A Bloom of Thorns

Holly could not figure out how she ended up back in her car.

The heater was on, making it cozy and warm.

However, even after she nailed down the last detail of the arranged marriage with Ronald, Holly's hands still kept shaking.

Ronald seemed pretty happy with how well Holly was taking it, shooting her one last text.

[We didn't raise you without our own interests in mind — but rest assured, we took a lot of thought choosing your fiance. He's more than good enough. You can marry him with a peace of mind.]

[Do you want Melissa and me to say something to Luke? You two are really close, and if he finds out you're suddenly getting married, he's bound to have a hard time letting go.]

That message brought back all of Luke's icy digs.

Tears splashed onto her phone screen.

Click.

Just then, Luke swung the car door open and hopped in.

His eyes caught Holly's tear-streaked face, and he frowned, like he was not the reason for it.

He wrapped her up in a hug, his voice barely showing concern.

"Holly, why the tears? Are you okay?"

Holly stashed her phone behind her back, stone-faced. She looked at the guy she used to be crazy about, feeling nothing like before.

She shook her head, trying to sound cool and detached, "It's no big deal.

"Just got super pumped about the invite to the Ocean Sonata Cup finals."

Luke tensed up holding her.

He had just been talking about that very competition on the phone.

The biggest, most high-stakes piano contest in the capital — the one Cecilia, the daughter of the Porter family, had hoped to win.

However, Holly had been the reigning champion of the Ocean Sonata Cup for four years straight. Along with Cecilia trailing behind her in second place.

"Holly," Luke whispered, his kisses trailing along her neck with a teasing lilt, "Why bother with the Ocean Sonata Cup again? You've won it enough times. How about skipping this one out?

"Stay here with me instead." His words were accompanied by his restless fingers, long and elegant. He began to undo the buttons on her blouse as he spoke.

In the heat of their past moments together, Holly would have given in to Luke's whim, whether they made sense or not.

Luke thought it was just desire clouding her judgment. He could not have been more wrong. Holly was hooked on the fleeting looks of love she thought she saw in his eyes.

However, she saw the truth… He never loved her. She was just a plaything to him.

Luke missed the clarity in Holly's eyes and the icy edge to her smile. "Fine, I won't go," she said calmly. "I'll give up the award."

'And I'll give up on you too,' she thought, but those words stayed unspoken.

Luke's face lit up with happiness, desire flashing in his eyes as his hands traced the curve of Holly's waist. Holly's expression remained unchanged even as her brows drew together, ready to claim she felt sick to avoid his advances.

Then, a rhythmic tapping at the car window interrupted them, followed by a crisp, cool female voice.

"Luke, are you in there? What's going on, are you with your girlfriend?"