Charlotte's POV

"Then why didn't you pick up my calls?" I asked in curiosity.

"I had to be alone and think properly. It wasn't an easy situation for me. Especially knowing my friend is in love with my girlfriend." He replied and ran his hand through his hair.

"So... are we good now?' I asked, looking into his eyes, and bit my lower lip nervously.

"Yes, we are." He gave me a warm smile and brushed his lips against mine, cupping my cheek.

***

When I was about to go to the agency, Nathan called me and informed me that yesterday, Nicole visited him in the hotel. Once she heard, there wasn't any problem between Nathan, Lucca and me, she got mad and told him how he could accept this betrayal. Then Nicole informed him she would make Lucca and me pay for it herself.

Nathan told me he just wanted to inform me and I shouldn't worry; he would talk to her and stop her before she did something stupid. He said that he informed Lucca about it as well.

When I was about to leave Alexis' office, my phone rang. It was my father. I excused myself and left the office.

"Come to the mansion now. I am waiting." My father demanded firmly as soon as I picked up the phone.

"Wha..." Without letting me finish my sentence, he hung up his phone.

I frowned, looking at my phone, dumbfounded.

What was going on?

Once I arrived at the mansion, the housekeeper informed me that my father was waiting for me in his office. When I asked where my mother was, she told me that my mother wasn't home.

"Hi, Dad." I gave my father a warm smile as I walked into his office after knocking on the door.

"Sit down." He said sternly.

"What happened?" I asked, worried and sat down in the armchair beside his desk.

He opened the drawer without replying and threw a yellow envelope onto the desk.

"What is it?" I asked, puzzled as I took the envelope and opened it. My eyes widened as I saw Lucca and my photos from the day we spent together in Italy.

"My friend, who is an editor-in-chief at a famous magazine, called me and informed me that someone sent him your photos anonymously." He informed firmly.

"Dad... I..." I mumbled nervously.

"I thought you loved Nathan, not that racer." He commented and rubbed his forehead.

"I do love Nathan.. Lucca... and I.." I sighed, ruffling my hair. "It was a mistake." I said and bit my lower lip, embarrassed. He raised his eyebrow. I took a deep breath and explained that I was upset because of Nathan's new relationship and got drunk trying to forget it for a while.

He exhaled and rubbed his chin. "Did Lucca send these photos to him?"

I breathed deeply and shook my head. "No, Lucca isn't that kind of man." I replied honestly.

He gave me a sly smile. "You are so sure of this boy."

"We have known each other for a long time." I ruffled my hair and breathed deeply. "And I know who sent the photos. Don't worry. I will handle it." I stated firmly.

"Be quick. I don't want people to talk that my daughter came between two friends. You know very well how they will exaggerate the situation after seeing these photos." He warned me.

"Fine." I nodded and bit my lower lip, embarrassed. "See you later." He nodded, giving me a warm smile. I put the photos into the envelope and stood up.

When I was about to open the door, I stopped and turned around. "Thank you, Dad." I gave him a grateful smile, waving the envelope in my hand.

"If you need any help with it, don't hesitate to call me." He stated softly. I nodded and left his office.

I breathed deeply and gritted my teeth in irritation. Then I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Nathan.

"I am sorry, Lottie." He said and heaved a loud sigh after I had informed him. "I will talk to her. Don't worry." He assured me.

"Fine. Keep me informed." I breathed deeply.

"Take care."

After hanging up my phone, I nibbled my lower lip and looked at Lucca's name on my phone. I exhaled loudly and decided to inform him as well.

"Shit!" He exclaimed angrily as soon as I told him what Nicole had done. "Don't worry, Lottie. I will talk to her. She has to stop this ridiculous revenge." He stated firmly and hung up the phone without letting me say anything.

***

When I was working in my office, my phone rang. My secretary informed me I had a visitor. I sighed, tired as she told me it was Nicole.

"Hi, Lottie. How are you?" She gave an embarrassed look and bit her lower lip as she closed the door behind her.

"Are you still asking?" I mocked, folding my arms over my chest.

She sighed, ruffling her hair, and walked towards me.

"I apologize for my behavior. I acted on anger. I shouldn't have sent those photos to the magazine." She gave me an apologetic smile. "I thought Lucca and you tried to fool me. I felt betrayed."

"And what changed your mind? When I tried to explain to you that I didn't do anything bad, you didn't listen to me."

"I talked to Nathan and Lucca. After thinking about it and calming down, I understood I was wrong." She replied, embarrassed. "And now I am sure Lucca won't feel anything towards me; he really loves you." She added sadly, and gave me a slight smile.

"Nicole..." I breathed deeply and stated firmly. "I love Nathan. I see Lucca as a friend, nothing more."

"Yes, I understood it." She nodded. "You are so lucky. You should have seen them; both of them acted like a knight in shining armor yesterday, protecting their princess." She gave me a sad smile.

I bit my lower lip as I felt my cheeks flushed. I could guess how they behaved. Otherwise, Nicole wouldn't change her mind easily; she was so angry at me when she found out about what happened between Lucca and me.

"Well, I won't keep you any longer; you must be busy." She gave a warm smile. "I am sincerely sorry. I will not act like this again. I swear. Even if everything changes, and you decide to give a chance to Lucca, I won't act on my anger again and try to hurt you or Lucca." She added honestly.

"Nicole..."

She raised her hand, stopping me. "I know you love Nathan, but you can't be so sure what will happen in the future. However, I would like you to be my sister-in-law." She gave me a bright smile. "And I should move on from Lucca. It doesn't matter if you are together or not, Lucca will always see me as his friend's little sister." She added sadly. I gave her a sympathetic look. "Take care!"

"Bye, Nicole. And I am glad you understood that I didn't do anything to hurt you intentionally."

She nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

I breathed deeply in relief, closing my eyes, and leaned against my seat. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I grabbed it and looked at it. It was a message from Lucca.

'Can we meet? I want to talk to you. It is important.'

I breathed deeply, ruffling my hair while staring at the message.

'Fine. I will be home in an hour. Let's meet there.'

'Thank you. See you soon.'

***

"Hey. How are you?" Lucca gave me a charming smile as soon as he walked in.

"Hi. Fine. And you?" I smiled friendly.

"I am fine. Thanks."

"Would you like something to drink?" I asked, after suggesting him to sit down.

"No, thanks. I don't have a lot of time. I had to be at the airport in an hour. There is a race tomorrow at Silverstone." He replied softly.

I nodded and sat down in the armchair. "By the way, thank you for talking to Nicole. You shouldn't have. I would handle..."

"I had to, and it wasn't just your photos. I was in those photos as well. It wouldn't affect me in a good way either. Especially during the Grand Prix. Moreover, she got the photos without my consent and tried to leak it to the press." He shook his head and heaved a loud sigh. "It is my fault that she acted like that. I shouldn't have asked her out when I didn't have any romantic feelings towards her. I just..." He sighed without finishing his silence. "I promise it won't happen again." He assured me.

I nodded. "Let's forget about it. Nicole understood she acted wrong." I gave him a warm smile. "Well...What do you want to talk to me about?"

He breathed deeply, running his hand through his hair, and smiled nervously. "I would be the happiest man if you gave me a chance. I..."