Chapter 68

Onion noticed Lemira's pale complexion. "You feel unwell?" he asked. He'd noticed the way her lips were touching, a subtle sign of discomfort.

Feeling the coolness of his palm, Lemira weakly replied, "Stomach ache. Probably had too many spicy dishes." It had been a while since she'd indulged so much; her stomach was likely unaccustomed to it.

Orion withdrew his hand, fetched some antacid tablets, and brought a glass of water. Lemira took the antacid, feeling weak. Orion took her pen away. "Stop working. Rest for today," he instructed.

Lemira felt off, suspecting her period might have started. As she stood, she felt a telltale trickle. Her face stiffened; she knew it.

Rushing to the bathroom, she found the dreaded red stain. Just her luck. Now what? She remembered she was in someone else's apartment, not her own, and hadn't bought any pads. She'd planned to stop by the store after school, but Dorian's confession and Alaric's later arrival had made her forget.

Orion, growing worried after not seeing her emerge, knocked on the bathroom door. "Lemira?"

Lemira hesitated. "Could you buy me something?"

"Sure, but come out first."

"I can't, not just yet," Lemira said, a bit agitated.

Orion's frown deepened. "What's up? Be honest."

"My period started," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. She'd grown up with brothers—clueless about women's issues. The first time she'd gotten her period, her mother had helped her.

Onion stood by the door. "Menstrual period?"

"Yes," she whispered, embarrassed. This was, after all, a private matter.

Orion sighed in relief. "I'll go buy some. Just wait."

Lemira sat on the toilet, waiting, feeling an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Orion headed to the convenience store downstairs, staring at the array of pads, deep in thought. The female clerk brightened at the sight of a handsome man but felt a pang of jealousy seeing him examine the feminine hygiene products—clearly for his girlfriend.

"Looking for something for your girlfriend, handsome? Day or night use? We also have gel-based ones, great for summer, but a bit pricey," she offered.

Orion pointed. "All of them."

"Everything?"

He nodded, an air of elegance about him. "Yes."

"You might not need that much for a month. Maybe get one of each type to see what your girlfriend prefers?"

"Fine," Orion replied flatly.

The clerk quickly packed the items, then added, "Does your girlfriend need some body warmers too?"

Orion paused. "Yes."

Grabbing a pack of body warmers and some chocolate, the clerk envied the girl for having such a thoughtful and handsome boyfriend.

As Orion walked back with his purchases, a man approached. "Orion, what's with the haul?" Thaddeus's lips twitched. "If I'm not mistaken, those are pads?" Since when was Orion so considerate? This didn't bode well. The situation between him and that girl seemed doomed from the start.

Chapter 69