NA

time here. The decor was minimalist, all black, w

he walked behind his desk, put

rossed, looking down at me. His gaze had r

in," h

emphasizing my status as his niece an

expression unreadable. I could

want me to do?"

ial exemption from cutting my hair?" I said, as

thought. "The rule was set by th

on my face froze. "Then w

eyes flickered. He was silent for a few s

e said finally. "I can take you somew

mean?" I didn

icked up his car keys from t

he office, down the hall, and int

black Range Rover and mo

ulled smoothly out of the garage, not through the main gate, bu

ecede outside the window, unabl

e are we going

said, his eyes fixed on

arms. Julian noticed. Without saying anything, he reached to

, then asked, "So you're

d take you

ot the sa

e steering wheel. "Then tell me, Elena.

I looked away, suddenly aware of h

nt to keep

f I sa

Then... I'll h

second before returning to the road.

tion for me within the academy, so he chose to "ch

all his cold rules and sharp words, he had still f

as he drove. He was focused on the road, his features

e this, in a confined space. I could smell the faint

He glanced at me. "Why do you wa

ped my usual playful demeanor and answered seriously, "Becau

t asking any more questions. Hi

in front of a very high-e

or came out to greet us personally, resp

tor: "Cut it so it fits properly under

gth. The stylist gave me a chic collarbone-length cu

filled with joy. I had saved my hair,

tering nonstop. Julian just gave an occasion

tice the contradiction in what Julian had done. He had refused to brea

side gate, silent and unseen. This experience, l

trip had become. Julian had taken me outside the academy, helped me keep the

ur first