?


    "Hiking? What made you decide to do that?" Vrie asked.


    "Buddy wanted to go. Anyway, how are you nning to deal with Zayn?" N replied.


    The mention of Zayn made Vrie frown, disgust flickering in her eyes.


    "The Updikes want to settle privately, but I''ve already reported it to the police. Whatever the judge decides, I''m going through with it. I won''t settle privately," she answered.


    Just thinking about Zayn''s disgusting behavior made Vrie feel sick. She couldn''t believe she had agreed to marry him in the first ce.


    "Yeah, I support you. Make sure Zayn gets the punishment he deserves," N said.


    Vrie nodded, just as her phone rang. Seeing it was Brandon, she said before answering, "I''ll take this call outside."


    "Sure," N said.


    Stepping out of the vi, Vrie picked up the phone. "What''s up? Why are you calling me out of the blue?"


    "Where are you now?" Brandon asked.


    "I came over this morning to find N. Why do you ask?" Vrie replied.


    There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Brandon''s voice came through faintly. "I''m outside your house." "What are you doing at my house this early?" Vrie asked.


    "I brought you breakfast. Didn''t you sayst night that you wanted sandwiches from Patrick''s Shack?" Brandon replied. Vrie hadn''t expected him to actually remember her offhandment. "I just mentioned it because I happened to see it." "But I''ve already bought the breakfast, and I don''t really like sandwiches," Brandon said.


    Was it just Vrie''s imagination, or did she detect a hint of grievance in his tone?


    She bit her lip and hesitated before tentatively suggesting, "How about Ie back now?"


    "Okay, I''ll wait for you at your house," Brandon agreed.


    After hanging up, Vrie turned and walked back into the vi. She told N, "Brandon is waiting for me at my house, so I''m heading back." N looked up at her. "You''re leaving so soon?"


    "Yeah. You take care, and once your ankle''s better, we can go shopping together," Vrie said.


    "Okay," N replied.


    Exiting the vi, Vrie got in her car and drove away.


    Brandon had been working overtime these past few days, so besides chatting and calling each other, they hadn''t had a chance to meet. Thus,


    Vrie was eager to see him


    UMS


    Just as she was nearing home, her phone rang again from the passenger seat. While waiting at a red light, she picked it up.


    Seeing it was her high school ss president, she was taken aback.


    "Long time no see! What''s up? Why did you suddenly call me?" she asked.


    A rough male voice came through. "I''m in Saintornia on a business trip for the next few days. Some ssmate''s who work here want to get together for dinner. I was


    wondering if you''d like to el?


    swne


    Vrie smiled. "Sure! When are you nning to meet?"


    "Tonight at 8:00 p.m., in Room 1 on the third floor of Jeff''s," her ss president answered.


    "Sounds good. I''ll be there on time," Vrie promised.


    "Great! See you then," the ss president replied.


    After hanging up, the light turned green.


    Vrie pressed the gas, turning into the gate of the vimunity at the next intersection.


    Brandon was leaning against his car


    at the Weir residence''s entrance,


    looking down at his phone. Hene


    profite was gentle and handsome, radiating a warm aura.


    Vrie had to admit that Brandon perfectly matched her aesthetic. Even his personality was her favorite type.


    Pulling up beside him, she opened the car door and walked over.


    The moment Brandon heard the sound of the car, he looked up in her direction, his gaze warm as he watched her approach.


    Under his straightforward gaze, Vrie quickened her pace, reaching out to him. "Where''s my breakfast?"