Chapter 3
That night, Adrian said there was going to be a fireworks show and invited me to go watch it with him.
When we arrived at the lake where the fireworks were set to go off, Lucien and Serena were already standing in the best spot, watching the spectacular show.
Serena leaned against Lucien, then bounced up and kissed him on the cheek. She was just too cute.
Lucien smiled at her and playfully tapped her nose.
Then he turned his head and spotted us.
When Lucien saw me, he froze for a split second, looking a bit flustered, but quickly played it cool.
Serena noticed us too. "Hey, you guys are here!"
"Sophia, can you snap a few pics of me and Lucien?" she called out.
Serena came over and handed me her phone.
Lucien's expression faltered for a second, then he glanced at me.
"I'm so happy today. These fireworks are for me, from Lucien. I want to capture this moment and keep it forever," Serena said, walking over to Lucien and looking at him with so much love in her eyes.
Lucien's face softened as he put his arm around her.
My hand stilled as I held Serena's phone.
Turns out this whole fireworks show was for Serena, courtesy of Lucien.
I looked through the camera lens at them, holding each other close.
Lucien held Serena gently, and she rested against his chest, smiling with pure happiness.
The fireworks exploding behind them made everything look straight out of a romance movie.
I quietly snapped photos of them.
Back on my birthday, Lucien filled the whole lake with fireworks just for me.
Serena volunteered to take pictures of us.
I was probably just as happy and over the moon as Serena is now.
She sighed and said, "I'm so jealous of you two. I really hope I'll have someone who treats me like that one day."
I remember reassuring her that she would.
And now, she really does.
Adrian took the phone from my hand.
"Alright, you're not here just to be their personal photographer," he said.
Adrian tossed the phone over, and Lucien caught it, handing it back to Serena.
*****
After the fireworks show, Serena and I went to the bathroom.
But it was packed, so I decided not to bother.
On my way back, I overheard Adrian and Lucien talking as they waited for us.
"Looks like you and Serena are having a blast. You and Sophia haven't been this happy in ages, right?" Adrian said.
"Yeah, lately it feels like I've found that old feeling I used to have with Sophia. Serena's even more gentle and caring than her, Serena makes me feel at ease and happy," Lucien replied.
"Then why not just roll with it? Serena really does seem like she suits you better. Sophia can be pretty stubborn sometimes, doesn't that drive you crazy?" Adrian goaded.
"Adrian, the bond Sophia and I have built over the years isn't something I can just end overnight," Lucien said.
"Serena says she doesn't care about the outcome, as long as she's happy right now. She really is a silly girl," he added, sounding a bit emotional.
Adrian just chuckled.
Back at the villa, Adrian, out of nowhere, pulled me into his arms and kissed me.
Then he pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his gaze intense.
"Sophia, you know what? You're the best version of yourself. You don't need to compare yourself to anyone," he murmured.
I stared at him, realizing he was responding to what Lucien said about me and Serena.
How does he know me so well?
He remembered all those little things about me that even Lucien had forgotten, my favorite candy, the foods I loved, the movies I always wanted to watch.
He was even more attentive than he'd ever been before.
I didn't stop him.
He hesitated for a moment, then scooped me up bridal style and carried me into his room.
Lucien was the only guy I'd ever been with.
Back when Lucien was pursuing me, I didn't trust him at all.
But his sincerity, his determination, the way he treated my grandma, and all the little things he did for her behind the scenes really won me over.
Then his parents found out and cut him off financially. I thought that would be the moment he finally realized how different we were.
But he didn't give up. He worked part-time and went to class with me, sticking by my side no matter what.
Eventually, his parents couldn't stand seeing him struggle and finally gave in.
That's when we really got together.
When my grandma passed away, he held me tight, telling me I still had him.
He said he'd always be there for me.
But now, that relationship is nothing like it used to be.
Maybe it's time to find someone else.
*****
On Friday, the whole crew headed out to a resort for the weekend.
When it was time to split up the rooms at the guesthouse, Lucien looked a bit uncomfortable.
He pulled Adrian aside and said, "You aren't seriously planning to share a room with her, are you? Just get separate rooms."
Adrian just grinned. "It's just a room, man. You know I can't stand her. What are you so worried about?"
Just then, I walked over, and Lucien looked even more uncomfortable. He swallowed whatever he was about to say.
The next morning, Lucien looked furious as he dragged Adrian off to talk.
I happened to be up on the balcony and could hear them arguing downstairs.
"Did you two hook up last night?" Lucien demanded angrily.
Adrian scoffed. "What, couldn't sleep with your sweet girlfriend so you came to listen at our door? Lucien, are you being a creep now?"
"Adrian. Stop playing dumb with me." he snapped.
"That's enough! I don't need you pretending to be Sophia's boyfriend anymore!" Lucien said, his voice sharp with anger.