Just as Juniper was about to open the box, a tall shadow fell over her. The familiar, clean scent of his cologne drifted into her senses.


    Juniper looked up, her eyes meeting a devastatingly handsome face.


    "What''s that?" Shanley asked, feigningposure with a gentle smile.


    "Here, you take it." Juniper immediately tossed the box to Shanley like a hot potato.


    "Oh?" Seeing her reaction, the corner of his stern lips curled up slightly. She was being a very self-aware girlfriend. But his smile vanished when she spoke again.


    "Some weirdo just ran up, shoved this box at me, and took off," she exined. "I''m worried it might be a bomb or something, so you should open it."


    The smilepletely disappeared from his face. So, she was just afraid of getting blown up? What a "loving" girlfriend he had.


    “Alright,” Shanley said with a resigned smile, handing her the dessert. "The fork''s inside. If you''re scared, stand back."


    Juniper shot him a look and clicked her tongue, but she didn''t move an inch. Instead, she started eating her little cake while staring intently at the box with her clear, bright eyes.


    Shanley opened it. Inside, nestled onyers of pink shredded paper, were a bottle of brand-name perfume and a sticky note. He could clearly read the words on the note: Hi Juniper, I''m Leroy from the freshman International Trade ss. I heard you''re single, and I was wondering if I could have the honor of being your friend.


    Below it was a number.


    Tch. These young punks and their borate schemes, Shanley thought with disdain. Who are they trying to impress with this stuff? Does he really think this is cool?


    "Want to add him?" Shanley asked, looking up at Juniper. He managed to sound patient, respecting her choice despite his jealousy.


    "No," Juniper replied instantly, shaking her head.


    "Good." Hearing the answer he wanted, Shanley''s smile returned, and his tone rxed. "I''ll have someone return this and tell him the truth."


    “What truth?” Juniper asked, tilting her head up at him.


    "That you have a boyfriend, and you have no interest in being his friend," Shanley said, his voice maic and alluring as he gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead.


    "Oh," Juniper said, giving him a long look before yawning. "Okay. Let''s go home. I''m exhausted."


    Even though Shanley had visited her


    often during the military training, she hadn''t been sleeping well in the unfamiliar environment. She''d already decided tomute from


    home once the training was ov Overs She wasn''t one to make herself suffer.


    On the drive back, Shanley sent a message to Flint: [Have all the major perfume brands at the mall send their scents suitable for young women to Cloudscape Community.]


    Flint replied, seeking rification: [Boss, you mean... all of them?]


    There were countless perfume brands. That could be hundreds, even thousands of bottles. Ms. Payne couldn''t possibly use them all, even as air freshener.


    Shanley: [Is there a problem?]


    Flint: [I''m on it.]


    After sending the message, Shanley looked at the girl dozing in his arms, his gaze deep and tender. His only fear was that she wouldn''t ept his gifts. Otherwise, he would give her anything in the world, even build her ammoon if she asked for it. No. cheap trinkets from outsiders were going to win over his Juniper.


    Cloudscape Community.


    Juniper got home, took a shower, and immediately crawled into bed. Once she was


    sound asleep, Shanley took his phone out to the balcony.


    "Chief, we have the file on Ebony Fox," the agent from Cybeic Shadows reported respectfully. "Ebony Fox is indeed a senior


    swngel


    instructor att Huntsman Institute and arrived in Era City a few days ago."