A week had passed, but Deasy couldn’t stop thinking about the handsome man she identally met at the inauguration event of thepany’s branch where she worked.


    Until this moment, she kept praying. Hoping that God would bring them together again and, if possible, they could develop a close rtionship. Maybe they could date, or even take it to a serious level like marriage.


    For the sake of God, Deasy was willing. In her mind, she even imagined that even if she got pregnant, she would happily bear the child of a handsome man like Lucas.


    Remember! Lucas, the handsome one. With a six-pack body and undoubtedly smelling good. Not the nerdy, thick-sses-wearing guy who wasn’t attractive from any angle.


    Even though Lucas Orion insisted that he was the one Deasy had made out with twice, she still believed that the handsome Lucas was the one who slept with her thest night.


    It didn’t matter to Deasy if Lucas Orion was the one who had tattoos of betta fish, catfish, or piranhas all over his body. In her opinion, the handsome Lucas could be the one responsible. But she intentionally asked Lucas Orion to admit it.


    “Anyway, I have to find that handsome guy again until I meet him. I’m sure he’s the soulmate that God sent for me.”


    Deasy made up her mind. She convinced herself to continue searching for the man she liked since their first encounter.


    But just as she gathered her determination, Veronica’s words from the other day disturbed her thoughts again.


    “Imagine this. Let’s say you meet this guy again. Then you start a serious rtionship, and it leads to dating or even marriage. What if he finds out that you’re not a virgin anymore?”


    Veronica’s question felt piercing. Although nowadays virginity is not as big of an issue, there are still some men or families who hold firm to the principle of the sacredness of a rtionship, where one of the requirements is to be a virgin.


    Don’t forget that Deasy had slept with two men who were not her husband. In fact, thest time she was unsure with whom she had given herself.


    “That’s exactly why I want to convince him and find evidence that he’s the guy who slept with me.”


    “Okay, let’s say this handsome Lucas indeed slept with you. But he wasn’t the one who took your virginity first, right? Are you sure he would ept you as you are?”


    Deasy was taken aback. Veronica’s questions were difficult for her to answer. Especially the next question that sounded even more frightening.


    “Suppose you get pregnant, and it turns out that the child in your womb has the blood of the first guy who slept with you, how would you handle that?”


    Deasy grumbled. Why did her life have to be soplicated? Why did it have to be Lucas Orion, who took her virginity without anymitment? It was just her luck!


    Lost in thought, contemting her uncertain fate, Deasy didn’t even realize that someone had been calling her. This time, they even knocked on the table several times.


    “Ms. Deasy.”


    Deasy blinked, shifting her gaze to find Lucas Orion standing in front of her desk. For God’s sake, why does this guy always disrupt her peace?


    “What now? Why do you always like to disturb my peace?” she scolded. Lucas rolled his eyes, not knowing why he was getting lectured.


    “I’m not disturbing you. It’s just that I need to get some reports. I’ve called you three times, but you didn’t respond; you were lost in thought,” he said. His eyes narrowed, followed by a teasing smirk. “Daydreaming about something naughty, huh?”


    Deasy scowled. This subordinate of hers was so disrespectful.


    “Don’t talk nonsense. I’m not daydreaming about anything naughty. I’m actually thinking.”


    Lucas seemed surprised, but upon scrutinizing the expression on the woman’s face in front of him, he realized that Deasy seemed to be deeply contemting something.


    “What are you thinking about?”


    “I’m thinking about why my life had to be cursed with meeting you that night.”


    Lucas nodded, finally understanding what was on Deasy’s mind. Apparently, it was about the awkwardness and the great concern she had for them being together.


    “Oh… you’re thinking about the fact that we’ve slept together twice?” Lucas whispered softly. He deliberately lowered his voice so that anyone passing by their office wouldn’t hear their conversation.


    Deasy widened her eyes. Why was Lucas so nonchnt about discussing this? Imagine, she had lost her virginitypletely!


    “That’s one of the things,” Deasy replied curtly. “Just so you know, I’ll never ept that you took my virginity!”


    Lucas blinked. A momentter, he couldn’t ept the usation that clearly cornered him. Why was he being treated as the main perpetrator of this misconduct when both parties had enjoyed what had happened?


    “Why do you speak as if I’m the main viin here?”


    “Because all of this is because of you, right?”


    “But you enjoyed what we did together, right? We did it twice, you know.”


    Deasy grimaced. Goodness, was she really that foolish? Falling into the same trap twice. Was it really an ident, or was she addicted?? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “And why do you keep helping me? Why did you pretend to be nice and even offer to apany me back to the apartment? Or was it all just an act? After all, we slept together twice, it’s too coincidental. You must have nned all of this, right?”


    Lucas shook his head in disbelief. In his mind, didn’t Deasy have any gratitude? He helped her kindly, and she insulted and used him of all sorts of things. If he knew that, he would have just left her on the side of the road when she was drunk.


    “Miss, I apologize. Despite how ugly it looks, I’m not a bad guy with a perverted or criminal mind. In case you’ve forgotten, let me remind you. Who was it that suddenly got into my car while drunk the first time? You, right? I didn’t even try to flirt with you. And who forced me to drive you to your apartment? You did. I was just trying to be kind and help you get home. But after Ipleted my duty, you insisted that I sleep with you.”


    “But–”


    “Listen,” Lucas quickly interjected. “I haven’t finished speaking yet. I admit that I made a mistake the first time. But for some reason, fate brought us together in the wrong situation again. During the second encounter, you were heavily drunk and causing a scene. I was the only one who knew you and could help you get home. But what happened? Once again, you prevented me from leaving and insisted on me staying the night. You were the one who initiated and undressed me first. I refused multiple times, but you pounced on me like a starving lion.”


    Deasy swallowed hard and shook her head repeatedly. Although it was true, she still tried to deny the truth that Lucas was stating.


    “No, that can’t be.”


    “Can’t be how? Your apartment has CCTV. Check it yourself, and you’ll see who was aggressive and attacked first. I should have been the one who got angry,” Lucas continued. Since he had already started exining, he decided to speak at length. “You were the one who forcibly took my virginity. You could even say that you raped me. Twice, at that. If I wanted to, I could report you to the police for rape and coercion.”


    Deasy was utterly stunned. But she immediately began thinking hard. Was there such a thing in this world as a woman raping a man? It couldn’t be possible.


    “That’s why, don’t get drunk so often. As you know, alcohol is dangerous. Look at the situation now. You’re the one regretting it, right? If I may, I’ll follow your lead. If you want responsibility, no problem.”


    Damn it!


    Deasy couldn’t respond to Lucas’s words. She felt that he now viewed her as a male rapist predator. It was embarrassing, but Deasy also didn’t appreciate beingbeled like that.


    “Enough… enough… let’s not discuss it anymore! I’m getting a headache from listening to your rants,” Deasy finally said, at a loss for words.


    “You started it, Miss. Besides, I’ve offered multiple times to take responsibility.”


    “Even if you’re thest man on Earth, I still wouldn’t want to marry you, Luc.”


    “Don’t make empty threats. Don’t act so disgusted by me. During our make-out sessions, you were clearly addicted. You even insulted my older brother’s size. But once I was inside, you wanted more.”


    “Lucas!!!”


    Deasy eximed while ring at him. Lucas’s mouth was seriously too brazen and deserved to be shut up!


    “You don’t need to ramble on so much! Fine, let’s talk about something else.”


    Instead of delving further into the topic, Deasy decided to put an end to this meaningless discussion. “Why did youe looking for me? Do you need to take a report?”


    “I need to take the financial report from Mr. Daniel. There’s a file I need to check.”


    Deasy let out a long sigh. She retrieved the key box from her drawer and handed it over to Lucas without suspicion.


    “Here, you can find it all in there. Everything is in one ce.”


    Lucas immediately took the key box from Deasy. Since he had what he needed, he prepared to return to his desk.


    “I’m also going to take my leave.”


    “Leave?”


    Lucas nodded.


    “Don’t you remember? Starting tomorrow until a few days ahead, I’ll be on leave to visit my sick parents in my hometown. So, some of my tasks will be handled and temporarily reced by Sta.”


    “Oh. That’s good then. I won’t have to worry about meeting you all the time.”


    “Are you sure it’ll be safe with me gone?”


    “Why wouldn’t I be sure? You’re underestimating me.”


    Lucas shook his head immediately.


    “I would never underestimate you. In that case, I’ll take my leave now.”


    Deasy then waved her hand nonchntly, signaling for Lucas to return to his desk.


    ***


    ustomed to having Lucas assist her with everything, Deasy felt really troubled these past two days. Even though Sta was there to help during Lucas’s absence, Deasy couldn’t shake the feeling that Sta wasn’t as quick, efficient, or nimble as Lucas inpleting tasks.


    “Oh my… Can I evenin? I was so used to having Lucas handle everything. Just two days of his leave and I’m already overwhelmed. And he’ll be gone for quite some time.”


    Deasy massaged her forehead. She was clearly stressing herself out. Truly, she waspletely at a loss. Especially since these past two days, she had to help prepare everything to wee the new boss who would be joining theirpany.


    “Aren’t you ready, Miss. Deasy? Everyone is already gathering in the main lobby.”


    Sta stood at the door’s threshold, purposely approaching Deasy to remind her boss toe out and join the others on the ground floor of the building.


    “Has the new boss arrived?”


    Sta shook her head.


    “Not yet, Miss. But all the department heads and managers are already gathering in the main meeting room.”


    Deasy sighedzily. Getting up from her seat, she followed Sta’s advice and left the room.


    Deasy walked leisurely and eventually arrived at the main meeting room. She took a seat, joining the others as they waited for the important person who would lead them from now on.


    After a short while, the awaited figure finally arrived. Deasy could see Andreas Morales, the owner of thepany, entering the room, followed by his assistant and severalpanymissioners.


    The middle-aged man greeted everyone warmly. Then, he called someone whom Deasy believed to be their new boss, instructing them to enter the meeting room.


    At first, Deasy was nonchnt. However, shortly after, she was taken aback. Her pupils dted as she clearly recognized the person entering the room.


    “Lucas?”