Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Roseanne sighed, "Habits can change."

"For others, maybe, but for you, I don't want them to."

Silence hung in the air.

After leaving the diner, Roseanne and her friends all headed in the same direction.

Mamie pulled out her phone, ready to hail a ride.

That's when a sleek Mercedes business van pulled up in front of them.

The window rolled down, and Corley said, "Hop in, I'll give you a lift home."

Mamie's questioning gaze shifted towards Roseanne.

Corley chuckled, "It's hard to catch a cab here. Without a ride from me, you might be home two hours late."

Scales remained silent, evidently aware of the situation.

Mamie glanced at her phone screen, which showed a queue of 216 people ahead.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

Two hours seemed like an optimistic guess...

Roseanne conceded, "Let's get in. Thanks, Mr. Sullivan."

Corley's lips curled into a smile, "No problem, Anne."

Awkward silence.

According to the GPS, Roseanne was supposed to be the first to be dropped off, followed by Mamie, then Scales.

However, at an intersection where they should have turned right, Corley ended up in the wrong lane and had to go straight instead.

The GPS recalculated, making Mamie the first to get off, then Scales, and Roseanne last.

The car stopped at the end of an alley.

Corley got out, walked around to the other side, and opened the door for her, "Mind your head."

Roseanne stood still as she got out, looking up at him, "Thanks."

"For opening the door, or for the equipment?"

"Both."

"So, aren't you going to invite me up for a cup of tea?"

Roseanne hesitated.

"Just kidding, don't take me for a creep."

Roseanne eyed him steadily, not detecting any humor in his tone, "Are you one?"

Corley smirked, "I'm not, but I wish I could be, yet I'm afraid to be."

"I don't follow."

"Then don't. Some things aren't meant to be understood."

There was no reason. Hence, no explanation.

Just like he couldn't understand why he was so fixated on Roseanne. Yes, fixated.

At the gates of Kingswell University Mherwood wasn't the only with Roseanne at first sight. There was also him,

one

Oh, and Aaron Lincoln.

Murray made the first move, Aaron followed closely.

As for him torn by his feelings and out of respect for his good friend Murray he decided to wait. By the time he heard from her again, it was to announce her relationship with Murray.

He hadn't expected Murray to be serious.

Nor did he expect him to succeed.

That was when Corley realized, some chances come only once.

But after calming down, he always believed in a second chance.

Because he knew Murray too well, including his true nature.

All that was left was to wait...

For their relationship to fall apart, for Roseanne to give up hope... Fortunately, his wait was over.

"Can't invite me up for tea, but a simple 'goodnight' will do, right?"

Roseanne finally said, "Goodnight, Mr. Sullivan."

"Drop the formalities."

"...Goodnight."

"Such a good girl."

Before Roseanne could react, he swiftly tousled her hair.

By the time she stepped back, he had already turned away with a flourish.

Roseanne clenched her teeth at his retreating figure.

Corley, not looking back but sensing her gaze, waved his hand.

Roseanne felt frustrated.

And this entire scene was witnessed from a

been waiting for an hour.

s to en.kikistories an

y Murray, who

The vibrant red rose he held dropped to the ground.

The next moment, his eyes hardened, and he chased after Corley.

"Corley-"

He paused, door handle in hand, and turned back instinctively.

A fist flew towards his face.

Even though Corley tried to dodge quickly, he couldn't completely avoid it.