When They Beg, I Rise!

She was at her lowest, fainting from hunger on the streets.

It was then that a stranger stepped in, handed her a card full of cash - a lifeline, urging her to start anew, far from the life that had beaten her down.

But hatred for Evelina consumed her. Blaming Evelina for her misfortunes, she plotted revenge with the very money meant to save her, aiming to kidnap and end Evelina's life.

Her plan, however, backfired miserably, landing her in a mental institution under Asher's orders, where she met her demise due to the cruelty of a caretaker arranged by Evelina herself. What a foolish end, she thought. She should've walked away.

"You're gonna get hurt doing that."

Lemira swung a punch that was easily blocked by Orion.

Panting and drenched in sweat, she paused, "How did you find me here?"

Orion handed her a bottle of water, "Can't I hit the gym?"

"Why this gym, though?" Lemira questioned, taking a sip and dabbing at the sweat threatening to sting her eyes.

Catching her blinking away the sweat, Orion used his towel to dab at her forehead, "Stay still."

Lemira froze, noticing their shadows merge on the floor.

Orion chuckled, draping the towel over her head, "You look like a grandma!"

Lemira, unamused, yanked the towel off.

"What's got you down?" Orion asked, sensing her off mood as she took her frustrations out on the punching bag.

"Was it because of what that guy said to you yesterday?" he probed, knowing there was more to her gloom than a simple verbal spat.

Lemira shook her head, dismissing the notion. Strangers' words never fazed her. It was something deeper, something tied to her second chance at life and Matthew, but how could she explain that? "Just a lot going on, feeling a bit overwhelmed," she finally admitted.novelbin

Orion didn't press further, standing up, "Let me help you blow off some steam."

"But you're injured," she instinctively glanced at his arm, covered that day by a long-sleeve shirt.

"Wanna see?" Orion teased, starting to unbutton his shirt to reveal his collarbone.

Lemira stopped him, flustered, "What are you doing? Who asked you to strip?"

"How else will you see?" he teased further, enjoying her discomfort.

"Go change, and I'll see it then," she retorted, the room still warm from the late summer heat.

Orion smirked, "Just kidding. You'd have to pay to see me strip."

"And how much would that cost?" she played along, despite the heat in her cheeks.

"For you?

offer?" be flirted, causing her away, "As if I'd want to."

tee. Want to take up t

She couldn't help but admit, in jest, she stood no chance against him.

s to en.kikistoric the

Relieved to see her spirits lifted, Orion headed to change.

In the locker room, he was bombarded with a call from

Matthew, discussing trivial mat

untikOrion grew impatient, "Get to

the point or I'm hanging up.

"Bro, don't hang up. Did she make any requests?" Matthew hesitated, hinting at a concern for Lemira.

Orion played along, "She might have."

"Man, you can't side with her against your own brother!" Matthew

protested, worried Orion might ne

withdraw from a competition for Lemira's sake.

"What did she say to you?"

Matthew quickly caught on. "Bro, you set me up!"

The man's tone turned serious. "Say it!"

It must have something to do with Lemira being in a bad mood today!