WHEN THEY FALL IN LOVE

CHAPTER:7

ANNABETH:

When he picked me up, Lucas shared that both our dads wanted me to attend all the upcoming business events with him, including the product launch party. The routine was familiar: his dad would kick things off with an introductory speech, my dad would brief us, then Lucas would discuss the company's future, and I'd wrap it up with a thank-you speech. It felt like a script we were all too familiar with, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of it all.But I had my own commitments too. "OMG, my photoshoot is tomorrow!" I exclaimed, remembering how much I had been looking forward to it. I turned to Lucas, my heart racing with hope. "Hey, wanna join me for my photoshoot?"His eyes stayed focused on the road as he replied, "Yeah, sure. I'd love to." Excitement bubbled up inside me. I quickly pulled up my playlist and hit play on "Let the World Burn." As we waited at a red light, he turned to me, his gaze serious yet playful. "If you want, I'd actually burn the whole world for you, sweetheart." His words made me blush, warmth flooding through me at his unexpected affection. It was the kind of statement that made me feel cherished and important.After that, the drive turned quiet, filled with comfortable silence as we enjoyed each other's presence. When we reached my destination, he parked and jumped out, running around to open the door for me. I smiled at him, feeling a mix of gratitude and affection. "Bye!" I said, wrapping my arms around him in a hug. He kissed my forehead softly and said, "I'll pick you up for your photoshoot tomorrow, sweetheart. Text me when you're ready." As he drove away, I felt a flutter of excitement for what tomorrow would bring. I had so much to look forward to, and the thought of spending more time with Lucas made my heart race.

LUCAS:

As I walked back to my dad's home, I couldn't help but feel a bounce in my step. I was bubbling with excitement at the thought of picking her up tomorrow for the photoshoot. My mind raced with possibilities, and I couldn't wait to see her shine in front of the camera.When I entered the house, my dad was sitting in the living room, going through some papers. He looked up and smiled. "Hey, how was your day?"I plopped down on the couch beside him, a grin plastered on my face. "It was great! I picked up Annabeth, and we had a really nice time together. She even invited me to her photoshoot tomorrow."My dad raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? That's wonderful! I'm glad you two are finally together. It's about time."I chuckled, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Yeah, I think so too. It feels... right."He leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face. "You know, I always knew you had a thing for her. I was just waiting for you to realize it."I hesitated, then said, "Yeah, well, it was complicated at first. I mean, I didn't just notice her—I was kind of... obsessed." My dad nodded, his expression serious yet understanding. "I know. I'm the only one who really understood what you were going through. But look, it's great that you finally took a chance. Just make sure you treat her well. She deserves it.""Of course, Dad," I replied, a bit sheepishly. "I care about her. I really do."He smiled, clearly pleased. "Good. Just remember, relationships take work. Keep communicating, and you'll be fine."I nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance. "Thanks, Dad. I will. I just want her to be happy."As we continued to chat about our days, I felt a deep appreciation for my dad's support. I knew he had always believed in me, even when I was grappling with my feelings for Annabeth. With a renewed sense of hope, I looked forward to tomorrow and the chance to make more memories with her.