Chapter 99: Well This Is Awkward...
Vivienne’s sudden video call startled Luca Hale. His left hand jerked instinctively, tightening for a brief moment before he caught himself.
Naomi Monroe let out a soft sound of protest. She gently removed his hand, sat upright, and shot him an accusing look. She already knew exactly why he’d become so flustered.
The woman saved as "Angel" had to be one of Luca Hale’s situationships.
Even Naomi, whose beauty was to die for, had to admit that the woman in the profile picture was stunning. A striking red dress complemented her flowing wine-red curls, accentuating her tall, graceful figure. Her most eye-catching feature was those full, crimson lips. They were as captivating as blazing flames, radiating confidence and charm.
’She’s beautiful...’
Of course, Naomi knew she wasn’t any less attractive. Their beauty simply belonged to different worlds. And after taking a closer look, she secretly noticed something that made the corners of her lips curl upward.
Vivienne’s figure was undeniably impressive...
...but still not quite as divine as her own.
’... But not as much as me, hmph...’
That tiny victory filled Naomi with a quiet sense of satisfaction.
Still, the thought that Luca Hale truly had other women in his life dampened her mood. He had been honest with her from the very beginning, yet facing the reality was different from merely hearing about it.
She had already prepared herself for the possibility that Luca had another woman in his life, perhaps even several. Even so, coming face to face with one of them caught her completely off guard.
For a brief moment, her composure wavered as a wave of unease settled in her chest. No amount of mental preparation could have softened the reality of seeing it with her own eyes.
’Hmph...’
’He’s not just a bad guy.’
’He’s a hopeless womanizer.’
"Aren’t you going to answer it?" Naomi asked, unable to hide the faint jealousy and annoyance in her voice.
Luca immediately caught on. Helplessly smiling.
’Well this is awkward...’
He rubbed her head affectionately before picking up his phone and heading toward the balcony.
The video connected almost instantly.
"Luca," Vivienne said with a teasing smile, "you didn’t expect me to call this late, did you? It took you quite a while to answer. Were you busy?"
Her enchanting face filled the screen.
She was wearing a light nightgown, her wine-red hair neatly tied into a loose bun. Fresh from a shower, her skin looked smooth and luminous, making her resemble a flower blooming after the rain.
Although she smiled warmly, she couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
’He’s already in pajamas...’
’There’s probably another beautiful woman waiting for him inside.’
"Angel..." Luca smiled helplessly. "You’re breathtaking tonight."
The compliment was genuine, though he also hoped it might distract her from asking awkward questions.
Vivienne’s eyes softened for the briefest moment.
Like any woman, she enjoyed hearing sincere praise from the man she cared about.
Still, she let out an amused snort.
"Hmph. Only someone with a guilty conscience would suddenly start changing the subject."
Luca laughed awkwardly.
"I don’t have a guilty conscience."
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"The only thing living in my heart is the memories of you."
As he spoke, he gazed at the screen as though completely captivated.
Vivienne rolled her eyes.
"Tch."
"That might work on an innocent little girl like Naomi."
"It won’t fool me."
Then she asked casually,
"So... is she really younger than you?"
Luca nodded.
"She is."
Naomi was two years younger than him, while Vivienne happened to be two years older.
Vivienne sighed dramatically.
"What a shame."
"I was here first."
Luca blinked.
"..."
Only then did he realize she meant she’d entered his life first, not that she was older.
For a second, he’d completely misunderstood.
Vivienne’s playful expression returned.
"So tell me..."
"Is she prettier than I am?"
The instant those words left her lips, alarm bells rang inside Luca’s head.
’This is a trap.’
’A fatal one.’
He quietly glanced back through the balcony door.
Sure enough...
Half of a tiny ear was sticking out from behind the curtain.
Naomi was shamelessly eavesdropping.
’A double trap...’
Clearing his throat, Luca answered with complete seriousness.
"You and Naomi are both incredibly beautiful."
"You’re simply beautiful in different ways."
"Neither of you is above the other."
Vivienne chuckled softly, clearly satisfied.
Anyone capable of standing on equal footing with her certainly wasn’t ordinary.
’This playboy’s standards are ridiculously high,’ she thought with amusement.
"Then let me meet this little sister of mine."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Give her the phone."
A strange expression crossed Luca’s face.
’Wait...’
’Shouldn’t Naomi technically be your romantic rival?’
’Why do you sound... excited?’
A bizarre thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
’Could Vivienne actually like women too?’
He inhaled sharply.
’I’d better stay on guard...’
Just as he was searching for an excuse to refuse, the balcony door slid open.
Naomi stepped outside, looking slightly nervous.
She gently wrapped both hands around Luca’s arm and looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"Luca..."
"I’d like to talk to her too."
"Is that okay?"
Her soft voice instantly shattered the last of Luca’s resistance.
He sighed in surrender.
"Alright."
He handed her the phone.
"Go ahead."
Naomi smiled brightly before taking the phone into both hands.
Meanwhile, Luca remained rooted to the spot, pretending to admire the night scenery while secretly listening as carefully as possible.
It wasn’t that he enjoyed gossip.
He was simply worried that if these two didn’t get along...
...he’d be the one caught in the middle.
Just then, Vivienne’s voice drifted from the phone.
"Little sister..."
"Find somewhere private first."
"There are some things that are only meant to be discussed between women."
"Let’s leave the man alone for a bit"
Naomi nodded earnestly.
"Okay."
Holding the phone, she walked toward her streaming room.
After stepping inside, she quietly closed the door.
Then, for extra precaution, she locked it from the inside.
No sneaky man was going to eavesdrop on their conversation.
As for the fact that she’d been secretly listening to Luca just moments earlier...
She conveniently decided that didn’t count.