Ch6 - Don’t get me wrong

Lena and Tom turned toward the sound. Alaric stood at the other end of the corridor, his face expressionless, with only an assistant beside him.

Lena’s hand, which had been hovering near her high heel, instinctively moved away.

Tom cleared his throat, releasing her as he stood up, trying to look casual. "Alaric, what are you doing here?" he asked, his mouth twitching up into a forced smile, causing his mustache to lift with it.

Alaric's gaze was dark, and he didn’t answer, striding toward them with his tall frame and repeating what he’d said earlier, "What you just did wasn’t very appropriate, was it?"

Tom froze, a faint blush creeping onto his face. "It was just…an accident, really.”

Alaric’s stare unsettled him, and Tom decided not to dwell on why Alaric was even standing up for Lena. He only knew he was up against someone who could be both powerful and unpredictable. Stumbling over his words, Tom said, "Oh, I just remembered—I have guests waiting for me. I’ll be on my way.”

In his haste, he left Lena behind, forgetting even to help her up. He didn’t bother with appearances, leaving as quickly as possible.

Lena’s hair had come partially undone, mist clinging to her lashes, her gaze defiant yet confused as she looked up at Alaric.

Alaric turned away, hands clasped behind his back. “Don’t get the wrong idea,” he said stiffly. “I just happened to pass by on my way to the bathroom and saw the scene. I wasn’t here to help you on purpose.”

"I never said you were,” Lena replied, rolling her eyes. She could already tell he hadn’t come with any noble intentions.

The assistant’s eyes widened, glancing between Lena and Alaric. Alaric cleared his throat, and his assistant quickly extended a hand to help Lena up. Her ankle throbbed in pain—it seemed she’d twisted it in the fall—but she suppressed it, grateful for the help. Once she was standing, she used her long dress to cover her swollen ankle.

“Thank you. What’s your name?” she asked.

“Oh, me? I’m Zayn,” he replied, looking a bit shy under her gaze.

“Thank you again.”

"No problem, it was actually—” Zayn scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Ah-hem.” Alaric cleared his throat once more.

Both of them turned to look at him.

“Is there something wrong with your throat?” Lena teased. “If you’ve got a cold, don’t come near me. I have things to do, and I can’t afford to get sick.”

“You!” Alaric turned, ready to point a finger at her, but paused when he saw the red marks on her neck, wrists, and even her hands. For a moment, he was speechless.

Bruised all over, yet she stood there with that stubborn, unfazed look. She’d been terrified moments ago, and now she was pretending like nothing had happened.

"Why do you put up with people like him?” Alaric muttered, unable to understand why he felt so infuriated.

Lena’s expression hardened, her earlier calm fading. He’d seen it all—and overheard her conversation with Tom? She didn’t mind him seeing her disheveled appearance; after all, they’d known each other since they were kids, and he’d seen her covered in mud, climbing trees, and chasing bugs.

But for him to witness her humiliated, abandoned by her family, and denied help—it was unbearable. Her throat tightened, her ears flushed. "It’s none of your business.”

"I just saved you, and this is how you talk to me?"

"I never asked you to save me." Shame and frustration clouded her mind.

Alaric gritted his teeth. “Fine, suit yourself!”

His assistant quickly said goodbye to Lena with a flustered apology and hurried to catch up with Alaric, who was already storming off.

As the shadows of the two men disappeared, Lena’s tension eased, and the pain from her injuries slowly returned, radiating from her neck to her feet. She dragged her twisted ankle over to a nearby bench, took out a small mirror, and checked her face. She couldn’t leave looking like a wreck. She wiped the corner of her eyes, reapplied her lipstick, and let her hair fall loosely over her shoulders to cover the marks on her neck. The swollen ankle was another problem entirely…

She limped toward the exit, each step taking her three times as long. Just as she rounded a corner, she heard a familiar, lilting laugh. Ahead of her, a woman with a radiant smile was walking arm in arm with a young man. Lena instinctively drew back, pressing herself against the wall. For a split second, she glimpsed something of her old self in that woman.

Her ex-fiancé certainly had plenty of energy—he’d already found a new girl. Lena recognized her, too. Elise Waverly, recently returned from studying abroad, came from a wealthy family in the jewelry business. They had barely interacted before.

Leaning against the wall, she stood there in a daze. She wasn’t sure how much time passed before the voices faded and she resumed her slow walk. Just then, a figure ran up to her, panting and visibly relieved to find her.

"Zayn? What are you doing back here?” Lena asked, surprised.

After catching his breath, he said, “Glad you’re still here.”

“What’s up?” Lena glanced around, checking if anyone else was nearby.

"I noticed you were having trouble with your ankle and came back to help you. Um...I came on my own, that is, if you don’t mind,” Zayn added, his voice stiff as if he were reciting a script.

It had been so long since someone had shown her kindness. Lena gave him a soft, grateful smile. “You’re a really good person, but aren’t you worried your boss might scold you? You know my relationship with him is...complicated.”

Zayn waved off her concern. “No worries, I’m off the clock now.”

He held out his arm, gesturing for her to lean on him.

“Thank you, then.” Lena didn’t put up a strong front this time; her condition wasn’t great.

Zayn’s eyes lingered on her softened expression, different from how she’d looked in front of Alaric, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Lena assumed they’d be heading to Zayn’s car. But when they got to the entrance, Alaric’s sleek black car awaited her instead.

Zayn opened the door, guiding her to the back seat. “Your ankle’s in bad shape. It’s better if you sit in the back.”

After everything she’d been through recently, Lena was well aware that she was no longer a pampered heiress. “Alright,” she agreed. “And Zayn, you don’t have to be so formal with me. If it weren’t for you, I’d have no idea how to get home tonight.”

Zayn got into the driver’s seat. “It’s no trouble at all. Just a small favor. May I know your address?”