"CONGRATULATIONS, ZOE!" Nana Milky greeted Zoe as she exited the stage.
Zoe gave the elderly lady a genuine smile and hugged her. She then walked over to her mother, who was crying and standing on Nana Milky's back.
Iris couldn't help but cry as she watched her daughter walk across the stage to receive her awards and diploma. Words can't describe how proud and happy she was.
"Mom..."
Iris shook her head, and she couldn't stop thinking about what happened a few weeks ago. She regretted everything, and she was grateful that Zoe had allowed her to attend her graduation.
"Please accept my apologies-"
"Shh..." Zoe rushed up to her and tightly hugged her. "-don't blame yourself, mom," she released her grip and smiled. "We all commit mistakes, and I forgave you. And all I ask is that you promise me one thing..."
Iris bit her lower lip as she fixed her gaze on her daughter. She took Zoe's hand i

A FEW days after Zoe's graduation, she decided to look for a job that suited her knowledge. The thing was, Nana knew about it, so she did tell Helios, and here she is, sitting in front of him while the man was staring at her.
Zoe doesn't know how to react, but she finds it awkward. She knew that Helios had confessed last time, and she rudely responded with it. She bit her lower lip and hemmed to clear her throat, catching Helios's senses.
"Uhm, is there anything wrong?" she asked.
They were just a few distances away from each other, sitting in Helios's living room, and she did hear his deep sigh.
It seems like something is bothering him.
"What's wrong?" she asked once again.
Helios took a deep breath once again and sighed. "I want to ask you one last time about-"
"If this is about your proposal. I apologize, but I can't give you what you want. I am still young and full of dreams, Helios.

ZOE was surprised when she woke up one morning. Helios was there, sitting beside her, and she bet he was staring at her, who-knows-when.
It was a hell week for Zoe, dealing with other bullies, but she admits it and is beyond grateful because the queen, Mira Riverdale, was there to save her ass.
"Hey," Helios uttered and smiled at her.
Zoe couldn't still believe the things happening between them were too swift and seemed temporary.
She moved herself up and leaned on the headboard, never leaving Helios's gaze.
"Since when did you arrive?"
Helios crept a playful smirk on his lips. "Just this morning."
Zoe pressed her lips and sighed. "And how long have you been staring at me?"
Helios let out a soft chuckle. "You have no idea-"
"Just answer me, Helios. And I am not up for a joke."
Helios's forehead creased and sat properly. "What's with you, baby? Did I do something wrong?"
Zoe took a deep breath and sighed. "I don't know," she shook her head, "-all of these seem so unreal, and it shouldn't be like this."
Zoe was certain that he might trigger something inside Helios. And she won't apologize for that.
"Are you talking about my proposal? The marriage thing-"
"That marriage thing..." she raised her hand to prevent Helios from talking.
"Marriage is not a game that has to be played by kids. Marriage is sacred. You can't just joke with that thing around. Especially to strangers like me. Whom you only met," she stared into Helios's eyes, "-a few weeks ago," she added, making Helios scoff.
Helios arched his brow. "You are not a stranger."
Zoe laughed sarcastically. She doesn't mean to be rude to someone else who saved her life, but she's dealing with an important thing.
"Say, you know me. Like from that bar? Two years ago? A virgin woman who deals with a one-night stand with Helios Lincoln? So, that will be the reason for our union?"
"Stop being sarcastic, Zoe." Helios's voice is indifferent. It's stern and chilly.
Zoe laughed. "I'm certainly not. I am stating facts. I am waking you up."
"You can't change my mind-"
"Stop this nonsense, Helios. Marriage is not for rush-"
"Trust me. I know you well. Wanna know a secret, Zoe?"
Zoe was rendered speechless. She doesn't know why Helios needs to rush things, especially with the word marriage... which is supposed to be not.
"Do tell."
"I am responsible for your scholarship."
Zoe wasn't surprised. She knew it days ago.
"I know," she replied and curled down the comforter as she moved to the side and wore her slippers.
"You know?" the shock in Helios's voice and reaction are indeed visible.
Zoe met his eyes and nodded. "I do."
"Then, what's wrong-"
"You don't love me, Helios. The marriage you want won't work without love."
Helios's eyes widened, and he chuckled. "Oh, you have no idea how much I love you, Zoe Levine. I love you so much-"
"We can't be together, Hel. You know that. I know we had sex twice, but that's not a measure of love. Can't you understand?"
Zoe put her hand on her waist as she tried to explain things to Helios, who was on the other side of the bed.
Helios stood up and flashed sadness in his eyes.
"How sure are you? I love you, and I won't offer marriage if I am not ready."
Zoe shook her head, and there was only one thing she knew that might stop Helios's stupidity.
"And I don't love you, Helios."
Silence evaded the whole room, and no one dared to talk for minutes. They both could hear the swoosh of the wind, the way how leaves moved by its force, and the chirping of the bird, which had been lightened by the morning sun.
"You're-"
"That's the truth. Not just because we had sex or I let you have me-that I want you fucking me means to say that I love you, Helios. That's not how it works. Love is different from want. I want you, but I do not love you. And love can't be one-sided. Again, marriage is sacred. Thank you so much for saving me, even though I know that I was sold to you rather than to your father. But the thing you've done to me will not affect my emotions, my heart towards yours."
Zoe saw a tint of sadness in Helios's eyes and the way he shook his head and let out a sarcastic smile.
Helios is hurting.
He smiled. "I see..." his voice is faint, "-I am sorry-"
"No, I am sorry, Helios. I didn't mean to hurt you-"
"Congrats," Helios let out a sarcastic chuckle, "-you just did." Zoe was about to talk when Helios cut her off. "-no worries. I understand, and I can manage. Maybe, you're right... I shouldn't rush things. Excuse me."
Zoe was shocked. "Helios..."
But Helios had already left the room.
Zoe heaved a deep sigh. 'Did I go overboard?' she thought.
...
"How's your trip, Helios?" Nana Milky asked Helios when they were both sitting in the kitchen a few minutes after he went down from Zoe's room.
Helios drank the cup of tea that his Nana served.
"Nothing's new, Nana," he replied after.
Nana Milky could sense that something was bothering Helios.
"Did you talk to Zoe?"
Helios's met Nana's eyes. "He doesn't love me, Nana."
Nana Milky felt pity for Helios, whom she treasured as her son for years.
Ever since Helios' mother died, it was she who took good care of him.
"Did I scare her, Nana? Did I go so fast? I know, but I am true to my feelings. I love her. It's been years."
"You surely love her, but it isn't right. I know you made the best decision to help her. But it was because you're guilty-"
"No, Nana. I love Zoe!" Helios's voice raised, and his grip on the mug tightened.
Nana was alarmed and calmed him down. What if Zoe saw it?
"I understand. But you should also get honest-"
"I am honest, Nana. You know I am. I helped her. I saved her. I love her."
Nana Milky nodded to calm Helios. "I know. I am proud of you. I know you love her, son. But you're stealing your brother's identity."
Helios's clenched his fist and glared at his Nana.
"I am Helios, Nana. I am."
"Orion-"
"I am Helios, Nana. Not Orion."
Nana Milky doesn't know how to control him at the moment, but she needs to calm him down.
"Icarus Helios is already dead. And you have nothing to do with it. It wasn't your fault. Orion..." Nana paused when Helios raised his hand.
"I don't want to hear anything that related to that name, Nana. I am the only Helios now."
Nana shook her head and looked around. "Yes, you are. You and your twin have the name Helios. But you're not the person whom Zoe met two years-"
"Enough with this conversation, Nana. And don't ever mention my dead brother here," Helios said, wearing his cold voice, and left.
Nana Milky shook her head in disbelief.

"CONGRATULATIONS, ZOE!" Nana Milky greeted Zoe as she exited the stage.
Zoe gave the elderly lady a genuine smile and hugged her. She then walked over to her mother, who was crying and standing on Nana Milky's back.
Iris couldn't help but cry as she watched her daughter walk across the stage to receive her awards and diploma. Words can't describe how proud and happy she was.
"Mom..."
Iris shook her head, and she couldn't stop thinking about what happened a few weeks ago. She regretted everything, and she was grateful that Zoe had allowed her to attend her graduation.
"Please accept my apologies-"
"Shh..." Zoe rushed up to her and tightly hugged her. "-don't blame yourself, mom," she released her grip and smiled. "We all commit mistakes, and I forgave you. And all I ask is that you promise me one thing..."
Iris bit her lower lip as she fixed her gaze on her daughter. She took Zoe's hand in hers and squeezed it tightly as she met her gaze. "Please tell me, honey."
Zoe cracked a g

Chapter 9 Warning and Coldness