Episode 3

A few days later, Stacey had just finished doing the laundry and was relaxing in her room, pressing her phone. Her arms felt heavy, and she was about to take her bath and sleep.

From the living room, she heard her father’s voice. “Stacey!”

She groaned in frustration. “What now?” she muttered under her breath, forcing herself up.

She walked out, feigning weakness. “Yeah, Dad? What is it?”

“I need you to run an errand for me,” he said, holding a small box in his hand.

Her face fell instantly. “Dad… seriously? I just finished the laundry. My back is killing me. Can’t it wait?”

“This won’t take long,” he replied. “Just a quick drop-off.”

She frowned. “To where?”

“To Luca.”

Her heartbeat gave a little jump before she could stop it. “Luca?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

“Yeah,” her father said, setting the box on the table. “It’s something he asked me to pass to him. I can’t leave right now, so I want you to help me and take it over. But since you are tired, you can leave it. I understand. I will go later myself."

Her tiredness evaporated almost instantly. She straightened up, brushing her hair back. “Well… I guess I can go,” she said slowly.

Her dad raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were too tired?”

She shrugged lightly. “I mean… Luca’s been nice to us. It’s not a big deal.”

Inside, her thoughts were spinning. This was exactly the opportunity she’d been waiting for. Moment where her father wasn't watching, just her and him.

“Alright,” her father said, scribbling the address on a slip of paper. “Don’t take too long, okay?”

“I know,” she said with a small smile, taking the paper.

He handed her the package. “And don’t forget to be polite to him.”

Her lips curved in a way her father didn’t notice. “Trust me, Dad. I know.”

She carried the box back to her room and closed the door behind her. Setting it on her desk, she leaned against the bedpost for a second, thinking.

If she was going to see Luca, she needed to take her bath and look good. It won't be a dress that screams, "I dressed up for you." Just a dress that is enough to make him look at her twice.

She took a quick bath, dried herself, and opened her wardrobe. She scanned through her clothes before pulling out a fitted clingy gown. It wasn’t overtly sexy, but it hugged her curves in all the right ways. The soft fabric skimmed over her hips and stopped just above her knees.

She slipped it on, smoothing it down over her body. The neckline was modest, but the shape made it impossible not to notice her figure.

In the mirror, she turned from side to side, checking the fit. “Hot enough,” she murmured to herself.

  She applied a bit of lip gloss, just enough to give her mouth that soft shine Luca seemed to notice at the beach, and she was done.

She grabbed her small crossbody bag, slid the package inside carefully, and took one last look at herself in the mirror.

A slow smile curved her lips. This wasn’t just an errand. She stepped out of her room, calling toward the living room. “I’m going now!”

Her father’s voice came back, “Alright, Stace. Don’t be long!”

“Sure,” she replied, pulling the door closed behind her.

As she headed down the steps, her heart was already picking up speed. She was finally going to see him alone, and she wasn’t planning on wasting the moment.