' presence here then." My forehead crinkled upon hearing what she said.

"You chose a masquerade party because of me?" I asked Lucca in surprise and he smiled.

"I wanted you to be here. My happiness is not complete though because Daniella is not here."

"Aw. You really didn't have to but thank you for doing this anyway. You really know me. It's your birthday party but you still thought about me." He knelt on his knee before me.

"I don't care about small details. The most important thing is you're here." He then kissed my forehead. That made me smile. We then hugged each other.

"Okay. The party is about to start in about 10 minutes. I'll go on ahead, Your Royal Highness, Lucca. I should make sure that everything's going well there at the party."

"Okay, mamma. We'll follow later." When Lana left, I noticed that teasing smile on Lucca's face as he stared at the direction of the door. My eyebrows creased and followed his gaze but I didn't see anyone there.

The door of the terrace was open and the hallway was deserted.

"I don't like that smile on your face right now, bello mio. What is it about?" I asked. He chuckled and then faced me.

"Oh, my. Looks like someone's going to kill me if I'd do anything stupid."

"Huh? What are you talking about? You're confusing me right now." To my surprise, he drew his face closer to mine and to my surprise, he kissed my cheek.

I was about to ask him what's going on when I saw someone walking towards us. My heart nervously thumped when I recognized that it was Maximus.

He surely has witnessed that kiss. His face was hard, obviously trying to contain his anger.

"What do you think you're doing?" He uttered with stern tone while looking at Lucca as if trying to intimidate the latter.

"What do you mean? I kissed Ath on the cheek. What about it?"

"Lucca!"

"What? I just answered his question." He feigned nonchalance. I almost face-palmed. He's surely having a great time watching Maximus getting jealous of him.

Maximus' jaw tightened but to my surprise, he didn't become violent just like yesterday.

"Let's go. The party if about to start." He uttered.

"Already? Why don't we go to my room first, bella mia? I want to tell you something in private." He's really digging his own grave and I wanted to smack him right at that moment.

"Lucca, stop it." I rebuked, getting worried that Maximus would explode any moment now. Instead of doing so, he went behind me.

"Let's go? I'll show something to you in my room." He was about to push my wheelchair when Maximus suddenly closed the gap between them and was about to extend his hand, probably to snatch Lucca's arm, when my best friend squealed loudly like a girl as he pulled his hand back instantly.

Maximus' body went frozen while staring at Lucca like he'd gone insane. I wanted to burst into a fit of laughter because of what happened. Now, Maximus finally knew the truth.

"What the heck?" It was all that came out of Maximus lips. Lucca gathered himself together and cleared his throat.

"Fine, you win. I was just trying to piss you off that's why I've been extra sweet towards Athena. You don't have to hurt me. I can still feel your rough hand around my wrist from yesterday." He admitted and Maximus' jaw dropped.

"I wasn't planning to hurt you again. I just wanted to take Athena out of here, away from you." Maximus looked at him again as if he was trying to analyze what just happened.

"Are you—"

"—Yes, you got me good. I am gay." He confessed and to my surprise, Maximus laughed.

"What the hell. I was getting jealous of you for no reason?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes, and I don't like that attitude of yours. How possessive can you get?" He even rolled his eyes before shifting his gaze on me. "Darn. Your man is so possessive, bella mia. I can't believe it."

"I haven't admitted that he's my man yet."

"Duh! It's so obvious!" He even sneered at me which made me laugh. "

"Whatever."

He looked at Maximus again. "Don't worry, Maximus. Athena is like a sister to me. Besides, I already have a boyfriend. Now that everything's clear, let's go. The party is about to start." He then went on ahead.

"Damn. Now, I realized how silly I was for getting jealous of him." Maximus even scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Serves you right for being so possessive. Now you know that Lucca is harmless and you don't have to be overly possessive and jealous whenever he's around." I said as I rolled my eyes and he chuckled.

"Sorry for being so possessive. I don't know why I'm like this whenever I see you being so close with him."

"You love me that much?" I teased.

"Yes! I love you this much." My hearted swelled in happiness. Even though he's such a possessive guy, he's so sweet and knows how to make me feel giddy with his gestures.

Later on, the program started until they opened the dance floor. While watching everyone dancing, I suddenly felt down. I wanted to dance with Maximus too but I couldn't because of my condition.

"Hey, cheer up, mi hermosa. I know what you're thinking right now and I'm telling you, it's okay. We can always dance whenever we want to the moment you manage to walk again." I bit my lower lip. I didn't know that I was too obvious. Even though I was wearing a Colombina mask, he still managed to read what's on my mind.

"What if that time would never come?"

He shook his head. "It will come because I will do everything to make it happen." I raised an eyebrow.

"And how would you do it?"

"You'll see." His lips curved with a lopsided grin as he placed his arm over my shoulders and then pulled my head to lean on his shoulder before kissing my forehead.

Even though I wanted to self-pity again, just listening to Maximus words made me feel at ease. For some reason, he manages to lift my spirit whenever I'm down and I'm falling harder for him with each passing day...

I couldn't help but to smile upon remembering what happened at Lucca's birthday. Maximus is really something. I received another message from him.

'And here I am, wishing you're here with me as well. Enjoy your dinner. Don't worry about me because I will surely monopolize your time when you get back. I'll be waiting for you in your room. I love you.'

'I love you too, dolce metà.' For some reason, my heart felt so full of joy while typing that. Maximus really knows what to say to make me smile so I'm doing everything to do the same to him.