Chapter Forty Eight

< Nina’s POV >

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have asked Clarence that question. If we finished the diorama without any idle chatter, Clarence could have left the building before Luca even arrived.

But I'm not all-knowing; I didn't expect Luca to come back early, let alone at the worst possible timing!

As if time freezes, Luca remains frozen stiff. His golden-brown eyebrows arch upwards and his mouth is hanging still. We haven’t moved for a while, and I’ve realized two things: Clarence is still on top of me and he hasn’t moved an inch as his head is still facing Luca's.

“C-Clarence,” I say in a raspy voice, my voice quivering from both fear and embarrassment. “Get o-off me.” My hand reaches his shoulder and slightly moves him aside and thankfully, his body moves on its own as he releases my shoulders.

I slide my lower body away from him so that I can finally sit on the floor and curve in a fetal position.

“Nina, you have some explaining to do.” I look up and Luca finally