Chapter 24: The Protection

"Anything for you, αγάπη μου." Markris's father said, with a big grin on his face.

Lorena felt like she was living in an alternative universe where everything seemed unreal. Still, she wanted to hear the point of this gathering as quickly as possible. She picked up a piece of chicken, suddenly feeling hungrier than before.

"So Lorena, how do you like working with Lauren?" Cicero asked. The question caught her unaware, causing the chicken in her mouth to go down the wrong pipe. She began to cough. Her eyes immediately turned red. Markris quickly poured water into a glass and handed it over to her.

As she collected the glass, their hands brushed momentarily, and she shuddered again. Once again, he caught on to her reaction. His brow raised as he watched her gulp the water down. When she was done, she dropped the glass and turned her face away from him.

"Why can't you watch your manners, Lorena? Why do you have to be so embarrassed?" Her father frowned, the irritation evident in his voi