Chapter 3: Did You Miss Me?

"Why does my name sound so seductive from your lips?"

I accidentally returned my gaze to him and saw that he was just staring at me while biting his lower lip.

"You're just hungry," I answered nonchalantly.

It's not like I wanted to go along with his dirty remark earlier, and it wasn't like I wanted to start a conversation with him.

I also don't know why I'm still here, even though I should have walked away as soon as I found out he was here.

He just smirked at me before playing with the cigarette in his right hand, fondling with the silence. It's been a while since we conversed-if it could be counted as one-but what I noticed was that we're both maintaining a safe distance from each other.

No one attempted to come closer, and I like it that way. His presence scares me. Who wouldn't be if he had the power to manipulate me and ruin my entire life in a second?

"That's rude," I scolded him when he started to lower his gaze to my legs, which are very exposed right now because I'm just wearing dolphin shorts.

"What's exactly the rude thing, Miss Secretary?" he asked before taking another drag on his cigarette and tossing it onto the grass. "I am just admiring the view. If it's rude to admire good scenery, then should I file a case against those women who stare at me every time I walk towards the school?"

"Well, it's rude to stare if there's no permission, and..." I trailed off.

There were so many things I wanted to say, like how rude he was for not even apologizing for his perverted gaze earlier in school, and how he threw the cigarette on the floor, but I decided to shut up and let the thoughts run only in my head. "And?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow.

I looked away. "I'll go

I even heard Ash chuckling a bit because of

us at every turn. You can't

and it was tempting me to sin... but one thing I learned in life is the fact that I can

I feel whenever I feel Ash's

or

way back home right away. There weren't many

room. She looked sleepy and exhausted, with her heavy eyes and slow movements. "I thought something had happened to you. Your dad said you ran away after

I kissed her hand before taking off my slippers and entering the house. I stretched my arms and legs a bit before facing her. "Have you eaten?" I asked, trying to change the subject. I didn't bother to explain my side anymore. No matter what kind of explanation I give,

adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for

money that was supposed to pay for my

patient with your father. He only did that because he was sad. I hope you understand and forgive him," my mom said as she hugged me tightly and gently stroked my back. "He's only

could only manage a bitter smile. I thought I was fine, but even after all these years,

and went to the kitchen to get water instead. "Sapphire,"

I was afraid, but out of respect. "I was just outside, mom. I took a walk and didn't realize it was

to calm me down, knowing that I was losing my temper. She was a good mother and I loved her, but I didn't like that she was

as that, it would be better if

rest." I walked over to her and gave her a peck on the cheek. "You should

room to sleep when Mom suddenly spoke. "I hope you could

tone. "Respect has to be earned, Mom. If he really wants me to respect him, he should show me why I should. I can't just respect him because he wants me to. I won't give it to him even if he kills me right now." My facade

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