Can’t Win Me Back

Amber returned to the laundry room after helping the teacher.

Upon her return, she was forced up against the wall by Axel, who pressed his body against her and stared into her eyes.

Her heart was beating uncontrollably. Drawn into his bright and sharp gaze, she found herself falling helplessly for him.

She longed for a ray of light to shine through the cracks and illuminate her dark life. His eyes turned out to be the source of light she had been

searching high and low for.

"Ms. Altman, did you leave something behind just now?" he teased her in a low chuckle that ended with a seductive lilt.

"What..." Her voice trailed off. She grabbed the edge of the wall firmly as her heart pounded like a drum.

Grinning, he casually brushed his nose tip against hers. The gentle and cheeky move resembled the touch of a lover. Suddenly, he rasped, "You left

my heart behind."

Amber, whose heart had been racing, broke into laughter. Axel raised a quizzical brow at her. "Tsk! What are you laughing at?"

assyou haven't dated before, right? Not every girl could take your cheesy jokes." Amber, covering

in front of him.

his eyes deepened. He clicked his tongue and retorted, "That was a pickup

line is a joke in itself.” She was halfway through teasing him when her

front

frantically fumbled around her neck as all color drained

him, but he playfully raised his arms to keep it out

failed to reach it.

questioned, "Who's that pretty

white again. This time, she jumped to

to make friends, Jameson Schmidt wouldn't allow it,"

She spoke in a higher pitch from

a sister in the picture?" His expression soured. Then, he swung the locket

to tellthe truth, I'll have to confiscate this and return it to you

she blurted

a deep, emotional gaze

photo. It was taken when | was 20. The photo was the only profile photo | have of myself before | was molded into

was overcwith bitterness. "Jameson destroyed all my old photos after | got

him knowing. This is the only photo