ONE EIGHTY

rget her umbrella, it had to be today. When the sun beat down

empt at securing a better job. The promises of success in the big city seemed holl

veniently forgot to mention the necessity of connections, leaving her to toil aw

. Arabella resolved that if she didn't land a decent-paying

d than don

this scorching day?" A young lady approached Arabella, offe

in response to the tempting offer. "I w

entary. Are you sure

lime

R

Arabella inquired,

to passersby in this sweltering weather.

e. "Thank you!" She accepted a chocolate cup

uilding," the girl added. "We're also offering our spec

time, her hunger

cool blast of air conditioning, a welcome

filled the air, and Arabella couldn't help but be drawn in by the cozy atmosphere.

r the entrance, offering complimentary

for

is entitled to two complimentary cr

he unexpected generosity. "Tha

nding her the cream puffs and

ferings without making a purchase, Arabella perused the display

e cool breeze a li

ch her eye-not a confe

pain

amiliar sight. The painting she had created and gifted to her best f

did he

ture conf

bee to Kir

frain from touching that. It's highly valued by our boss, and while he want

plied, feeling a pang of

n relief. "Can I assist

I ask who y

. E. L

an Le

es

see the man himself, just steps away, ha

he was, but a smile crept

him in a warm hug, surprising Kieran before he rec

been hitting the

laugh. "What are you doing her

ow, changes

Kieran motioned to his employees. "You're all

they chorused wi

""♡""♡""

it larger and more luxurious, yet stepping i

illed every corner, a testam

Arabella marveled aloud,

anks. Would you like anything? I know we mainly sell dessert food,

d the free ice cream and cream puffs

ldn't discern the contents of the expensive-looking

rich!?" She blurted ou

e story, not gonna lie,

see this city actually d

you been here

two mon

asked, already lo

she admitted, staring down at her fe

od?" he inquir

h, k

ady setting the drink down on his

way like seven months ag

e clamped his mouth in pure a

during a robbe

t?" She shook her head in resp

a small smile, finding

ntinue depending on my brothers, especially now they're trying to starve me into coming back. I needed a real job."

head. "You haven't changed one b

ook a good look at him. "We

ood, t

t, "Your chubby cheeks are gone, though." She p

of them," Kieran said

ere was a kno

, com

introduced her to earlier

like lunch fro

uble it. Then, have someone

herine gave a thumbs up

for real, what happened? Show me

st happened. Started relatively simpl

usly still not getting any dates, so I'll skip asking about

the security throw her out. He still smirked and shot ba

jaw dropped

gaged,

wh

lady named

was palpable. "

only prestigi

hit the

iting for a centuries-old vampire to sweep you off

e Prince w

ingle then. Should I p

igning sadness into her sleeve. "Looks like life's leavin

kled, shaking his head

y hurt as she picked up the water bottle from the table, avo

shifted

reshman year, and social media i

d to hold a grudge. L

et it. I should

lly f

s?" Arabella fina

hout missing a

a variety of snacks. It was quite plenty, so Kieran asked her

ew tasks and bidding farewell to his staff. Arabella couldn't hel

were my boss, I'd be

riend was actually quite wealthy now. It was surprising that his attitude hadn't changed with the size of his bank account, or

ar sex and hop in," he teased as

opening the passenger door. "You're probably the one reminis

'm getting

e playfully p

he chuckled, focusing on the

ater S

fest area," Kieran

d. Crashing at a friend's place

s she

but manageable. She's cautious, given

bject. "Just be careful, okay? And if you

smiled.

an's car stopped at Misky's house

y I've had. Argument with Misky, tussle with a stray cat, scolding from Malakai ove

am

u and your dessert shop wa

d walk down the good parts of memory lane." he

emembered something.

ed it and han

avy," she remarked, h

well," he

e with her short, dark hair framing her face and highlighting her pouty lips. Despit

Arabella

ur girlfrie

out," he

his phone. "Don't ghost me again

e th

ive away until it vanished

""♡""♡""

ached. He pulled up, greeting her wit

erno

Aybee. How

en a two-hour drawing session, followed by presenting and defending your work to the judges before they bombard you with quest

ieran had been lending her t

de it through. What kind of qu

g position, correct? As an art historian, I believe digital art undermines the effort put into traditional

am

ession, tracing its evolution from cave paintings to graphic tabl

unds rea

groaned, covering her face. "W

en, with a curious gleam in his eye, K

ed him Dean, so I assume he'

ace, but he shook his head. "Never mind. It'l

oes tha

get

I land this one. It's a long shot, but the salary is temp

top-tier. I think the students' tui

rabella began to worry. "Come to

t it. You'v

when you haven't face

won't hurt

era

the car towards their destination. "Let's he

in

ation, another branch of Kreamy si

lavish surroundings. This was a top-notch e

isited earlier. That's the OG, my prid

knowing that Kieran had hung he

upscale, perfect for the hig

ther?" Arabella teased, a h

the entrance. "Hey, someone's gotta kee

stomers chatted animatedly while enjoying their treat

st the front door, a robotic male voi

e, Mr.

ng visibly. "So much for se

et you?" Arabella asked, t

shments with cutting-edge technology. It also aids with activities like taking orders, accepting c

ic

it." He add

too p

ad to restrain him

tion, a young couple approached the counter, lo

ively, glancing around. "We're new

BAI chimed in. "Hello, valued customers. We

ces before the man spoke up. "Uh, w

nded with a detailed list of flavors, complete with reco

y made their selections, thanking

ent. "That's incredible. B

's been working on it for a while now, consta

h their order, a plate of freshly baked

noir," the staff mem

ore turning back to Ara

aking a sip of her

Mave's ingenuity before continuing on with their day,

golden card across the

ck card, thanks,"

family and really, really close friends, like you and Mave. With this, you can have anythin

k the card, noticing her name print

!" Kieran play

fingers over its smooth surface. "Does this mean I

e try, but let's not

her purse. "Well, it'd be your fault fo

seriously, enjoy it. Consider it a small token of appreciation

words. "Thanks, Kieran. I'll m

l grateful for moments like these, filled with laughter and friendship. And she kn