When They Beg, I Rise!
Chapter 68

"Yes, but I'm trying here."

Lemira's abdomen was churning, distracting her from her focus. Probably from the spicy food she'd had earlier.

Orion noticed Lemira's pale complexion and the way her lips had lost their color. He reached out, touching her forehead to check for a fever-nothing. "You feel unwell?" he asked.

Feeling the coolness of his palm, Lemira weakly replied, "Stomach ache. Probably had too many spicy dishes."

It had been a while since she'd indulged like that; her stomach was likely not used to it anymore.

Orion withdrew his hand, turned to fetched some antacid tablets, and brought her a glass of water.

Lemira took the antacid, feeling week.

Orion took her pen away, "Stop working. Rest for today."

Lemira did feel off, suspecting her period might have also started.

As she stood up, she felt it—a telltale trickle. Her face stiffened; she knew it.

Rushing to the bathroom, she found the dreaded red stain. Just her luck. Now what?

That was when she remembered she was at other people's apartment, not her home. And she hadn't bought any pads.

She had planned to stop by the store after school, but then Dorian had confessed his feelings for her, and later, Alaric had whisked her away.

In the end, she'd forgotten all about it.

Orion, growing worried outside after not seeing her come out, knocked on the bathroom door, "Fall in?"

Lemira hesitated, "Could you buy me something?"

"Sure, but come out first."

"I can't, not just yet," Lemira got a bit agitated.

Orion's frown deepened, "What's up? Be honest."

"My period started," her cheeks flushed as she admitted it.

She grew up with brothers, who

were all men, clueless about

women's issues. The first time

got her period, it was their maid who had helped her out.

Orion stood by the door, "Menstrual period?"

"Yes," her voice was soft, tinged with embarrassment. This was, after all, a private matter.

Orion sighed in relief, "I'll go buy some. Just wait."

Lemira sat on the toilet, waiting for him, feeling an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Orion headed to the convenience store downstairs, staring at the array of pads, deep in thought.

The female clerk brightened up seeing a handsome guy enter but felt a pang of jealousy seeing him peruse the feminine hygiene, products-clearly for his girlfriend.

The clerk walked over, "Looking for something for your girlfriend, handsome? Day or night use? We also have these gel-based ones, great for summer but a bit pricey."

Orion pointed with his slender finger, "All of them."

"Everything?"

He nodded, an air of elegance about him, "Yeah."

IMS

"You might not need that much for a month. Maybe get one of each type to see what your girlfriend prefers?"

"Fine," Orion's tone was bland.

The clerk quickly packed the items; then couldn't help but add, "Does your girlfriend need some body warmers too?"

Orion paused, "Yes."

Grabbing a pack of body warmers and some chocolate, the clerk couldn't help but envy the girl for having such a thoughtful and handsome boyfriend.

As Orion walked back with his purchase, a man walked up to him, "Orion, what's with the haul?"

Thaddeus's lips twitched, "If I'm not mistaken, those are pads?"

Since when Orion was so considerate? This didn't bode well. The situation of him and that girl was doomed from the start.