Chapter 913 Jealousy Among The Trio
“There’s nothing I can do,” Wesley said.
He knew better than to argue with her. There was no winning against her. It was because every time she got upset, he would always give in.
He unscrewed the lid of a thermos and handed it to her. “Drink this. I made it for you. Finish it.”
Emelie had her quirks, one of which was her reluctance to drink water. Because f this, Wesley had taken it upon himself to bring her a beverage daily, like one of those boys who would bring breakfast for their girlfriend.
Emelie reluctantly took the thermos. “What is it?”
“Lemon and passion fruit tea. Sweet and tangy, just the way you like it,” he said.
She took a sip. “Why is it warm?”
Wesley, ever serious, replied, “Cold drinks aren’t good for your health.”
Emelie mumbled, “You’re worse than my dad.”
He was telling her when to sleep, when to drink water, and whether she could eat cold or hot food.
Wesley raised an eyebrow. “Yesterday, I asked you to call me brother, but you refused. But now, you want to call me daddy?”
Emelie froze for a moment. She knew that in another context, “father” and “daddy” didn’t mean the same thing.” Father” was strictly paternal, while *daddy* had a more playful, intimate connotation. It was even sometimes used between couples.
But little Eme wasn’t that bold. She was embarrassed and annoyed at being teased like that, so she chased after Wesley, trying to hit him.
He laughed and grabbed her hands, pulling her onto his lap. At that moment, they were the only two in the classroom.
Just as they were fooling around, the door suddenly swung open with a loud crash.
Emelie was startled and turned her head to look. A reddish-brown basketball rolled across the floor, stopping only when it bumped against a desk.
“What was that?” she asked.
Wesley squinted slightly, his expression unreadable. “Someone’s playing basketball.”
“In the hallway?” Emelie was confused.
Wesley didn’t explain further. “It’s getting late. I’ll take you home.”
It was only then that Emelie remembered she had something important to do. “But first, help me with this problem.”
Wesley took the black pen she handed him, feeling slightly exasperated. “Sometimes I really wonder if you’re just using me as your free tutor.”
Emelie grinned. “Yes, yes, I am.”
Despite his frustration, Wesley patiently explained the problem to her. By the time he finished, t was completely dark outside. He slung her backpack over his shoulder, and together, they left the school.
Emelie’s parents owned a small convenience store about a twenty-minute walk from the school. Business was good, and just last year, they bought a new home nearby. Their life was better than most.
Of course, when compared to the Graham family, this level of comfort was insignificant.
“You can drop me off at the door. No need to come in,” Emelie said.
Wesley glanced down. “I could pretend to buy some water.”
Emelie pouted. “Don’t. Last night, my mom asked if I knew you. She thought you lived nearby because you come in right after me every day.”
Wesley said, “Just tell her yes, that I live in the apartment above yours.”
Emelie retorted, “I’m not that crazy.”
In the end, Wesley walked her to the door but didn’t go inside to buy water.
He stood under the streetlight and waited until he heard Greta call her to wash up for dinner before pulling out his
phone. He called his driver to come pick him up. The Graham family lived much farther away.
After he got into the car, Wesley instructed, “Mr. Caine, after dropping me off at home, check the school’s surveillance cameras.”
“Did you lose something, Mr. Wesley?” the butler, Alfred Caine, said.
Wesley replied calmly, “No. Just check and see who was playing basketball in the hallway at 6 pm.”
“Understood,” Alfred replied.
It was the next day, during the break after the first class.
Capebatt High School boasted top-tier facilities, and students often spent their breaks engaging in a variety of activities. Some played sports while others honed their musical skills.
As William stepped out of the piano room, he crossed paths with Wesley and his group of classmates in the hallway. Without even glancing in their direction, William continued walking, his eyes focused straight ahead.
Just as they were about to pass each other, Wesley spoke up casually. “William, it was you yesterday, wasn’t it?” William glanced at him briefly.
Wesley pressed on, “You were the one who threw the basketball. I saw it on the surveillance footage.”
William’s expression remained indifferent.
Wesley said slightly coldly, “Whatever your reason, you should know that Emelie is my girlfriend.”
William finally responded with a smirk. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he said, “And what does that have to do with me?”
He continued walking without waiting for a reply, not sparing them a second glance.
One of Wesley’s classmates was puzzled and asked, “Wesley, isn’t he close with your family?”
Wesley’s tone grew colder. “Exactly. That’s why I know him better than anyone. And that’s why I can’t stand him.” Sometimes, people simply clashed. There was no real reason. It was just an instinctive aversion, as if their very presence grated on you.
Wesley’s classmate shrugged, and they headed downstairs together. “I didn’t realizethat he might be into Emelie. I heard rumors that he’s been showing up at the dance club a lot lately. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but maybe he’s there for her.”
A rare note of sarcasm crept into Wesley’s voice. “She’s out of his league.”
At lunchtime, Emelie and her deskmate made their way to the cafeteria, chatting about what to eat. Capebatt High School’s cafeteria was famous for its wide array of options. Every day, students found themselves debating which delicious dish to choose.
As they were engrossed in their conversation, they didn’t notice the group of people walking behind them.
“Isn’t that Wesley’s girlfriend?” one of William’s friends commented.
William responded without much interest, “Did he tell you that?”
“Well, no, but everyone knows Wesley goes to Harmony Building after school and sends her home. She’s always looking for him at the Civic Studies Block. Someone even saw them at the amusement park last weekend. If they’re not together, what are they? Siblings?” the friend replied.
William’s expression darkened, and he spat, “High school romances never last.”
His friend hesitated before adding, “Well, it’s not like you’re in one. Not that anyone would try.”
William ignored him and simply strode off.
His friend watched as William marched ahead, seemingly oblivious to the people in front of him, nearly colliding
with Emelie.
For a brief moment, he wondered if William was intentionally trying to provoke Wesley by approaching his
girlfriend. That wouldn’t end well.
“Will!” Just
William was a few feet away from Emelie, Wesley appeared out of nowhere and pulled her
protectively to his side.
William’s jaw clenched, his expression was cold and distant.
Emelie was visibly confused. She asked Wesley, “What’s going on?”
She began to glance behind her, but Wesley gently turned her head back toward him with a calm smile. “Nothing.
Just be careful where you walk. You don’t want to get dirty.”
Emelie frowned. “Dirty? What are you talking about?”
“It’s nothing. Just know that I won’t let him get anywhere near you. He doesn’t deserve to,” Wesley said
nonchalantly.
With that, Wesley led Emelie away. The two of them walked side by side, their steps in perfect sync, exuding a closeness that no one could interfere with.
Their friends often commented on how quickly they had gotten together, almost as if there had been no process at
all.
Wesley, typically indifferent to other girls, had been drawn to Emelie at first sight. And Emelie, the model student who had always focused on her studies, had agreed to date him the moment he confessed.
It was as though they had a connection. They spotted each other in a crowded room and gravitated toward one
another, as if the rest of the world no longer mattered.
William stood in his spot, watching them walk away.
The inability to come between Emelie and Wesley felt like a heavy, dark cloud hanging over him. Within that cloud,
a feeling called jealousy stirred.