Chapter 28: Chapter 28 - Concealment

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

I left the lipstick on the table. Robert looked calm. He didn’t appear embarrassed about being rejected. He still sat there with a confident expression.

“He must be crazy, Irina,” Emma said while looking back in the direction of the canteen and shaking her head.

“Tt was indeed quite unexpected.” I shrugged.

“Tbet he wouldn’t have done so if he knew how prone to jealousy and possessive Ravi was.”

“Jealousy?”

“Yes. Jealousy. When Ravi saw Brian in the baseball field stands last time, he looked like he was going to skin him alive.”

“Tm sorry about Brian.”

“This isn’t your fault, Irina. All men don’t want their girlfriends to be coveted by others.”

“Tdon’t want Robert to suffer what Brian had.”

After Brian was beaten up by Ravi, the incident led to a series of events, and Suzy died because of it. I didn’t want anyone to be hurt because of me. They were all ordinary citizens who didn’t know the Mafia’s way of doing things. Either way, I couldn’t let Ravi know about Robert’s existence.

I stopped and turned to see Daniel following me from afar.

“Hey, Daniel, can you do me a favor?”

“If you want me to help you hide Robert’s matter, please forgive me for being helpless, Irina.”

“Tknow you’re in a difficult position, but your duty is to keep me safe. Robert won’t be a threat to my safety, so you don’t have to let Ravi know about this. I’ll feel guilty if Robert gets hurt because of this.”

“You guys have only known each other for a few days.”

“Yes, but this has nothing to do with the length of time we’ve known each other. They’re just ordinary people, and we don’t have any deep grudges with us. I’m already ostracized by the vast majority of people in school. I just want to live my life in peace and complete my studies. Daniel, I hope you

understand.”

“What if he continues to pester you?”

“He won’t. I’ve already made it very clear to him. He’s a prideful person. He won’t let himself be rejected again,” I vowed.

“Ican only promise you not to tell Ravi about what happened today. If Robert continues to pursue you in the future, I think Ravi has the right to know.”

“It’s a deal. Thank you, Daniel.” I smiled at Daniel and turned to leave with Emma.

The days passed by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already winter. Winter in New York seemed to be about the same as in Philadelphia. The people on the streets all seemed to be in a hurry. Robert hadn’t done anything to pursue me since the last incident. My contact with him was limited to

normal interactions between classmates.

Emma and I arrived at the library early and found a place with the best sunlight. We planned to sort out the research materials we had gathered. There was a person lying on the opposite side of the table with a jacket over his head. He must have stayed up all night in the library and was unable to sleep

well in the morning sunlight.

Emma and I each checked and organized the research materials together, so we had a tacit understanding. Suddenly, the person sleeping opposite us shook and looked up.

Emma and I suppressed our laughter and looked at the boy who had been awakened by himself. He had messy curly hair and a sleepy look in his eyes. The sunlight shone on the side of his face and cast a long shadow on the huge table. He composed himself and his dark brown eyes gradually became

bright and lively. It was only then that I realized how beautiful his eyes were.

He was Robert. This was the first time we had seen him without his glasses on. He looked more manly without his sunglasses on.

“Good morning,” he told us quietly.

We politely greeted him.

Robert got up and walked out of the room. Emma and I continued with our work.

suddenly, I caught a whiff of the aroma of latte and looked up to see Daniel walking toward us with three cups of coffee.

“Thanks,” I whispered to Daniel and took a cup of coffee.

“Thanks.” Emma took a cup too.

Daniel picked up the third cup of coffee and was about to drink it, but it was taken away by Robert, who had just returned from washing his face.

“Thanks,” Robert added after taking a sip.

I smiled at Daniel helplessly. He shrugged and walked away.

“Your family’s bodyguards even buy coffee for you?” Robert put on his glasses and returned to his usual arrogant self.

“He’s a bodyguard and a friend,” I replied.

“Tm done. Take a look.” Robert shoved his tablet in front of me and took a sip of his coffee.

I saw Emma’s mouth drop agape. Her eyes were filled with shock.

“Then we don’t have to stay here,” Robert said.

The three of us walked out of the library together. As soon as Robert pushed the door open, I felt the chill of the early winter morning. I wrapped my coat around myself tightly and was a little afraid of the cold outside the door. Ever since I almost froze to death in the cold storage the last time, I seemed to

be unusually afraid of the cold. I followed behind Robert and Emma with my head lowered. Suddenly, my head knocked against something, I looked up and saw Robert facing me.

He untied the scarf from his neck and wrapped it around my neck twice before tying a button. I untied the scarf and planned to return it to Robert, but my hands were grabbed by Robert.

“Irina, this is just a normal friendly gesture between classmates. It doesn’t mean anything. I think that if it were Daniel, he would do the same.”

I looked back at Daniel. I couldn’t read his expression since he was wearing a pair of sunglasses all the time.

“Thank you, Robert.”

Robert let go and we continued walking.