Chapter 100
Briella suddenly remembered. He was the grandson of her grandfather’s close friend. Back in middle and high college, he had visited her home with her grandfather a few times. Feeling slightly awkward, Briella forced a polite smile. “Sorry, I have a terrible memory.“}
Jared’s gaze remained gentle. “It’s okay. As long as you remember from now on.”
He took her suitcase and opened the passenger door for her. Briella thanked him politely, then got into the car. “Why didn’t Grandpa come?”
“Because I insisted on picking you up myself,” Jared replied with a slight smile. As he spoke, he leaned in to fasten her seatbelt. Their faces were suddenly inches apart and their eyes met unexpectedly. Jared gazed down at her, his entire focus locked on her alone. Briella’s Heart skipped a beat and she quickly looked away.
Was she imagining things? Why did his gaze feel strange? Like it carried something more like affection. Briella almost laughed at her own thoughts. She had just escaped a love scam; wasn’t that lesson enough? She didn’t need to be overthinking things like this. She adjusted her seat, putting some distance between them.
Jared noticed her subtle resistance, his expression dimming slightly. He pulled back into the driver’s seat and started the car smoothly. Briella called her grandfather to let him know she had arrived safely, but he said, “I trust Jared to take care of things. Just go straight to your college and get along well with him.”
His cheerful tone barely hid his intention of setting them up. Briella shook her head, smiling wryly. A wise person stays out of love. Once was enough for her to learn her lesson.
The college registration process wasn’t complicated and with Jared’s help, it only took her half an hour. By nightfall, they returned home. The house her grandfather had bought wasn’t big, but every detail reflected her personal taste. Though she was in a foreign country, this place made her feel at home. Jared pointed to the room next door. “You must be tired. Get some rest. I live here. If you need anything, just message me.“}
Briella was indeed exhausted. She promised to treat him to a meal as thanks and then went to freshen up before bed, but that meal never happened. Every morning, she found breakfast bought by Jared hanging on her doorknob.
When she thanked him, he would say that if she really wanted to thank him, she should have a meal with him. Despite his words, he bought groceries and busied himself in her kitchen, trying to figure out her tastes day by day. With such attentiveness, Briella didn’t believe he had any ulterior motives. Still, she had no intention of starting another relationship, so she decided to be upfront.}
Jared smiled. “I like you. That’s my business. You don’t need to feel pressured. If my actions make you uncomfortable, I can stop. But if you don’t mind, let’s see this as old friends reconnecting. No stress, okay?”
9:08 PM
