Promise to protect each other for life...

Liam, who was walking with Lea to the dining hall, suddenly stopped. He pulled Lea into an embrace and leaned against a pillar.

"What are you doing? What if someone sees us?" Lea asked, agitated, looking around to check if anyone was coming.

"Don't worry, not too many people use this route as this route is longer compared to the other one."

Lea sighed in relief and then looked at him. "Then why did you take this path?"

"Because I couldn't take any more of your staring. Now, tell me what's on your mind?" Liam asked, brushing back a loose lock of hair from Lea's face.

Lea sighed, a bit embarrassed at being caught. "I... I never knew you had this side to you. It felt really good to be protected like that. Though my father and brothers always stand like a protective barrier around me, what you did today felt different. I don't know how to explain it."

A smile bloomed on Liam's face. He bent his head and gave a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I promise I will always protect you, whether we're together or not in the future."

Lea hugged him tightly. "Then I'll protect you to the best of my abilities as well." Liam laughed lightly and tightened his embrace. "Okay then, we'll protect each other for life."

They stood there enjoying each other's company when Lea's stomach started growling.

They both started laughing.

"Come on, let's go eat or you won't be able to hold on much longer," Liam said. Lea gave an embarrassed smile at his words as they headed to have breakfast.

After getting their food, they looked around for an empty table and saw Sharen and Alex sitting, tired and sleep-deprived with dark circles under their eyes.

Liam and Lea exchanged confused glances and then walked over to Sharen and Alex.

"What the hell happened to you two? You look like zombies," Liam asked as soon as they reached the table.

"We couldn't sleep all night, just a bit tired," Alex replied nonchalantly.

Liam raised an eyebrow and a teasing smirk appeared on his face. "Oh… is that why you both disappeared yesterday without telling us anything?"

Alex and Sharen were about to nod yes when they saw the expression on Liam's face. They became alert, furrowing their brows as they thought back to Alex's words and Liam's reply. Their eyes went wide as they looked at each other and then glared at Liam.

"You... go get that dirty mind of yours cleansed," Sharen said angrily, pointing her index finger at Liam.

"Yes, we just went out to look for someone and stayed up all night because we couldn't find him. What the hell are you thinking with that dirty brain of yours?" Alex added.

Hahaha…

Lea and Liam couldn't hold back their laughter.

"Lea, not you too! You shouldn't support this pervert," Sharen said, looking wronged. But seeing her like this, Lea found it even harder to hold back her laughter.

Sharen pouted and sat down angrily with her arms crossed over her chest.

After a few more seconds, Alex said, "Come on, baby, we'll go sit somewhere else." Sharen got up.

Seeing them really getting angry, Lea controlled her laughter and intervened. She caught hold of Sharen's hand and said, "Okay, okay, we're sorry. We won't tease you anymore. Sit down."

Sharen relaxed a little but furrowed her brows when she saw Liam still grinning at them.

Lea lightly hit Liam on the shoulder, glaring at him. "Stop."

Liam pouted like a wronged child. Seeing Lea still glaring at him, he bent his head to eat his food. "Sorry."

Sharen and Alex were shocked, thinking, "When did this tyrant become so tamed?" They looked at Lea, then at each other, nodding in understanding.

"Okay, sit down now, please," Lea said in a pleading tone.

Sharen and Alex sat down, and both couples continued with their breakfasts.