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.

window, catching sight of a massive LED screen advertising the newly opened Universal

her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Babe, can we go to Universal Studios today?" Murray agreed without a

mind the destination. He casually handed her a bag branded with a luxury jewelry logo, "Happy birthday." Millie gasped as she opened it. "Isn't this Chanel's latest limited edition

the box slipping it onto her

shell design

Millie couldn't help but flaunt

this?" Millie's voice was full of

light

snapping photos with

you're happy."

...

Leda said she had a place in mind, Roseanne hadn't expected

phone, "Hurry up, Anne. There's no parking here. I'm giving you ten

climbed into the car ten minutes later, even

bite, playfully scolding, "You're

zoomed off, eventually coming

up. "This is where you