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.

herself into Orion's arms, clinging tightly to his shirt. Lemira wished she could disappear into Orion, not wanting to be

girl pressing against him, her

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

onlooker, they seemed like a couple

together, was surprised by her actions. The usually composed

peeked out just in time to see Lucian return to the private room,

their close pose, she noticed for the first time how tall Orion was. She was practically on her tiptoes, and he had 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, so I

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

looked at him in surprise,

Orion stood right near her, that was why she threw her into his arms without thinking it through. With anyone else, she couldn't imagine doing the same. Probably not. Orion

doing well on my exams," Lemira said

him with a beautiful woman earlier.

voice was even, "Tenth place,

okay. Now I might have a shot at getting into

doubted