Chapter 10
“Huh?” Kelly’s mind aced. “1–I told you, didn’t 17 My brother fell while playing basketball, and had to take him to the hospital-
- “Wasn’t your mom home?
“She was – but she had to rook ”
“Wow, your family really dotes on your brother You’ve never missed a class since you started college, but they had you take the day off to look after him just beroase be fell?” Melissascoded
Kelly felt overwhelmingly guilty. II Helena ever found out Melissa was badmouthing her precious son, she’d probably show up at school with a knife
By the war, Professor Butler took the day off yesterday too
Kelly’s hand that was holding her phone trembled.
reason was, he said be
“He had class yesterday, but he asked another lecturer to sub in. The replacement saldilat when he casually asked Professor Butler what the reason had something major to take care of.”
“Is that so?” Kelly giggled.
“Guess what major lite event Professor Butler was refriting to?
The smile on her face froze. “H–How would I know?”
Melissa tapped her chin. “I think he got married”
Kelly choked on her own saliva
Melissarburst out laughing. “Look at you getting all worked up, I was just kidding!”
It wasn’t funny. Not one bit. Kelly felt like she was going to break into a cold sweat,
But what if Professor Butler really did get married?” she asked tentatively.
“That’s impossible. One of the lecturers said his employment records list him as single “
But what if he just got married yesterday?
“What it—and I mean what it he really did get married?
“I mean, I’d be fine with it. My feelings for Professor Butler are completely rational. I simply
by admire him because he’s such an accomplished lecturer. But everyone else might not take it so well.”
Melissa narrowed her eyes and continued, “I heard that at our school, a student once fell for a married teacher and even kidnapped his wife, threatening him to
Kelly shivered after hearing that. Was it too late for her to file for divorce row?
Melissa glanced at her. “What are you afraid of? It’s not like you’re the one married to Professor Butler
“I–I’m not afraid,” Kellyinsisted.
that story up. You’ve honestly so adorable,
Melissa squished her cheeks and guttawed.” “made that story up. Yo
Kelly immediately smacked liertwice.
The two of them were still goofing around when the dorm room door opened, and a young woman walked in. She had thick bangs and oversized glasses that obscured her otherwise decelt features. Her whole presence was gloomy.
Kelly and Melissa exchanged a glance and stopped messing around.
“Lucy, you’re back!” Kelly greeted Lucy Walker.
Ignoring her, Lucy took her seat and opened hertextbook.
The air in the room grew heavy. Melissa nudged Kelly and motioned to the door with her eyes.
Kelly nodded. “Lary, Melissa and I have class, so we’ll be heading out now.”
There was still no response. Melissa dragged her out the door. “Bye!”
Both of them let out a sigh of relied once they reached the stairs.
“That was scary! It’s been two years, and 1 still can’t get used to Lucy’s behavior,” Melissa sald.
There were originally four people in their dorm. Sarah Dixon had applied to live off–campus during her third year of university.
Liky was in the same major as them and was a top student who was always in the top three of their grade. However, s
she was extremely reserved, gloomy, independent, and kept to hersell.
They had lived together for two years, but they barely ever spoke. Kelly and Melissa were both lowkey terifled of her
They had palladegy class that day, and they had been told the lectures would be running about ten minutes late.
Kelly couldn’t hold herself back and sent the screenshot of the vanity to req. “Is this vanity okay?”
Lennieplied almost instantly, “Are you using your phone during class?”
Kelly flushed with embarrassment. Why was he adepting such an authentative, formal tone?
Kelly asked, “How did you know I’m in class right now
Leon replied, “I have your schedule. ”
Het heart missed a beat after reading that. Why did he have her schedule? Did that mean she’d never be able to skip class without him knowing?
Kelly texted. The lecturer hasn’t shown up yet
Leon sent back. “It’s time. Il von like it, get it”
Kellynew he was answering the question she had asked radier about the vanity. She thought for a second before asking, “Would it be alright if I grew some plants on the balcony?
Leon replied, “Of course. You’re the lady of the house, so you can decorate it however you want.”
Those four words lady of the home–made her cheeks bam
Then her phone buzzed. Leon had transferred her tengrand.
Kelly texted him a series of question marks.
Leon “Buy whatever you want
Kelly “But you just gave me your credit card.”
Leon: “And you weren’t going to use it, were you?
Even though they hadn’t known each other long, he could already tell she’d never touch the money in that card.
Kelly: “I have my own money.”
Leon “You’re still young. Let the adults worry about money
Kelly pouted. Clearly, he still saw her as a ldd. But he’d better not forget this “kid” was carrying his baby.
Kelly was at a loss for words.
Leontexted, “Right now, you should focus on your studies and our baby. Don’t worry about anything else. Be a good girl, and listen to me.”
Her face heated up after reading that. She knew that Leon probably sent it without much thought, but she couldn’t help imagining how it would sound if he said those words to let with that deep, melodic voice of his.
“Oh god, that would be heavenly!” she gushed internally.
After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, she replied, “Okay” Then, she obediently accepted the money.
Leon sent, “Pay attention in cau.”
Kelly responded with a salute emoji.
Leon didn’t send any more messages after that, Kelly went through their chat history, and for some reason, her tace kept heating up.
“What’s wrong, Kelly? Why’s your face so red?” Melissa asked, noticing her flushed complexion
Kelly buried her face in Melissa’s shoulder, trying, but failing, to suppress the giddy smile tugging at her lips.
In the days that followed, Kelly hardly saw Leon outside of class, and they mostly kept in touch via text
Most of their conversations were just about what they thought of fumiture and decorations, until one afternoon, Leon asked, “Have you submitted your off- campus housing request forth?”
Kelly had been putting it off, thinking she still had time. “Not yet.”
Leon: “Do it as soon as possible. We’ll be able to move in next week”
Kelly: “Alright.”
Leon: “Do you have the application form?”
Kelly “No.”
Leon: “Come by my office after class and get it.”
Kelly: “Will dul“
This would be her second time visiting Leon’s office. Unlike the last time when she’d marched in like a soldier off to war, she now felt a bit more like a sneaky thief.
