and from college with Alfred driving her-except on days when R

creasing number of female students transferring to Elara's class or attending

uptive presence, Rayyan was eventually forced to remov

lirtations from the female students who insisted on staying. Bu

professor. Up until now, Elara hadn't told an

their relationship status, and the second was that Rayyan him

chose the location where he would pick her up. Usually, he picked her up

do that, Rayyan replied, "So th

to know about their relationship. But out of curiosity, she s

ed to return to campus and pick you up, you're contributing to air pollution, traffic con

ces traffic, lessens Uncle Alfred's workload, and saves fuel," Elara suggested. Rayyan res

ant to worry her by making her worry about you. So just accept the benefits that come

accept? If this keeps up, I'll just end up exhaus

asking for permission anymore. She played her favorite songs, which changed genres from

road while listening to music. However, during many of their drives, Rayyan spent his time on the phone with someone Elara assumed was a work colleague. So inste

Where are we going?" she asked, confused, as she kept watching the road. "You're not planning t

sed back, reminding her of her aunt's husband. "I'm not going to kidnap you. W

yyan pulled into a luxurious apartment com

marked suddenly. Rayyan, who was steering the c

e meeting?

yyan answered

e girl for a date, and you're using me as

ed the car in an empty spot and got out. Meanwhile, Elara sa

," Rayyan urged,

go on a date? I'd rather stay here!" she sa

I'm not going on a date. I'm meeting with an

n nodded in response. "But you promised you'd stay at home

a's house, but she could already imagine how sad they'd be if their youngest

e car with his remote and guided her toward the elevator. Elara followed without much

k at Rayyan. "A real investment, or some sort of

ean?" Rayyan a

ho looked back up at him wi

er so you can sneak women in and do inapprop

nazio's penthouse," Elara said accusingly. "And because you didn't want to seem che

st, followed by Elara. He pressed the button for the flo

sked me to stay with him," Rayyan def

an to playfully mess up her hair out of amusement. "Uncle, ugh!" she protested, swatting at his hand, thoug

yan finally release her. She pouted, fixin

things?" Rayyan teased, pulling at her bun

her sneakers. Rayyan yelped in surprise, unable to dodge in the con

s teasing hands. She kept a couple of steps behind, allowing Rayyan to lead the way while maintainin

's excited voice could be heard

long sleeves, a red leather skirt that stopped mid-thigh, and twelve-centimeter

without hesitation, while Elara could only

g long?" Rayyan asked

y hair, pouted playfully. "No, I just got here too,"

f myself if I made a woman as beautiful as you wait," Rayya

fair! What an annoying man!' Elara thought, her frustration bubbling up, causing

man asked, giving R

er to come closer. "This is Elara. Elara, meet Diana Lynn. She's the interio

er hand. Elara, feeling a bit awkward,

reeted politely after D

'aunty'?" the woman aske

d," she answered plainly. "It feels disrespectful to just call you by

, have you come up with a concept for the unit?" he asked, and the wom

on her own. She wandered from room to room, inspecting the bedrooms, bathrooms, and other empty spaces. The apartment was spacious and entire

as a rude, spoiled teenager. Instead, she slipped into what she ass

rn out like this, he could've just had Uncle Alfred pick me up. By now, I'd already be home, lying in my bed." She continued to grumble as she walked over to the corner by the wi

her music gallery. After adjusting the volume to a comfortable level, she leaned back agai