Selena’s P. O. V.
“When we didn’t see you in the classroom, we couldn’t believe that you took a day off. Because you did that for the first time.” Stella says, sitting on the edge of my bed.
“Yeah!” Zoe nods, sitting beside her. “We were so shocked when we got your text. You used to never miss a day.”
“Well, I wanted to come, but Mr. Luther wouldn’t let me leave the house.” I sigh, leaning back against the pillows.
“Finally, you’ve got someone to take care of you.” Zoe grins.
“And someone you’re actually listening to! Otherwise, you’d probably show up to class with a fever-or even a broken leg-no matter how often we told you to take a day off.” Stella teases, nudging me.
They both burst into laughter while I roll my eyes and trying not to smile. They’re right, but I can’t let them tease me.
“Stop it, you two. It’s not like that.”
“Not like what?” Zoe raises an eyebrow. “Selena, don’t even try to deny it. That man is wrapped around your little finger.”
“Zoe, he’s just looking out for me. I’m his friend’s daughter. That’s all,” I reply, though the warmth in my chest proves me wrong. No one has ever cared for me like Mr Luther does, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel… special.
“Oh, come on, Selena,” Stella interjects. “You’re telling me you haven’t noticed how much he likes you? We all saw the way he looked at you during the entire camping trip. He is literally obsessed with our girl and everyone saw that.”
Her words make me bite my lip. Damn! Mr. Luther is obsessed with me. Why the hell is he? What’s so special about me? I’m just a woman who can’t even choose her happiness over her parents’ happiness.
“He gazes at you like you’re the only person in the world. It’s kind of adorable,” Zoe adds with a smirk. “And you look so great together.”
Deep down, I know they’re right. The way James looks at me and the way he cares for me clearly shows that I’m special to him. But I can’t be his special woman-it’s a sin for me. My parents… God! I wish it were easy for me to look beyond their happiness. Why do they matter to me so much when they haven’t even called me since they left for their business trip?
“Stop it. You guys don’t understand. I can’t let Mr Luther come close to me.”
“So make us understand, Selena. What is the thing that is stopping you?” Zoe asks in a soft tone.
I answer, “There are so many reasons why it can’t happen. He’s older than me. He’s my dad’s best friend. And my parents…”
Zoe cuts me off with a frown. “For once, stop thinking about them. They don’t even care about you. When was the last time they asked if you were okay? When was the last time they even noticed if you were happy?”
Her words hurt me and I lower my gaze. She’s right. My parents have always been distant, more focused on appearances and their social circle than on me. But I can never disappoint them. So what if they don’t care about me? I care for them. I love them. One day, they’ll see how much they mean to me.
“Zoe, that’s enough. Selena has to figure this out on her own.” Stella makes Zoe understand.
She nods at Stella before looking at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Selena, I just… I hate seeing you hold yourself back. You deserve to be happy.”
“It’s okay.” I nod.
I really pray that one day, I can choose myself over my parents.
“We’re not trying to pressure you. We just want you to know that whatever happens, we’re here for you. Always.” Stella comforts me.
Zoe nods in agreement. “Yeah. No matter what, we’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, guys.” I look at them with a smile on my face, feeling like lucky.
Although I don’t have parents who care for me, I have friends who are more than a family to me now. I know they’ll always be there for me.
After a while, before leaving, they hand me the notes they’ve brought from today’s lecture.
“You guys are the best.” I grin at them.
“Don’t thank us,” Zoe smirks, causing my brows to furrow in confusion. “Thank Mr. Luther. He’s the one who called and made sure we brought these to you.”
My heart skips a beat at her words. Why is he doing this? Why is he making me feel something I’ve promised myself not to feel?
Just then, the maid walks in with a glass of water and my medicine. “Sir instructed me to ensure you take this on time,” she says politely.
They both just give me a teasing look this time and keep their mouths shut.
I roll my eyes again, trying to ignore the fluttering in my chest. Will this man stop making me feel so special? My heart is melting.
***
“I’m getting bored,” I say, looking at Mr Luther who sits beside me, working on the laptop.
He hasn’t let me stand up all day. He’s been so caring and hasn’t left my side. It still feels… unbelievable that someone is taking care of me like this. All my life, I’ve yearned for this treatment. The feeling of being taken care of is so… satisfying.
He looks up from his screen. “What do you want to do, little miss?”
Even though I’m feeling better now, my head still aches. I press my fingers to my temples, trying to ease the pain, and he notices immediately.
He puts his laptop aside and taps on his thigh, gesturing for me to rest my head on his lap.
What? Really?
I stare at him in disbelief and hesitate to do it. “It’s fine, Mr Luther. I don’t want to bother you.”
“It’s no bother, Selena.” His eyes crinkle at the corner, and he adds in the softest tone I’ve ever heard, “Just come here and let go of everything for a while.”
And I finally give in, resting my head on his lap and really letting go of everything for a while. So what if I can’t have him in my life forever? I can have a few moments with him to cherish forever. There is no harm in this.
As his fingers pass through my hair and gently massage my scalp, a sigh escapes my lips before I can stop it. I close my eyes, focusing on the way his fingers move against my scalp.
It’s soothing, and within a few seconds, the ache in my head begins to fade. His touch is like magic, easing my headache and calming my mind.
“Why are you always so stubborn, Selena? And why do you never let anyone take care of you?” As he asks, I open my eyes to meet his gaze.
“I’m just not used to it.”
His hand pauses for a second before he continues. “You should be.”
I can’t get used to being taken care of like this. Whatever is happening between us, we can’t continue it forever. As amazing as it feels to finally be happy, I know I’ll have to walk away when my parents get back. I’ll always prioritise their happiness over mine.
But I want to enjoy this happiness for a while, forgetting everything. That’s why I’ve decided to just let go and enjoy these moments with Mr. Luther until my parents return from their business trip.
“Are you feeling better?” The way he’s looking at me-like I matter and he wants to take care of me like this forever-I feel warmth in my chest. I wish I could keep this man forever in my life.
But I’m not that lucky.
I nod, smiling at him. “Yeah. The headache is almost gone.”
He hums in satisfaction but doesn’t stop running his fingers through my hair. It’s comforting-dangerously so. I could get used to this.