Chapter 6
Joseph opened his mouth, his throat bobbing with hesitation, his uncertain expression glowed in the warm yellow light.
I picked up the porcelain teacup, took a sip of jasmine tea, and smiled softly.
“It’s fine, they’re all acquaintances.”
The sound of the porcelain cup tapping the tea tray was barely audible over the faint buzzing of a phone vibrating.
After unlocking the phone, a string of messages from Joseph appeared, “We ran into each other near the private room and came here together. Don’t get the wrong idea.
“I won’t bring her to this kind of event again.”
The last message came five minutes ago, “Should I give you a ride home after the gathering?”
My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before I finally typed, “No need, I’ve arranged a designated driver.”
Then I flipped my phone over on the table and focused on picking up a piece of stir–fried beef
At the banquet, people clinked glasses and shared amusing stories from their college days.
The advisor suddenly stood up, his glasses reflecting a look of relief.
“You were offered a place at the Berlin University of the Arts with the highest score in the entire school, but you chose to give up further studies. I’ve always felt regretful about it for a long time.”
He paused, lifting her amber glass. “But now, after everything, you’ve earned a spot at the University of Cambridge. You can finally follow your dreams! Here’s to your bright future!”
The sharp clink of glasses made Hailey, sitting beside him jump, causing her hand to shake. The red wine left deep red streaks on the inside of the glass.
Joseph’s fingers turned pale as he clenched the wine glass, his face drained of color, as though all vitality had drained from him.
“Where did you just mention Emerson was headed?”
Joseph’s voice came out rough, edged with a barely contained emotion.
The advisor’s expression shifted to one of surprise as he said, “You haven’t heard? Emerson is going to England next week to study art design! She’s been waiting for this chance for five years!”
He placed a hand on Joseph’s shoulder with a thoughtful sigh, adding, “We’re getting older, haha, and she’s still so young. It’s great when young people have goals. I’m afraid it’ll be hard for us to meet again after this.”
Joseph’s eyes widened, and he suddenly grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward a quiet spot in the hallway.
The harsh buzzing of the fluorescent light overhead made his eyes look tired and red. “Study abroad? Why didn’t you tell me about this? We’re together every day, how could you keep this from me?”
11
I responded, “Well, when I got the acceptance letter, you were too busy celebrating Hailey’s birthday.”
I yanked my hand away and took a step back, creating some space between us. “I saw how happy you all were lighting fireworks at the beach, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”
His throat moved as he swallowed hard, his face turned slightly pink in an awkward way. “We’re just friends… But still, you should have talked to me about this!”
That reminded me of three months ago when I excitedly shared that I had won a design award, and he had dismissed it without even looking up, saying, “What kind of fake award is that? It probably costs money.”
After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low and strained, “How long will you be gone?”
I held the flight ticket in my pocket and replied calmly, “Two years.”
It’s actually going to be more than two years, but at this moment, I not longer wish to argue.
“Two years?!”
He stumbled back a step, reaching out to grab me, but stopped when his fingers brushed the edge of my sleeve.
At that moment, the door to the room swung open, and Hailey, clearly drunk, threw herself into his arms; the strong scent of Chanel N°5 filling the space immediately.
Joseph quickly steadied her by the shoulders, but his gaze never left me. “She had too much to drink. We are not like this usually,
Emerson…”
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“I know.” I gave a small smile and nodded, just as I had done countless. times before.
Hailey lifted her head suddenly, her eyes swollen as she whispered, “Joseph, I feel uncomfortable… Could you take me home?”
She wrapped her delicate fingers around his tic.
He stood frozen. His attempt at an explanation sounded weak against the overpowering scent of alcohol.
