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.

glanced out the window, catching sight of a massive LED screen

sight, and she tugged at Murray's sleeve, her eyes gleaming with

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 bracelet? It's super expensive and hard

she took it out of the

shell design with

help but flaunt

it look good? How did you know I wanted this?" Millie's voice was full of playful complaints and sweetness,

the light turned green,

Millie snapping photos with her phone, he casually

you're happy."

...

hadn't expected such an early start. She had just woken up when Leda

up, Anne. There's no

climbed into the car ten minutes later, even handing Leda

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

off, eventually coming to a halt outside

"This is where you wanted