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.

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

the girl pressing against him, her sweet

distance. But

like a couple deeply in

by her actions. The usually composed man was

to see Lucian return to the private room, breathing a sigh of

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

seemed down.

in surprise, "I guess

she threw her into his arms without thinking it through. With anyone else, she couldn't imagine doing the

well on my exams," Lemira said with

sneaked a glance at him, recalling seeing him with a beautiful woman earlier.

voice was even, "Tenth place, not

"It's okay. Now I might have a shot

doubted her