Potential Anguish

The classes finally ended and Maxene never felt more tired than ever. It was probably because she was more challenged in this mission than the previous one that it excites her. That's right, Maxene feels satisfied when things go her way especially since she knows that completing this mission is the key to her freedom along with her brother. She would always remind herself that especially in the times when she feels guilty.

"Max! So, wanna grab some coffee before we go home? Why don't we go shopping?" Lianey excitedly said while leaping. It's been a while since she had a friend so it's normal for her to feel this way.

"Sure, why no–"

"Lianey," a firm masculine voice cut Max off taking their attention. It was Ridger, standing at their classroom door.

"Brother?"

"Let's go home," he stated with a stern expression and crossed arms. The two could feel the dark aura that surrounds him.

Meanwhile, the other students noticed this and left using the other door. They don't know what's happening but they didn't want to stick their nose to it except for that one group of girls who tried to invite Max during lunchtime earlier.

"But brother, Max and I will go to the mall and drink coffee together," she said and pouted her lips like a child that wants candy.

"Your driver went home early because his child was sick. No one will fetch you later so we must go home now," he replied casually but Maxene can still feel the chills. She knew something was up to him then she noticed two guys behind him. One of them smiled at her and Lianey while the other one doesn't seem to care.

"Why don't you just come with us, then let's go home together later?" Lianey pleaded.

"Dave is going with us. He doesn't have his car, remember? He's grounded and he must go home before 5, you don't want him to lose his phone too right? Don't you pity him, Lian?" Ridger explained sweetly but Maxene saw that as pure manipulation. He'd really do anything to take his sister away from people he doesn't know well.

Maxene could easily read his actions and character like an open book. She doesn't want to trigger him more. So instead, she said, "Your brother is right. Let's just hang out next time. It's not like we won't see each other again.

Lianey looked at her with a sorrowful expression on her face. "Alright, but you promise we go together next time, okay?"

"I promise," she replied and then glanced at Ridger. "Take care of her."

"You don't have to remind me. She's my sister. Thanks for accompanying her," he replied and smiled, trying to sound nice and respectful but Maxene could sense the bitterness to it.

They all walked outside and when it was time to part ways, Lianey hugged her which took Maxene by surprise. It took her a few seconds to hug her back and smile. It was a good thing she reacted fast because she knows Ridger's watching her.

"Take care," she uttered and waved when Lianey sat in the back seat of Ridger's car. Meanwhile, Dave took the shotgun.

Nathan on the order hand rode his big motorbike and left first. He didn't even bother speaking with Maxene. Well, he just doesn't like talking to people he's not friends with.

Maxene was about to live to wait for a taxi when the rain slowly started pouring. "I must've used all my luck today," she mumbled as she stare at the orange sky that indicates that the sun is going to set soon. But then she was surprised when the sky was covered by an umbrella. But what surprised her more was the person behind it.

"Ridger," she mumbled.

"Here," he said casually and handed her the umbrella. "Take that. It's yours," he added and went back to his car. For the last time, Lianey waves goodbye at her before closing the car window. It seems like she's still sad that they had to depart early.

"Lianey must've told him to give this to me," she thought to herself as she stand in front of their department building where all the students and professors' vehicles were parked.

—

At the same moment, in Ridger's car, Dave looked at him in disbelief. He shook his head and said, "And you wonder why some girls think you actually like them? Seriously?" Ridger looked at him with a sharp gaze, trying to warn Dave not to spill anything because Lianey's in the back seat which caused Dave to close his mouth almost instantly.

"What? Did something happen?" Lianey told them and went closer to them.

"Lianey, sit properly and put your seatbelt on," Ridger commanded, ignoring her question.

"What? But I'm at the back seat. And stop ignoring my questions, brother!" Lianey's aware that a lot of girls from the university liked her brother. She's gone used to it because girls from her old school had a crush on him too.

"Tell me, brother. Did Rosie finally confess her feelings to you?" she queried with a serious look on her face causing Ridger to choke on his own saliva.

Ridger throw daggers at Dave who hid his face using his small leather bag.

"Brother, tell me!"

"Stop sticking your nose into someone else's business, Lian. And also, stop being friends with people you know nothing about," he stated as he focus on driving.

Meanwhile, everyone including Dave went silent after hearing what Ridger said. Lianey moved away from them and looked outside the window. Ridger noticed this and suddenly felt guilty.

"Is this why you picked me up early?" she mumbled, almost inaudible but Ridger understand it and glanced at her through the mirror. "Could it be that he lied about my driver?" she thought to herself and clenched her fist secretly.

"Lian… I'm just trying to protect you," Ridger told her with a soft sweet voice.

Lianey looked at her brother with a sad expression, "I know brother. It's just that… am I not allowed to be friends with anyone after what happened before?"

"No, of course not. I never said that," Ridger replied instantly. Hearing Lianey's voice almost crack breaks his heart. He doesn't like seeing his sister in pain.

On the other hand, Dave took his earphones to listen to music as he wants to give them privacy. Although he is a troublemaker, he knows when to stay put and behave.

"But why do you want me to stay away from Max?" she asked with her tearful eyes.

Ridger sighed and replied, "Look, Lian. I just want you to be careful. I want you to know who she is first before getting too close to her. Trust is something she should earn."

"But if she turns out to be a good person?"

"Then no one's going to stop you from being friends with her. You know that I am a fair person, Lian. I've seen enough to not know anything about the world or how criminal thinks. And you, yourself know how cruel people can get. Dad told us that we should never let our guard down, remember?"

Lianey slowly nodded her head. She thought that she might've overreacted and understood that her brother is right. She looked at him with determination and said, "Don't worry brother. I will prove to you that she's a good friend and she's not like the others."

She pondered, "He might not believe now but soon enough, he will see how kind Max is and how well we get along. She won't betray me like the others did. She's not like them." Although they just met, Lianey had made up her mind because of a strong feeling that Max is different and that they are the same in many ways.

Ridger on the other hand, sighed and tried his best to smile at his sister. Because of the high chance that Lian might end up disappointed and hurt in the end, he must finish his investigation. He believed that if he could uncover the truth quicker, he would be able to spare his sister from another potential anguish.

–

End of Chapter 9