"I see a diner ahead. It looks like we can stop there," Dan said. They decided to take a short break and parked their car at the diner. The four of them went down and chose a table near the door they entered. Fortunately, no one else was eating there at that time, so they felt more comfortable. They also bought Lesley medicine, and she felt better. "I'll check the engine and the tires. We are still a long way," Dan said after taking his last bite of food. "I'll help you," Iston offered, draining his glass of water. "We'll just call you when we are done," Dan added before walking out of the diner with Iston. Lesley glanced at Kieran. He is sitting across from her. She noticed he barely ate his food. He seems to have the same appetite as her, or the absence of it. "Thank you," she said, breaking the silence. "I was really embarrassed to say that I felt sick. I didn't want to be a burden." He stared at her for a few seconds before answering. "You're not a liability." She blinked a
Lesley slowly opened her eyes when she felt a gentle stroke on her cheeks. Kieran's smiling face greeted her. "Wake up. We're here," he announced.She sprang up and looked around. Iston and Dan just got out of the car, glanced at her for a second, and smiled. She rubbed her face with her palm. The last thing she remembers is Kieran offering to rest her head on his shoulder. She didn't realize she had fallen asleep on his lap. She quickly fixed herself, and then they got out of the car together. A dozen armed men and women appeared before them. Each had the Crimson Clan symbol branded on the part of their clothing or tattooed on their body. It was two letter C's surrounded by a thorny and bleeding rose.Even though the guns were not pointed at them, she did not lower her defense. Her eyes were alert, warily scanning the surroundings. They looked like they were in a huge, spacious underground tunnel. There wasn't enough light to see the corners, but she could tell the thick walls were
Lesley's group was sitting next to each other at the same table. Catharina was in the middle beside Kieran and Dan, while she sat next to Kieran and Iston on the other side.She looked around for Amanda and Patrick but couldn't see them anywhere. Another group of people grabbed her attention, and that was the four mutants who helped them escape from MNA. As far as she remembered, they were Jacoben's men.After a while, four women came to their table and brought them food and drinks."My God, Lanz! We need to catch up, big time!" Catharina exclaimed as if she couldn't wait to talk to her brother.Kieran smiled at his sister. "Yeah, I'm excited to hear how you managed to do all of these.""Well, I got a lot of help, especially from Jacoben. He's the one who told me about everything that happened. That guy just never gave up on you.""That's because he's a good man... which is also his weakness," answered the young man with sadness in his eyes.Catharina sighed. "Right. I feel sorry for
Lesley had been staring at herself in the bathroom mirror for more than a minute now, completely lost in her own thoughts. Her face was still a little wet from washing, and her hands were holding tightly on each side of the sink.She doesn't understand the emotions building up inside her. She didn't know where it was coming from, but something awful was weighing on her chest.She should be happy because she and Kieran have made up, and he is reunited with his sister. In addition to that, they are now in the Crimson Clan's safest fortress, away from the threat of MNA, and she can finally see Amanda and Patrick.But why does it seem like something is missing? She couldn't feel completely happy."Ugh... Les, what's wrong with you?" she groaned as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror.She was fine earlier. But now that she is alone in a quiet room, the noise of her chaotic mind is dominating.Something doesn't feel right, but she doesn't know what it is.She closed her eyes tigh
What just happened? Lesley asked herself.Why can't she be happy despite all the good things that happened today? What is wrong with her?Her palms clenched, and tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes when she realized what was making her feel so heavy and discontented. She couldn't stop comparing Kieran to his old self. She even referred to him as Bangs earlier in front of Catharina by accident. It seems she is yet to move on, that the man he used to be is gone.The man who always longed for her and respected her. The man who will never force her and promised to wait when she is ready to give her first.She hugged herself tightly and sobbed. "Bangs... Bangs..." she bitterly called the name of the man she loved over and over again.She cried all night. She didn't know how long she was like that, but all her remaining strength drained until the lids of her eyes closed, and she surrendered to sleep. It was already noon when she woke up. If it wasn't for the loud knocks on the door, sh
Kieran couldn't take his eyes off Lesley, who was busy eating. They sat facing each other on her bed with their trays of food resting on their laps.His conscience is still haunting him for what he did last night. He is not used to being rejected by women. He always gets what he wants from them, freely and effortlessly. But Lesley was different from all the women he had met. He should not treat her as an easy girl. She deserves a lot more respect than he showed her last night. She is more precious and special.Even though she says that she has forgiven him and that they should just forget what happened, he is still angry with himself. It's hard to forget something like that.He gritted his teeth in silent fury. How dare he do that to her? She doesn't deserve that! What went through his mind and he did that?He also couldn't forget what she had said earlier about them being strangers. He wants to know what is going through the girl's mind and what she really feels.He was getting more
"Don't ignore me," he said in a low and harsh tone. "Answer my question.""Change topic," she responded indifferently.He became annoyed at her trying to dodge his questions. "Did you kiss?"She coughed, almost choking on her food, and then quickly reached for the glass of water and drank it. Then face him again. "Why do you want to know that? That's in the past. We're over now, so don't ask about it.""But I want to know! Do you know how heartbroken I was during those times? I was so insecure of him!""Don't be.""So, did you?""What?""You kissed, didn't you?"Her cheeks blushed. "Well," she cleared her throat, "just a few times. But it's nothing compared to your experience. You've been with a lot of women. Do you know what men like you are called nowadays?""What are you—""Fuckboy. That's what they call you now, and it does not sound nice."He gaped wide in shock. "What— Fuck what?!""Ah, that's it! Nevermind. We're done eating. Return the trays and dishes," she snorted."Wait! Wh
Lesley and Kieran held hands as they walked and followed Dan's quick steps. They are headed to the Rose Room. Catharina has summoned them there.The Rose room was one of the most important places in Crimson Clan's Main Hideout. It was where all their moves and plans against the MNA were carried out and discussed. This was also where the high-ranking officials of the organization gathered to make decisions on important and complicated matters.Dan halted his big steps and faced them. "We're here," he said, placing his hand on the knob of a tall and wide wooden door to their right.Lesley took a deep breath with a smile on her face. She couldn't wait to hear what Catharina had to say. She was sure it was about her family. How are Amanda and Patrick? she wondered. Are they in the room waiting for her? And are they still angry at her? she hoped not.She had many questions and fears, but she was ready. Her grip on Kieran's hand tightened as Dan pushed open the door.They walked slowly into