Bound By Contract, Tied By Faith

dn't b

My eyes stayed fixed on them, Lucas and Serena like if I bl

it

ame out weak, shaking. "After everything... afte

trousers like nothing serious had just happened. Like I didn

hing," he said. H

ake it personal. I

d, I just s

ken sound that didn't even

ed slowly. "Thi

I could feel it in my fin

my friend from grade 6. The same girl who hugged me downst

voice tighter now. "How lo

t even lo

like she was bored, picked

. it's nothing.

inside m

red. My voice broke this tim

closer. "Ivy

ping back quickly. "D

s the problem. Like

dded. "I didn't think it

, Lucas. Two whole years! And you're sta

s hair. "I didn't mean for

more tha

sn't abo

out getti

thing else, Maya's voi

you fo

mediately when

ned. Then her

this? What's going

throat felt dry. "He

filled t

aya ex

tupid, useless fool! A whole two-year rel

p. "And you? You call yourself her

d her eyes again, still focused on

t deep," she

sharp laugh.

d's boyfriend and you're

d there, fe

ng inside me

n to me...". He ple

e immediately, bl

even dare

ned to

of this, this i

, you ruined it the moment

hand firmly. "

quickly. "Ivy, wait.

ou should have talked be

he room. I didn't even

st. My legs felt weak, but I

cold night ai

e, it fe

ly aware of the dress again. The way it

ate

slipped in

this was

wanted me

staring at me..

e upstairs t

mach t

ady trying to

.." she muttered

," I said

wned. "His number i

rse it

walk," she s

d out ont

The streetlights cast long shadows on the ground. My heels click

against my bare ski

sud

stepped in

ng the

ne of them asked, smiling in a

ya said im

did

epped closer t

aid, his eyes droppin

react, his hand

pulled my h

. "Let g

d like this and nobody will t

. don't ac

ushed again

ammed again

She kicked one of th

rned and grabbed

ed out, her bod

ted, panic rus

another man blocked me,

ll," he s

ing, trying to break free.

n!" Maya

ving you!" I

ice strained as her hair w

without yo

h

reeched

oor o

l. Slim. Dressed in a

a

ca

em go,"

en pa

. "Why? You think w

of us... one of you. You sh

n didn

said calmly. "And you can explain

them, steady.

exchange

o, guys. These two ladies are

and walked away

g went qu

Maya. "Are

g hard. "That asshole almost r

ded s

t us. "You're sa

ted for

you'r

into

her address,

. The city lights

my eyes slowly lifted

when I saw hi

eath

w

was

O of N

's boss

d no idea

n as we reached Ma

nd stepped out, then l

appreciate you. Thank you... you are our knight

re of my friend. She's really heartbroken. She actually caugh

I said quickly

. "Oh-sorry. Good

ed close

break is a great one night stand, and he's

ed unbelievabl

home

or text me how it

e door and

nced

second, I

all

te a fu

mething

y. "That's Maya for you. Her

ed calmly. "Friends like

the ride was

got to

the door, he had a

the car and opene

caught me

, still a little sha

d softly. "And I'm really sorry a

head slightly

d at me prope

you go," he added calmly. "You won't sta

know wh

ight,"

ght," I

ack into

th

rove

e standin

understand how m

ended li

e mirror and seeing how miserable I look. And

I wanted to shout so loudly that a

ud clash on

fr

I called out, m

ickered off,

ran down

elevator doo