When They Beg, I Rise!

"Listen up, I'll only say this once."

Orion grabbed the pen, scribbling on a piece of scrap paper while solving problems.

Lemira froze, her gaze fixed on the man in front of her, her emotions suddenly a whirlwind of complexity.

Because of Evelina, she found herself without friends, even the teachers seemed to keep their distance. No one had ever taken the time to explain things to her before.

Orion's gaze was distant, "With your attention span, I won't feel strange that you daydream through class!"

Lemira snapped back to reality, murmuring an apology, "Sorry, I'll pay attention."

At the sight of her subdued response, Orion's Adam's apple bobbed as he continued to explain.

As evening approached, the warm glow of the lamp enveloped them. Lemira sat, while he stood beside her, one hand bracing the table as he walked her through the solution process. "Can't you see the pattern? It's the same as the last one.

This question's trick is so obvious, can't you see it? Are your eyes just for decoration?

Have you ever had your IQ tested? Are you sure it's up to par? Try again!"

His tone was flat, but his words were sharp, cutting deep.

Luckily, Lemira knew of his reputation because of the sharp tongue, or she might have crumbled under the pressure. Yet, Lemira persevered.

She packed up her completed homework, "Thanks, Dr. Everhart, you're amazing for remembering all this."

Orion twirled his pen, eyeing her curiously, "Don't your folks have a tutor for you?"

Lemira pouted slightly, "I don't want to owe them anything." Tutoring fees were a fortune, and she didn't want to ask the Langstons for money.

Orion watched her delicate profile, her emotions hidden behind her drooping eyelids. Lemira looked up cautiously, "Dr. Everhart, can I come to you with questions in the future?" The man turned, his voice awkward, "I'm busy."

Despite being rejected, Lemira didn't get upset. She neatly packed her bag.

Orion tapped the desk, adding, "Depends on my mood."

Lemira smiled, "Thank you, Dr. Everhart, you are my mentor!" Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her backpack and ran off.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Squinting his eyes, Orion smiled lazily, thinking teaching her was a way to pass the time.

---

Lemira arrived home, the night having already settled in.

The butler approached her, "The young master and Ms. Sterling went out for dinner, so they won't be joining you tonight."

"Alright."

Lemira headed to the dining room for a meal, enjoying the rare moment of peace.

Checking her phone, she saw Evelina's Facebook post: "Out for a big meal with my brothers." Evelina and the brothers were all there in the picture, their smiles dripping with affection for Evelina.

Lemira glanced at it before swiftly closing Facebook, focusing on her dinner instead.

The next morning, Lemira went down for breakfast, finding only Evelina at the table. Evelina boasted quietly, "I made a lot of progress at the team training yesterday."

Lemira ate her breakfast expressionlessly, ignoring Evelina's bragging. Evelina seemed in high spirits, not minding Lemira's cold demeanor.

Despite her calm exterior, Lemira was seething inside. She quickly finished her breakfast and headed out, only to see the chauffeur standing there, motionless, "Ms. Sterling hasn't come out yet. We will wait for her."

After waiting over ten minutes with no sign of Evelina, Lemira grew restless, "If she doesn't come soon, we'll be late!"

She was finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate everything about the Langstons.

Deciding not to wait any longer, Lemira opened the car door, only for Caspian to emerge, "What harm is there in waiting a bit longer for Eve? Her dad once saved your life, and he didn't abandon you. And now you can't even wait a few more minutes for Eve?" Lemira's grip tightened on the door handle.