Chapter 31: First Visit to Angelo's Place

After lunch, Livia stepped outside the office to give Luke a call.

Luke said he had a slight backache, which was nothing serious, but Angelo insisted he rest at home.

"I told him finals are coming, and I need to study. Angelo says with my grades, studying would just be a waste of time. That didn't sit well with me, so I told him I was aiming for the top five in our class. He just laughed. So I suggested maybe you could spare some time to tutor me at home for a couple of days."

After sharing this, Luke cautiously added, "Miss Ashcroft, would it be too much trouble for you to come over and help me study for the next couple of days?"

Considering Luke was so determined to make it into the top five in class, Livia, as a teacher, couldn't dampen his enthusiasm. Plus, she was partly to blame for his accident, so she couldn't wash her hands of the situation.

"Of course."

"Don't worry. Angelo left on a business trip two hours ago. I don't know when he'll be back, but it won't be for a day or two," Luke said, aware of her concerns.

Livia felt somewhat relieved. "Just send me the address, and I'll come over after my class."

"You don't know Angelo's address?" Luke was astonished.

Livia laughed at herself. "No, I don't."

She knew so little about Angelo, the only piece of information she had was about the M Jewelry Company.

Most men bring their girlfriends home, but Angelo, a company big shot, had holed up in her apartment and refused to leave.

She speculated that maybe Angelo feared complications if their relationship ended – potential scenes at his doorstep, rendering his home unlivable.

Livia sensed that Angelo never fully embraced their relationship and always seemed on guard with her.

It didn't really matter now. She had trouble letting go, but she knew with time she would manage.

After her afternoon class, she took a cab to the address Luke provided: a prime piece of real estate in the heart of downtown, a river-view condominium. The prices here were way beyond the means of an average person.

Upon entering the building, a security guard stopped her. When she mentioned she was visiting Angelo, his demeanor changed, and he smiled, saying, "Mr. Bradley had mentioned you'd be coming. Let me take you to the elevator."

With that, he escorted Livia and swiped his card for her.

Standing in the elevator, Livia watched as the numbers climbed, feeling the distance between herself and Angelo grow.

Her parents lived in an old neighborhood, and she herself lived in a modest one-bedroom apartment. Combined, their homes couldn't compare to the cost of Angelo's bathroom.

Reaching the 23rd floor, she found Luke waiting by the grand double doors of Angelo’s apartment entrance. There was a pair of lady’s slippers placed at the foyer.

"These are for you. They’re brand new," Luke said, beckoning her inside.

It was her first time at Angelo's place, and she admitted to herself that she was a bit nervous.

Once she switched shoes, she stepped over the threshold and took a deep breath.

The living room was spacious and flooded with light from the eight large glass doors leading to an expansive balcony. From inside, you had an unrestricted and pristine view.

The evening breeze flowing in made it quite comfortable.

The decor embodied Angelo's taste perfectly—monochromatic in black, white, and gray, with the only pops of color from the greenery.

Luke walked out to the balcony. "Come take in the view."

Livia was indeed curious to see how captivating the scenery was from this vantage point.

From the nearly thirty-square-meter balcony, she had a front-row seat to the river stretching out before her, with the city's iconic attraction just across, now dazzling in a sea of lights. The boats on the river added to the spectacle, their lights twinkling like stars on the water.

Such a view was something most people could only dream of.

Yet, for the fortunate few, this breathtaking scene was just another part of their routine.

Livia had never held any grand illusions about Angelo wanting to marry her, and now, that thought seemed even more distant.

To her, this beautiful panorama was merely an occasional indulgence she couldn't dare to wake up to every day.

"Time to hit the books," Livia said, pulling herself away from the scenic view to retrieve some study materials.

Luke settled back down, eyeing the documents Livia had brought with a frown. "All this?"

"I brought the materials for other subjects, too. Take a look, and if there's anything you don't get, just ask me," Livia glanced at the clock. "I'll be leaving at eight at the latest. Be disciplined, and don't turn your big talk into a joke."

Luke bristled at that, his expression turning serious. "You'd better be ready to agree to my terms."

Livia chuckled. "Alright."

The evening air was not as hot, and the breeze by the river seemed particularly gentle.

It was getting dark later these days. At eight o'clock, there was still a faint glow on the horizon. However, the city lights and the glow from countless homes were enough to turn the city into a metropolis that never slept. In the heart of it, one could truly sense its bustle and life.

"Time's almost up. I have to go," Livia said, starting to pack up her things.

Luke just gave a non-committal grunt. As Livia stood up, a question crossed his mind. "Miss Ashcroft, could you help me with this problem, please?"

For the past two hours, he hadn't asked her a single question. Livia set down her purse and walked over to see if it was a translation question. She opened the textbook and explained it to him.

After Luke understood, and before Livia could straighten up, he asked another question.

Suddenly, Livia felt something was off. Not a single question earlier, and now a question with every breath.

Just then, she heard the sound of a door opening.

Livia turned around to see Angelo walking in.

The moment she saw him, she took a deep breath.

She finally realized what was amiss—Luke had been stalling for a long time.

"I thought you were on a business trip. Why are you back?" Luke asked loudly.

Livia watched Luke, whose expression seemed genuinely surprised.

Angelo walked in, changing his shoes and carrying a bag. As he loosened his tie, he placed the bag on the dining table. "Change of plans."

At this point, Livia knew it was time for her to leave. Picking up her purse again, she said to Luke, "You should continue studying on your own. We've covered these topics in class before. If you still don't understand, we can go over them again at school the day after tomorrow."

"Are you not coming tomorrow?" Luke caught the underlying message in her words.

"I have an exam to grade tomorrow night." Livia had agreed to help because Angelo was supposed to be away on a trip, but now that he was back, it wouldn't be right for her to continue coming.

Luke glanced at Angelo and raised his eyebrows, signaling for him to speak up.

Angelo turned and went to wash his hands, ignoring Luke's suggestive look.

Feeling the awkwardness in the air, Livia gave a final piece of advice to Luke. "Get some rest. I'll be going now."

"Miss Ashcroft, why don't you stay for dinner?" Luke called out, spotting the take-out bag on the dining table, hoping to persuade her to linger.

"No, thank you. Enjoy your meal." Livia had already changed her shoes and was stepping out the door.

She pressed the elevator button and stepped inside. She offered Luke a small smile, and then the elevator doors closed slowly.

Fuming, Luke spun around and confronted Angelo. "What's the deal with you, man? What's with the awkwardness? If you like her, just say it. You're unbelievable."

"Luke!" Angelo's voice was cold. "Watch your tone."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Aside from having a decent face, I really don't see what Miss Ashcroft could see in you. But hey, maybe it's for the best. Now Miss Ashcroft won't have to deal with you anymore."

Angelo's expression darkened for a moment, and Luke felt a flash of intimidation.

Swallowing, he added, "I think Miss Ashcroft is a great person. If you can't let her go, then man up and win her back. It'll be too late if she ends up with someone else, and you'll be full of regrets."

"If you don't make it into the top five by the end of the term, I'm sending you back," Angelo stated calmly, sitting across from him.

Luke instantly lost his arrogant edge. "You can't do that."

"You're the one who forgot the rules first," reminded Angelo.

Speechless, Luke angrily opened the take-out bag and retrieved a box, discovering a chicken leg inside. He bit into it without a second thought.