Until now, the only thing on Stellaâs mind was to do everything in her ability to ensure Roger would have a better future. She didnât have the time to process how his absence would make her feel.
But now, the reality of the situation had finally set in. Ever since their parents died, the two had never been separated.
âYou knowâ¦â Roger grumbled gloomily. âI can just study here⦠I donât really have to go abroad.â
It was obvious that he was feeling down too.
âForget it,â he continued after a pause, sighing. âIâve made up my mind, and all the preparations are almost done. I wonât back down now. Just wait for me, sis. I promise Iâll study as hard as possible and get a good job. No one will dare bully you then!â âGood!â Stella smiled. She picked up a barbecued pork rib with her fork and placed it on Rogerâs plate. Ribs were his favorite food. Then her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at it and the light in her eyes instantly dimmed. It was Weston. She hadnât told him about coming here. Rogerâs gaze instinctively followed Stellaâs eyes, and he asked with a frown, âWho is it?â âNo one,â Stella shook her head, putting the phone into her bag. âJust a prank call.â Roger went silent for a while before saying, âWhy do I feel like Iâve seen this number many times before?â
Roger had a photographic memory when it came to numbers. He was sure that heâd seen this number always sending text messages to Stella in the past. If it really was just a prankster, why didnât she just block the caller?
âI guess pranksters are really persistent nowadays,â Stella replied with a shrug. Then she quickly changed the subject. âBy the way⦠did Professor Hall really leave this university?â Although her attempt at changing the topic was too blunt, Roger still thought nothing of it. He soon forgot about the number and talked to Stella about Justin Hall.
Lunchtime quickly went by. Roger went back home to rest. Stella found a quiet spot and finally picked up her phone, which had been ringing off the hook.
âHello?â
âWhere are you?â a stern voice answered.
Stella said nothing for a few seconds before replying nonchalantly, âIâm on the film set.â
âYou know I hate it when people lie to me.â
Stella heaved a long sigh. She knew then that heâd found out she was lying.
âIâm at the university,â she answered softly. âI just came here to see Roger.â
âIâve never stopped you from seeing him,â he said. âWhy did you have to lie?â
Just as he spoke, a black car slowly pulled out from around the corner. Stella quickly hung up the phone and looked around her. Seeing no one there, she rushed towards the car with her head hung low.
The second she got inside, Weston pulled her into his arm, lifted her chin, and kissed her ferociously.
Stella had gotten used to his abrupt kisses by now, but she still hated being so close and intimate with him.
Sensing Stellaâs stark resistance, Weston grabbed her hands and held her in place before kissing her even more deeply and ravenously. It was a long time before he finally had enough of her and let go.
She was now panting and out of breath. âI thought you were still at work!â she argued. âIf I was,â he said, rubbing her lips gently with his thumb, âthen I wouldnât have found out that you were lying to me.â
He had, in fact, quickly settled all his work today to pick her up, worried that Guinevere would cause her trouble. To his dismay, not only did she sneak out to meet Roger, but she even lied about it.
With those thoughts plaguing his mind, Westonâs darkened eyes pierced into Stellaâs soul. âWhat else are you hiding from me?â he demanded. Stella said nothing and just hooked her hands around the nape of his neck. âWhat can I possibly hide from you?â she replied after a while. âYou know that I couldnât even if I wanted to, right? Donât you always see through me?â