Never Late, Never Away

Never Late, Never Away Chapter 17
Vivian cleared her throat and tried to sound as casual as she could. She did not want Finnick to find out about what happened.
“Oh, I didn’t manage to have a meal with them in the end. I caught a cold so I excused myself.”
Over on the other end, Finnick did not reply immediately. He felt something was off but was contemplating if he should pursue
the matter. “Where are you now?” He decided to drop the matter and give her some space in the end.
“Well, I’m at Yves Mansion. Why don’t you grab something to eat first? And could you ask Molly to prepare some soup? I’ll have
it when I reach home.”
Again, there was silence on the other side. Vivian looked at her phone and found out that it had switched off automatically
because it ran out of battery.
Damn it! Now of all times?
How am I supposed to go back now?
She tried switching it back on but it just did not work. She stomped her foot in frustration and looked around desperately as she
tried to recall the location of the nearest bus stop.
But it was not long before she felt a sharp pain in her ankle. Her high feels were giving her blisters and it hurt badly.
Vivian groaned and shook her head weakly. It was really an unlucky day for her.
The Yves Mansion’s neighborhood was huge and she found herself wandering in the same place even after walking for a few
minutes.
The night was getting colder and the frosty breeze blew right through her body. A shiver went down Vivian’s spine and she pulled
her cardigan tighter around her thin body as she continued walking.
Just as she was about to take a turn into another road, a glaring light shone right into her eyes.
She tilted her head aside and squinted to see if it was a cab. To her dismay, it was a private car—a black one.
Right, what was I even expecting? A cab in a posh neighborhood like this one?

Vivian frowned and took a closer look at the car as it slowed down toward her.
Wait... This car looks familiar...
It came closer and finally stopped right in front of her.
The door opened and down from the car ramp came an attractive young man in a wheelchair.
It was none other than Finnick.
The car light shone so brightly in the dark that Vivian could not see him clearly. But from the outline of his body and his chiseled
jaw, Vivian could tell with just one glance it was definitely him.
He was the one who had always found her during the hardest moments in her life, even if she was not expecting him to come
over this time around.
His wheelchair stopped right in front of Vivian and a smile broke out on his face as he looked up at her. She looked startled, but
cute nonetheless.
“Why? Are you not happy to see me?” Finnick teased with a gentle smile.
Vivian raised her eyebrows and grinned. “Of course I’m happy to see you.”
It was true. She was happy to see him.
Finnick was there for her whenever she was stranded. He had always been the light at the end of the tunnel for her.
Seeing the contented smile on her face, Finnick beamed with pleasure. “Let’s go.” He beckoned.
Vivian nodded cheerfully and followed him toward the car. She had totally forgotten about the pain in her ankle as she walked
toward him. But the blister burst and she halted her steps all of a sudden, trying to gulp back her tears.
“What’s wrong?” Finnick realized she was jerking in pain and saw her checking out her feet.
His gaze followed hers and finally stopped at her ankle. Finnick’s brows furrowed as he spotted red stains of blood.
“It’s nothing. Just the heels. I just need to put on a plaster after I get home.” But before Vivian could continue walking, he bent
over and held her ankle with his hands.

“I’m fine, Finnick...” Vivian suddenly felt uneasy as a hot sensation spread across her pink cheeks.
His fingers brushed against her skin as he lifted her left leg to get a closer look.
Finnick checked her wound carefully and his brows drew together in a worried frown. “It’s bleeding.”
Vivian gasped as his touch tingled her skin. She was not sure if she was having goosebumps because of the pain or his
electrifying touch.
“It’s nothing, really,” she mumbled. Vivian could not seem to pronounce her words clearly. Her blood was boiling and her heart
was beating faster. But Finnick did not realize this at all—he was too worried about her.
He took off her heels decisively and pulled her along her waist in a strong tug. Everything happened so quickly that Vivian did not
even have time to react. She let out a cry and the next thing she knew she was already in Finnick’s arms, sitting on his lap.
In fact, she was so close to him she could feel the heat radiating off his body in the chilly night.
“Finnick!” She stared at him, bewildered.
Their eyes met and she quickly looked away nervously. But Finnick was unperturbed. He turned his wheelchair toward the car
and said, “Let’s go home.”