"Although Mr. Stoddard, Jen, and Mr. Reynolds seemed to have all their attention on Roseanne, I''m not in that camp. You''re the only one I see, the only one I care about. I''ll always be on your side, treating you as the most important person in my life. I really, really like you. Would you give me a chance to stand by your side and protect you openly?"


    Sammy had fallen for Liz the moment she walked into theb.


    She was vibrant, lively, talented, and came from a well-to-do family-quite the opposite of him. It felt natural, almost destined, that he was drawn to her.


    He''d pursued her for a long time, but she had never epted.


    Now, though, Sammy wanted to try once more for himself.


    Liz didn''t notice the deep, affectionate look in the boy''s eyes. She was perplexed. Why would Sammy choose this moment to ask her out? Was it some kind of veiled threat? A way to pressure her?


    If she didn''t ept, would he expose everything she had done to everyone?


    Fear gripped Liz''s heart. If she left theb, any chance with Owen would vanish entirely. She couldn''t take that risk...


    "Liz, it''s okay if you don''t ept," Sammy scratched his head, "These two things aren''t really rted, I just... got carried away and wanted to say it... Anyway, I get why you''re not fond of Roseanne, but in the future... maybe don''t act on it. If Mr. Reynolds finds out, there could be serious consequences."


    His words were casual, but she heard the underlying threat.


    "Fine, I ept."


    "What? Really?" He was prepared for rejection and was shocked by her eptance.


    "I said, I ept. I''ll go out with you."


    "That''s incredible! Liz, thank you! I''ll treat you so well, you''ll see!"Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Sammy was ecstatic,pletely oblivious to Liz''s reluctance.


    Perhaps deep down, he knew Liz''s feelings for him weren''t as intense as his were for her. Yet, he believed that with effort, even a stone could be warmed.


    ...


    Hand in hand, the two returned to thete-night food stall, Sammy''s smile almost splitting his face.


    Jen''s eyes darted to their joined hands. "Well, well, what do we have here?"


    Sammy couldn''t hide his glee. "Liz just epted my proposal. We''re officially together now."


    Jen blinked, "Congrattions, your persistence paid off."


    "Ha..."


    Stoddard chimed in, "Good on you,d! Well done!"


    Sammy''s interest had been obvious since Roseanne''s first day in theb.


    Liz had always been lukewarm, neither epting nor rejecting, leading everyone to believe Sammy''s pursuit would be a long one. Yet, here they were, suddenly in full bloom.


    Roseanne smiled genuinely, offering her congrattions.


    Owen not only congratted them but also asked the stall owner to add a few more dishes to celebrate.


    Liz kept an eye on Owen''s


    When he heard the news from


    Sammy, his smile only grew, showing no signs of


    disappointment.


    At that moment, Liz''s hopes were finally dashed.


    After thete-night snack, it was already half-past ten.


    Everyone went their separate ways, with Roseanne and Owen also preparing to head home.


    The food stall was near Kingswell University, and since Owen hadn''t driven and it was still early,


    Roseanne suggested a walk vel??


    digest their meal.