He stood up abruptly, pulling her up with him thanks to the handcuffs, and pinned her against the wall. His grip on her wrist tightened.
Ni-ki leaned in closer, his voice a cold whisper. "You're playing with fire, angel. Don't think for a second tha...
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A year later
"SO, WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR TODAY?" Julie asked with a grin. "We were thinking of hitting up the new shops downtown. You in?"
While Rhaine packed her things up at the end of the day, her new friends, Julie and Natty, popped up beside her, their faces full of excitement.
Rhaine smiled apologetically as she zipped up her bag. "I'm sorry, guys. I have to pass today. My boyfriend got invited to this big party, and I promised I'd go with him."
"Ugh, really?" Natty whined, her eyes wide with mock jealousy. "Must be nice. We're out here with exams and projects, and you're out with a celebrity!"
Rhaine laughed softly, her heart light. "You guys have no idea. It's not all glitz and glam, trust me." She gave them both a quick hug. "But I'll catch you at tomorrow's lecture, okay?"
As she waved goodbye to them and walked out of the building, she couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face.
It had been an intense year of growth, both personally and professionally. She wasn't at McGill, but the university she had chosen now felt like the right fit. It wasn't just the prestige or the education; it was the sense of belonging, the feeling that she was finally carving her own path—one that was completely her own and not something she dreamed of selfishly.
She had her friends, her school, and most importantly, Ni-ki by her side. It had been a long, complicated journey, but she had found her place. And she wasn't going anywhere.
Rhaine arrived at Lee's Chicken House.
Her boyfriend had been helping with adjustments for the place, discussing designs and plans for a new building expansion. The restaurant, a dream come to life, was flourishing, and he had promised even more—bigger, better, and more ambitious than ever before.
She greeted her parents first, who were seated at a cozy corner table. Her mother beamed at her, while her father gave her a quick nod of acknowledgment, his usual reserved demeanor softened by the warmth of the occasion.
Jian was there too, looking as effortlessly stylish as ever, flashing a bright smile her way. Garam, ever the supportive best friend, gave her a friendly wave as she entered.
"Everything is looking amazing," Rhaine commented as she made her rounds, taking in the success of the evening.
"I wonder who helped," Garam smirked. Rhaine playfully rolled her eyes.
After a few minutes of greeting and catching up, Rhaine excused herself to head upstairs to the apartment above the restaurant. She had just enough time to change into something more fitting for the party they were attending later.
She quickly picked out an outfit, a sleek black dress that balanced sophistication and edge that Ni-ki gave her, perfect for the occasion.
This was when her mom's voice echoed from downstairs. "Your ride is here!"
