Chapter 3

3

That night, I went to a bar. Maybe I had been holding it in for too long.

I downed drink after drink, trying to go numb.

Suddenly, a young guy crashed into my arms.

"Help me, please save me..."

When he looked up, my head spun.

For a split second, he looked like Lex from years ago―back when I saved Lex from some thugs.

Before I realized what I was doing, I grabbed a glass bottle from the table.

I smashed it over the head of the man chasing him.

I didn't stop. I kept swinging until there were no more bottles left.

"Get out!" I screamed.

The man, who was a head taller than me, clutched his bleeding head. He called me a psycho and ran away.

I panted, my nerves finally relaxing. I looked back at the boy.

"I'm Naya..."

He stared at me with bright eyes and suddenly gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Ms. Lynch."

I froze. No one had called me that in a long time.

I recognized him, though he probably didn't know how.

Myles Vance.

He was the new assistant Lex had hired this year. Lex had shown me his photo once, calling him a moron.

But I could see the boy wasn't stupid. He was sharp, just a bit innocent.

Because I saved him, he actually followed me all the way home.

I stood at my door, feeling helpless. "It's late. Why aren't you going home? Why are you following me?"

"I have nowhere else to go. Can you let me stay for a bit, Ms. Lynch?"

He put his hands together, blinking his puppy-dog eyes. They looked misty.

He reminded me of a stray puppy I once found.

Lex had allergies, though.

I had quit smoking for Lex. I didn't let my friends smoke around him.

Once, I brought a freezing stray dog home.

Lex was so angry he slapped me. He asked if I was trying to kill him.

I apologized and gave the dog to a friend.

Thinking of that, my heart softened. I stepped aside to let Myles in.

Once inside, he disappeared into the kitchen.

Thirty minutes later, there were three dishes and a soup on the table.

I was shocked. I took a small bite and couldn't stop.

I hadn't had a home-cooked meal in years.

Lex almost never ate at home. I usually just ordered takeout.

I got up to grab a drink, but Myles handed me a glass of warm milk instead.

He looked at me carefully. "I saw a lot of stomach medicine on the table. Maybe try some milk?"

His concern made me freeze.

So, someone actually noticed.

I used to think I wasn't being obvious enough about my pain.

I felt ridiculous for my past efforts to get Lex to care.

I gripped the warm glass. It felt like the only bit of kindness I had received in years.

"Thanks."

His eyes turned into crescents as he smiled. He had cute dimples. He started piling food into my bowl.

"Eat up, Ms. Lynch. Think of this as my rent!"

I looked down to hide my smile.

The darkness in my chest seemed to lift a little.