Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



The car stopped at the end of the alley, and Roseanne stepped out.

Scales and Mamie had already made their way ahead.

Roseanne walked towards the apartment building.

The moonlight was soft, and the stars were sparse, scattered thinly across the night sky.

The breeze carried the heat of high summer, offering no cool relief.

Suddenly, she paused in her tracks.

A man was leaning against a tree at the foot of the building, hands in his pockets. When he saw her, he subconsciously straightened up.

Then, he flashed a smile.

"Surprised to see me?" Corley Sullivan stepped forward.

Roseanne was taken aback for a moment: "...A bit."

"Getting used to the new term?"

"Yeah."

"Classes filling up?"

That hit right on the mark for Roseanne. It wasn't just full; it was overwhelmingly so!

Corley shrugged: "Your expression says it all."

"...Is it that obvious?" she touched her face.

"Not really."

"Then how did you know?"

Corley: "I've got a good eye."

Roseanne was speechless.

It's too hot outside, and I know you won't invite me up. So, how about we find somewhere cooler to sit?"

He was quite self-aware.

"I bet you're thinking, huh, this guy's pretty considerate, knows his place."

Roseanne was shocked.

“Good, I guessed right again, didn't I?"

They ended up at a café they'd been to before.

Right across the street, it had air conditioning, making it a cool refuge.

However, Corley, in his business suit, seemed out of place among the café's casual vibe, drawing curious looks.

Roseanne asked, "What'll you have? My treat."

"A cookies and cream frappe, no ice, extra sugar."

Roseanne frowned.

"What?" Corley touched his chin as she stared.

After a brief silence, Roseanne went to the counter: "Two cookies and cream frappe, no ice, extra sugar"

As she finished, Corley chuckled softly: "So you like it too. Does that mean we're... kindred spirits?"

Roseanne replied, "Just a coincidence."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

Corley smirked.

How many coincidences like this happen?

She might not be aware, but over the years, he had come to know her preferences-what she liked to eat, what she liked to drink-perhaps not all, but certainly more than Murray did

Soon, their drinks were ready.

As they sat down to sip and chat-

Roseanne: "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Can't I see you without a reason?" he raised an eyebrow.

Roseanne fell silent for a moment: "...I don't think you would."

If Corley just wanted to chat, he wouldn't suggest finding a cooler place.

And he certainly wouldn't appear under her apartment late at night for no reason.

If... it really was just to see her, he would definitely find a proper excuse, not just show up unannounced.

“So, who's showing up unannounced?" A sharp look flashed in Corley's eyes.

Roseanne was speechless. Was that the point?

"...Has Murray been looking for you lately?"

She didn't want to answer.

But Corley wasn't ready to drop the

l

me

topic, his smile teasing. "Let guess, first off, he definitely has And not at night."

Roseanne kept silent.

"I bet he brought flowers." Corley continued, "And he wouldn't have appeared under your building. Since it wasn't night, it had to be during the day, and you spend most of your time at school, so... He went to

school to find you?"

to

Bingo!

Roseanne couldn't help but laugh: "With your guessing skills, ever thought about becoming a fortune teller?"

"I'm not interested in other people's fates."

She responded without thinking: "Then what are you interested in?"