Chapter 41: Booking A Flight Home

Emerald’s POV

Monday morning arrived much sooner than I would have liked.

After settling into my usual routine, I made my way to the lecture room. The moment I stepped inside, my eyes instinctively drifted towards my usual seat.

A quiet sense of relief washed over me. Elias was already there.

He sat exactly where he always did, and the broad smile on his face grew even wider the moment he noticed me approaching.

"Good morning."

"Good morning." I placed my bag on the desk before taking my seat. "I was beginning to think you had transferred to another school."

He chuckled. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

I ignored the remark and looked at him properly. "Where were you? You disappeared for two days last week without saying anything. What happened?"

He tilted his head slightly. "Were you worried about me?"

I scoffed lightly. "I’m simply glad you’re alive." I began taking my laptop and notebook out of my bag. "I was wondering what happened."

He laughed quietly before raising both hands in surrender. "Alright. I deserved that." His expression became more serious. "I suddenly fell sick the morning after we had dinner."

I paused what I was doing and looked at him again.

"I had to fly back home almost immediately. It wasn’t anything too serious, but I wasn’t exactly in the best condition to start replying to messages or calling people," he explained. "I’m sorry I disappeared without saying anything."

I nodded in understanding. "Are you alright now?"

"I’m fine." He smiled. "Completely recovered."

A quiet breath escaped my lips before I realised what I had just done.

Why was I relieved? Since when did I begin worrying about someone who wasn’t family or one of my close friends?

The thought had barely crossed my mind when the lecture room suddenly grew quieter. Professor King had just walked in.

My attention shifted towards the front of the room. Today’s appearance was slightly different from his usual one.

His sleeves were buttoned neatly at his wrists instead of being rolled to his forearms, and the pair of rimmed reading glasses resting on his face gave him an even more serious appearance than usual.

For some reason, I found myself wondering whether he had somewhere important to be after class.

Then my thoughts wandered elsewhere... to that long conversation between us at the café last week.

Even now, it still felt unreal that I had sat across from him for over an hour discussing my grandfather, Mercer Technologies and my own worries.

If someone had told me that would happen a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed them.

His voice drew me back to the present. "Good morning."

The class greeted him in unison before he began the lecture. As always, the session was engaging enough that the hours slipped by almost unnoticed.

Near the end of the lecture, Professor King closed the marker in his hand and looked around the room.

"Before we end today’s class, I have an announcement."

Everyone became attentive.

"I will be cancelling next Monday’s lecture."

The room erupted with excitement. Several students exchanged high-fives while others openly celebrated. Even Elias looked pleased.

I, however, frowned slightly. Professor King wasn’t someone who cancelled classes without reason.

Before anyone could ask why, he calmly added, "That’s all the explanation you will be getting."

A few disappointed groans spread across the room. He didn’t appear the least bit bothered.

"I’ll see everyone in two weeks." Then a faint smile appeared on his face. "And come prepared for a test."

The celebration ended immediately. Collective groans echoed through the lecture room.

Professor King gathered his things as though he hadn’t just ruined everyone’s mood. "I’ll see you all then."

With that, he walked out.

Beside me, Elias released a dramatic sigh. "I knew that break was too good to be true. Good thing I didn’t celebrate when he announced he was cancelling next week’s class. I almost did."

I couldn’t help smiling as I shook my head.

The rest of the day’s lectures passed without anything unusual. By the time the final class ended, it was already a little after four in the afternoon.

Everyone began packing their belongings. I had just slipped my laptop into my bag when Elias spoke.

"You know, ’Since you were apparently worried about me last week and couldn’t reach me..." He smiled innocently. "...I think it’s only reasonable that we exchange phone numbers."

I rolled my eyes. "Don’t even think about it."

He laughed. "Come on."

"No. It’s practical," I said to him.

"So is seeing you in class."

I retorted. "I survived two days without you."

He placed a hand over his chest. "That hurts."

I simply zipped my bag and stood up. He followed me out of the lecture room. The discussion continued all the way down the hallway.

"I promise I won’t disturb you."

"No."

"I will only call if it’s important."

"No."

"I won’t even text good morning."

I turned to him. "You were planning to?" I lifted an eyebrow.

"I was considering it."

I shook my head and continued walking. By the time we reached the library, he was still trying.

Finally, he sighed. "I give you my word. I won’t keep bothering you. I will only contact you when it actually matters."

I studied him for a moment. He looked unusually sincere. After thinking about it, I took out my phone. "Only because you’ve promised."

His face immediately lit up. "I won’t regret this."

"We’ll see."

A few moments later, we had exchanged contacts. True to his word, he finally stopped pestering me.

The two of us spent the next few hours studying quietly at the same table.

Apart from occasionally turning the pages of a book or typing on our laptops, neither of us disturbed the other.

When evening arrived, I packed my things. Elias looked up and asked, "Would you like to have dinner together?"

I shook my head. "I’m heading back to my dorm. I’ve got a few things to do."

He nodded. "At least let me drive you back."

"There’s no need." I turned his offer down. "I’ll be fine."

He looked as though he wanted to argue but eventually smiled. "Alright. Get back safely."

"You too."

We parted ways outside the library.

---

The moment I returned to my dormitory, hunger won over everything else.

I didn’t even bother unpacking my bag first. I just went straight to the kitchenette and prepared a quick bowl of instant noodles.

Only after finishing every last bite did I feel human again. Then I gathered a change of clothes and headed for the shower.

Halfway through washing my hair, I vaguely heard my phone ringing somewhere inside the room. By the time I stepped out several minutes later, the ringing had already stopped.

After drying my hair, I changed into a soft cotton top and matching shorts before walking over to my desk.

The missed call was from my father. I immediately returned it. He answered almost at once.

"Emerald."

"Good evening, Dad," I greeted.

"Good evening," he replied. "I spoke with your grandfather."

Instantly, my attention sharpened.

"He will see you on Friday at eleven ten in the morning."

I quietly adjusted my plans. That meant my original flight schedule would no longer work.

I had intended to fly into Washington later in the morning and meet Grandfather in the afternoon before continuing to Los Angeles. Now, I would have to catch a much earlier flight.

"I will book an early flight to D.C," I said. "Then I will head to LA afterwards."

"That will work." He paused briefly before continuing. "When you arrive in LA, the chauffeur will be waiting for you. Don’t take a taxi."

"Alright."

"Oh, one more thing," he said. "Your mother said you shouldn’t worry about what you will wear to Vera’s wedding."

I blinked.

"She has already arranged for a stylist to bring several gowns in your size to the house. You can choose whichever one you like."

I simply stood there holding the phone. T-This was... unexpected. I couldn’t remember the last time Mother had been this thoughtful over something concerning me.

Regardless of the reason, I wasn’t about to reject the gesture.

"Please thank her for me."

"I will."

We exchanged our goodnights before ending the call.

After putting my phone down, I booked my flight to Washington. Once the confirmation email arrived, I plugged my phone into the charger, switched off the bedside lamp and climbed into bed.

Friday suddenly felt much closer than it had only a few minutes ago.