When They Beg, I Rise!

Orion's fingers, defined and elegant, made even the simplest actions look mesmerizing.

"What are you staring at?"

He placed the silverware in front of her, and Lemira turned her head, meeting his gaze, "Can't I admire someone as handsome as you?" Orion squinted, "Is that a roundabout way of insulting me?"

"Of course not, you're quite the looker."

"Am I your type?"

Upon hearing those words, Lemira's grip loosened, and the fork clattered to the floor. She bent down in a fluster to pick it up, her mind racing. Did he notice something? Or was it intentional?

Lemira retrieved the silverware, but he took it from her hands, placing his own set in front of her.

He then grabbed a fresh pair and heated them over a small flame.

She didn't respond to his question, and he didn't press further, as if he never asked.

Orion glanced at her, noticing she was preoccupied with her phone.

He had to admit, his question was deliberate.

She had been getting too close to Matthew.

Just as Orion was about to break the silence, the waitress came in with their order.

Seeing the food in front of her, Lemira's appetite surged. She eagerly started eating, her focus entirely on the meal.

not saying anything. He noticed the dishes were exactly

two ate

finishing her meal, Lemira felt

had finished his meal too. He

felt a bit embarrassed, "Why

to wipe her mouth, though there was

on

"Yeah, much better."

can answer that question you

skipped a beat as

Orion, her

and a

apprehension.

and said, "His family, especially his mother has always been against him gaming. If anyone could make him quit, it would be his

for

IMS

was stunned. Matthew's mother? That would

seemed off. Maybe she was

"Disappointed?"

the look of

her head, "No, it's getting late. We

his gaze lingering on her, "Is winning the competition that

wanted to win, I wouldn't

believed her, but her question was still