Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Irinaâs POV
I went back to school because Professor Gates had arranged a new assignment that was a group project. I partnered with Emma and another new transfer student, Robert. Robert was tall and thin, with dark brown curly hair and dark brown eyes. He wore glasses and had a haughty look in his eyes. He
appeared in the schoolâs canteen at 8: 00 a.m. sharp every morning. If he had no classes, he would definitely go to the library to read.
Emma said he was scholar material. He was impervious to flattery and was very aloof. He was someone who was suitable for doing academic research.
âHaha, I think youâre talking about Professor Gates.â I glanced sideways at Emma.
âbet heâs never dated anyone before. He hasnât even crushed on a girl before.â Emma looked very cute when she gossiped.
âMaybe, but itâs not important. We need to finish the research project with him. We have to spend some time with him.â
Emma and I went to the schoolâs canteen. More and more people were lining up to buy sandwiches. Emma and I queued in separate lines and waited for the queue to move forward. Just then, I got a message.
âTurn around.â I didnât recognize the number. I turned around and saw Daniel standing beside a table while waving at me. He was holding a large tray filled with food.
âHey!â I called back, then pulled Emma out of the queue.
âThank you, Daniel,â I said with a smile as I picked up a sandwich.
âThank you, Daniel.â Emma took one too.
âThank you, Daniel.â I looked up to see Robert standing beside Daniel and taking the last sandwich from his tray.
âTcame to tell you guys that this is my plan for our new research projectâ¦â Robert started to ramble. Daniel had to put down the tray and line up again. He kept looking our way from time to time. I nodded at him. I knew it was his duty to make sure I was in his line of sight at all times.
After lunch, I wiped my mouth with my napkin. Emma took out her makeup bag and reapplied her lipstick.
âThis is for you.â Robert took out a small box from the pocket of his shirt. It contained a tube of lipstick. He placed the lipstick in front of me, and I froze for a moment.
âWow, Tom Fordâs limited edition,â Emma exclaimed.
I looked at Robert questioningly. He pushed his glasses up his nose. âI think youâll look more beautiful if you put this on.â His expression was serious, as if he were discussing an academic topic with me.
âButâ¦â I hesitated while wondering about his intentions.
âYes, youâre right. I have feelings for you. I want to pursue you, Irina.â Robert was still sitting across from me with a poker face.
âThave⦠a boyfriend.â This was the first time I had used the wordâ boyfriendâ to define Raviâs identity. I didnât know if Ravi and I were considered boyfriend and girlfriend, because he had always called me âhis womanâ and never said the wordâ girlfriend.â
âIknow. Heâs just a boyfriend. Heâs not your fiancé, let alone your husband.â
âIf he finds out, heâll kill you.â
âIâs okay. Iâm good at fighting. And Iâm a good shot.â Robert adjusted his glasses again.
I felt that he was bragging. At least, he didnât look like a person who was good at sports. Instead, he looked like a weak scholar. He was eloquent, and people who were eloquent were usually good at bragging.
âTwonât date you, Robert.â I was confident I wouldnât.
âYou will.â He was just as confident.
âI think Iâve made myself clear. From today onwards, all our interactions will be limited to the research project. If you refuse, Iâll ask the professor to change groups.â
âImade myself clear. I want to pursue you.â There was an inexplicable sense of confidence in his tone.
âOh, God!â Emma finally interrupted. âI donât think I should be here.â Emma got up to leave.
âLetâs go together.â I got up and pulled Emma away, leaving Robert alone..