~ University of Imperial Knight ~
Today, Tristan and Matthew arrived in the States. Zhen-Zhen tried her best to cheer up even though she was feeling down.
She focused her attention on her classes. She was not wearing any disguise today. After winning the title Campus Belle, her name, Lillie Meyer became the talk of the campus.
She captured lots of men's affection during the selection process. As expected many college boys wanted to get closer to her.
Wherever she went, several pairs of eyes were watching and observing her, some admiring her beauty while some having the look of envy in their eyes.
Alicia and Betsy were also sticking with her, showing the Campus that they were best of friends in their class. Because of their connection with Zhen-Zhen, Betsy and Alicia were getting a lot of attention as well.
This was the benefit Zhen-Zhen had promised Alicia when she convinced her to give way for her to participate in the selection of Campus Belle.
On the outside, Zhen-Zhen looked very close to Alicia and Betsy. However, the truth was Zhen-Zhen was more comfortable being with Sophia than with them.
She's just doing this to close the part of the deal. Zhen-Zhen was also maintaining a casual relationship with them while staying on guard since she learned that Alicia was interested in her husband, Tristan.
Nevertheless, Betsy and Alicia were enjoying the benefits of their relationship with Zhen-Zhen. With her help, they climbed up and raised their reputation on the campus with instant fame.
Since the three of them were also classmates, students couldn't help but compared them to Jade and her friends. Suddenly the competition between the two groups arose on the campus.
Of course, Jade and her friends were unhappy with this turn of events. Freshmen students were trying to steal the limelight from them.
Even the other students were looking forward to seeing a showdown between the two groups.
Zhen-Zhen, Alicia, and Betsy were having snacks inside the canteen when the topic about Jade and her friends was brought up by Betsy.
"Hey, can you also feel the tension between us and Jade's group? Lately, I could feel the bitterness and indifference emanating from them whenever we would bump into them in the school vicinity," Betsy said to them in a low voice. She was careful not to be heard by others.
Zhen-Zhen decided not to comment on that while Alicia just shrugged her shoulders.
"Don't mind it, Betsy. Maybe they were just jealous as they didn't want others to become famous like them. For the past two years, they were in the limelight," Alicia also shared her opinion with them.
Zhen-Zhen just continued eating her snack while texting someone using her phone. She was busy chatting with Tristan.
Tristan was sending her messages from time to time, just checking on her. Zhen-Zhen felt content after receiving his messages.
She knew Tristan would become busier in the coming days but still, he would never forget to message her.
When they noticed that Zhen-Zhen was quite occupied, Betsy and Alicia tried to catch her attention by asking her about Tristan.
"Lillie, I am dying to ask you this. What is your connection with the Davis Family, most especially to Tristan Davis?" Alicia could no longer hold her curiosity so she asked her directly.
"Yeah, I am really curious. You seemed very familiar with them. They even helped you during the Selection of the Campus Belle," Betsy also threw her a question.
"You said before that you are part of their family. Are you a distant relative of the Davis Family or just family friends?" Betsy added.
Zhen-Zhen brought her attention back to them the moment she heard their queries. She contemplated for a while, thinking about what she would tell them.
After a while, Zhen-Zhen finally gave them an answer.
"Tristan Davis… he is my man. We are romantically involved with each other," Zhen-Zhen said to them while looking straight into their eyes.
Alicia: "..."
Betsy: "..."
The two ladies were quite shocked after hearing her revelation. They didn't know what to say. They were in utter disbelief as of this moment.
'Lillie Meyer and Tristan Davis are dating?!! They are in a relationship?! Oh my gosh!!! Is this real? I couldn't believe this. Mr. Davis is actually dating a college student??!' Betsy was screaming in her mind.
Alicia, on the other hand, stayed frozen in her spot. She was at a loss for words. 'Lillie and Tristan Davis are romantically involved??! Is she kidding us? This can't be.'
Alicia didn't want to believe it but seeing Zhen-Zhen's expression, she could tell that she was not lying nor bluffing. She was telling the truth.
Zhen-Zhen smiled upon seeing their stunned expressions. She decided not to hide her real relationship with Tristan from them anymore.
This was also one way of telling Alicia that Tristan was already off-limits. He was hers… her man. But, she didn't directly inform them that the two of them were already married.
After a few moments, Zhen-Zhen stood up, saying goodbye to Alicia and Betsy.
"Alicia, Betsy… see you later in the next class. I have to go now. I promised Sophia that I will also join her today."
Alicia and Betsy just nodded at her absentmindedly. They hadn't recovered yet from the shocking revelation they learned today. They just silently watched Zhen-Zhen leave the canteen.
********
After her afternoon class, Zhen-Zhen waited for the Davis Family's chauffeur. Tristan asked his family to let one of their chauffeurs drive and fetch Zhen-Zhen from school going back home and vice versa.
She was standing near the gate when suddenly a blue car stopped in front of her. The driver rolled down his car window to talk to her.
Zhen-Zhen was surprised to see the person inside the car. It was Clifford. Due to her photographic memory, she recognized him right away.
Clifford greeted her with a gentle smile which he was seldom wearing. He was the kind of person who didn't smile often.
If Alveena could see this, she would certainly react. Her brother only smiled once in a blue moon. But in order to capture Zhen-Zhen's attention, Clifford decided to change his cold demeanor when facing her.
"Hey, Lillie, I didn't expect to see you here. Are you waiting for someone?" Clifford pretended to be surprised as well.
He already knew that Zhen-Zhen was studying at the University of Imperial Knight. He also went there today in order to see her.
"Wait, I will just park my car," Clifford said, without waiting for Zhen-Zhen's response.
After parking his car, Clifford immediately stepped out to approach Zhen-Zhen once more.
"Hello, Clifford. It's been a while. I didn't expect to see you here also. How are you?" Zhen-Zhen politely greeted him.
"Yeah. I'm good. By the way, Lillie… I want to apologize for leaving that day without saying goodbye to you. Something came up so I had to leave in a rush," Clifford apologized.
He didn't have the chance to say goodbye to Zhen-Zhen in the Mall when Tristan arrived. Clifford hid from Tristan.
He was glad he did it. He didn't want Tristan to know that he already met his wife. He was thinking that Tristan might warn Lillie not to get close with him.
Zhen-Zhen gave him a faint smile. "You don't need to apologize. I understand. I already delayed you at that time when I ruined your suit."
Clifford let out a husky laugh when he heard her guilty tone.
"Are you waiting for someone?" Clifford asked her again.
Zhen-Zhen bobbed her head. "Yes, my service."
"Oh, since I am here, why don't you come with me? I will drop you at your place. There's heavy traffic today so it might take time for your service to arrive," Clifford said, simply offering her a ride.
Zhen-Zhen didn't know whether to agree or not. Then she received a message from the chauffeur, apologizing to her for being late. It would take some time before he could arrive at the school as he was caught up in the traffic just like what Clifford had said.
Zhen-Zhen didn't want to give the chauffeur so much hassle so, in the end, she just texted him to go back as her friend already offered her a ride. Zhen-Zhen accepted Clifford's offer.
Clifford rejoiced inwardly when Zhen-Zhen agreed to come with him. He immediately guided her into his car.
While they were on their way, Clifford pretended to be hungry.
"Ahem, Lillie, do you mind if we stop by a restaurant first before sending you home? I just realized I haven't eaten my lunch today because of my hectic schedule," Clifford asked Zhen-Zhen expectantly.
After hearing his alibi, Zhen-Zhen didn't have the heart to refuse Clifford. She was concerned about him when she learned that he hadn't taken his lunch today.
"Yes, I don't mind. Let's drop by the restaurant. You have to eat first. Why did you skip lunch? You should eat properly so that you can have enough energy for your work," Zhen-Zhen slightly lectured him out of her genuine concern.
Clifford couldn't help but smile with amusement. 'She's very thoughtful.'
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