Chapter 97 What It Means To Like Someone
Eileen used to be ruthless and willful, often leading the bullying of others. However, with the arrival of Elm, she gradually found herself isolated and oppressed, becoming the one
subjected to bullying.
Eileen acknowledged her wrongdoing. She couldn’t justify her past actions, nor could she find the words to explain.
Overall, this banquet was far from enjoyable.
Even if her connection with Yvette was only superficial, whether she leveraged her relationship to get close to Eric or played matchmaker for Yvette and Eric, using her departure from Eric and the Swan family to her advantage-none of it mattered.
Eileen still wanted to maintain this relationship.
As the sky darkened and the temperature dropped, her shawl was no longer sufficient to ward off the chill. Eileen had the Friedman family’s housekeeper fetch another bottle of safflower oil, which she used to ma*sage her ankles. It took over half an hour for the swelling to finally subside.
At that moment, someone approached. “Miss, is this your phone?”
“Yes, it is. Could you please put it on the table for me? It’s rather inconvenient for me right
now.
The housekeeper noted, “Your phone has been ringing non-stop.”
“Got it.” Eileen’s dress lacked pockets, making it inconvenient to carry a phone. Typically, phones would be stored in the deposit box at the entrance when they arrived.
Eileen was curious about who would call her at this hour.
Wiping her hands, she picked up her phone just as the call came through again. She chose not to answer, allowing it to disconnect automatically.
More messages followed.
Why haven’t you gone back yet?
Is your foot feeling any better?
Do you
need me to send Fabian to pick you up?
Eileen… return the message.
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Looking at the messages, Eileen felt nothing.
While others might feel touched by the sender’s concern, for her, it felt as if she were constantly being observed. She could even imagine the tone and expression Jasper would have when saying these words to her.
Their relationship hadn’t reached the point where she must report to him at any time or follow his every wish, and Eileen didn’t particularly like this situation..
Most of the people around had already left one by one. Yvette had only made a brief appearance, going upstairs and not returning.
Carefully slipping her feet into her shoes as it grew late, Eileen prepared to leave.
As it approached eleven o’clock, the crowd in the hall had mostly dispersed, and Jacqueline was seeing off guests at the door.
“I really appreciate your gift. Considering the gift, I won’t hold a grudge about what happened last time. But if you’re free, how about treating me to a meal tomorrow? What do you say… old man?”
The girl wore the latest high-end perfume of the year, its scent overpowering and somewhat discomforting. However, this perfume happened to be the birthday gift that Gavin had. chosen for Yvette-a limited edition for the year, with a set costing over a thousand, certainly not cheap.
Eric glanced at his wristwatch, his eyes as deep and inscrutable as a bottomless abyss, devoid of any emotion. “As long as you’re pleased, Ms. Friedman,” he replied. Noticing Vera covering her mouth and yawning out of the corner of his eye, he inquired, “Tired?”
“I’m fine, Vera responded.
Eric remarked, “Ms. Friedman, whenever you have the time, feel free to join me for a meal. It’s getting late… I should take Vera home now. Excuse me.”
Yvette pursed her l*ps, casting a glance at Vera without uttering a word. “All right then! I’ll come find you after school tomorrow. Remember, you promised to treat me to a meal, so not backing out!”
The man nodded slightly. “Of course.”
Vera, holding onto Eric’s hand, left the banquet hall with him.
The gentle breeze lifted the hem of her skirt, bringing a quick chill. She wrapped herself tighter in the coat Eric had given her. “Eric… why do I get the feeling that she likes you?”
Vera scrutinized him closely, eager not to miss any trace of emotion on his face. But he
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concealed his feelings too well, with joy and anger never showing.
Sometimes, Vera couldn’t even fathom his true thoughts.
Eric coolly replied, “Don’t overthink it; get in the car.” He opened the pa*senger door.
As Vera observed him, she also spotted Eileen, who had just emerged from the main entrance. She really came!
Limping along. Eileen took each step with difficulty, supported by a housekeeper at her side.
Eric circled around to the front of the car, settled into the driver’s seat, and awaited the start of the car. Seizing the opportunity, Vera pressed the window button, closing it.
Meanwhile, Eileen thanked the housekeeper, saying, “You can head back, ma’am. My driver’s just around the corner.”
“Please be careful on your way back.”
“All right. Thank you,” Eileen replied with a smile.
Her coat remained in Alan’s car. Shivering in the cold wind, she hugged herself and stared at her own toes.
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, a figure appeared in front of her, and she was now wearing
an overcoat.
A thick, black coat enveloped her. Eileen looked up at the figure with surprised eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly. After a brief pause, she stammered, “W-What are you doing here?”
“I saw a clumsy girl who twisted her ankle while walking and was cursing in frustration, so I couldn’t resist coming back to ch*ck on her, and to my surprise, I found her shivering in the cold by the roadside.” His gentle amber eyes regarded her as if understanding everything.
So, he saw everything.
However, at that time, Eileen hadn’t seen him.
“Did you also have someone else send that bottle of safflower oil?” she inquired of him.
“Is your foot feeling better?” Jasper naturally took her hand, which was stiffened from the
cold.
Eileen bit her l*p, feeling at a loss. She pulled her hand away, placing it behind her. “I’m much better now. You really didn’t have to come. Alan will be here soon,” she said.
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As if on cue, a car approached from not too far away, and Eileen felt a sense of relief, as if she had just spotted her savior. Speak of the devil.
“I’m heading back now; you should also go home and get some rest!”
As Eileen was about to leave, she suddenly felt a firm grip on her wrist. Turning to look at Jasper in alarm, she saw pain in his eyes. “Eileen, it’s been so many days. You haven’t been responding to my messages or answering my calls. Are you avoiding me? Can
tell me
why?”
you
Alan’s car had already stopped, but Jasper insisted on an explanation, refusing to let go. With a stoic expression, Eileen replied, “I wasn’t avoiding you. I’ve been busy catching up on my studies lately, and I haven’t had much time to ch*ck my phone.”
You’re lying!
Despite this thought, Jasper didn’t directly confront her. He observed her as if she were worried or afraid of something, and he loosened his grip. “Has someone threatened you? Did they do something to you, or… say something?”
“No.” Eileen’s heart tightened, and panic filled her eyes.
She couldn’t be certain if it was her imagination, but she had a persistent feeling that a pair of intense eyes
watched her from the shadows, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark night. Although she couldn’t sense its presence, she keenly felt its oppressive existence.
“Jasper, can we stop lingering here? It’s really cold. If you want to discuss something, can we do it next time? I’m under significant stress from studying, and I don’t want to divert my attention elsewhere.”
She couldn’t understand Jasper’s motives.
Does he have feelings for me? Is this what it means to like someone? Feeling an almost pathological desire to possess, a constant need to keep someone close, wanting to know their whereabouts and activities? Does the other person have no freedom at all? Do I not even have the right to ignore phone messages I don’t want to respond to? Moreover, our relationship is just that of ordinary friends now.
Believing it was necessary to clarify certain aspects, Eileen began, Jasper…”
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