Chapter 235  When Lemira asked the question, she instantly regretted it.  Orion paused, “Why do you ask?”  “Nothing.”  Quickly, Lemira lowered her head, pretending to focus on her food.  Catching sight of Lemira’s downcast look, Orion found himself blurting out before he could think better of it, “I don’t have a girlfriend yet.”  “You don’t? But Thaddeus mentioned before that you were seeing someone.”  Her heart tightened at once.  rion’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, “Thaddeus talks nonsense. You believed him?”  He had planned to keep up the charade of having a girlfriend, but facing Lemira’s persistent inquiries, he couldn’t bear to lie to her any longer. Nor did he want to pretend with someone else, unable to bear seeing her look of disappointment.  Orion remained an unperturbed facade, yet deep down, Orion’s feelings had already started to tilt in her favor.  “So, you are not with her. You’re single then.”  Lemira’s heart raced at the news. She had been wrestling with her feelings, thinking she had no right to confess if Orion was taken. But now, since he didn’t have any girlfriend, the situation seemed different.  Seeing the spark in Lemira’s eyes, Orion felt a sharp pang in his heart.  He looked down, “Still trying.”  Lemira’s face stiffened at his words, “Still trying, huh? Well, that’s good!”  The flicker of hope she felt was instantly snuffed out. She had thought there was a chance.  She hadn’t expected Orion to be so smitten with that girl, to keep pursuing her even after being rejected.  Orion felt vexed. How was he supposed to cover his lie now?  Silence fell between them, each lost in their thoughts, not looking up to meet the other’s gaze.  Lemira was distracted as she ate, harboring a feeling she couldn’t describe. Turned out this was how people felt when they had a crush, their mood varying because of the one they fell for.  Realizing her mood had shifted, she stood abruptly, “I need to use the restroom.”  Her steps were hurried, and once inside, she faced her reflection in the mirror, her eyes rimmed with red.  She splashed her face with cold water, attempting to calm her nerves.  Outside, Orion watched Lemira walk away, blaming himself for addressing those words. This was something he indeed found tricky to  handle.  Reading a girl’s mind was easy, but what he only could do was back off.  At the moment, Lemira returned from the restroom; she sat down, her gaze fixed on the plate before her.  Orion noticed she didn’t pick up the utensil, “Done eating?”  “No. Today’s supposed to celebrate me moving to the new house, after all.”  Lemira’s voice was hollow, her eyes locked on the man across the table, “Orion, what if you’re never able to win that girl’s heart?”  “I don’t know. That’s for me to handle in the future,” Orion said nonchalantly.  Lemira could tell he was still hung up on that girl. All of a sudden, she felt envious of that girl.  As they finished their meal, Lemira glanced at the time, “How about you help me pick out some home goods this afternoon? We could also look for some men’s shoes.”  “Why men’s shoes?”  Orion’s voice deepened, a playful tone underlying his question.  Feeling her cheeks warm, Lemira turned away, “In case I start dating and my boyfriend needs shoes to wear when he visits.”  Orion’s expression darkened, “Don’t just bring any guy back to your place.”  “Doesn’t that include you?”  Lemira challenged him, a playful spark in her eyes. She was curious about what he took her for.  1/2  12:08  Orion mused over it for quite a moment, “I see you as a sister, so I can visit. But other guys? That’s different.”