Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Handing over a piece of paper and a pen, he said, "I guess I'll head out then."

Corley could only offer a smile in return, "Sure thing. Catch you later."

"Yep. Let's go, Professor. That coffee shop is just across the street from where we're staying." They had discussed matters over a cup of coffee there before.

...

"Coffee's here!"

Jen, Stoddard, and Sammy rushed over at the news.

"Thanks, Professor, and kudos to Roseanne!"

"Making you two run errands for us, what a sin!"

Stoddard popped a straw into his drink and took a big gulp, "Ah, that hits the spot~"

Jen raised an eyebrow, "Is it really that spectacular?"

Sammy, clutching his and Liz's drinks, thanked Owen and Roseanne with a smile.

Then he scurried over to Liz.

"Liz, here's yours."

"Oh."

The fact that Roseanne had gone out to get coffee with Owen made Liz's heart sink, instantly ruining her appetite.

And Sammy just wouldn't stop nagging her-

"Liz, why aren't you drinking?"

"The cream will melt, and it won't taste as good."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

"Here, let me stick the straw in for you."

Liz couldn't take it anymore, "Can you not? Just stop nagging, will you? I'm begging you, can you talk less?"

With that, she got up and left her seat.

Sammy scratched his head, looking at the untouched coffee, "... You didn't say you didn't want it when I asked."

Why buy it if you're just going to ignore it?

Isn't that wasteful?

Perhaps Sammy would never understand.

The gap between them wasn't about education or values.

It stemmed from the different environments they grew up in, the natural divide created by their families' ways of upbringing.

Liz didn't refuse because she wanted the coffee; she accepted it because Owen had offered it, and that was it.

Heading to the corridor for some air, her phone rang. She answered-

"Hello?"

"Hey, Liz, I found the house you were asking about!"

"Really?!" Liz's eyes lit up.

"Yeah, I went through a lot of trouble... The owners are an old

took

couple, lived there most of their lives and were reluctant to rent it out. It a lot of convincing, and just when their son needed money urgently, they agreed to vacate. But the price, well..."

"Money's no issue. Which building, which unit, what floor?"

"Building three, ground floor."

Owen was in building one, on the seventh floor....

That's... quite far.

The light in Liz's eyes dimmed, and she simply responded with a "Oh," "Any other units available?"

"... This is the only one for now. The old neighborhood is mostly owner-occupied, rarely up for rent. The other neighborhood I texted you about meets your criteria to not sure why..."

Still not willing to accept.

"Miss, why don't you just tell me which building, floor, and unit you want, and I'll ask around for you?"

Ha, looking for a place is just a front, it's all about who you're lowering yourself for!

Liz missed the sarcasm in his voice and thought he was serious, "Maybe could you check building one for me? Preferably above the fifth floor, sixth would be even

better."

She wanted to say the seventh floor, but that's where Owen and Roseanne were, not her place to ask.

The closest available was the sixth floor.

The agent laughed it off, "Alright, I'll look into it." Yeah, right!

Just after Liz hung up, a voice suddenly came from behind-

"Liz, you looking for a place to rent?"

Liz froze.

Slowly turning around, she saw Sammy holding the coffee a short distance away, unsure how long he'd been there or how much he'd heard...