s took post right behind me. Loud music

ing out at

joying blasting musi

ell, I pounded my fist on the

and a skimpy black dress, one sleeve hanging down her shoulder, came out. Cheeks flushed, bre

initely was

tched my lips into a smile

why?" Her eyes went to the paper bag of cupcakes

widened

k I was a de

d this job worked pretty hard for it. But w

ordered. I made

se to impress the big sharks. But sorry sweetheart, not this on

xaggeration. How delusi

at her use of words. He was

rward. "Oh yeah? Then how come a low class like

d at me with her now pale face and wide eyes

med on his face when he saw me outsi

My eyes fell on that girl as her eyes darted to me from Max ner

rown deepened. "What's the mat

aze, all of a sudden look

ok my

colors like lizards with

Ruby?" Max pressured,

nside? I've got cupcakes for you," I

he simply told her to leave and she took the chance as a golden ticket. If she kn

uch and took the cupcakes out of the bag,

't take the silence anym

still m

rite dessert. Slowly swallowing the bite, he

ot talkin

" he replied

ax

mato. I just...I don't know what to do to make you see the reasons for our restrictions on your life. And

hy I did it." I looked down at my hands. "But I know better. Things can't always be my way. And don't fre

that he couldn't do anything to help me in that matter. So he did

out of home again. Now pull your hung up mood, wi

as he went back to his cupcakes

all I made them," I boast

were a shame. Thanks to Nana who gave me her recipe and helped me to hone it. Du

know that you're

want to ups

you don't go anywher

here. And leave some for Sam, will you? I

s at the tip of my tongue the whole time, but ended up not doing it. I had to explain how I

kes. And despite this place being ultimately secured, and I had to just cross a floor of distance, he sent o

to know if he was busy a

as at the thirty-three floor, meant just down this o

hone vibrated with Sam's green signal. And at the sa

e locked with her cat eyes as she stood there with files

n't decipher. But it defin

st be around. They must've

ur hotel was still a ma

on my way with the guard i

he empty hallway, followed by the faint sound of the guard's boots. I didn't even know this girl until thi

behind me. Not looking at her, I gla

e-thi

rather spend the whole day here with a space to br

tumbled on my legs, the bag of cupcakes slipped from my hands and fell on the ground. And

ost my balance," a voice

liar smell of a sharp cologne hit my nostrils. And as soo

My heart palpitated beneath my

e of the day got lost into his electric pools of b

h when he leaned in and spi

s me who saves y

came out of my

anced at my back at the guard who was definitely on alert to look out for any danger, and t

pology. I was certain she wasn't sorry

a second sheer coincidence that you saved me from falling," wit

corner of his lips, his eyes

you falling

y eyes widened. The

. "Keep dreaming, I d

ide, he watched me with c

anced at the girl, "even their employees could put their cl

n the elevator. And I was certain, she wasn't the only one in the

work files in her hand and the way she co

him. An offended or an angr

ns. Instead, his eyes held amuseme

my system. Somehow the intensity of his smoldering gaze turned into a hot fla

her, an African American man came and

didn't move a

paper bag from the floor and fled away from the

*

ay at the hotel, Dad crushed my hope by

r to stay out that lo

ad among us three siblings, Max

time we used to spend together. It's been years since we had a good

fia and staying busy most of the time was one of the reasons. Though Alex's insecurities could've had a hand i

his. As long as there wasn't any major issue among them,

traffic, just as my ph

ur

mm

er decision was made for you by your Dad and you couldn't have a say in it

rcing me into taking online classes at home. Just l

usual. Going back home, couldn't stay at the hotel any

now went missing. Need to find that mutt and drag him back here to the city to know what information he puked to them," excitement was clear in her v

happy for her. I was very happy for her. After all, she was get

I won't ever

have. Independence, self-relianc

ok my

nd, mourning for myself whe

d to share it with you," she said, perceiving my silence, as usua

ent," I apologized. "And you don't need to do anything to

t don't change the t

't worry. You go on your mission and come back soo

Alright, I gotta go now. Talk

you

back on the seat and watched the car

es started to slow down again as the red signal appeared faster than his wish. While the others

ll of a sudden, I felt suffocated. An urge to leave. Leave everything behind and

ught my eyes on the ot

's Pizza

than a slice of pizza

he driver to it and stepped out of the car.

he middle of a busy place like this. If you need anything

Nobody would come to kill me i

talkings, I went ins

ils. I looked around the small place. It was warm and buzzing. People of different ages and status sat there: sipping on the

ith shoulder length curly hair passed t

ehind, holding places of four people without any intention to

t aside to pay his bill, it was my turn. Bu

er for today. That man just ordered the last one,

's over? There m

We're extremely sorry. It was the last on

bad luck, I guess," saying, just as I move

ave mine i

e lady was pointing at, stood the

with unruly dark hair. Seeing my confusion, h

d at the box in his hand. "But since it was the last one, you can take mine.

t. You already bough

Here, you can take it." He pushed the box o

was something about him I

sita

add any poison in it to

I took the box. "Thanks! B

. "Think of it as

ut

life gives you something. Because..." Glancing at the guards, his eyes met mine

lready walking away. He didn't even s

off his jacket and slung it over his sh

ght my attention was the f

rapped around