When They Beg, I Rise!

Sometimes, people would be give exactly what they were dreading.

Orion caught sight of the middle-aged man bursting into the scene, and for a moment, he felt an overwhelming urge to lash out. With a chilly nod, he swiftly guided Lemira out of the restaurant.

A few stepped out, Lemira glanced back, only to find that the man had vanished into thin air!

"Who was that middle-aged guy?" she asked, puzzled.

"I have no idea."

"But he called you Mr. Everhart."

The suspicion in her eyes was unmistakable as she gazed at Orion. Orion felt his heart lurching. How was he going to explain this?

After a moment of thinking, Lemira's face lit up with realization, "Maybe someone from past dealings with the Maple Group? Ever since that event, we've been swamped with partnership offers." She was convinced the man was there to discuss business with Orion.

Orion knew she was mistaken but didn't correct her, playing along instead, "The future's bright for this project."

"Just bright? It's downright brilliant! Imagine its application in self-driving cars, once it takes off..."

Lemira caught herself mid-sentence, realizing her slip. She had just given herself away!

Orion shot her a look, "Seems you know quite a bit about the industry."

After some analysis, his team had indeed concluded that the sector had massive potential.

Yet, many remained skeptical, dismissing it as an unreliable venture. Lemira's insight was a refreshing change.

Arriving at Lemira's newly purchased home, she opened the shoe cabinet, a mix of amusement and exasperation on her face, "Looks like I don't have any shoes that fit you. Will mine do for now?" She had just moved in, and the place wasn't fully set up yet.

Orion glanced around the sparse room, noting its lack of decoration but appreciating that it had everything essential.

Seeing him in a pair of pink slippers that were clearly too small for him, Lemira couldn't help but laugh, "Sorry about this, but no one would see."

Orion simply looked at her, unfazed by the situation.

Watching Lemira fetch ingredients from the fridge, he instinctively offered, "Let's just order in. You don't have to cook."

"It's fine. I'm actually quite good at cooking. Since it's about

housewarming, me cooking is okay. This isn't about trying to impress you it's about welcoming you to my home."

Back when Lemira had moved into his apartment, she had expressed a willingness to take on cooking duties, only for Orion to assure her that she didn't need to win anyone over. en

Since then, meals were prepared by a hired cook.

But this time was different. This was her home, her domain.

Orion joined her in the kitchen, assisting with the meal prep.

2This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

After all, it was just for their two, and wouldn't be too difficult to prepare. It didn't take long for Lemira to whip up a hearty dinner, even pausing to snap a photo for Facebook

However, she found there were a few missed calls. Though there was no call ID, she was familiar with the number - it's Lucian's.

As another call came through at the time, Lemira promptly dismissed it, showing no interest in answering.

[Lemmy, I'll explain everything to the police about Evelina's accident. You don't have to worry. Even if the footage is gone, I will vouch for you.]

Lemira glanced at the messages before flipping her phone face down on the table.

She didn't need Lucian help her to explain, especially since Evelina was too guilt-ridden to pursue the matter further, fearing the footage might be recovered. Orion caught a glimpse of her phone, "A message from the Langstons?"

"Yeah, you know how it is. In Asher's eyes, I'm the villain who pushed poor, innocent Evelina. They're bound to come after me."

Orion's expression darkened, "What did he say?"

"It was Lucian. Said he knows the camera's broken and that he'd clear things up with the police for me. But honestly, I couldn't care less!"