章 146: Chapter 43.5
"Hi, Alice," while Jason was lost in his thoughts, Emily had turned to greet Alice who was pouting after seeing Jason preoccupied with the girls. The only consultation for the little girl was that Maple seemed excited to see her and the two children were grinningly having a staring contest while the adults conversed.
Alice wanted to show her discontent with Emily after finally being noticed but the latter picked her out from Jason's arms and hugged her. Alice calmed down and closed her eyes as she felt the warmth from Emily's hug: her warmth was very similar to her mother's.
Emily . . . and Michelle, Alice thought. They're like mom in some ways.
After hugging Alice, Emily set her down in the ground and Maple ran towards her.
"Hi, Alice!" Maple said excitedly. She grabbed Alice's hand and tugged her away. "C'mon let me show you my home!"
Jason smiled and nodded at Alice when the latter turned to look at him and Alice cheerfully agreed with Maple as the two ran off.
"Home?" Jason turned to Melanie and asked.
"She's not used to living in my place," Melanie replied helplessly. "Also I think it's better for her to live with other children."
"Emily, can you look after Alice for me? I need to discuss something with Melanie," Jason said. Emily hesitated for a second before nodding and reluctantly leaving. Jason then turned to Grace with a smile as he swiped at his holo-watch; he was purchasing several ingredients. "Ms. Grace, I know we've only just met but I can see how happy the children are. I'd like to prepare a meal for them if that's alright with you. And don't worry, there'll be lots of meat."
Jason winked at the children at end and several of them turned to look at Graves with bright eyes and hopeful glances.
"Please, by all means," Grace answered and wrinkles formed around her eyes as she smiled. The children around her cheered and began running around in every direction like a hurricane. Within moments, Grace was forced to run after the children while Jason and Melanie looked on with a smile.
"Quite a bit effort in getting us alone," Melanie said as she leaned in on Jason and her fingers traced his muscular pecs. "What do you want to ask?"
"Why are you looking after that child?" Jason asked. He could tell that there was something more Melanie was hiding, especially when she mentioned Maple staying here.
"Because she reminds me of me," Melanie replied instantaneously.
"And the real reason?"
Melanie didn't reply immediately and instead, she looked to where Maple and a few girls were showing Alice the playground. Jason waited patiently and Melanie sighed after watching Maple for a few minutes.
"She successfully tried escaping when they were imprisoned by those traffickers," she slowly explained. "And she saw the traffickers having a holo-meeting with someone. A board member, Jason."
Jason narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
Of course, He thought. A Council member would be involved in such a high profiled trafficking ring. There's no way it could continue without support from a strong backer.
"You're worried they'd send someone to kill her?" Jason asked and Melanie nodded. "Want me to look after her? She can stay with Alice at my place. It's also more secure."
Melanie turned to look at Jason in surprise when she heard his suggestion but shook her head. "No, I want to look after her myself. Maybe train her to be like me. Better than me."
Melanie turned to look at Jason with envy before continuing softly. "Just like you did with Alina."
But was it right? Jason thought with a forlorn smile. Did I do the right thing for Alle? I did train her to be better than me, but now she wants to be me.
"I need to prepare my ingredients," Jason said finally. "And the boys are getting jealous over me monopolizing you."
Jason jerked his head to a few boys who were disgruntled while watching the two converse and Melanie laughed. Since Melanie had been volunteering in caring for the children, many had grown close to her and who knew how many had a crush on her.
"Don't be jealous," Melanie chided the boys as Jason walked away. "I just had something to discuss with my boyfriend."
Both Jason and the boys who were surrounding Melanie stumbled before regaining their footing. Without saying a word Jason walked towards Alice, his mind lost on Melanie.
What is she to me? He thought. Why am I so complaisant when it comes to her? I've let her get away with things that I killed others for even attempting . . .
"Hey," Jason called out to Emily who was watching over Alice. Emily looked back and smiled back forcefully, her eyes avoiding Jason and the latter sighed when he noticed her discomfort. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to exclude you from our conversation. It was . . . about her ward, Maple. That girl's been through a lot and I was worried."
Emily used one arm to hug herself as she shook her head. "I'm not - I just - do you hate me?"
"What? No. No, why would I hate you?" Jason was surprised at Emily's question and he vehemently denied her.
In truth, Emily also knew that Jason didn't hate her, but she was worried that he didn't like her due to her past relationships and her current reputation. Thus, she felt the need to ask, the need to know.
"You've been keeping your distance from me for some time," Emily answered after some hesitation. "I know I - I'm not as strong as the others or brighter or beautiful . . . and I know my reputation isn't good but -"
"Stop," Jason raised a hand to interrupt Emily. "I . . . Emily, do I - am I that shallow to you? I have never treated anyone better based on their looks or brains. And I give two shits about rumours and what other people say. The only reason why I -"
Jason broke off when a child ran nearby, running cheerfully after a ball. He smiled at the little girl who blushed before grabbing the ball and running off and Jason turned back to Emily.
"The only reason why I have been avoiding you is because I can't let myself - I can't afford to get closer to you," Jason continued. "I - you and Alina are friends and more importantly, you're my student and . . . it's just not possible."
Emily's nails dug into her arm as the world turned blurry. A slight ringing echoed through her ears and the loud shouts from the children around them slowly drowned.
"And Melanie?" Emily finally asked, her voice trembling. "Is it possible for her? Can she be together with you?"
"It's not possible for her either," Jason replied after some hesitation, a fact Emily was quick to catch. His attraction to both Melanie and Emily were a distraction and so after taking a deep breath, he decided to nip the bud before it bloomed. "I'm sorry, Em. What you like, what you have a crush on, it isn't real. I'm not the knight you think I am, I'm not real.
"I'm something else. And you'll only be hurt if you get involved with me."
"I don't believe you," Emily shook her head repeatedly as she felt knives burrow into her heart. "I won't."
"It's true, kid," Jason said quietly, using the term "kid" to change their current platonic relationship. His voice was hoarse as he forced himself to continue speaking. "I'm a heartbreaker. So stay away - away from me. Besides . . ."
Jason walked to Alice as he muttered his last words but Emily could hear them clearly, even though she wished she didn't.
"I already have someone I care about."
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