Lydia folded her clothing into the suitcase, careful as she placed each item in its proper spot. Jeans on the right. Shirts on the left. Nightwear in the deep center, and her additional clothing over the rest. The intimates she zipped up in the non-see through compartment of the fold. She didn't comprehend how the girls in her college managed to fill more than four suitcases up with clothes. Having only filled two, it was more than enough space for Lydia.

Then again, she wasn't particularly packing for frequent late-night parties and weekend events. Her clothes were for the purpose of college – getting to class and obtaining her degree. She much preferred spending her late nights studying in the library then out drinking her inhibitions away. She had to focus if she wanted to accomplish getting a master's in business administration in record speed.

"I can't believe you and Micah have been separated this whole time. Why didn't you tell me?!" Massie exclaimed, watching her with awed eyes as she continued to methodically organize her things.

Of course, Lydia should have known better than to not have inform her sister of the break-up the moment she made the decision. Lydia shrugged. "I didn't think it was that important. Him and I still talk. We're friends, it's just I didn't think it worth continuing if in the end I want to live in the city, and he wants to stay here."

Lydia couldn't stop her tone from changing at the last word. The truth was, after spending two semesters at the college in the city, she knew right away its where she belonged. Suburban towns like Dark Falls didn't suit her. She much preferred the hustle and bustle of the city. Micah was the complete opposite, his entire life plan consisted of staying here and working under his family business connected to the diner. Who was she to stop him from that?

"But why didn't you tell me?!" Massie continued. Then, she started crying as though it were the most heinous crime ever. Her eyes became watery as big, fat, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Lydia grabbed her prepped box of tissues and brought it to her sister. "I didn't think you would be much of a crier during pregnancy."

Massie readily took the tissues and wiped her nose. "I can't help it, I'm so sensitive and I don't understand why!" The violet in her eyes became brighter in hue. Within seconds she recomposed herself again and giggled. "Well, if you guys have been separated for six months and I didn't know it, I guess you guys are taking it well."

The bed dipped as Lydia sat beside her sister. She rested her hand over her enlarged stomach. "We are. I'm glad for the relationship we had, but we both understand we're not compatible in terms of what we want out of life."

Massie nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. I guess...I thought you'd be like Sebastian and I. I should've known you were serious about living out on your own in the city."

Lydia winced. "Yeah, about that. City life is not as easy as I pictured in my head. I love it, but sharing an apartment with two other girls hasn't been smooth."

A sigh of frustration escaped her lips at the thought of her roommates. They were everything she wasn't – loud, rambunctious, and complete party girls. It's her saving grace that neither of them ever thought to make a party in their apartment (the space being too small) rather they were often invited into wretched parties on a continual basis.

"Don't worry Lyd, once you get an internship and start getting paid I know for a fact you'll be able to afford your own place. I know how you like to be a lone wolf. Its only a matter of time."

Lydia raised a brow at her sister's terminology. She might as well be a she-wolf as far as Lydia was concerned. "Remember how I told you I sent out over thirty applications? They all waitlisted me because they prefer some kind of 'prior experience'—which I obviously don't have." She huffed, crossing her arms.

It boggled her mind that she would be on a list with over a hundred other people for a single spot. And how can she get experience if no one takes her? Did they ever think of that?

"If you want, I can contact a friend. He's actually in town this week if you want me to set you up. He works for...um, I don't remember. Genetex I think?"

Lydia's mouth dropped. "You have a friend that works in Genetex? YOU HAVE A FRIEND THAT WORKS IN GENETEX AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?!"

Lydia held on to her sister's shoulders. She felt like fainting. That was the intership to get. It was so high up there that only seniors could apply for internships, not mere sophomores like her. The pre-requisites for getting in were off the chart. Genetex was not a place to only aim for an internship, but a straight up legit career. And even those who partook of the internship were not guaranteed a spot there, only experience. Most people who got in had years of experience stacked in for a permanent position.

"I'll have him come over tomorrow." Massie said, smiling good-naturally.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Lydia crushed her into a hug. At least, as far she could go with that bump in the way.

It always amazed Lydia the kind of connections Massie could get. She always envied that of her sister, the way she made friends with people so easily. It came so naturally to her, yet despite the shared DNA that gene totally skipped over her and stayed with Massie. Even so, the grin on her face could not be swayed. If things worked out, she would get her ideal internship!

>>

"Honey! Can you please take out the trash?!" Her mother yelled this from across the kitchen, her booming voice traveling through the entire home.

Beside Lydia, her father munched on a fist full of popcorn. His shirt was layered with a nice amount of remnants that didn't make it to his mouth. "Hey, sweetie. Can you take out the trash for me?" He pled, eyes glued to the game on the screen as though it somehow held his lifeline.

Lydia rolled her eyes, already closing her book as she expected him to delegate the job to her. It was always like this when it was game night. After spending the day with her yesterday Massie had left, promising her friend would pass to talk to her. It seemed that friend of hers could not be depended on, for he didn't come at all.

Whatever. She doubted a general employee could do anything for her anyway. Internships were managed by another committee, so a recommendation probably wouldn't do much. It was fun to have hope while it lasted.

"Oh, sweetie! Not in that dress!" Her mother berated at seeing her lift the bag from the garbage can.

Lydia blinked, unmoved by her mother's fussing. It was some expensive dress Massie had gifted her two years ago. Indeed, it was good quality, but Lydia was not concerned. "It's fine. I know how to take the trash out mom."

Her mother seemed unsure. "Be careful!" She kept talking about some object that was in the bag, but by then Lydia was already at the door.

As she walked down the pavement she took time to admire the weather. The summer time sun was doing great things. Despite it being five past noon, the light was as bright as it was in its peak. Lydia dropped the bag into the bin. However, it appeared there were too many things placed, for Lydia had to bear down on the bag to make it fit.

"Ouch!" She cried.

Lydia quickly pulled back her finger, frowning as bright flow of red liquid coursed down her index finger. Crap. That's probably what her mother had been trying to warn her about—glass. Lydia cursed. It was the most miniscule cuts that hurt most when she had to clean them.

"How unexpected, foul language coming from such a beautiful girl."

Lydia's back straightened at the smooth, velvety voice. She glared at the stranger, surprised she hadn't noticed him on her block. That did tend to happen to her, as at times she was so focused on an task she had tunnel vision.

"How about you go on your merry way in minding your own business," she snapped.

Rather than recoil from her words, the stranger smiled. The magnetic type that most girls would squeal under the presence of. For she did have to hand him that – he was in indeed handsome. He walked up to her, but with his mannerisms it seemed more a glide, smooth and effortless. "Why so serious?" he asked.

Lydia inwardly fumed. Still, she restrained herself. She didn't know this man, there was no point in starting an argument over something so miniscule. "Whatever." Her steps faltered as she tried to go around him. It felt as though whichever direction she took to go back home, he managed to get in the way. Without moving. What the heck?

Her nose flared. This man was making it increasingly difficult to stay cordial. "Do you mind?" She hissed.

The stranger lifted her hand, the injured one, and brought it before his eyes. Blue, Lydia realized. His eyes were a vibrant blue that reminded her of gleaming sapphire stones. "You should clean this up." He advised, his eyes followed the trail of her blood down to her hand.

Lydia tried to pull her hand back. If anything, the efforts worked to get her closer to him rather than further away. She had to crane her neck to send him one of her withering looks, he was so tall it was annoying. "If you let go of me maybe I could be more productive in doing that you freak!"

The man chuckled, as though amused by her words. "Wow, she really wasn't kidding when she said you were serious." His nose lowered to her hand, smelling it. "It...excites me."

Lydia gasped as his eyes seem to swirl to an even brighter blue. He lowered his lips over her finger, licking the entire trail of blood all the way to its source, where he sucked momentarily before pulling back and smirking. "Just my type."

Lydia was mortified, almost speechless as his actions. Then, her anger seeped in. She lashed out at him in a thunder. "How dare you! Who the hell do you think you are?!"

He cocked his head to the side, surveying her from head to toe, then back again. "Feel free to call me Sugar Daddy."

The more she spoke to him, the worse it seemed to get. This man made no sense! "Excuse me!" Lydia squeaked, aghast at his audacity. The sheer nerve of this man! Sugar Daddy?! In all her life she had never met a man like this. "I don't know what kind of ward you belong to, but get the hell away from me." Lydia shoved him back.

The stranger barely moved an inch, unaffected by her measly strength. "Destiny must be pulling us together cherry pop, for in case you're unaware, you're wearing a dress I bought. Massie said you also wanted your own apartment, so I got you a suite in one of my complexes. It's conveniently not far from your internship." He smiled like a sly fox, taking out his card for her to take. "Welcome to Genetex enterprises. As of next week, you're my interning secretary."

Lydia felt her heart accelerate out her chest. Her eyes scanned through the card, her pulse becoming more rapid the more she read. This man wasn't just an employee, he was the executive. Lydia was about to faint. Did Massie even realize the kind of man she was friends with?

"Y-you're my new boss?"

His finger slid down her cheek, taking her in appreciatively. "Yes. But as for you, you can call me Sugar Daddy."