s

es made me extremely uncomfortable. I didn't want to be rude, but I was ready to set b

ther than 'Mr. Handsome.' What was he do

e and authority made my heart flutter. H

used and helpless. Their physiques were int

proached me, his bruised face etched w

me when he was injured? I felt guilty, thinking, "This

ined handsome. I struggled to respond,

you... you're hurt because of me," I said,

nothing, just a scratch.

he added, his warm g

still gna

said, glancing at his watch.

so much,"

, turning to leave. But as he took a s

ed out, not wa

," I said. "We could walk together, if you

sparkled. "Le

ioned, "I booked a ride, b

road," I suggested. "If we're

tter," Ard

, "I'm Arden, by the w

replied, fee

red to myself, sa

Arden said

g everything and nothing. I was

ore, I excused myself and dashed

sked with curiosity in h

out," I tea

e, but our bus was departing. We rushed

ew it, my stop arrived. Our time to

I announced, gathe

est," Arden said, s

nding him the pack. "Use

tanding. "So this

indful of you," he added, g

cked in a w

the bus, Arden called

turning b

ach out," he said, hand

th excitement. Arden smiled, and we sh

he alley to my house, I hummed softly, clutching

id waking my siblings, Ana and Julian. A q

bed, Arden's smile still fresh in my min

e

ete stranger, stand up against me? I hadn't planned

s my father had hurled at me countless times. His disapproval no longer fazed me, b

criticisms resurfaced, a

have smashed that g

- an aura of superiority that rubbed me the

meddling in my business, striking me, and ru

parent's mansion s

on the sofa, magazine in one hand and wine glass in the other. Her

ced, hiding my bruised face. I didn

tly. I halted, reluct

ou," she instructed, though her e

aid, smiling with satisfaction. The words

ow," I pleaded, regretting my decision to come to t

as she took in my battered appearance. "Rex, what happened to you

ot into a fight with s

cern to outrage. "What? Who dared to hit Pa

iftly, if not exactly how I'd like. "I'll teach him," she

s tend to your face. Nicole's coming f

ou go without mentioning Nicole for once?" I

room, leaving my mot