only reason why Elzi accepted his invitation. But it seems that Elzi was deceived. Inst

ones. I should have remembered! Any problem involving that guy will never be resolved until the

een haunting her throughout the journey home that afternoon. Elzi then got ou

xpect anything from Ben. He's the only thing in this worl

mind if one voice hadn't caught her attention. This

ng down? Is th

d found her little brother, Razen Christopher

uestion, Elzi took a deep breat

lready tired of Ben's business, tired of the traffic jam, and now Razen shows up? Oh

when he did not immediately fi

? Or... did you just get fired? Oh

she replied softly. "I haven't been fired. Believe me, Zen. I really do

oo

he teasing looks on his face vanished, and

ng look, this time without any pretense. "Do you hav

s at the sudden change

antation. I really don't feel like going to s

, she knew her current situation did

bed. Besides... consider it a consequence of your own situation. Imagine if you already h

trated expression. "It's not like I wanted to be jobless until now. I've tried, but no one is hi

s. Of course, job-related issues were sensitive. But just as

job applications get rejected, does that mean if I

g her mistake in trying to s

ke me," Razen nodded. "Or at least, maybe it's time for me to accept Jaxon's offe

er brother was shaking his head with a fake sense of fru

n Razen's rambling. Before s

hands

's retort, allowing Elzi to leav

her mother watering the plants in the side garden of the house. Then

her bed. Her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling

mind seemed to have nothing inside. Until, somehow, out of nowhere, Ben's fa

r jerk. Bastard. Psychopath

at moment. Especially when her brain replayed

two meetings

diately going to her contacts and finding Ben's name

l whenever, I will never contact him again. I will neve

would forget about Ben forever. She truly did not want

phone rang. Displaying another contact that made her take a deep breath.

as call

een telephone symbol to answer the call.

o, Da

ciously, Ben's face that had been in her mind was replaced by Mario's. The handsom

g Ben, I would definitely m

i was absolutely sure. Mario

g. Are you bac

"Yes, I'm back. It's just been abou

go out? Well, consider it as compensation for the other day. You were s

ace. Luckily, when Mario mentioned the reunion, they were on the phone. Ugh! Elzi could not imagine what would happen if t

itation was a stroke of luck for her. Wasn't he like having a sixth sense, kno

Elzi of Razen. At least, this could be he

vitation. So much so that she could feel the sudden su

upon hearing Elzi's response. "Alright. I'l

o'cl

rap. The soft and gentle fabric gracefully draped over her slim figure. Desp

ght. Though she occasionally felt insecure about her height, she now considered it an advantage. It

er being held up in customs, and they were one of Elzi's shopping achievements for the month.

ppearance, especially her chosen hairstyle. Her hair, reaching down to her mid-back, was a dark brown-blac

pastel-colored handbag that ma

mised, Mario arrived to pick up Elzi. After a b

sideways at Elzi, who looked comfortable in the passenger se

as they drove. His words instantly made Elzi blush. Well, secretly, she hoped that he

liment. "Thank you," she said, returning the gesture. "And you... as us

cause he was used to interacting with many people, either because of his family or

ired with a bone-white shirt and a cream-colored v

is evening? Is there a place yo

ched a movie in a while," she replied. "How about we

you want to eat? Or... should we watch t

do you

the movie first, and then we do some shopping. With all due respect, I'll a

ifted as she felt ticklish. Mario joined in, laughing toget

your cooking, Zi. And as the whole world knows..." Mario

hah

o show you some invitatio

d. Instead of feeling ticklish, s

e car had to stop because the traffic light turned red. At t

on. There are many things we

why, but now my heart feels unco

t.

that she was indeed goi

i said. "Op

l during the fight sequences. Both seemed to enjoy the film. However, for some re

front of me, I'll punch h

upset about the two stolen

opping bags they had purchased after the movie. They had bought vari

ation in the central business district and a range of facilities comparable to a five-star hotel, anyone could clearly see that Mario live

. The fact that the luxurious apartment building named Lu

in the EliteEscapes Inc group, the Harisson family business delved into the fields of hospitality

. She was truly fortunate to be engaged to Mario. Although, o

al city. He was a prominent political figure and had

, Mario promptly carried all their shopping bags. Once they reached the entrance of his apartment unit,

while she closed the door behind him, feeling

ray hairs behind her ear as they escaped to fall on the sides of her face. "You

illfully preparing all the ingredients she needed to start cooking. Given her

of hands land on her stomach. It was followed by a gentle kiss on her bare

caused her to furrow her brow, Elzi sighed s

fully responded to her words. "Actually, it's

on the edge of the pan. She then reached to touch Mario's ha

d's eyes. She found herself captivated by Mario's gaze, unable to interpret its meaning. E

ou

previously calm goosebumps suddenly stood up. Especially when Mario lowered his hea

neasy as the kisses continued. This time, they traveled furthe

nt washed over her, and she quickly bit her lower lip, trying to compose herself. Mario, on the other hand, smiled, b

in, his gaze fixated on her lips. She held her breath, but just b

"L-let's just eat, okay? The fried chicken

at, but Mario's hand held her waist fi

heavy, husky, sending shivers dow

have said, Elzi never expected that quest

Elzi replied, her voice tre

turned her head to the side to avoid it. He seemed momentarily taken aback before shift

an't a future husband

rd. "N-n-not like

ssionate kiss, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. With intent, he held her waist firml

s eyes widen

pushed Mario away. The kiss came to an end, and

neven. "If you want to eat, there it is. I've finish

lzi's slightly wet lips, his dimples showing as he

, "I guess... I do wa

ared, her ey

with a smile, gently caressing her face with one

hand away from her face. She scowled. "Yeah right

took a deep breath. "We're not kids anymore, Zi. And seriousl

ry, Rio. But I really..." She exhaled, unable to find the r

d away, ignoring Mario's stun

me? Or is there an

um

turned her body to face Mario, who was looking

e you. There's no one

se," he said, "are you willing t

guess the implication behind Mario's wor

't pos

i's spine, especially after what happened a

was trying to forget what happened that night

roat tighten, he

same? Why do they o

pang of pain in her heart, making

you said, we're getting married soon. That'

her. In that moment, Elzi did not react, waiting to hear what Mario would say next. B

on, you know I'll take responsibi

felt at that moment. When she finally felt her hand being grabbed

any possibility for her to break free. And he sai