One week slipped by in the blink of an eye.

During that time, Luca Hale immersed himself in overseeing the businesses he had recently acquired, moving from meeting to meeting while reviewing reports and expansion plans.

Meanwhile, Naomi Monroe devoted herself entirely to her streaming career. The momentum she’d built over the past month showed no signs of slowing. Every livestream attracted millions of viewers, her fanbase continued to grow at an incredible pace, and partnership offers from prestigious companies arrived almost daily.

Late one afternoon, Luca had just finished signing off on a stack of reports when his phone vibrated across his desk.

The screen lit up with Naomi’s name.

A smile naturally spread across his face as he answered.

"My beautiful wife. Missing my voice already?"

"You wish."

Naomi’s soft laughter drifted through the speaker, warm enough to brighten his mood instantly.

"Although... maybe just a little."

Luca leaned back in his chair, smiling.

"So, what’s got you sounding this happy?"

"I’ve got wonderful news!"

The excitement in her voice was impossible to miss.

"A luxury lifestyle company in France contacted my agency this morning. They want me to headline a week-long promotional livestream event in Paris."

Luca raised an eyebrow.

"Paris? The City of Love?"

"Mmmhmm."

He could almost picture her nodding enthusiastically.

"They said it’s one of the biggest collaborations they’ve ever organized. They’re covering everything. First-class flights, luxury accommodation, transportation, the whole package."

"Congratulations."

There wasn’t the slightest hint of jealousy in his voice, only genuine pride.

"You’ve worked hard for this. You deserve it."

Naomi smiled to herself.

"I knew you’d be happy for me. Honestly... none of this would’ve happened without your support."

Luca chuckled.

"Happy? Forget that."

"I’m coming with you."

The line went quiet.

A few seconds later, Naomi let out a helpless sigh.

"I knew you’d say that."

Luca grinned.

"You don’t want me there?"

"It’s not that."

Her voice became gentler.

"I’d love for you to come."

She tapped her tablet, bringing up the itinerary.

"But my schedule is completely packed. They’ve arranged interviews, promotional shoots, sightseeing content, fan meet-and-greets, evening livestreams, business dinners... every day starts early and ends late."

She paused before speaking again.

"I don’t want you flying all the way to France just to spend the week sitting alone in a hotel while I’m working."

Luca was quiet for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"So my wife is worried I’ll get lonely?"

"I am."

"And here I was thinking you were trying to get rid of me."

"Don’t tease me."

"I wouldn’t dream of it."

Naomi couldn’t help smiling.

"So..."

Luca let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Fine."

"I’ll stay home."

He paused just long enough for his next words to carry a little more weight.

"But it would’ve been nice for us to spend some time together in the City of Love."

The playful tone was still there, but beneath it lingered genuine disappointment.

Naomi’s heart softened.

"I’ll make it up to you when I get back."

"You’d better."

Luca glanced at the calendar sitting on his desk.

"When do you leave?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"So soon?"

"It all came together really fast. Even my manager only found out this morning."

"In that case..."

A smile spread across Luca’s face.

"Tomorrow belongs to me."

Naomi blinked.

"What exactly do you have planned?"

"We’re spending the entire day together."

"Shopping."

"Lunch."

"We’ll go anywhere you want."

He paused before adding with a mischievous smile,

"And tomorrow night..."

"You’ll stay at my villa."

"So I can drive you to the airport first thing the next morning."

A faint blush colored Naomi’s cheeks.

Although they’d grown much closer over the past few weeks, hearing him say it so naturally still made her heart race.

"...Okay."

"I’d like that."

The following morning...

A gentle summer breeze drifted through the city, playfully brushing strands of Naomi’s long hair as she waited outside her apartment building.

She wore a flowing cream-colored dress that fell just below her knees, paired with elegant white heels. A delicate pearl necklace rested against her fair skin, while a matching handbag completed the refined look.

Bathed in the warm morning sunlight, she looked effortlessly graceful.

More than one passerby found themselves glancing her way before reluctantly continuing on.

Moments later, the deep rumble of an engine echoed down the street.

A matte black Mercedes-Benz G-Class glided smoothly to a stop in front of her.

The driver’s window rolled down.

Luca leaned toward the opening with his trademark grin.

"Hey, beautiful."

"Need a ride?"

Naomi rolled her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.

"You really enjoy showing off."

"Only when you’re watching."

She laughed softly before slipping into the passenger seat.

The moment the door clicked shut, Luca reached over and gently intertwined his fingers with hers.

"You look gorgeous today."

Naomi turned toward the window, trying to hide the smile threatening to spread across her face.

"You say that every time."

"And I mean it every single time."

Her cheeks warmed just a little more.

The rest of the morning passed at an unhurried pace.

Hand in hand, they wandered through the San Fierro Promenade, stopping wherever something caught Naomi’s eye.

They lingered over coffee at a quiet café tucked away from the crowds.

Luca shamelessly stole bites of Naomi’s dessert whenever she looked away.

She got even by snatching his sunglasses and refusing to return them until he apologized.

Their playful bickering drew amused smiles from nearby customers.

For a little while, they forgot that an entire week apart was waiting just around the corner.

By afternoon, they stepped into one of the Promenade’s most exclusive luxury boutiques.

The elegant showroom gleamed beneath crystal lighting. Designer handbags, dresses, jewelry, and accessories were displayed like works of art, while attentive staff stood ready to assist every customer.

Naomi picked up an exquisitely crafted designer handbag, admiring the fine stitching and polished hardware.

"It’s beautiful..."

She looked at the price tag and immediately sighed.

"But it’s way too expensive."

Then she glanced sideways at Luca and smiled knowingly.

"But knowing you, you’re going to buy it anyway."

Luca laughed.

"You know me too well."

He turned toward a nearby sales associate.

"We’ll take it."

"Luca..."

"No objections."

Within minutes, one handbag became three.

Then came matching shoes.

The shoes led to dresses.

The dresses somehow turned into jewelry, scarves, perfumes, and accessories.

Every time Naomi protested, Luca simply smiled before adding another item to the growing pile.

"You spoil me far too much," she complained.

"I know."

"And you’re impossible."

"I’ve been told."

Nearly an hour later, several boutique employees carefully wheeled over a mountain of beautifully packaged purchases.

The cashier offered Luca a respectful smile.

"Mr. Hale, your total today comes to two hundred and sixty thousand dollars."

Naomi stared at the towering collection of shopping bags before looking at Luca in disbelief.

"...You really bought all of that?"

She shook her head with a helpless smile.

"Just for a week’s trip?"

Luca merely shrugged.

"A lot can happen in a week."

"You’ve got to be prepared."

He slipped a hand into his pocket and produced his familiar black card.

As he raised it toward the payment terminal, his gaze drifted to Naomi, who was still pouting adorably beside him.

The corners of his lips lifted.

’My lucky charm is leaving for an entire week...’

’I wonder what kind of cashback you’re about to bring me this time.’

Without another word, he calmly held out the card to complete the purchase.