Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Meanwhile , Luciana had dragged Vivian back to the design department's lecture hall . There were still a few minutes before class started . They grabbed seats in the very back row . By now , Vivian had completely forgotten she had just been in a full - on brawl . Her mind was stuck on the image of Thiago gently holding Larciana's hand and speaking to her in that soft , low voice . She looked like she had just been struck by lightning . Her face was blank , and her curiosity was practically boiling over . Suddenly , she whipped her head around , startling Luciana mid - brush as she helped fix Vivian's hair . " Luci , what the hell was that ? Did something go down between you and Thiago ? " Luciana flinched but tried to play it cool . " No. We were just classmates back in high school . " " No ? " Vivian's voice was so loud that it echoed to the front of the lecture hall . " If nothing is going on , why was he holding your hand like that ? What is he , some kind of handsy creep ? " Luciana silently thanked God that Vivian hadn't seen Thiago tying up her hair . If she had , she'd probably be picking out baby names by now . She kept her gaze down , still brushing Vivian's hair . " Maybe he's just … helpful ? " " Helpful ? " Vivian scoffed . " Then why didn't he help me beat the crap out of Wendy ? " Sensing the conversation was heading back to that mess , Luciana quickly changed the subject . " What happened anyway ? Why were you two fighting ? " Vivian thumped her chest , trying to calm herself down . " I saw Wendy texting Nigel . She sent him a bunch of lingerie pics and asked which one he liked best . She said she wanted to wear it for him . " Luciana froze , then asked , " And Nigel ? Did he reply ? " " Hell no . If he had , I would've smacked him too ! " Luciana let out a small , dimpled smile . " Nigel's a good guy . " Vivian raised an eyebrow , smirking . " Girl , the hottest guy in Jaxwell is out here worrying about you , and you're still jealous of me ? " That " hottest guy in Jaxwell " line made Luciana laugh . She shook her head and said lightly , " You're overthinking it . Thiago just remembers me from high school , that's all . He's always been kind . " But as she said it , she couldn't help but think of the 98 burritos Thiago had eaten during their senior year - all because of her . A flicker of guilt crept into her chest . Thiago really was a good guy . Back in high school , even though he always had that cold , quiet vibe and barely said a word , he was never mean to her . That was what made her start to think that maybe - just maybe she might have a chance . The only time he ever talked to her was that early summer afternoon before the college entrance exam . She had been sitting in the back of the classroom during lunch break , beading a bracelet . She planned to confess her feelings before the exam . She had her head down and was focusing on beading the bracelet when suddenly , Thiago's face appeared right next to hers . " What are you doing ? " he had asked . Luciana jumped , quickly shoving the bracelet into her desk drawer . " Nothing , " she muttered . Back then , it was a trend at school for girls to bead bracelets and give them to their crushes as a wordless confession . Thiago probably knew about it . He had definitely seen the beads clenched in her pale fingers . But he didn't react at all . He just sat down , stone - faced as ever , and kept his eyes on his phone as if nothing happened . Looking back , Luciana knew she should've snapped out of her feelings for him then and there . Thiago had never liked her . She had made it all up in her head . How could something as cheap as a beaded bracelet ever catch Thiago's eye ? Vivian's voice snapped her out of her thoughts . " Luci , be honest . Do you think Thiago likes you ? " Luciana's hand froze mid brush . She steadied her voice , trying to bury the ache in her chest . " No way . I'm not delusional . And Thiago has a gulfriend , remember ? Don't say stuff like that . " " Thiago's girlfriend ? Who ? Monica ? " Luciana nodded . " Yeah . I saw them at The Fable Fox last night while I was working . " She had to keep her feelings locked up . Thiago could never know - not him , not anyone . She didn't want to be the punchline of some cruel joke , She needed to protect what little pride she had left . They said unrequited love was a one - person war . And for someone as stubborn as Luciana , if she didn't come to her senses soon , her whole life fighting a battle that no one else even knew was happening . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!