🌸 Chapter 4:
Sunlight filtered lazily through the curtains as Lena laced her sneakers by the door.
"I'm heading out," she called.
At the kitchen table, her father, Eliot, looked up, guilt lining his tired face. "I'm so sorry, my daughter… that you have to work like this. All because of my mistake."
She paused, forcing a faint smile. "Don't worry about it. I don't mind helping out."
"You were supposed to think about yourself. Maybe… get married already."
Lena groaned. "You too? Did Mom put you up to this?"
Eliot scratched his head. "I heard about a charming man who came by the shop this morning. I could check him out for you—see if he's any good."
"Dad!" she cut him off, her voice firmer now. "I promised to help until everything's paid off—for Kyle, too. I don't regret it. I couldn't be happy somewhere else, knowing you're all struggling here."
"But what about that man?"
"Don't worry about him." Lena slung her bag over her shoulder. "I have to go. I'll be late."
The door shut behind her with a decisive click.
Outside, she muttered under her breath, "Everyone's obsessed with marrying me off. What is wrong with them?" Her jaw tightened. "I need to shut down these rumours. Prove my worth by working—not by becoming some rich man's fiancée."
The Watchers
The day blurred into a whirlwind of work. Back-to-back shifts. She bounced between food deliveries and the small convenience store where she worked evenings with her best friend, Aline.
But something felt… off.
Everywhere she went, eyes seemed to follow.
A sleek black car with tinted windows sat idling across the street—too clean, too expensive for this neighbourhood.
At the store, a man loitered by the drinks fridge for nearly an hour, scrolling on his phone but never buying anything. Lena was sure she'd seen him earlier at the chicken shop.
When Aline arrived for the night shift, Lena pulled her aside.
"Hey, pop star," Aline teased. "Were you waiting too long?"
"I think someone's following me," Lena whispered, glancing toward the man.
"Where?"
"That guy over there. And that car—it's like something out of a spy movie."
Aline raised a brow. "Girl, you think your life is a K-drama now? If anyone's the stalker, it's you. Watching people like a hawk."
"I'm serious, Line. They're everywhere."
"Then I guess I'm being followed too," Aline smirked. "Go drink water or something. You need sleep."
Rowan Appears
"Who's bothering who?" a familiar voice asked behind them.
Lena turned—and froze. Rowan.
The boy she'd quietly adored for months stood at the counter, holding his usual energy drink, his smile soft and easy.
"Oh—hey, Rowan!" she blurted, heat rushing to her cheeks. "We were just talking about some… trivial girl stuff."
"Are you sure?" he said with an amused glance between them.
"Yes! Totally." Her laugh came out awkward and high-pitched.
Aline, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned over. "Hey, Rowan. I don't know if you're busy, but Lena's off the clock—and it's late. Think you could walk her home for me?"
"Sure, I don't mind," Rowan replied. "I've told you girls before—if you ever need help, I'm here."
"Perfect." Aline grinned wickedly. "Take your bag and scram."
"Aline!" Lena hissed, but her best friend shoved her toward the door.
"Go make me proud, girl."
The Walk Home
"I'm so sorry for the trouble," Lena mumbled as they walked. "My house isn't far—I can manage alone."
"I don't mind," Rowan said. He reached for her bag, carrying it with ease. "Let's go."
They walked in silence, awkward and heavy. Lena's thoughts scrambled for something—anything—to say.
"I should repay you," she blurted. "For helping me out tonight."
Rowan turned to her with that calm, steady smile. "Then let's go eat together sometime."
Her heart skipped. "Sure. Let me know when you're free."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, fighting the shy smile tugging at her lips.
Kyle's Interruption
Just as they reached the intersection near her house, a familiar voice cut through the night.
"Free for what?"
Lena froze.
Kyle stood on the sidewalk, holding her hoodie—the hoodie—in his hands.
"Who's this?" Kyle asked, eyeing Rowan. "And why is he carrying your bag?" He snatched it from Rowan without waiting for an answer.
"Where did you get that?!" Lena demanded, pointing to the hoodie.
"From your room. Why? Doesn't it look better on me?" Kyle smirked. "You were dragging it around from bar to bar the other day."
"Shut up!" she hissed, lunging forward to clamp her hand over his mouth. "I'll text you later. Go home!"
"Walking alone with a guy at night? Interesting," Kyle mumbled through her fingers.
"Shhh!" she kicked at him playfully, dragging him toward the house as he grumbled under his breath.
At Home
"Give me back my hoodie," Lena said, arms crossed.
"Nope." Kyle flopped onto the couch. "It's not even yours. I'm keeping it."
"Hand it over, or I'll—"
"Oh yeah? What if I don't?" he teased, darting away.
"Stop it! You think you're still four?" She lunged, chasing him like a maniac.
Their mother, Paige, appeared just in time, smacking both of them with a kitchen towel.
"Enough! Give it back."
Kyle pouted. "How do you know it's even hers? She can't afford something this fancy."
"And you can?" Lena shot back.
"Shut up, both of you!" Paige snapped. "Eat. Then go to bed."
But as Paige watched the hoodie exchange, something nagged at her. "Is this from the rich guy?"
Later That Night
The house was quiet after dinner.
In Kyle's room, he found an envelope on his desk. Inside—money. Enough to cover his school fees.
He counted it in silence, then walked to Lena's door.
She sat at her mirror, brushing her hair.
"Take the rest," he said, holding out the envelope. "It'll cover this semester."
"Don't you need a new hoodie?" she asked, not looking at him.
"I'll pay you back. All of it."
"Did I ask you to?"
He hesitated, then placed a few bills gently near her door.
"You're a girl. You have needs too," he mumbled, retreating down the hallway.
Lena smiled faintly at her reflection and went back to brushing her hair.