Nonetheless, I didn't care if there was conflict. After all, it was their fault, to begin with, and I needed to speak up. Otherwise, they might think Zara was an easy target. That was what good friends were for—to show unwavering support when it mattered most.My words seemed to strike a nerve as Chris' parents' expressions darkened. Chris' mother, in particular, looked enraged. Her face was flushed, and her neck bulged as she raised her bejeweled hand to respond.Just then, a weak voice interrupted. Chris, who had just woken up, spoke hoarsely, his voice grating like rough stones rubbing together. "Dad, Mom, stop it. I don't want any compensation."His mother looked at him. "You foolish boy, look at what she's done to you! How can you not ask for compensation? If it weren't for her, would you be lying here suffering?""Mom, I did this to myself. Zara didn't hurt me. Zara, I'm sorry for everything. You can go home now. I'll come find you once I'm better." Chris struggled to raise h
"Yes, let's expose her completely! Post it in every group, friend circle, and social media platform. Let everyone know what she's done so she becomes a pariah," Zara said, rolling up her sleeves as if ready to charge into battle.If Jasmine were in front of her, Zara would probably unleash a relentless flurry of kicks upon her.Their fierce loyalty touched me deeply. However, as my father always said, "Patience is a virtue."After Jasmine's schemes, not only did Colin manage to thwart her plans, but we also spent our first night together. I reckoned her fury only intensified when he sought me out in the mountains. Being the scheming person that she was, Jasmine would never let things end there. She was bound to come up with more ways to torment us.As such, the evidence I had gathered against her must be wielded at the right moment. I needed to strike when it would hurt her the most, leaving no room for her to retaliate. The timing was crucial, and now wasn't the moment to strike
Nico yelped in pain, quickly stifling his laughter. He knew better than to make fun of me now.After the playful banter, we got down to business. Being professionals, we immediately adopted a serious and focused demeanor. In just over ten minutes, we decided to conduct an on-site investigation in Lagado two days later.With two days until our expedition, we needed to assemble a team, gather the right tools, and formulate a reliable action plan.Having been away for almost two months, opening the door to my house felt incredibly comforting. I couldn't help but collapse onto the couch before grabbing a pillow and hugging it.Zara began, "Luna, it's just you and me now. Tell me honestly, what do you really think about Colin? Jasmine is no pushover, and she's got a malicious streak. If she could drug Colin once, she could do it again. "Colin might have found you once, but what about next time? Or the time after that? You're miles apart. Even if he seeks your help, it might be too lat
Whether or not Colin replied to my message immediately didn't matter because soon, we would be breathing the same air under the same sky again.I hadn't had a decent night's sleep in days because I had been constantly worrying about Colin. However, as the plane climbed to a cruising altitude and stabilized, I was surprised to find myself falling asleep.The plane landed at Lagado Airport at 9:00 pm. The airport was brightly lit, while the night outside was cloaked in darkness. Colin stood at the exit, scanning the crowds for me. As I stepped out, he swiftly strode over, taking my suitcase and grasping my hand tightly in his other hand. "You must be exhausted. Are you cold? Here, take my jacket.""Not at all. I've been sleeping on the plane. I'm wearing a sweater, so I'm not cold. Colin, I missed you." For the first time, I openly expressed my longing for him.Colin tightened his grip on my hand, and his eyes sparkled with delight. The smile on his face reflected his joy as he rep
"What are you afraid of? Is someone threatening you?" Colin became even more anxious. His usually calm demeanor had given way to an agitated state, his hands quivering as they clenched the steering wheel."No, I'm afraid you'll be taken away from me," I finally admitted, and the tears I had managed to suppress began to flow again. "Jasmine is such a devious woman. What if she tricks you into leaving me?"Colin chuckled in response, letting out a long, relieved sigh and gradually lowering his tensed shoulders. With an amused expression, he asked, "Baby, do you lack confidence in yourself or me?""It's not a matter of confidence," I retorted. "Haven't you heard of the saying 'where there's a will, there's a way?' Jasmine's malicious ambitions are obvious to anyone with eyes. No matter how confident I am, I can't stop her machinations. "Besides, it's important to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Last time, if I hadn't happened to be there, who knows what could have ha
It dawned on me that the one without a sense of security in our relationship was Colin all along."I said you're the man I love. What's wrong with that? Or is it that I'm not your beloved?" I enunciated each word carefully, my gaze fixed on Colin.Although using this method to confirm Colin's love for me was a bit childish, I intended to let him know that I loved him as much as he loved me. My love for him was no less than his for me.Sure enough, his captivating eyes transformed from delight to euphoria.An emotion that could only be described as satisfaction appeared on Colin's face."Baby, do you know? You've never said you love me. And I've often wondered if this was all a dream and that we weren't together after all. "But today, hearing you say you love me, I'm genuinely overjoyed. Thank you, Baby. Thank you for loving me. I love you, deeply and truly, the kind of love that's only meant for you."I embraced Colin and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. "Colin, I love yo
As Colin carried me to the bathroom to clean up, I had a brief moment of clarity, reminding me that I hadn't eaten dinner and was ravenous.The following day, before I even woke up, Nico's phone call rang like a death knell. I squirmed under the covers, my bare body too exhausted and reluctant to respond.I pretended not to hear it, forcing Colin to pick up my phone helplessly."Nico, why are you calling so early in the morning?" Colin's voice was hoarse yet strangely alluring in the quiet morning. Nico chuckled mischievously on the other end, his arrogant tone crystal clear through the phone. "My, my, you're still asleep, Mr. White? You must have had a good night, huh?" Now fully awake, Colin raised an eyebrow and glanced at me with eyes full of sweet, affectionate amusement. He spoke coldly into the phone. "If you've got something to say, say it. Otherwise, I'm hanging up."The stark contrast in his demeanor was remarkable."Wait, don't hang up!" Nico pleaded. "Jessie's team
The feeling of waking up alone after a night of being thoroughly cherished was something only those who had experienced it could truly understand.I couldn't help but wonder when these painfully brief periods of meetings would finally come to an end. It was perplexing how two people deeply in love had such difficulty remaining together.Alas, time was of the essence, leaving me with no spare moments to dwell on these thoughts. After a speedy shower and changing of clothes, I ventured out to find something to eat before meeting up with Nico and Jessie.However, before I could even make it out the door, I noticed several takeout bags and a handwritten note on the small round table by the window.The note said, "Baby, these are your favorite ravioli and oatmeal. Make sure you eat everything. I've also packed your suitcase and added some thick jackets for you. It's going to be tough in the mountains, so take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything. I love you, Baby!"The words