Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Millie bounded down the stairs in a few quick steps and raced toward the school gates, her eyes immediately locking onto Murray's car parked by the curb.

Leaning against the car hood, Murray was the picture of youthful vigor in a cream-white tee under a charcoal-grey long coat paired with sleek black jeans that made him look like a college student. His appearance turned heads.

He checked the time on his wrist three times in less than three minutes. They had agreed on 10 o'clock, and they were running late.

Pulling out his phone, he scrolled to Millie's contact, about to call her, when a sweet, soft presence enveloped him.

Millie wrapped her arms around Murray's neck, her voice playful and cute, "Have you been waiting long?"

"You're late." Murray glanced at her, hands casually stuffed in his pockets.

"Sorry, I promise I'll be on time next time." When noticing he wasn't making a big deal out of it, Millie breathed a sigh of relief.

"Get in the car." Murray could see right through her little schemes but chose not to call her out on it.

Millie quickly hopped into the passenger seat, chattering away nonstop.

Keeping his eyes on the road, Murray occasionally grunted in response.

catching sight of a massive LED screen

with

branded with a luxury jewelry logo, "Happy birthday." Millie gasped as she opened it. "Isn't this Chanel's latest limited edition bracelet?

of the

shell design with

help but

I wanted this?" Millie's voice was full of playful complaints and sweetness, utterly charming

the light

gas. Catching Millie snapping photos with her

you're happy."

...

mind, Roseanne hadn't expected such an early start. She had just

"Hurry up, Anne. There's no parking here. I'm

the car ten minutes later, even handing Leda

a bite, playfully scolding, "You're never late, are

car zoomed off, eventually coming to a halt outside Universal

looked up. "This is where