Singapore was a blur of steel, glass, and lush greenery—a sleek, cosmopolitan hub that felt a world away from the humid chaos of Manila. For a man like Lucas, it was the perfect stage for high-level meetings with the investors and tech partners Riven had been briefing him on during the entire flight.
"We’re here," Riven announced as their car pulled up to the entrance of a towering five-star hotel.
An expensive white car had fetched them from the airport, a silent testament to the Draeven influence even outside the Philippines. Elara sat beside Lucas in the back, feeling the familiar, steady hum of the Crimson-Gold seal beneath her skin. While the two men talked business in a language of numbers and logistics she didn't understand, Elara stared out the window, watching the city lights flicker like distant stars.
They ascended in a private elevator, Riven insistently carrying her bags despite her protests. When they arrived in front of a heavy mahogany door, Riven swiped a keycard and gestured for them to enter.
Before Riven could turn to leave, Elara’s breath hitched. She looked at the sprawling, luxurious suite and then back at the door.
"How about me?" she asked quickly, even pointing a finger at herself in confusion.
Riven and Lucas traded a brief, silent look—the kind of wordless communication men who have worked together for years share. Lucas was the one to break the silence.
"You’ll be staying here with me. Riven has a separate room on another floor."
Elara’s heart did a slow, painful roll in her chest. She forced a smile, though she knew it looked strained. Stay here? Alone with him? For three days? She looked at Riven, who was clearly trying to suppress a grin, his hand coming up to clear a non-existent blockage in his throat.
"It’s safer for you to stay here than having your own room, Ms. Elara," Riven added, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Aside from that, you stayed with him back in China, so I don’t see a problem with the arrangement, right, Boss?"
Lucas ignored Riven’s teasing and looked directly at Elara. "Are you uncomfortable being with me? If you prefer more privacy, we can look for a separate room for Riven on this floor instead."
Elara hesitated. Riven was right—they had shared a penthouse in China. If she insisted on a separate room now, it would make her look unreasonable, or worse, it would reveal that she was afraid of her own growing feelings. She didn't want to seem "pushy" or difficult.
"No, I’m okay," she answered, her voice slightly higher than usual.
"I was just surprised we aren't all staying in one accommodation."
In reality, her mind was racing for a logical excuse. She had walked in fully expecting three separate bedrooms—one for Lucas, one for Riven, and one for herself. She was well aware that since Lucas had stepped in to help her, there were always people positioned at a distance to keep her safe. She knew his security team was likely scattered throughout the hotel, watching from the shadows as they always did.
Because of that constant, invisible protection, she never imagined she would be sharing the actual living quarters with just him. Knowing that the luxurious suite suddenly felt far too small for the two of them. It was as if the walls were closing in, forcing her to be aware of every breath he took.
The suite was massive, similar to the one in China, with several doors leading to different wings. She could see her own space, but the thought of being under the same roof as him was still a heavy weight for her heart to carry. To Lucas, this was a tactical decision for her safety. To her, it was three days of hiding the "stingy" ache in her chest.
Riven let out a short laugh. "That would be impossible, Ms. Elara. As much as I love the Boss, I prefer having my own time. I see his face every day—let me rest during the nights."
A rare, genuine smile touched Lucas’s lips at Riven’s comment. Seeing the two men share a light moment made the tension in Elara’s shoulders drop, and she couldn't help but smile back.
"There are three rooms here," Riven explained, pointing them out. "One for the Boss, one for you, and a study. If you guys need anything, I’m just a call away."
With a final nod, Riven left, the click of the door sounding very loud in the sudden silence. Lucas turned to her, his gaze lingering on her tired eyes.
"Would you like me to walk you to your room?" he offered.
"No, it’s okay," Elara said, clutching the strap of her bag. "I can manage. I know you're tired; I can see it in your eyes."
Lucas nodded, not arguing. "Let’s take a rest then. We’ll meet in three hours for dinner. Okay?"
"Okay," she whispered.
She turned and headed toward her assigned room, her mind already racing. Three hours of rest sounded good, but she knew that even in sleep, her mind would still be back in that study, hearing him call her his "responsibility". She just had to survive Singapore.