"Lake, you are so sweet," Rin said docilely.
Then a waiter came by with drinks.
"Care to have a drink?" the waiter said. "Mind if I do," Rin said sweetly, eyeing the waiter. Faye immediately knew something was up. "Here, have a drink, you two," Rin said, trying to hand the drinks to Lake first.
"Sorry, Rin, but we are both underage," Faye said, protecting Lake from falling into Rin's trap.
"Yes, sorry," Lake said, trying to be polite.
The waiter immediately said, "Don't worry. It's sparking champagne. It's non-alcoholic."
"See, it's non-alcoholic, so don't make me drink by myself," Rin said, attempting to get Lake to take the drink out of her hand.
"Um," Lake didn't want to be rude as he was about to reach and get the drink. Faye couldn't watch Lake fall into the trap. "Here, let me drink it," Faye said. Rin hid her smirk as her plan was going the way she wanted. She was hoping Faye would intervene and drink it instead.
However, Faye wasn't stupid not to know what Rin was up to as she was planning to drop the drink on the floor, making it look like an accident.
Before Faye grabbed the drink, another hand appeared and took the drink. The person who stole the drink was Leo, as he drank it in one shot. Everyone was shocked to see Leo appear out of nowhere and drank it without noticing the look in Faye's eyes.
Faye couldn't believe it. She thought Leo was crazy. She knew that Leo wasn't stupid to not see Rin's trick.
"She is underage," Leo said deadly, scaring Rin and the waiter. "They said it was non-alcoholic," Lake said.
Leo snickered and narrowed his eyes at the waiter before saying, "Is that so? I can taste that it was not non-alcoholic. Do you know the price it is for giving two underage minors alcohol?" The waiter could feel the killing intent Leo was giving as he quickly apologized and ran for his life. Leaving Rin, speechless and scared.
Before Rin could say anything to relieve the atmosphere, Leo said, "Faye, you know you're still on work hours," as he glanced at Rin and Lake and walked away. Faye immediately went after Leo, leaving Lake and Rin by themselves.
Soon, Lake also left, leaving Rin to be angry by herself.
"You are very lucky, Faye," Rin said to herself, hiding her hatred. "It's fine. Let's see how much he can hold up before swooping him up," Rin smiled evilly. She saw another opportunity she could do. She thought it would be a great idea to take advantage of the most handsome and wealthiest bachelor in the city. All she had to do was get rid of Faye before taking advantage of him. She narrowed her eyes toward them.
"Are you stupid? Why did you take that drink?" Faye said beside him as they were talking to each other quietly without anyone hearing what they were saying. Leo was quiet as his body was starting to heat up. Faye immediately worried, "Are you okay? How are you feeling? Let's take you to the hospital."
"I-I don't think you want to let her know that her plan works," Leo struggled to say. Faye's eyes open in surprise. She didn't understand why he would do such a thing. "H-how... Why...," Faye stuttered, trying to wrap her head around what to ask.
"I-I can tell in your eyes that you have a great hate for her, and knowing you. If you have such great hatred for someone, then that means that person isn't good," he said, enduring the burning sensation that was rising within him. Her heart softened for a split second before remembering the feeling as she said, "Are you stupid? She probably spiked the drink. Seeing how you are, my guess is correct. Come, let's take you to the hospital."
"Where's Dave? I will ask him to take you to the hospital," Faye said, looking around.
"He's not here... He had plans tonight. Don't worry about me," he said breathlessly before he stood up straight and continued the evening.
Rin watched them and saw no reaction to Leo's face. She didn't understand. She could only think that the waiter probably didn't do his job and just stole her money as her nail dug into her palm. She stood there, watching them again to verify it, but once again, there was no reaction as Leo was talking to others like nothing was wrong with him. Rin's lip tightened in frustration as she left to find that waiter.
Faye continued to watch Leo as he was casually replying back to people. She could see how much he was enduring the pain. She could see the sweat on his forehead, forming. It wasn't very long until she noticed his face turning pink. She quickly intervened in the conversation instead. "Well, what Mr. Lon is trying to say is your project doesn't have a good foundation to stand on its own. He would consider it if he could see that it doesn't need 100% of his material or funds," Faye said as she noticed him clenching his fist together. "Well, excuse us. Mr. Lon had somewhere to attend tonight," Faye also said.
Once they both exited the room, Leo stumbled as Faye quickly helped him lean on her. She could hear him, panting and softly groaning. "I told you that you didn't have to endure it this long," Faye scolded him. He didn't say anything as his breathing was getting worse. "Hurry, let's get you in the car," she said, helping him in the passenger's seat.
"Let me take you to the hospital now," Faye said, getting in the car. "N-no," he struggled to say.
"This isn't the time to make a fuss," Faye said, upset before driving.
"I-if I go, the publicity would probably spread about this...," Leo said, feeling the intense heat firing up. "J-just take me home. I'll call Vincent," he forced out.
Faye sighed in concern before saying, "Where do you live?" He continued to endure the fire within him before forcing out his address.
Faye tried her best to drive as fast as she could before she remembered she left her car at the ceremony. She quickly called the recent person on her phone, "Hello, Faye?" Robert answered.
"Hey, Robert. Can you ask someone to drop you off at the Clara ceremony to pick up my car? Something came up, and I had to leave my car there. The valet has my keys," Faye said.
"Yeah.. sure. John and I will go there now," Robert said, confused but didn't make a fuss before hanging up.
_____
Faye helped him get in his condo as he took off his suit jacket and rushed to the bathroom. He took a cold shower with his clothes still on him. A loud bang came out of the bathroom. He had fallen on the floor with his injured wrist throbbing in pain, but it wasn't as painful as the heat that was burning inside of him.
"Leo! Are you okay?" Faye said, outside of the bathroom as she was too worried to leave him on his own, especially now, when she heard a loud noise. She didn't hear him answer but only gritted in pain. "Leo?" she said again, but this time he came out of the bathroom, completely soaked as his face was burning red. She helped him sit on his bed as he was still panting as if the cold shower didn't work. "Hurry, call V-Vincent...," Leo said breathlessly, handing his wet phone.
Faye immediately called Vincent before she said, "He said he is coming right away, so hold on." Faye didn't want to leave him in this state until Vincent showed up.
"T-this one is a strong one," he gritted as he pulled his wet tie down. "That's why you are stupid. Do you think Rin would use a light one? Why did you do such a thing? I could manage it on my own," Faye said in distress. She didn't need anyone's help. She has been doing things on her own ever since, so she doesn't need anyone now.
Leo chuckled as he was leaning back with his left arm up to his face. "Do you think this is a laughing matter!" Faye said, upset.
"What were you going to do? You would have probably done the same to save your little friend of yours," Leo smiled breathlessly as he put his arm down to look at her.
For some reason, Faye felt he was jealous but that wasn't the time to think such a thing, "Are you stupid? I was planning to drop the cup," Faye said.
"Didn't you see the drinks the waiter had? Do you think they wouldn't give you another one? Were you planning to drop each one on the floor? Don't you think they wouldn't find it odd for you to do that?" Leo said, causing Faye to be silent. The heat rose even stronger as he pulled his collar down.
"Why do you care what happens to me? I didn't need your help! I'm not a weak person who needs someone to come in and help me!" Faye said angry, as she couldn't control her anger. She's been tossed aside, and no one ever helped her. She was always by herself. She learned to rely on herself. She didn't need anyone to help her! So! Why! Why does he keep interfering? Caring and helping her? She didn't need... any of it!
"Why do you think so!" Leo also explored as he got up and pinned her to a wall. His entire body was on fire as he couldn't control himself. He grabbed her shoulders to stop her from escaping as he had the urge to kiss her, but he didn't want to force her. So, all he could control was aiming at her neck as she struggled to break free.
"Do you really not know?" he said with his face looking extremely flustered as he was finally able to stop himself. Faye wasn't stupid to not know what he meant once she saw his eyes show great love and care. Faye trembled as she hated seeing those kinds of eyes. Those eyes made her remember the fear she had. Seeing them made her remember how weak and pathetic she was.
"Go. Hurry up and leave!" Leo forced out as he was trying his best to endure the burning pain within him. Faye quickly ran out the door without looking back. He didn't want to hurt her, but seeing the pain she had in her eyes. He couldn't bear it... as he wanted to chase after her, but he wouldn't be able to control his body anymore. He crouched down in pain.