When They Beg, I Rise!

Orion extended his hand towards her, his gaze deep and intense.

Lemira bit her lip, feeling a flutter of excitement, and placed her hand in his.

She looked up, "Orion, thank you for being there for me when I needed it most."

Perfect

timing.

After she spoke, Lemira sneezed, "Seems a bit chilly in the hills."

"I better get you home; it's getting late."

Holding hands, they walked outside together, Lemira glancing at their intertwined fingers, her mood lifting. After leaving the Langston estate, she was no longer alone.

She had friends, and now, a boyfriend.

But the journey took longer than expected, and Lemira had to run to her dorm, fearing she'd be late.

Out of breath, she made it back, receiving a message from Orion: "If you didn't make it, I'm waiting outside."

"Made it last minute, exhausted."

Lemira, panting, sat down as her roommate, Janice, poured her a cup of hot chocolate: "How was your date?"

good; we made it

a sip, Lemira

liked you, even when you denied it." Lemira smiled, "Tomorrow, I'll buy the

for bed, she texted Orion:

home,

Ms. Ashworth's old house. After sending the

couch, waiting: "You're home? Insisting your brother clarify things with the Sinclair family,

"Yes."

do, but not her. Unless you tell her everything, and she still accepts you, I won't

remained silent,

If it's not settled by then, I'll

look carried the weight of her authority; she didn't want to see either of them hurt. Orion, worried for

deeply, why did it have to be that

---

next morning, Lemira headed to

was clear; she even sent

from head to toe, strutting

Stopping near Lemira, Evelina

1

me, Asher kas put me in charge of the

Aurora Trust?

fell, "Why would Asher