Please don't chase me

Awfully... warm...

What? What was that? The reaction Yana expected wasn't that. She thought Luka would make her miserable or get angry but why... Why did he look so hurt?

After she said those words, various emotions flew across Luka's face, pain, sadness, disbelief and disappointment. Yana saw them all. Then Luka hung his head low and didn't move.

For some reason, this sight was too painful to bear. The bangs covered Luka's eyes and Yana couldn't see what he was thinking. Maybe Yana was too harsh on him but things needed to be clarified.

Yet seeing Luka like this made her heart ache.

"Luka?" Yana stretched out her hand wanting to touch his face but the next second Luka grabbed it and pulled her forward. There was a certain emotion in his eyes she couldn't read. Was it-

"Then if you're really sorry, make it up to me?"

"Up to you?" Yana was so stunned she didn't pull her hand back, even when Luka intertwined his with hers.

"Yes, "Luka smiled. It seemed like a genuine one and Yana's eyes widened, "If you're really sorry, be my partner for a banquet."

Banquet...

Where has Yana heard of this before? Ah, Mr K mentioned it yesterday night.

If it was the same banquet then was Luka in on their intentions? Was he one of them? But his eyes looked so earnest, Yana hoped Luka had nothing to do with them.

She should decline, after all, she knew what was going to happen to her but then again would those idiots really carry out their plan now that she knew of it? It was an opportunity to see what they were going to do. Also, the expectant and hopeful expression on Luka's face made her want to giggle.

"Ok, I'll go with you," maybe at the banquet she could figure out more and see what those managers had in store for her.

"Really?'' sparks danced in Luka's eyes as a big smile appeared on his face. This guy was so happy about her going with him? Is it because something might happen to her or because he really wanted make up?

"Yes," Yana smiled back and Luka widened his eyes.

Now that Yana was going to the banquet, she had to slightly adjust her plan.

"Then you'll stop thinking badly of me, right?"

"Huh?" Yana only now noticed their intertwined hands.

"We should clear up this misunderstanding. I'm not here to ruin, mess up or make your life hell. I don't care what happened in the past, all I want-" Luka closed in on Yana, "Is for us to get along and maybe-"

Having Yana so close to him, Luka chickened out at the last second. He let go of her and coughed, "Well, I'm being sincere. Stop thinking I want to harm you because I don't. I actually... care for you."

Luka turned around yet the red tips of his ears gave him away. Yana was too stunned to say anything. So, this whole time Yana has misunderstood him? But in the beginning, he was clearly-

"Hah," Yana sighed.

If Luka really wasn't trying to make her life hell, she should accept his sincerity and wait.

Then why was he messing around with her? Did this mean all of his advances were sincere? Yana's head exploded.

No, no, no. He was just trying to be friendly. Yes, that was it. No need to read more into it than there was!

"But," Luka turned back to Yana and saw the light red hue on her face and was speechless for a second.

So... so cute!

"But what?" Yana couldn't stand Luka staring at her so intensively.

"But I'd like to know why you disappeared all of a sudden."

Oh...

"Oh," in an instant all giddy feelings vanished and coldness lowered the temperature in the room.

"...Yana?"

"You don't need to know," not even sparing Luka a glance, Yana stood up and disappeared into the bathroom leaving Luka perplexed behind.

Cold water splashed on Yana's face and she coldly stared at the mirror. The reason why Yana disappeared? Left him behind ditched everyone? Threw away her life? And took on a new after painful years of torture and suffering?

Lzka wanted to know?

"Hah," Yana only sneered and got on with her morning routine. There was no need for someone like Luka to know. How could he possibly understand?

***

"Let's go and get you something to wear at the banquet," Luka followed Yana like a puppy abandoned by its owner.

"I can buy it myself, I don't need you to help me."

It was true, if it was money, Yana could get it herself and didn't need someone to spend money on her.

On top of that, Yana decided on the spot to keep her relationship with Luka strictly business related. Him prying into her life meant only trouble and chaos. She didn't want to owe him anything for doing her favours or giving her presents.

The banquet was in three days. Wasn't this cutting a bit shorter than that? Yana would definitely not be able to mingle with people from the 'high society'!

Yana has watched her fair shares of dramas. Now that she thought about it, if she were to arrive with Luka to the banquet as his partner, this unnecessarily prominent CEO, then wouldn't she become the target of all hate and attention?

The banquet was most definitely filled with arrogant people who would merciless tear her down. Only judging from how hurt Mr K's pride was, not only his but Mr S' and M's too, Yana could see that the banquet night would be quite eventful.

She scowled. She hasn't thought so far.

"I regret it."

"Regret what?" Luka appeared in front of her trying to catch her attention.

"To go with you," Yana didn't sugarcoat her words and cut straight to the hurtful truth.

"Oh," Luka's disappointed face and sad voice made Yana feel a bit bad.

"Lemme go with Bao as my partner."

In a second, Luka turned cold, "Why?"

"Because I'll draw unnecessary attention if I go with you," indeed the thing Yana wanted the least was someone snooping around her and digging up information.

Who knew what jealous females or prideful males would do to her? Actually, Yana knew because after all, she had three clowns wanting to kidnap her. What a joke.

"Don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen to you," Luka said it so seriously Yana couldn't help but burst out laughing. Was he worried about her? She could deal with it herself but the best thing was not having to deal with it in the first place.

As Yana was laughing and thinking about a plan, Luka was bathing in the bliss of having made Yana laugh. That meant they got closer, right? Right? Right?