Chapter 8: Do You Want to Be His Girlfriend?

It was Monday. Livia ambushed Luke at the classroom door first thing in the morning, insisting that he hand over his written apology. She actually felt a tad awkward facing Luke. Angelo had been crashing at her place these past few days, and he had pretty much neglected Luke.

Angelo had remarked, "He's a big boy. He won't starve."

Livia pondered if Luke's parents would have second thoughts about leaving their son in the care of someone so flippant if they were aware of the situation.

Luke fished out a piece of paper from his backpack and passed it to her, asking nonchalantly, "When's Angelo coming home?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and her gaze faltered. Feigning composure, she busied herself with arranging the textbooks in her hands. "Why don't you call and ask him yourself?"

"If I could get an answer, would I be asking you?" Luke's tone held a touch of irritation as he glanced at her with a slight scowl. "Didn't you say you had a boyfriend?"

Livia was at a loss for words.

Luke raised his eyebrows playfully. "You don't happen to want to be Angelo's wife, do you?"

Livia covered her mouth, turning her head to take a deep breath, striving to stay calm.

"Don't get your hopes up," he said before striding into the classroom.

Livia felt disheartened.

If Angelo's unwillingness to marry was just a temporary thought before, what Luke said confirmed that it wasn't a fleeting reluctance—Angelo had planted that idea long ago. It seemed that he was firm in his decision and unlikely to change his mind easily.

Returning to her office, Livia noticed several students from the neighboring class standing before Miss Winslow's desk, their heads bowed. "What's going on here?" she asked casually.

Miss Winslow glanced at the students. "Caught them playing with their phones during class."

Livia chuckled softly. "Why would they play with their phones during class?"

Miss Winslow handed her phone to Livia, "A starlet who hit it big right from the outset."

"Valentia Harper?" Livia glanced at the screen. "My folks used to park themselves in front of the TV for that talent show. They rooted for her, too."

Miss Winslow shook her head, sighing. "She got famous on a talent show abroad, playing the role of the innocent overachiever. I heard that she’s coming back home soon. Some big-time director spotted her and offered her the lead role in his next movie. Everyone's buzzing about her return, practically counting down the minutes until she lands, ready to welcome her at the airport.”

"How do you know all this?" Livia asked curiously.

Miss Winslow pointed to a few of the students. "They just briefed me."

Livia chuckled.

"Keep an eye on your class," Miss Winslow reminded her.

Livia had a literature class that afternoon, and instead of diving right into the lesson, she decided to chat with the students about celebrities.

The conversation naturally drifted to the nation's new sweetheart, Valentia.

The very mention of her name seemed to spark excitement in everyone.

Even Luke, who normally couldn't care less about anything, looked up.

"I know you all like her—she's hardworking, smart, and beautiful. I'm a fan, too," Livia said. "I've done some research, and she’s due to return early next month. If you’re all on your best behavior, I'll put in a request. We'll organize a trip for those who want to go welcome the idol at the airport. How does that sound?"

The room erupted in cheers.

Seeing their reaction, Livia's smile grew brighter.

Only Luke rolled his eyes and slumped onto the desk, muttering under his breath. "That’s dumb."

After evening study hall, Livia tidied up her office and headed for the school gates, where she saw Luke sitting on the steps of the flowerbed.

He stood up as soon as he saw her.

"Why haven't you gone home yet?"

Luke, lugging his backpack, twisted his body as if he couldn't stand straight, his hair almost covering his eyes.

"I'm tired of takeout. Do you know how to cook?"

Livia frowned slightly. "Are you suggesting coming over to my place for dinner?"

"Well, since you've already taken Angelo in, what's one more person?" he retorted.

Livia almost forgot that he was Angelo's nephew.

Luke had come to seek refuge with Angelo, only to find him not home.

"Don't worry. I'll leave after dinner, I won't be a bother," Luke said with a look of disdain.

Livia couldn't find it in herself to refuse.

She lived only a mile away from the school. Trying to ease the awkwardness, she asked, "How come your parents are okay with leaving you with Angelo?"

"Why, do you also think Angelo isn’t reliable?" Luke rejoined. "How long have you been with him? I've never heard him mention having a girlfriend before."

Livia felt a pang of disappointment.

Even though she was intimate with Angelo, they weren't in a romantic relationship. Three years of physical comfort passed between them, devoid of love.

When they got home, Angelo was lounging in his casual wear, surfing on his laptop in the living room. His brow furrowed when he saw the person behind Livia. "What are you doing here?"

Luke scanned the house, then looked at the casually postured man. "The teacher couldn't bear to let her student go home alone to an empty house, so she brought him back."

Angelo clearly didn't buy it, turning his gaze to Livia.

Livia had already headed to the kitchen and was thinking of putting together something simple to eat.

"Man, Miss Ashcroft really has it rough, coming back this late without even a late-night snack waiting for her, plus taking care of that big boy of hers. Maybe it's time to find someone more helpful," Luke remarked.

Angelo, clearly irritated, snatched up some papers from the table and threw them at Luke, who dodged with a smirk.

"Miss Ashcroft, you've got some real teaching skills—how come you never managed to straighten out Angelo?"

Livia was speechless at Luke's audacity.

Angelo stood up, ready to go after Luke, who quickly sprinted toward the kitchen. “Mrs. Bradley, save me!”

Livia froze.

Angelo's face darkened as he warned Luke. “Cut it out.”

The atmosphere turned chilly in an instant.

Without a word, Livia pretended not to notice Angelo’s sour look and continued to calmly cook spaghetti.

Luke, undeterred by the awkwardness, pressed on. "Angelo, this is where you're wrong. You crash at Miss Ashcroft's place, mooching off her without a shred of guilt. You're worse than my dad."

Angelo looked like he wanted to toss the boy off the balcony.

"Dinner's ready," announced Livia, serving up three bowls and taking her seat at the table.

Luke wasted no time sitting beside her, "Miss Ashcroft, why keep a man around who shirks responsibility? Are you a sucker for trouble?"

“Luke!” Angelo gritted his teeth.

Luke chuckled at his snarling expression, “Your fierceness won’t help. I don’t want Miss Ashcroft getting her heart broken by you. Then it’d affect her teaching job.”

Angelo was seething, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

Luke quickly scarfed down his meal, courteously washed the bowl, and addressed Livia. “Miss Ashcroft, thank you for the snack. I'm off now.”

“Take care on your way home,” Livia responded.

As soon as Luke left, the room fell into a tranquil silence.

Angelo just stood there, watching Livia tidy up. He approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her gently.

"Upset?" he whispered.