The car windows were tinted, meaning that Stella could see outside, but anyone out there could not see her.
Even so, she felt anxious, worried that she had been spotted.
After all, she had no idea what Roger would do if he found out that she was with Weston.
She threw up her hands to cover her face, only to soon realize it was stupid and lowered them.
That was when she noticed Roger carrying a backpack and heading inside an office building. Stella glanced at the signboard upfront-it was a networking company that had a decent reputation, but what was Roger doing there? Suddenly getting a foreboding feeling, she whipped out her phone and called Roger. She watched as Roger took out his phone, watching the screen and allowing it to ring for a while before deciding to hang up. Stella gasped, and quickly texted him: [Where are you?] Rogerâs reply came immediately. [At school, in class.) He lied to her!
Scowling, Stella texted back: (What class are you having?] Roger did not bother to text back this time.
Putting away his phone, he headed straight into the office building.
Stella was going to get out of the car and chase him down, but the sight of Weston in the distance, stepping out of his own office building, was enough to make her stop and watch as Roger entered the building.
Weston entered the car soon, and upon seeing that she was looking everywhere but him, he grabbed her chin so that she looked at him. âWhatâs caught your interest?â he asked.
âI saw Roger,â Stella replied.
âSo?â
âHe went into the office building opposite yours. I have no idea what heâs doingâ¦â
Weston seemed to know about it. âItâs just a small networking company which is on the rise lately. Heâs graduating soon, so itâs normal that he would be interested in companies like those.â
âBut I thought he would be studying abroadâ¦â
âI thought he didnât want to go?â âHe does.â Stella sighed-she knew Roger best. âThatâs because he wants to be independent. I honestly donât know what to do⦠If he ruins his future over that, I have no one but myself to blame.â
âHeâs an adult. He can choose for himself,â Weston countered, though he sounded like he was backing Rogerâs decision.
That in turn left Stella annoyed. âHeâs not your younger brother-of course youâd say that. Can you say that if Zack were to give up on his dreams just to make a living in the future? Can you say the same when that happens?â.
Weston frowned right then, because it hurt him that she would compare Roger to Zack. âItâs two completely different things. Thatâs a poor comparison.â âOf course not. Thatâs your son, and your family would go all out and stop at nothing to help him fulfill his dreams.â
âThatâs not what I meanâ¦â
Weston rubbed between his brow and took her in his arms. âYouâre being impatient, and heâs just going to rebel harder if you get impatient with him. You used to be young like him, and you know that the more you try to stop him from doing something, the more heâs going to fight against you.â âNo, heâs different.â Stella shook her head, her gaze dropping as she said miserably, âHe just wants to ease my burdens in the future.â
âHeâs not burdening you now.â âI knowâ¦â Stella buried her face behind her palms, suddenly feeling a little weary. âFor me, I would be very happy if I could see him persevere and take the path he wants, and not be compelled by circumstances to give up on what he wants.â