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.

aback, looked down at the girl pressing

to create distance. But as he moved, she wrapped her arms around

any onlooker, they seemed like a couple

actions. The usually composed man was at a loss what

in time to see Lucian return to the private room, breathing

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, so I kinda used you as

she was there and why she seemed down. His voice teasing, "Any guy would

at him in surprise, "I

arms without thinking it through. With anyone else, she couldn't imagine doing the same. Probably not. Orion

doing well on my exams," Lemira

seeing him with a beautiful woman

even,

okay. Now I might have a shot

had doubted her