293: SIGHTED LUKE’S POV Sitting across from Daria, her words hung in the air, pregnant with implication. I could feel a tension building within me, a sense of unease that refused to dissipate. But before ! could formulate a response, she spoke again, her voice smooth as silk. “I have to be honest with you, Luke,” she began, her gaze unwavering. “I couldn’t help but notice you from across the room. You’re quite… captivating. I blinked in surprise, caught off guard by her sudden confession. “Say what now?” I asked, my disbelief evident in my tone. Daria smiled, leaning forward slightly. “I like you, Luke. A lot,” she continued, her words. dripping with seduction. “You’re so handsome, so dashing, so lovely. I’m a hundred percent sure that you could satisfy me in ways I’ve only dreamed of.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at her brazenness, though it was tinged with discomfort. “I appreciate the compliment,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. “But trust me I, I’m not interested.” Her grin widened, undeterred by my rejection. “Oh, come now, Luke. Don’t be coy,” she cooed, reaching out to touch my shoulder. “Don’t you want a woman like me? Pretty and… nasty?” I recoiled at her touch, my patience wearing thin. “I said I’m not interested,” I reiterated firmly, pushing her hand away. “And besides, I have a wife waiting for me.” But Daria seemed unfazed by my words, her eyes sparkling with granite. Ignoring my protests, she moved closer, her knee brushing against my groin as she whispered in my ear, her words laced with desire. “I want you to fuck me.” I tensed, my resolve hardening as I realized the gravity of the situation. Before I could react, Ariel appeared, her gasp of shock echoing through the restaurant. My heart sank as I met her gaze, knowing that I had hurt her with my indiscretion. “Ariel,” I called out, reaching for her as she turned to leave. But she was already gone, disappearing into the crowd before I could stop her. With a curse under my breath, I pushed myself to my feet. I needed to make things right around here. This was clearly a misunderstanding. But Daria seized my hand, her grip surprisingly strong as she attempted to pull me back. “Don’t leave, Luke,” she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. To the omer of this Testaurant can give you anything you went I shook my head, and boy, my anger was simmering beneath the surface “Go to hell with your goddamn restaurant, Lapat, wrenching my hand free from her grasp. Without a backward glance, I stormed off in search of Anal, knowing that I had to make amends for my mistake. Well, it wasn’t actually my mistake. But I made a mistake by letting that woman come too close. I guess I was captivated after all. But it was really fucked up Now I could only Ariel don’t get this deep in her heart i I disappeared into the crowd, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of regret that grawed at my conscience But I knew I needed to find Ariel, to prove to her that she was the only woman for me, now and always. And who the hell was that Darla anyway? She was like the devil, a demonic idiot, coming into my life to ruin my happiness, Too many demons to handle. I got my that useless great- aunt of mine, Harriet lurking around, couldn’t tell where she was, but I knew she was planning to do shit. Then this woman had to come into the picture. To hell with her and her restaurant. If something extremely terrible happen between me and Ariel, I swear, I’m going to rip that woman’s head off. ARIEL’S POV Storming out of the restaurant, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, hurt, betrayal -they all collided inside me, making it hard to think straight. How could Luke do this to me? To us? The image of him and that woman, whatever her name was, was burned into my mind. Her audacity, his weakness–it was all too much to bear, I replayed the scene over and over, each time feeling a fresh wave of pain and indignation wash over me. Lost in my thoughts, I barely registered the sounds of the bustling street around me. It was only when a cak pulled up beside me, its occupants leering at me, that I snapped back to reality. “Hey there, hot stuff,” one of them called out, his tone dripping with sleaze. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing out here all alone?” I recoiled, my heart racing as fear mingled with my anger, “Leave me alone,” I spat, and my voice was filled with rage. “I’m not interested.” But they didn’t listen. Instead, they advanced towards me, their intentions clear. Panic surged through me as they grabbed my arm, pinning me against the wall. “Let go of me!” I screamed, struggling against their grip. But they only laughed, their hands groping at me roughly. Just as I thought I couldn’t bear it any longer, a voice cut through the chaos. “Enough of this nonsense!” I turned, my eyes widening in disbelief as I saw Luke striding towards us, his fists clenched at his sides. Anger radiated from him in waves, his gaze fixed on the men who were harassing me. “Who the hell are you?” one of them sneered, but Luke paid him no mind. “I’m the one who’s going to teach you a lesson,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. With a roar, the men lunged at him, but Luke was ready. He fought like a man possessed, his blows landing with precision and force. In a matter of moments, the two assailants were lying on the ground, defeated. Luke turned to me, his expression softening as he reached out to me. “Are you okay?” he asked, there was a lot of concern etched in his features. “Don’t come close to me, cheater!” I snarled, moving backwards. “Ariel, I can explain.” “What is there to explain, huh? I saw everything with my own two eyes.” “You have to believe me, okay? That woman was crazy. I didn’t even know she was going to do something so disgusting. Trust me, Ariel, I had no idea.” “Enough with the lies! You wanted to sleep with her, right? Because she’s so hot and sexy. What about me? Am I not prettier, Luke? Am I not prettier?” “Yes, you are prettier, Ariel.” “So why do you have to go and stab me in the back? Why did you do that?” “I keep on telling you that those weren’t my intentions, but you don’t want to listen to me.” “Because those are lies. You’re telling me lies, Luke. I don’t want to listen to you. Leave my sight. “If I leave, those guys might just come and try to force themselves on you. And I’m not going to let them do that. I’m not going to let anyone touch you. No one’s going to hurt you.” But you steady did Luke You’ve already brought pain to me. You You goddamn itut me off, smacking his lips against min