Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Don't wanna wait? You can leave, as if anyone's dying to see you," Leda couldn't help but sneer, her impatience shining through. "With that attitude, you're asking for favors?" York took a deep breath, feeling as if he was walking a tightrope.

This woman knew kickboxing, and if he pissed her off, he'd be the one eating dirt.

"Hey, don't be mad," he quickly put on a smile, "I told you it's an emergency. You being all cool and collected, of course, I got ideas."

"Spit it out then." Leda glanced inside his car, "And... you got any cigarettes?"

"For what?"

"Give me one."

York let out a resigned sigh and turned back to his car, retrieving a cigarette and lighter to hand over to her.

Leda didn't take them. Instead, she crossed her arms and shot him a look that was part amused, part annoyed.

"Fine," York nodded, "Here I am, thinking I'm looking for a date, and I end up with a queen."

Saying so, he bent down to light her cigarette.

It was the first time York had ever lit a cigarette for a woman.

And the first time he saw someone make smoking look so elegant.

"So, what's up?" Leda let out a puff of smoke, the rising cloud briefly masking her face.

York hesitated. "My mom somehow got it into her head that you and I are dating. She's demanding I bring you home to meet her, just laid down the ultimatum."

"We had a deal, remember? Help each other out, no strings attached, keep our own lives. You remember, right?"

"I remember," Leda nodded.

"I've already covered for you with your mom, now it's your turn to help me."

"Sure." Leda agreed readily, "Just meeting the parents, right? Don't be scared, I got you."

"...Really?" York was skeptical.

"But there's a small condition."

"I knew it! What's the catch? Let's hear it."

"Lend me your car for a couple of days." Leda strolled over, a cigarette in one hand, the other patting the hood of the car. Thump, thump, two solid pats!

York's heart skipped in tandem, "Hey, be gentle, don't break it..."

"So, is it a deal?"

"Deal!" He tossed the car keys to her, "You said two days, not a second more."

Leda caught them, weighing them in her hand, Thanks. Send me the when and where on my phone. Oh, and send me what your mom's ideal type of girl is like, long hair onshort, what style of dress, all of it."

"Do we really need to go that far?"This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

"Of course," Leda raised an eyebrow, "I'm very professional."

As she finished her cigarette, she crushed it out against a lamppost and tossed it expertly into a nearby trash can.

York watched, captivated by her smooth moves.

"Come here," Leda tilted her chin up.

"For what?" Despite his words, he moved closer as instructed.

"Put your hand on my shoulder."

"Isn't that

could

restinebit... Heh..." Before he

on Leda's shoulder,

resting, his hand was already et

hint of hesitation.

Leda's mouth twitched, "What do you call me?"

"Leda?"

a

"Nope."

"Sweetheart?"

"Wrong."

"Baby?"

"York, are you trying to be disgusting?"

"Fiery lady!"

"Looking for a smack? Call me properly."

"Leda-"

"That's better!"

York touched his nose, "Well, about that... wasn't me who said it."

Leda suddenly realized what he meant.

Both turned around to see Roseanne

standing at the mouth of the alley holding her purse, eyes wide with

shock as she looked at them