When They Beg, I Rise!

Lucian dialed Lemira's number, but got no answer. He quickly texted. [Lemmy, where are you?]

Lemira glanced at her phone, stood up, and walked out of the restroom stall. At the sink, she looked at her reflection, her eyes slightly reddened.

Despite countless resolutions to not let the Langstons get to her again, Asher's words still stung. Lemira splashed her face with cold water, just one more month, and she wouldn't have to endure any longer. Leaving the restroom, she planned to take the elevator out of the restaurant.

"Why are you here?"

Lemira looked up to find Orion, and in a fluster, she lowered her head, "Came to grab a bite."

Her voice was hoarse. Orion stepped closer, "Been crying?"

Something in her voice suggested she had been crying.

Lemira instinctively denied, "No."

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Lucian stepped out.

his shirt. Lemira wished she could disappear into Orion,

taken aback, looked down at the girl pressing against him, her sweet scent almost

But as he moved, she wrapped her

seemed like a couple deeply

surprised by her actions. The usually composed man was at a loss what to

Lucian return to the

to lean down to let her arms reach around his neck. Lemira, embarrassed, let go, "Um, when Lucian got out of the elevator, I didn't want him to see me,

she was there and why she seemed down.

him in surprise, "I

it through. With anyone else, she couldn't imagine doing the same. Probably

for doing well on my exams,"

with a beautiful woman earlier.

was even, "Tenth place, not

twinge of pride, "It's okay. Now I might have a shot at getting into Orvin

had doubted her