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Chapter 1
Gianna
“Yeah, drop me right there.” I point at my apartment building in front while the cab driver nods.
I let out a sigh, eager to get home as soon as possible. For the past week, I've been bombarded by deadlines and projects that need to be submitted the day after tomorrow. It doesn't help that I'm still racking my brain for the best way to conclude the last segment of my design. And even though my colleagues have invited me for a hangout tonight, my plan is to hit the sack.
“Thanks,” I say to the driver as his car stops in front of my apartment. I step out after paying him.
The mansion in front of me catches my attention.
The mansion has been uninhabited for the past five years that I’ve lived in this neighborhood. But currently, there are trucks packed in the compound, the gate ajar, and hefty men carrying boxes inside.
Through the open window of the mansion, I see a man with his back turned to me. His white silk shirt hugs his broad shoulders. I find myself transfixed as I watch long fingers slowly undo the button cuffs of his shirt.
A man walks into the room which snaps me back to reality. My face heats up, and I quickly look away.
I facepalm myself. What on earth is wrong with you, Gianna? When did you become a creep?
Against my better judgment, my eyes drift back to the man in the white shirt. Suddenly, he turns, and my eyes catch on his hard chest through his unbuttoned shirt. There’s a hint of a tattoo on his chest, but I can't make out what it is from where I'm standing.
My eyes draw up from his chest, and his lips pull up in a smirk to meet a pair of amused green eyes. My heart stops as I recognize the man I have been staring at.
Chris White, my best friend’s brother and the man who broke my fifteen-year-old heart. This is the first time I have seen him since that unfortunate day eight years ago. I had made sure to avoid him since that day, which was successful even though my best friend, Nala, was his sister.
I quickly turn away as the embarrassment creeps up on me.
“Gianna, is that you?” I hear a familiar voice call, but I ignore it.
I hasten my steps, wanting to get to my room as soon as possible so I can scream into my pillow.
“Gianna Hermosa?”
I freeze at the mention of my full name. Having no other choice, I turn to see who the person calling me is. The tall, dashing man looks oddly familiar. He breaks into a grin as our eyes meet. “I knew it. I just knew it was you.”
I blink confusedly at him, trying to place his face. “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to?—”
“It's me, Luke, Luke Martin. Your shoulder to cry on, remember? I can't believe my little one doesn’t remember me.”
“Oh my god!” I exclaim, jumping into his arms unexpectedly, almost making him fall backward. His hands wrap around my waist by instinct, steadying me.
I can't believe I'm embracing Luke, Chris’s best friend and my knight in shining armor. His natural black hair has been dyed blonde and shaved at each side. That’s why I didn’t recognize him immediately.
“I'm so sorry. I should have known it was you.” I slowly pull out of his arms.
“It's fine. It's quite understandable since we haven't seen each other in years.” He grins, shaking his head. “So what are you doing here?” he asks, and I point at my decently sized apartment in a modest flat.
“I live there,” I respond.
His eyes widen and his mouth opens slightly. It makes me wonder if there's something wrong with my apartment. He looks at me then at my apartment and back to me. “You live here?”
I nod, wondering why it's so shocking.
“This world is truly small. This is quite funny,” he says with a slight chuckle. “Chris is your new neighbor.”
It's like ice cold water had been splashed on me. I couldn't have heard him correctly. It can't be. It just can't be. He has to be joking.
“Gianna, are you okay?” Luke asks, his dark eyes reflecting concern.
