Chapter 3
That was indeed not a dream.
My mind went blank for a second. I quickly slid off Zachary and squatted next to his legs.
Liora knocked again. “Uncle Zachary? Are you in there? Why are you hiding in the car?”
After a few seconds, the rear window rolled halfway down. Zachary leaned forward and blocked most of the view, making it hard for her to peek inside.
“Uncle Zachary, why’d you wake me up at five in the morning? What’s going on?”
“I couldn’t sleep. I just want to ask you something.”
Liora was shocked. “You couldn’t sleep? Did you stay here all night?”
She glanced around, confused. There weren’t any clubs or bars nearby —just a convenience store.
“What do you want to ask? If it’s about the exam, I already told you—I didn’t get anyone to take it for me. My classmate set me up! You can’t let her get away with this.”
Zachary kept his eyes on her.
“I went to college yesterday to check the surveillance footage. It has
been deleted.”
“They always erase it after a while.”
“Then explain this-why is every other clip from that day still there, except the part where you walked into the exam room?”
Liora hesitated and said, “It must be a coincidence. Have you eaten? I’ll grab you some breakfast.”
“Answer me.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it was heavy with pressure.
Even I flinched a little.
Liora looked nervous for a second, then her eyes lit up like she noticed something.
“Wait-why is there a woman’s earring on your collar?”
Damn. That was mine. It must’ve fallen off while we were kissing, and it got stuck on his suit.
“Uncle Zachary, is there a woman in your car? Or did you just come back from someone’s place? Ooh, should I tell Grandma and Grandpa?”
Liora leaned closer excitedly, trying to see inside. I curled up tighter, praying she wouldn’t spot me.
Then, she froze.
“Hold up… I’ve seen that earring before. Isn’t that Rosalyn’s?”
Zachary grabbed it quickly before she could get a good look.
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But Liora just laughed it off. “Nah, must just look similar. There’s no way your taste is that bad.”
He frowned. “Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to look down on your classmates like that?”
“I’m just being honest. All she’s got going for her is good grades, but she’s broke. Being poor is fine, but acting all righteous? She should just stick to being my sidekick—”
“Enough!” Zachary suddenly snapped. “Apologize to her.”
“Why? She’s not even here.”
“Apologize. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Liora sulked. “Fine… sorry.”
“Go stand over there and wait. I’ll be done in a minute.”
She shuffled off, pouting.
Zachary shut the window, and I finally stood up.
“Sorry. I didn’t expect she’d be that rude.”
“It’s alright. I’m used to it.”
My casual response made him purse his lips.
“Does she always treat you like this?”
“Yes, but today’s one of her better days.”
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“Sorry, I’ll talk to her. I’m also sorry for the misunderstanding before. I believed her parents when they said she got along with everyone and wouldn’t cheat. That’s on me.”
“I’m not gonna say anything about your family. Let’s just focus on the weird part-do you dream about me too?”
Zachary nodded.
So, it wasn’t just me. We were somehow having the same dream, only when both of us were asleep.
I usually dreamed about him at night because he worked during the day. As for why it was happening, we had no idea.
“Maybe now that we’ve talked about it, the dreams will stop,” I said optimistically.
“You don’t want to dream about me?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t like your family.”
Zachary went quiet.
I nudged him. “Your niece is waiting. You should go.”
“Want to get out of the car with me?”
What kind of question was that? Of course not.
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Seeing my resistance, Zachary asked again, “Are you worried people will find out about us?”
“Stop talking nonsense. We have nothing to do with each other.”
“Dreams count too.”
“At best, you’re just a hookup buddy. Who brags about that? Now get out so I can slip away.”
Zachary looked down. After a pause, he muttered, “Got it.”
His smile seemed a little bitter, but I figured I imagined it.
He stepped out and walked off with Liora. Once they were far enough, I opened the door and tried to sneak off quietly.
But the moment I stepped down, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up -and there was Liora, staring at me in disbelief.
“It’s you?! That earring was truly yours?”
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