ASH 

Ash tiredly plopped on his warm bed. 

His eyes traced the ceiling absentmindedly. He was glad that he hadn't managed to stumble upon his mother yet because he felt like energy was practically drained from him after day's events. And elaborating the whole story to his mother would most likely result in her panicking and then getting mad. Oh, boy. Making her mad and having to spend a week again at Greenland wasn't on his list. 

He heaved a sigh as his phone rang. Exhausted, he barely managed to grab and pick it up before placing it near his ear. He covered up a yawn behind his hand and muttered in a sleepy voice. "Hello?" 

"Hey, Ash. Are you okay?" It was an all too familiar voice of his friend ─ Paul Shinji. He was the son of the Japanese businessman and famous Spanish philosopher mother researching on metaphysics. He had gotten most of his looks from his father; naturally narrowed black eyes and hair dyed a dark shade of purple. Ash remembered when Drew had forced the poor guy to dye their hairs because he didn't wanted to be 'alone'. 

He also remembered how Paul nearly had a heart attack when he saw himself in the mirror. Not to mention, how he went on a rampage and almost attempted to strangle Drew. 

"I am fine" Ash replied, drowsiness seeping in his tone. He could hear Paul scoff, clearly not buying what the auburn-eyed man was saying and imagined him rolling his eyes. But Ash didn't bothered to make his lie more believable. 

"Yea, right. Then mind telling me why you missed such an important meeting that had to canceled because you didn't attend?" As soon as Paul finished his sentence, Ash jerked up in a sitting position. He had completely forgotten that the purple head was also in the meeting. Now which excuse should he go with? That he forgot to eat his lunch and fainted on the street? Heck no - that was too unconvincing because Ash never forgets his lunch. 

His usually sharp brain had surprisingly betrayed him as he struggled to come up with something believable. Ash didn't plan to let anyone know about what occurred a few hours ago because rumors fly sooner that you expect. His eyes fell on an old family photograph as he blurted out. "B-Because Leaf called up to tell that she was sick!" 

"Huh? What happened to her?" Paul asked in a worried voice. Ash stopped cursing himself mentally for using his cousin's name to escape the situation as he started to panic again. What should he say? 

"Well, she accidentally twisted her ankle and fractured her arm!" Ash face-palmed as soon as the words left his mouth. He corrected himself in a calmer way. "I mean, she twisted her ankle on the stairs and fell down. The impact fractured her arm. I was worried so I had to go and meet her" 

"I see" Paul sighed in relief. "That explains why you wouldn't come after all. Very well. You sound tired so take a rest. I will hopefully see you tomorrow" 

"Sure and goodnight" Ash mumbled as Paul hung up. He sighed, feeling guilty for the third time that day. He could have come up with something better but instead he had to drag his poor cousin's name in a situation as ridiculous as that. Leofe Aphelion or Leaf was his paternal side cousin. Her father aka Ash's uncle was American just like Ash's own father meanwhile Leaf's mother was a woman with her ancestors belonging to Greece. 

Sadly, Leaf's father had died due to traumatic car accident a few years ago and her mother had gone hysterical upon hearing it. She was so out of control that she was forced to be in rehabilitation center. Leaf was obviously taken in by Delia but only stayed for a year before she decided to go back to America to complete her studies. 

Ash frowned but decided to go to sleep because of the exhaustion that was taking toll on him. He shut his eyes firmly, with his consciousness slowly giving in to the sweet lullaby of tiredness and ennervation. 

SERENA 

The clock stuck eleven as Serena's blue eyes looked at it in a trance. She was surprisingly not tired even after everything that has happened and couldn't feel a bit of sleep. Not that she wanted to sleep anyways. She wouldn't dare keep her guard down. The only sound was the gentle humming of the nocturnal creatures outside and the clink of Nurse Joy's fingers typing away. 

The clouds had cleared away but the night breeze was cool and comforting. Serena was still pondering whether to take the generous job offer from Ash or not when she suddenly decided that she needed a breath of fresh air to calm her nerves. She stood up, unlatching the ribbon that she uses to tie her hair, from her dress collar and knotted it around her blonde hair. Satisfied with the ponytail, she strode out of the lonely hallway. 

Nurse Joy looked over when she heard the nearing presence in alarm but that quickly melted in a sweet smile as she called out to the honey blonde. "Hello, sweetheart. Where are you going this late?" 

"Just for a little walk around here, Nurse Joy" Serena smiled polietly. She was actually surprised that the nurse had been working non-stop without taking any breaks. Serena wondered how long she could sit in one position because to be honest, the honey blonde could already her back ache. 

The pink haired woman frowned in concern. "But sweetheart, a pretty and young woman like you shouldn't walk around at such a late hour. It can very dangerous"

"Don't worry, Nurse Joy. I would be just right outside. Besides, there are security guards out there too" Serena reasoned as she tried to convince the nurse that she was absolutely fine on her own. The nurse sighed but nodded as she told the blonde to be safe before turning to whatever work she was doing on her computer.

Serena slipped out of the hospital, her eyes marveling the illuminations of the city. The chatter of the people had gradually lessened as more than half of the capital basked in sound sleep. The two guards standing outside shot Serena an interrogating look but didn't ask her verbally so Serena quietly walked away from their uncomfortable stare. 

She started walking down the length of the footpath when a low growl of a car startled her. She swiftly turned around to find Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren glossed in shining shade of gold stopping just beside her. Serena cautiously backed up even though she wanted to drool at the beautiful ride standing in front of her. The door opened and Serena proceeded to run back to the hospital but a gentle voice stopped her. 

"Are you okay, miss?" The voice was definitely masculine and it had a slight American accent to it. Serena slowly turned around to meet with stunning grey eyes. He was a male just like she had concluded. He had black hair similar to the man she had met earlier but a lot less messy. He looks were breath-taking and he looked harmless but Serena kept her guard up. 

"I am fine" she replied curtly, later flinching at the tone of her own voice and how harshly that came. The man seemed to notice this as he chuckled in amusement. 

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I was just going back home but I saw you walking alone with cuts and bruises so I thought you might need help" he softly told her. Serena frowned as she saw the small cuts on her arm. Of course he would think that way. After all, you don't see a woman wandering alone in the middle of the night with bruises on her body under normal circumstances.

"I am really fine. Its just that my friend got into an accident and I had to rush here in this state" she explained, herself confused as to why she was narrating such a thing to a stranger. He looked as if he belonged to a rich and civilized family; his clothes, shoes and car simultaneously screamed the word 'expensive'. 

"I am sorry to hear that" he shook his head in sympathy before giving the woman a charming grin. "My name is Calem. Whats yours?" 

"Serena Yvonne" the honey blonde replied with obvious reluctance and clumsiness. She wondered why the hell handsome men kept appearing in her life one by one. Her life practically sounded like a cliché romance book at this point for crying out loud. Geez

Noticing Serena's hesitancy, Calem laughed a bit. "Don't worry Serena. I am not a bad person and my parents are well-respected here. Do you think I would be riding in a car like this if I were to be a thief of some sort?"

Serena opened her mouth to say something but a quiet rumbling interrupted her mid-way as she felt an embarrassed blush on her cheeks. Calem muffled his giggles behind his hand as Serena looked at the ground and mumbled softly. "Sorry about that. Its just that I haven't eaten anything from a long time" 

It was true. She had long ago devoured the sandwich which she had received and now was practically starving. But she didn't wanted to buy anything because she already felt as if she was in debt. Besides, the money she got from Arianna was supposed to last a week. She couldn't afford to spend it on her food selfishly.

"I see. Maybe we can buy something from there?" Calem suggested with a gentle smile as he pointed at the nearby vending machine. Serena wanted to decline but hunger got the best of her so she sighed before nodding hesitantly. 

"Okay, let's go" she gave in. Calem grinned in a friendly manner before crossing the road. Serena trailed behind him, still staying alert. Even though Calem had proven himself to be extra friendly and gentle, Serena would rather not believe him so easily. Of course she wouldn't say that out loud but just incase -

"What would you like to have?" Calem asked her polietly. Serena pretended to scrutinize the snacks but in reality she was searching for the least expensive food there. But even the least expensive snack costed around three dollars. Serena glared at the price. Why the heck was it so costly? 

Finally sighing to herself, she pointed at a packet of potato chips and hot coffee. "I think I will take these" 

She fumbled with the money Arianna had given her before attempting to push it through the coin acceptor, only to be stopped by Calem who grabbed her wrist unexpectedly. He shook his head in disappointment. "Do you think it would be rather impolite of me to expect a lady pay? The chivalry is not dead, you know. I asked you to come along so I would pay for you"

"But you don't have to" Serena protested. How could she take anything from a stranger? As if on a cue, she was immediately washed over the realization that she had practically survived up until now because of other's kindness towards her. First Arianna, then that kind businessman and now Calem. A wave of bitterness came through her. 

"Its okay. Its really okay" Calem chuckled and pushed his own money inside the coin acceptor and selected whatever Serena had told him along with tea for himself before he grinned at her. "See? Everything is still going well" 

Serena couldn't help but grin back at his nonchalance. He was truly sweet for helping her in such a generous way. The chips packet and cans rolled out as Calem handed the honey blonde her snacks with his usual chesire smile. However his goofy grin soon turned into soft smile almost as he was contemplating something.

"Don't mind me asking Serena, but are you actually alone with your friend? I mean, not to be rude or anything but where are her parents?" Calem questioned. Serena felt an undesirable feeling of nausea take over her. She wondered how her parents would react when they would come to know that their daughter was in a fatal accident [although not fatally injured]. But they didn't care for her back then so they won't probably care now anyways, Serena concluded. 

"Well, you see, May and I have actually lived in an orphanage" Serena said slowly, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. She felt kinda embarrassed at having to say that and regret instantly took over her when she saw Calem's smile drop. Great - now he probably thinks low of her. 

"I so sorry, Serena. I shouldn't have asked" Calem apologized sincerely and it was so genuine that even the blonde was stunned for a second. "I was curious but I shouldn't have invaded your personal life because I am a stranger after all. I feel bad -" 

"Its okay, Calem" Serena waved her hand whilst accepting his apology. "It is what it is and you don't need to feel bad about it. We were both left behind by our parents and even though it sounds awful from a third perspective, I am actually thankful to have met May. She has been my great friend through and through. I wouldn't trade this for the world" 

The raven haired man smiled, slightly ruffling his hair. An action which appeared familiar to Serena. He nodded his head. "It is really hard to find good friends who would genuinely appreciate your presence. I feel rather jealous of you now since I don't have friends here. A lot were my friends previously; all after knowing that my parents are super rich business personalities"

"Aw man, that sucks" Serena pouted. "Don't your parents give you time?"

Calem frowned slightly. "Its not like they don't want to give me time willingly but sometimes I wish that I had a normal life. I had grown up watching the parents of my fellow classmates spending time with them - attending school functions, supporting them in quiz contests and praise them for participating in the annual sports day" 

"Meanwhile" Calem paused, a sad smile playing on his lips. "I would try to become the best in everything. Snatching the first place in competitions, becoming the 'ultimate' quiz champion and winning the golden trophy in sports day. But whatever I did, after a word of compliment, my parents would be back to their business" 

Serena looked at him in sympathy as he stared at the sky, bitterly laughing. "I tried to convince them to come to school and watch me win. But every damned time it would eventually be the same; they would promise and not come. And at one point of time, I felt jealous of the children whose parents spended their time on them, even if they fell behind me"

"I am sorry to rank it up" Serena said, keeping a solemn and comforting hand on his shoulder. "Having no parents is difficult but having parents and still feeling their absence is more challenging to overcome. By the way, don't you have a sibling?" 

Calem froze to his spot as the honey blonde gave him a perfect arched brow. A wave of tension followed and Serena pondered if she had asked a wrong question. But that all changed when the grey-eyed man gave her a lopsided smile. "Nope. I wish I would have had a sibling though so that I wouldn't feel lonely"

Serena smiled back at him and extended her hand. Calem looked at it in confusion as she explained sweetly, looking into his friendly achromatic grey orbs. "We can be friends. That is, if you want to"