k from hugging him. Noah stared at me and co

tered. "But... what

ed, crossing my arms to

ou...

eed to get home," I s

au

ha

take y

rted, walking fart

't changed one bit," h

I noticed my mother and Laila sitting in the livi

er said, starin

," I mumbled, av

but Laila held her back, gestur

r room, ma'am," L

ing upstairs and lock

and hung it on the door handle. My mother's loud voice carried t

was family. After losing her grandmother dur

other. She was deeply grateful to my parents for sponsoring her education through colle

house chores whenever she was reminded of it. The only way she could show her gratitude was by selling her

houghts. I instantly recogniz

unlocking the door

g a steaming bowl. "W

," I lied again, s

handing me the bowl. "You went t

tayed silent. Laila sig

uch," she chided. "I told you

everything," I s

hol poisoning, Laura. You c

ain," I said,

did you go to No

d

uldn't have told

not, I'd have foun

hat ha

ng on my back.

brow. "And how did

I don't

t feel seeing him again after all these

admitted softly, placing the

n the bed as well. "I wish Allen was still

tened in her eyes, though s

till love him," she said, h

sound like

Anyway, what time is y

in the

ave an early

you need

ll you... I have a blind

ughing, and sh

not

ou? A bli

ot funn

ce Allen died," I said, feeling a pang of guilt as I remembered how heartbr

ay-was one none of u

-

mester exams and were heading home when Allen pulled u

roof of his car like some movie hero. Heads turned. S

who only shrugged, her face lightin

ing his arms dramatically. "Wo

He jumped down to hug her as the crowd of stude

ly!" Laila called out, waving ex

er back in one piece, or I'll kill you and l

ining from his face. "Got it," h

came, and

-

nd it was getting late. By the time my father came home, panic had set in. The police said w

knock at

ila's sheepish grin and some flims

ears. Blood soaked her dress, and bruises marred her arms.

.. he's

rive his car. She thought she could handle it. But she lost c

-

ith people in suits waiting at the bus park for their rides. I stood among t

ed up at the building. "Write O' Wel

cally and internationally. Rumors swirled about its mysterious and eccentri

packed with people in corporate attire, waiting anxiously. My confidence w

I'm her

ooking up as she scribbled in a book. "Find

per here. I took a deep breath , trying to make sure her behavior didn't get to me cause I needed the job. This wasn't my first in

lances at their tense faces. One by one, they went in

d into the interview room with three

" the female intervie

ree interviewers. As I lifted my ga

e he

o

me as ever-cold, unreadable. I began to feel uneasy but I tried

ewers asking questions. Noah, however, said not

-

the unease stayed with

e now?" Noah's voic

re not that import

y are yo

interview. That's

y com

I echoed, stunne

ny?" he ask

any is owned by Mr. Alan-" My voice trailed off as rea

he called, gr

ha

ed to

thing to s

g to my waist. His breath tickled my

ver down my spine. b

ou want?"

nce t

hy

can we go som

ff, but his gaze burn

cars and turned to him with arm

ked past me. "Let

ha

walking. I rolled my

ng onto the straps for balance. I glared at him

ith the man standing behind her. I leaned forward to s

ering in her ear as she tried to evade him. Furious,

I didn't care. I punched him and sl

vert!" I

ly he crumpled to the floor. I turned to see Noah standing

dn't ha

e interrupte

ored him. The passengers stared a

ked us before hurrying away. I t

e handled

ear

insuff

elcome," he s

do you want, Noah? Let's

you think we shou

e. Wouldn't your

nto laught

's fu

have a wi

rlfriend

be mad just to find out

at?

t your parents' restaur

do you k

d keeping track

me in place, but

ing with questions. This wa