Chapter 56

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, Asher’s words still stung. She splashed her face with cold water. Just one more month, and she wouldn’t have to endure them any longer.

Leaving the restroom, she planned to take the elevator.

“Why are you here?”

Lemira looked up to find Orion. Flustered, 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.

Lemira instinctively denied it. “No.”

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Lucian stepped out. Seeing him, she immediately threw herself into Orion’s arms, clinging tightly to his shirt. She wished she could disappear, not wanting to be spotted by Lucian.

Orion, taken aback, looked down at the girl pressing against him; her sweet scent almost tangible. His Adam’s apple bobbed; he instinctively wanted to create distance. But as he moved, she wrapped her arms around his neck. To any onlooker, they seemed like a couple deeply in love. He was at a loss. Surprised by her actions, Orion’s lips pressed together. The usually composed man… Lemira peeked out just in time to see Lucian return to the private room, breathing a sigh of relief. Realizing their close proximity, 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.

Embarrassed, Lemira let go. “Um, when Lucian got out of the elevator, I didn’t want him to see me, so I kinda used you as a shield.”

Orion squinted, guessing why she was there and why she seemed down. His voice teasing, “Any guy would do as a shield?”

Lemira looked at him in surprise. “I guess not.”

Because Orion stood so close, she had thrown herself into his arms without thinking. With anyone else, she couldn’t imagine doing the same.

Orion felt slightly better with her answer. “Here with them to eat?”

“Yeah, supposedly for doing well on my exams,” Lemira said with a touch of sarcasm. He was alone? She sneaked a glance at him, recalling seeing him with a beautiful woman earlier.

Orion’s voice was even. “Tenth place, not bad.”

Lemira felt a twinge of pride. “It’s okay. Now I might have a shot at getting into Orvin University.” He had doubted her ranking before.

Seeing the pride on her face, Orion smiled. “Had dinner yet?”

“Not yet, I don’t want to stay here.”

“Because of the people in that room?”

Lemira nodded. “You go ahead if you’re busy; I’ll head back to my apartment.” She didn’t feel like going home either.

“They should be the ones to leave, not you.”

Lemira didn’t quite catch his drift. Was he suggesting kicking Lucian and Evelina out? Hardly likely!