I Rise 169
Posted on March 06, 2025 ยท 1 mins read
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Chapter 169ย  Orion couldnโ€™t face her without feeling the urge to bolt.ย  He was unable to give any response, scared even. His throat felt stuck, and it took him a while before he could mutter, โ€œYouโ€™re too young, you wouldnโ€™t understand*ย  โ€œOrion, are you afraid of me getting close? Worried I might fall for you?โ€ย  She had almost believed he harbored some affection for her, but was taken aback and saddened to hear he was seeing someone else.ย  Orionโ€™s gaze was profound, โ€œDonโ€™t throw around the words fall for carelessly. Youโ€™re still young, itโ€™s not good for you to hit the bars.โ€ย  Listening his lecture, Lemira realized he had deftly changed the subject. Her curiosity was piqued, โ€œOrion, thereโ€™s something Iโ€™ve always wondered why are you always so nice to me?โ€ย  hon couldnโ€™t answer, he couldnโ€™t even meet her gaze. He was afraid that looking into her eyes would give him awayย  Looking up, Lemira asked defiantly yet cautiously, โ€œYouโ€™ve always been so nice to me, donโ€™t you like me even a little bit?โ€ย  โ€œIf you donโ€™t like me, why be so kind?โ€ She thought, โ€œSo, Orion, do you like me as well?โ€ย  In that moment, Lemira felt she had mustered all her courage, able to voice her feelings only in the dim light.ย  She felt almost insane.ย  Orion, holding het, was directly confronted with her straightforward question. Her openness made his initial intentions seem shallow.ย  He was close to her more out of guilt than affection. He dared not tell her the real reason. He didnโ€™t even have the courage to entertain the thought!ย  Seeing the look in Lemiraโ€™s eyes softened Orionโ€™s heart in an indescribable way, yet he could only say against his will, โ€œLemira, helping you was just convenient, couldnโ€™t stand seeing your brothersโ€˜ favoritism.โ€ย  Lemiraโ€™s eyes instantly reddened.ย  His words were calm, even somewhat tender. But he firmly rejected her.ย  In that moment, Lemira felt utterly humiliated. She hastily let go and lowered her head, โ€œIโ€“It was just a joke, I need the restroom.โ€ย  Lemira hurried away from the crowd, a picture of disarray.ย  Orion followed closely, his gaze turning somber, as if years of weariness were hidden beneath. Only when Lemira entered the restroom did he stop, asking someone for a cigarette in agitation.ย  His slender fingers held the cigarette, white smoke veiling his suppressed gaze.ย  Thaddeus approached with two glasses of wine, handing one over, โ€œHowโ€™s the night treating you?โ€ย  Orion downed his wine in one gulp, โ€œShe cried.โ€ย  โ€œTsk, I told you earlier, keep your distance, donโ€™t be too nice to her.โ€ย  โ€œAnd arenโ€™t you the same with her?โ€ Orion took a drag, his brows furrowed.ย  Thaddeus raised an eyebrow, โ€œThatโ€™s different. Who wouldnโ€™t be pissed seeing Sweet Lemon treated like that by the Langstons?โ€ Orion lowered his eyes, โ€œExactly, some things are beyond our control.โ€ย  โ€œThatโ€™s the truth.โ€ย  Thaddeus gave him a meaningful look, recalling the last time Orion was this troubled, resorting to cigarettes โ€“ it was right before their company went public, facing betrayal from within, their future hanging by a thread.ย 


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