Chapter 298: How Long Has This Been Going On?

By the time the sun had fully climbed high into the sky, Luca had finished washing up and was finally ready to leave the bedroom. He stretched as he stepped outside, only to notice Rachel sitting alone in the pavilion at the center of the courtyard.

She appeared lost in thought, her gaze fixed somewhere in the distance. The sound of the bedroom door opening caught her attention. She turned, and the moment her eyes met Luca’s, a sweet smile spread across her face. Then, as though remembering something, her cheeks gradually turned pink.

Luca approached and reached out to touch her smooth cheek. His fingertips brushed beneath her eyes before he gently rubbed her skin.

"What’s wrong? Why’s your face so warm?"

Rachel shook her head without saying anything.

Instead, she closed her eyes and leaned into his palm, rubbing her cheek against it like a cat enjoying its owner’s affection.

’Luca’s hands feel so nice.’

She loved being touched by him. It was one of those little things that could make her happy for no particular reason. What she couldn’t understand was why he still seemed reluctant to take their relationship any further.

He clearly enjoyed those intimate moments. After all, he’d been quite enthusiastic that morning...

The thought alone made her blush harder. Soon, even the tips of her ears had turned red.

At first, Luca had wondered whether she was feeling unwell. But after watching her reaction, he began to suspect something else.

’What is this girl imagining now?’

And there was a reason he’d thought that.

Ever since arriving in Capital City, Rachel’s once painfully shy demeanor had begun to disappear. The girl who used to struggle to maintain eye contact with him had developed all sorts of little tricks to get his attention.

She was becoming increasingly bold, too. She might still get embarrassed when things became intimate, but that hardly stopped her from finding opportunities to get closer to him.

Luca sometimes felt that she was deliberately testing his self-control.

"Luca..."

Her soft voice brought him out of his thoughts.

"Hm?"

Rachel lowered her head and began playing with her fingers, hooking her index fingers together before separating them again.

She hesitated for a long time. Then, gathering whatever courage she could, she finally spoke.

"Would you... like to taste a strawberry?"

The moment the last word left her mouth, her shoulders slumped. It was as though she’d just used up every bit of courage she possessed.

Luca quickly steadied her.

"Here?"

He glanced around the courtyard, lowering his voice in disbelief.

"Trish is still asleep, and Arabella’s exhausted too."

"How did you know Arabella was exhausted?" Luca paused, then his eyes widened. "Wait... you heard us?"

That explained the strange look Rachel had given him earlier.

So she’d been listening!

"I didn’t mean to!" Rachel hurriedly defended herself. "I was just passing by."

"You liar. I won’t let you..."

Luca hadn’t even finished speaking when Rachel suddenly stepped closer. Before he could react, she rose onto her toes and pressed her soft lips against his.

Her boldness caught him off guard, but only for a moment.

Given their difference in height, Rachel couldn’t possibly maintain that position comfortably for long. Luca eventually slipped an arm around her waist, lifted her onto his lap, and allowed her to settle against him.

A few minutes later, they finally parted.

"Is it tasty?" Rachel asked between breaths.

"Mhm. Delicious." Luca smiled, still savoring the faint fruity scent lingering on her lips. "Gariguette?"

Rachel nodded happily.

It was the first time she’d tried the new strawberry-flavored lipstick she’d bought. The moment she’d noticed its sweet fragrance, she’d wanted to share it with Luca.

And judging by his reaction, he liked it just as much as she did. That made her incredibly happy.

The two stayed together in the pavilion for another half hour, enjoying each other’s company before Luca finally prepared to leave.

He got into the car with the breakfast Rachel had packed for him, then waved as the vehicle pulled away.

"Goodbye, Luca..."

Rachel stood in the courtyard, watching until the car disappeared from sight.

She was still smiling when she turned around. Then someone suddenly appeared in front of her.

"Ah!"

Rachel jumped, stumbling backward several steps. Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

When she recognized the person standing there, she finally relaxed and patted her chest.

"Trish! Can’t you make some noise when you walk? You nearly scared me to death!"

Trish folded her arms and gave her a slow, unimpressed look.

"I walk quietly?"

Her eyes moved from Rachel’s face to the direction Luca’s car had disappeared.

"Or maybe someone was just too distracted to notice anything around her."

"Um... Trish, what’s wrong?"

"Ha!"

Trish let out a sarcastic laugh.

"I went through all that trouble helping you get closer to my brother, and this is how you repay me?"

She stepped forward, draped an arm around Rachel’s shoulders, and leaned close to her ear.

"You’re already dating my brother, so why have you been hiding it from me?"

"Really?" Rachel blinked innocently. "What are you talking about?"

"Don’t play dumb!"

Trish was practically fuming now.

"Do you think I didn’t see what you two were doing in the courtyard? I was considerate enough not to interrupt your little romantic moment, and this is the thanks I get?"

"Y-You misunderstood..."

"Misunderstood? I’ll show you what misunderstanding feels like!"

Seeing that Rachel still refused to admit anything, Trish launched her ultimate attack.

Her fingers went straight for Rachel’s waist.

"Ahahaha! No! Trish, stop! Hahaha!"

Rachel immediately doubled over, trying desperately to escape. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes as she laughed uncontrollably, but Trish showed no mercy.

"Admit it!"

"Hahaha! Fine! Fine! I admit it!"

...

"What?! You actually made the first move on my brother? And you did it that early?"

Back in the bedroom, Trish had practically jumped to her feet.

She held Rachel’s face between her hands, examining her from every angle as though she’d just discovered a completely different person.

Was this really the same shy girl she’d known all these years?

’So this is what love does to people.’

Her curiosity quickly got the better of her.

"Come on, tell me everything! How far have you two gone? Don’t tell me you and my brother have already..."

"No! No!" Rachel hurriedly waved both hands. "We’ve only kissed and hugged!"

Trish narrowed her eyes.

Rachel’s expression turned a little gloomy.

"I want him to, but your brother only does it with my sister. He never does it with me."

Trish fell silent.

"..."