His Innocent Sera novel Chapter 32

Her shift had ended, but before heading home, she went up to the terrace to spend some time alone. The golden hues of the sunset held her gaze when, a few minutes later, Giovanni arrived.

"So are you coming to the excursion?" Giovanni asked, tilting his head. The curiosity in his eyes suggested he truly cared for the answer.

"I am not sure," she replied, her voice quiet. A distant look was in her eyes as she stared far off.

"You should come if you ask me. The old folks here specifically asked for your name on the list. They're really eager for you to join," he revealed, looking down at her with a gentle smile. She looked over at him.

"And how do you know that?" she questioned, her eye narrowing slightly in doubt. She was convinced he was lying. Her presence and absence didn't matter to anyone. No matter how hard she tried, she was always the one left in the background.

"I made the list. Your name was the first one they asked me to add," he answered, shrugging. She was surprised to hear it.

"Are you coming too?" she asked, a moment later.

"Of course. Turns out I am the only one who is going. The rest volunteers have backed out including you," he disclosed, his brows slightly raised.

"I haven't backed out yet," she clarified.

"So you are coming," he said, his smile playful.

"I'll have to take permission first," she murmured to herself but he heard.

"I don't think your parents would stop you," Giovanni opined, seeing no issue.

She looked away from him. She wasn't worried about her parents, they had no interest in what she did. Her main concern was him. Nate would, most probably, refuse. But she really wanted to go.

"Sera," a staff worker called, interrupting their discussion.

"Someone's here to pick you up," the older woman told her. Confusion flickered across her face.

"Okay," she nodded at the woman anyway before glancing at Giovanni and saying, "See you later. She left after that.

"Yeah," Sera answered, making another attempt to free her hand but his grip remained unrelenting. Nate continued walking, leading her along while Gina stared after them, still reeling from his lethal charm. Heaving a dreamy sigh, she skipped her way into the building to spread the gossip.

She looked at him in confusion as he pulled into the parking.

"I am starving," he answered her unasked question while killing the engine. Then he turned towards her leaning closer. Mischief twinkled in his eyes as he murmured in a low voice, "Unless you want to be my next meal.." his gaze flickered between her eyes and mouth as he continued, "....we better grab something to eat."

She leaned away, having understood his insinuation.

He had taken her to Harvest Moon— the most expensive restaurant in the city. She stared at the building which looked more like a Golden palace. She, then, glanced down at her dress, feeling terribly underdressed. Why had he brought her here?

Placing a hand on the small of her back he guided her towards the main door.

"I..I don't want to go inside," she confessed, feeling the sting of people's judgment gaze like sharp needles.