Raven Rival

pan into the FIRE

"Hey, Sis, where are you off to? I thought that's your boyfriend's car on the front," Sammy remarked. He must have just got back from school. Sammy was sixteen, almost eight years Mari's junior.

I thought so, too... Mari would have liked to say.

"Um, yeah, I saw him already," she lied. "I think... I forgot something in the office. I need to go back and pick it up."

"Wait, you're pale. In fact, you look like you're about to cry. Are you okay? Won't he give you a lift or something? 'You two fight?" he asked astutely.

Or something...

"No. Nothing like that. Actually, can you come with me to the bus station? I'm picking up some groceries at the convenience store. Maybe you could carry it home for me?"

Sammy looked at her intently. She could not stare back.

"Something's wrong. Out with it," he commanded with the authority of a superior male.

"No. What could be wrong? Come on, I have to go back before the building closes." She pulled his hand to get him to go with her to the gate but he gently freed himself of her hold.

"It's Lana, isn't it? What has she done now?"

She gave a brittle laugh.

"Sammy, you rooster head! What could Lana possibly do?"

"Yes. What worse could she possibly do? It's Jed, then?"

"Jed?" But she could not help returning his gaze now. "What are you saying?"

"Don't deny it," he said vehemently. "I'm going to kill him for hurting you," he muttered upon seeing the sparkle of tears in her eyes.

"Don't," Mari said pleadingly. "I need... I need to go. Don't tell them that you've seen me on your way in." She turned to leave.

"I hate Lana," he huffily said.

"She's your sister," she reminded him.

"Well, you're my sister, too," he answered.

"Thanks. Just keep this between us, okay? I'll be all right. Don't see me out." She smiled at him bitterly and left without a second glance.

It was true that she forgot something in the office. Upon hearing Jed's avowal of love to her stepsister Rachel, and the latter's 'I can't hurt Mari' reply, she thought her wisest option was to set her fiance fee.

And the reason why she needed to return to the office was that she had decided to accept Darier's proposal of marriage. It might be loveless, but it would definitely cover up any trace of doubt that she was hurting because of Jed's betrayal.

She could only hope that Damien had not made a more convenient arrangement yet.