Back at the mansion, Julian checks the time again.
"She's still not back?" he asks Gabriel, a hint of tension in his voice.
"No, sir."
"Do you know where the academy is?"
"I can find it out right away."
Julian rises slowly from the chair he is sitting on, gripping a staff for support instead.
His chest tightens with an emotion he doesn't want to name—worry. He hates it.
It's almost midnight and she is still not back.
"I found it out, I will ask the driver to bring Miss Jasmine back immediately.' Gabriel informs him.
"I'll go myself."
Gabriel's surprised.
"Are you sure, sir?"
"I want to see what is keeping her out so late." Julian mutters, already making his way to the door.
"Okay sir," Gabriel says, following after him quickly, and drives the car.
---
"Where do you live? I'll take you," Eric offers as they drop Seline off.
After their classes finished, Seline suggests going to the cinema together which lasted for a few hours and ended at ten. Then they grab some food and before she knows it--it was late.
Jasmine checks the time. It's a few minutes past eleven.
Will Julian be angry?
She ponder, not listening to Eric and shakes her head slightly.
"He is probably asleep already" Jasmine sighs and Eric stares at her confused.
"Who is asleep?" he queries.
"No one. Also, you don't have to drive me. I'll take the bus," she replies.
Having him drive her is simply revealing her secret.
"It's late. Let me at least take you to the station." Eric insist, finding it inappropriate to leave alone by herself so late.
Jasmine hesitates. He's being kind, but she's not ready to explain her situation.
Still… walking an hour at this hour isn't smart either.
"Just to the station, then," she agrees and gets back in the car.
Eric opens the door for her, relieve watching over his face but he is still curious about the friend she moved in with.
He has known her for a long time and she is not one to easily trust a friend to live with them, otherwise she would have left the Parker family a long time ago .
Eric keeps trying to bring up her mysterious living situation, but Jasmine steers every conversation elsewhere.
"When are you applying to college? A number of school have released their forms already" he asks again.
"Once I—once I save enough," she says, almost slipping about the divorce deal.
He nods but doesn't push.
Still, the tension between them simmers with unspoken memories.
Exactly a week ago, Eric's parents came to propose his engagement to her stepsister.
Eric seem surprised about the whole arrangement and refute it in everyone's presence, even daring to say he wants to marry Jasmine.
He left that day with his parents and Jasmine didn't see him again until today but she remembers the aftermath all too well.
She was punished and blamed for seducing 'her sister's fiance' and then given ridiculous chores to finish.
Jasmine sighs as she remembers it all.
If Eric's parent become aware that they attend the same academy together, then they will blame her for it again.
"We're here," she says, stepping out. Then checks her watch.
Five minutes more before the last bus arrives.
Eric comes out of the car to joins her at the station.
"We didn't miss the bus, right?"
"We've got five minutes," he reassures, checking his watch and takes a seat.
Then, he gently takes her hand.
"Jasmine… I need to tell you something."
Jasmine shift her hand away from his hold--knowing exactly what he wants to talk about.
"I heard from Ava that your father made things hard for you after that day," Eric begins but Jasmine with a smile.
"It's nothing new."
Eric looks at her sadly and takes her hand again.
"I made a deal with my parents and—"
A white car pulls up in front of them before he can finish.
Jasmine jumps up to her feet, shoving Eric's hand off.
She can recognize the car clearly and knows who is in there.
Gabriel steps out, giving Eric a polite nod and bowing slightly toward Jasmine.
"Who are you?" Eric demands. He place his hand in front of Jasmine to protect her.
"He's… my colleague," Jasmine says quickly, stepping between them.
"Why are you here?" she asks Gabriel, keeping her voice low.
"I'm about to take the bus to return."
"It's nearly midnight," he replies calmly.
Gabriel pull up the car earlier, and together with Julian, sees Jasmine get off the car with Eric and stays together again at the station.
"Eric, why don't you leave now. My colleague and I live in the same neighbourhood. I will just go with him." Jasmine says, turning away from Gabriel.
Eric narrows his eyes, wary.
"Are you sure you're okay with him?"
Judging from his outfit, Eric can tell that he is not someone who works part-time jobs or live in a shabby place.
The car also--
"Totally. Goodnight, Eric," Jasmine says tapping his arm, not giving him room to argue.
She turns aside and opens the car door—then freezes.
Julian sits inside, wearing a long face, with a scowl. His cold expression makes her heart drop
"Sir…" she breathes, sure that he is angry.
"Hi," Jasmine says softly as she slides into the seat beside him.
The car glides forward smoothly, but the silence between them is anything but smooth.
Julian's voice cuts through the quiet, laced with sarcasm.
"Was he one of your teachers?"
Jasmine blinks, thrown off.
"No, he's just a friend."
Julian turns his face away, jaw clenched. His gaze flicks down to her hand, and a bitter thought flashes through his mind.
The ring she ore earlier… it's not on her finger.
"Did you really come to pick me up?" she asks, hope fluttering in her chest.
For a second, she imagines he'll say something sweet—Yes, because I missed you. Because I was worried. But his response hits like a slap.
"If you die outside, it will be troublesome"
Jasmine's smile falters.
"Also, you forgot your duty." he adds
"Oh…" she murmur.
Disappointment settles over her like a fog. That's all it was? Just a massage? She turns her face to the window, hiding the sting in her eyes.
"Don't forget you represent the Chen family now," Julian says sharply, his voice low but firm.
Jasmine looks over at him, confused.
His expression is stern, but she knows that look—cold, distant.
The one he wears whenever he is not happy with something.
"I will," she replies quietly, not quite sure what she's agreeing to.
"I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble." she apologizes but Julian ignores her.
Placing her hand on her chin, Jasmine takes a deep breath and blames herself for having expectations when it comes to him but only to be disappointed each time.
The reflection of her hand through the glass makes her realize the ring on her finger isn't there.
Jasmine fiddles with her bag, trying to distract herself from the tension. That's when she notices it—the wedding ring is missing.
Her heart skips. She had taken it off earlier before class. Wearing it could have raised too many questions.
Glancing quickly at Julian, she sees his jaw tighten.
Is he… mad about the ring?
Without another word, she rummages through her bag and slips it back on. Silence fills the car again.