Chapter 10

“Huh?” Kelly’s mind raced. “I—I told you, didn’t I? My brother fell while playing basketball, and I had to take him to the hospital—”

“Wasn’t your mom home?”

“She was—but she had to work.”

“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 because he fell?” Melissa scoffed.

Kelly felt overwhelmingly guilty. If Helena ever found out Melissa was badmouthing her precious son, she’d probably show up at school with a knife.

By the way, Professor Butler took the day off yesterday, too.

Kelly’s hand, which was holding her phone, trembled. The reason was, he said…

“He had class yesterday, but he asked another lecturer to sub in. The replacement said a lot when he casually asked Professor Butler what the reason was—something major to take care of.”

“Is that so?” Kelly giggled.

“Guess what major life event Professor Butler was referring 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.

Melissa burst 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 if—and I mean what if he really did get married?”

“I mean, I’d be fine with it. My feelings for Professor Butler are completely rational. I simply 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,” Kelly insisted.

Melissa squished her cheeks and giggled. “I made that story up. You’re honestly so adorable.”

Kelly immediately smacked her twice.

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 delicate 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 her textbook.

The air in the room grew heavy. Melissa nudged Kelly and motioned to the door with her eyes.

Kelly nodded. “Lucy, 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 relief once they reached the stairs.

“That was scary! It’s been two years, and I still can’t get used to Lucy’s behavior,” Melissa said.

There were originally four people in their dorm. Sarah Dixon had applied to live off-campus during her third year of university. Lucy was in the same major as them and was a top student, always in the top three of their grade. However, she was extremely reserved, gloomy, independent, and kept to herself. They had lived together for two years, but they barely ever spoke. Kelly and Melissa were both low-key terrified of her.

They had palaeography 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 Leon. “Is this vanity okay?”

Leon replied almost instantly, “Are you using your phone during class?”

Kelly flushed with embarrassment. Why was he adopting such an authoritative, formal tone?

Kelly asked, “How did you know I’m in class right now?”

Leon replied, “I have your schedule.”

Her 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. I’ll come like it, get it.”

Kelly knew he was answering the question she had asked earlier 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 house—made her cheeks burn.

Then her phone buzzed. Leon had transferred her ten thousand.

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 on 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 child. But he’d better not forget this “kid” was carrying his baby.

Kelly was at a loss for words.

Leon texted, “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 aloud 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 class.”

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 face 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 furniture and decorations, until one afternoon, Leon asked, “Have you submitted your off-campus housing request form?”

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 do.”

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.