CHAPTER 418: CHAPTER 418: GIFT

Lucas waited for her response silently for a few seconds. Then, smiling again, he said softly, "You don’t have to be scared. It’s just something small. I promise you’ll like it."

Jules stared at the wall for a while. His voice was so calm that it almost made her feel safe. She took a deep breath.

Maybe she was just overthinking. Maya didn’t even know that she lived here. It wasn’t like someone was waiting downstairs to hurt her.

Taking another deep breath, she whispered, "Alright." Then, forcing a small smile, she said a little louder, "Then I’ll go.

Lucas’s grin returned. "Good," he said warmly. "Now go."

Jules nodded. "Okay," she said softly.

After hanging up, she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was messy, and her t-shirt was old. She decided to change into something better.

Quickly, she picked a clean white blouse and a pair of jeans. Her hands moved fast, but her mind was still a little restless.

Before leaving the apartment, she checked her security feed again on her phone.

The hallway looked empty, silent, and peaceful. Still, she hesitated at the door for a few seconds. Her fingers lingered on the handle.

Then she whispered to herself, "It’s fine. Just go. It’s only the ground floor."

Gathering her courage, she opened the door and stepped out.

The hallway was quiet. Her slippers made soft sounds against the floor as she walked.

The elevator took a while to come, and during that short wait, she kept glancing over her shoulder. Nothing.

Only the hum of the lights and the faint sound of someone’s TV from another apartment.

When she finally stepped into the elevator, she sighed softly and pressed the button for the ground floor.

Jules reached the designated locker, and her curiosity overwhelmed her lingering fear.

She bent down and saw a neat package with a white ribbon tied around it and a small card sitting on top.

Her heart skipped a beat. She carefully lifted the package, reading the card: For you.

She looked around the lobby once more...still empty. No one was watching. No one would know. With that reassurance, she clutched the package close and walked back to the elevator.

The ride up seemed to fly by in contrast to the descent. Jules kept her eyes fixed on the small box, imagining what Lucas could have sent her.

When the elevator doors opened to her floor, she stepped quickly down the hallway, slipping into her apartment as quietly as possible.

She closed the door and locked it behind her, exhaling deeply. Her hands were still trembling slightly from excitement, not fear this time.

Setting the package on her table, she carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.

Inside lay a nightgown, a deep, shimmering red that gleamed under the soft ceiling light.

The silk was smooth, delicate, and elegant.

For a moment, Jules just stared, unable to speak. She reached out and brushed her fingers over the fabric, feeling its softness. "It’s beautiful," she whispered, her lips curling into a wide smile.

Her eyes sparkled as she lifted it out of the box, marveling at the way it seemed to glow in the light.

The lace details were delicate, and the color was rich without being overpowering.

She felt a rush of warmth and happiness, realizing how much thought Lucas must have put into choosing something like this for her. Her heart fluttered as she held it close, imagining him smiling as he waited for her reaction.

Jules carefully tried the nightgown on. The fabric felt even softer against her skin than she had imagined.

It fit perfectly, accentuating her figure in a way that felt elegant and comfortable at the same time.

She twirled slightly in front of the mirror, laughing softly. "It’s amazing," she said aloud, thrilled with how it looked.

Her phone buzzed suddenly. Lucas’s name lit up the screen.

She quickly answered, eager to share the moment with him. "I’m wearing it," she said softly, her voice full of excitement.

"Can I see?" he asked immediately, his voice filled with playful anticipation.

"Of course," she replied, tapping the video call button. As the screen connected, Lucas’s eyes widened the moment he saw her in the nightgown.

His gaze softened, and he smiled tenderly. "You... you look perfect," he said quietly, almost in awe. "I’ve truly found a gem."

Jules felt her cheeks heat up. She rolled her eyes playfully, trying to hide the blush.

"Oh? Now you think I am good? Then why did you flirt with my best friend before," she said, laughing softly.

Lucas feigned an innocent expression, his eyes wide. "It wasn’t me," he said quickly. "It was my twin brother."

Jules burst into laughter, shaking her head. "You’re too much," she said, her voice filled with amusement. Lucas always had a way of making her laugh, even when she wasn’t expecting it.

She set the phone down for a moment to adjust the nightgown, still giggling. "How do you even come up with these things?" she asked.

Lucas laughed softly. "It comes naturally," he said. "You just bring it out in me."

Jules smiled, shaking her head again. "You’re impossible," she said quietly, still blushing. She took a deep breath, feeling warmth spread through her chest. "But thank you... really. It’s beautiful."

"I’m glad you like it," Lucas said gently. "That’s all I wanted."

They stayed on the call a few more moments, talking about small, silly things until Jules felt a calm happiness settle over her.

......................................

Far away, in a quiet university room, Olivia sat at her desk, solving problems for her assignments.

The afternoon light filtered through the window, casting long shadows on her papers.

She was focused, completely immersed in her work, when a shadow loomed over her.

She lifted her head with a sigh and looked up to see Mateo standing there, his expression different than usual.

Instead of the cheerful and excited look he often wore around her, Mateo’s face was serious, almost stern.

His eyes seemed sharper, filled with intensity, and he fixed his gaze on Olivia. "Where is Eleanor?" he asked, his voice low but forceful.

Olivia remained calm. She straightened slightly in her chair and met his gaze evenly. "I don’t know," she replied clearly, her voice steady.

Mateo’s hand came down hard on her desk with a loud thump.

"You’re Eleanor’s friend. Do you not feel ashamed for not even knowing where she has been?" he demanded, his tone sharp and accusing.

Olivia raised an eyebrow, unbothered by his outburst. "No," she said simply. "I don’t feel ashamed."

Mateo’s eyes widened in fury. He pointed at her, his voice rising. "Eleanor is right. A friend like you doesn’t deserve to be cared for!"

Olivia laughed softly, the sound light and confident. She leaned back slightly, pointing at him with her pen.

"Do you really believe that?" she said. "Eleanor went off with someone who even proposed I become a mistress, and now you call me a fake friend? You really think that makes sense? She is a plastic bestfriend."

Mateo’s face darkened further.

"Eleanor wasn’t plastic at all," he said angrily. "She did what she did because of you. You kept your distance and let her do all the work while enjoying the benefits."

Olivia blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected Eleanor to be described that way.

She stayed composed, her expression calm. "Do you even know the full story?" she asked.

"I never took advantage of Eleanor. In fact, I helped her multiple times with money, knowing her situation was tight. And each time, she promised to return it. She always repaid only part of it. I never pressured her because she’s my friend."

She gestured to her phone, opening the chat history. "Here’s the record. Eleanor borrowed almost ten thousand dollars in total, and only five thousand was returned. How can you call me someone who takes advantage?"

Mateo’s jaw tightened, but Olivia continued, her voice steady and sharp.

"And if we talk about her maintaining distance at university, it was Eleanor who often chose to be with others, not me. She stayed away from me. She chose it, not me."

Mateo slammed his hand on the desk again. "You are lying!" he shouted.

Olivia didn’t flinch. She pushed his hand gently away. "Don’t you dare slam my desk again," she said firmly.

"I am not someone to endure your temper like a servant. Think carefully next time."

Mateo froze, taken aback by her firmness. "That’s not what I meant," he said quickly.

Olivia raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. "Then why did you slam my desk? Were you trying to intimidate me?"

Mateo clenched his fists, frustrated that his thoughts were so easily read. Olivia, sensing his hesitation, pointed at him.

"I have been calm because you haven’t threatened me further. If you tried, I wouldn’t spare you either," she said. Mateo gritted his teeth but said nothing.

Finally, he spoke, his tone quieter. "I just want to know about my girlfriend. Can’t you tell me?"

Olivia stared at him in disbelief. "Did you not hear me?" she asked. "I said I don’t know where Eleanor is."