Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Her heart raced wildly inside her chest as she took a deep breath and followed him into the house.

She knew the mansion was large, spacious, and brilliantly lit, but this was her first time stepping inside. The decor was distinctly local, with a color scheme dominated by gray, black, and white, subtle yet luxurious in the details that mattered.

As a sophomore minoring in art history, Millie could recognize the value of the surroundings. The paintings that adorned the walls held their prestige, though they were not from Monet. Even the seemingly inconsequential items, like a trash bin emblazoned with the LV logo, spoke volumes about the wealth contained within the space.

Passing through the living room, they entered a meticulously maintained indoor garden adjacent to a home theater and gym, with a corner dedicated to a set of golf clubs. People said the mansion was part of a community with its golf course.

Pinching her palm, Millie thought back to before she met Murray. The most luxurious item she'd ever seen was a Hermes crocodile skin Kelly bag a classmate wore. A designer limited edition, it was worth a small fortune on the resale market, enough to buy a three-bedroom house in her hometown.

Yet, the unreachable Hermes seemed trivial in the mansion, scattered on keychains, pool tables, and lighters.

If she stayed by Murray's side, married him, and had his children, did that mean all this could be hers too?

She would have the grand mansion, designer bags, chauffeured rides, and servants at her beck and call. Murray hadn't noticed Millie's daydreaming.

The oatmeal she'd made was thick, but he'd barely tasted it before putting down his spoon.

Millie blinked in confusion. "Why aren't you eating? Did I mess it up?"

Murray replied, "I had a bite after work. I'm not hungry now. I'll have some later."

"Okay, but if you said it was bad, I'd be sad, you know," Millie pouted, her eyes sparkling with innocence. "It's my first time cooking for someone. Go easy on me." Murray affectionately ruffled her hair. "No classes today? Had time to make oatmeal."

"It's almost finals, not much going on. I plan to apply for grad school and spend the day studying in the library. Only got free in the afternoon to come see you."

Millie recalled her encounter with Roseanne, her gaze flickering before she swiftly changed the subject.. "The news said there's a meteor shower coming up. How about we make time to watch it together?"

Murray hummed in agreement, showing no sign of impatience, though the absent-minded loosening of his tie betrayed his restlessness. "The news is hit or miss these days. We'll see."

Millie wisely dropped the subject.

"It's getting late." He stood up. "I'll drive you back to campus."

Millie bit her lip, remembering the low-cut dress she had changed into earlier. She smiled and looped her arm through his, brushing against him solightly that it was like a

breeze. "You're in such a hurry to get rid of me?"

With her genuine smile, her teasing was like a melting candy in the air.

Murray smirked lightly. "I can't control myself well."Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Is there anything you're afraid of?" Millie looked up at him, innocence and allure blending seamlessly.

"Sure," he said, half-smiling.

"Murray, I..." Millie wanted to tell him that she didn't have classes tomorrow and could stay.

"Let's go," Murray didn't wait for her to finish, grabbing the car keys. "Don't want the dorm supervisor on your case again, do you?"

Millie stuck out her tongue playfully and followed him.

Reaching the door, she paused, "Murray, you said there are things you're afraid of. Let me try one more thing, dare you?"