Episode 4

Leo leaned in closer, his voice soft but teasing. "So, what’s it going to be? Bring the celebrity boyfriend, or keep me as your secret?"

Emily smiled, shaking her head. "I can't afford to have you there," she said, her tone playful but resolute. "I'll just go by myself. If necessary, I’ll call you, and then you can come—but put on a mask and sunglasses to cover yourself."

Leo couldn’t argue with her logic. Though a part of him wanted to be by her side, he knew it wasn’t practical. Reluctantly, he accepted her decision. "Alright, I won't come unless you need me," he said with a hint of reluctance. "But just be safe, okay? Have fun with your friends."

Emily grinned mischievously. "Deal. And here’s your gift for being so obedient," she teased, leaning in for a quick, stolen kiss before dashing away.

"My time’s up—gotta go, or I’ll be late!"

She waved over her shoulder, adding with a wink, "See you in the evening, my secret celebrity. I love you, and I’m gonna miss you. Bye!"

Leo was caught off guard again, his heart racing from the sudden kiss. He watched her dash away, chuckling. "Hey! No fair!" he called after her, shaking his head in playful disbelief.

Realizing she was running late, he shouted after her, "Alright, I’ll be there—no questions asked!" His voice held a mix of warmth and teasing determination.

Leaning against the door frame with a cocky grin, he called out, "Just remember, I’ll be waiting, and I might have a surprise of my own for you later." His smile softened as he heard her final words of love.

"I love you too, and I’ll miss you like crazy while I’m waiting for you!" he shouted, waving as she disappeared from sight. "Now go on, show them who you are!"

As she left, Leo couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement for the evening ahead. "Bye! See you soon, my love," he whispered to the empty room, already counting the minutes until they’d be together again.

Emily walked to the nearby bus stop, waiting for her ride. Her mind drifted to the event that evening. What if I go alone? she thought. They’ll start asking about my boyfriend. If I tell them I have one, they’ll insist I bring him. But if I say I don’t have a boyfriend, they’ll laugh at me. The thought troubled her. And what if Leo finds out I said I don’t have a boyfriend? He’ll feel hurt.

Soon, her bus arrived, and she climbed aboard, her mind still lost in these worries. She barely noticed the passing scenery until she reached her destination. Classes that day were just as dull as always, dragging on without any excitement. Finally, when they came to an end, a new wave of anxiety hit her. Now, she had something else to face.

Back at her hostel room, Emily dressed up for the evening. She was about to confront something big—her old school friends.

Initially, Emily lived in the college hostel, but everything changed after Leo moved closer to her college. He had rented an apartment nearby, making it more convenient for them to be together. Although Leo’s main base was a 40 minutes drive away, Emily could easily reach her college by bus or cab in just 15 minutes. Despite the distance, Leo had searched tirelessly for a place close to her college, wanting to make her daily commute as easy as possible.

Leo often offered to drop her off at college, but unless she was running late or had an urgent reason, Emily preferred to take the bus. She enjoyed the independence of it and didn’t want to trouble him unnecessarily. Still, Leo always made sure she had the option.

Even though she now lived with him, her hostel room remained available whenever Leo had to travel for tournaments out of the city. It gave her a place to stay when he was away.

Now, with the evening event approaching, Emily decided to change in her hostel room. It felt like the right place to get ready, surrounded by familiar walls that had once been her home.

Thinking about the upcoming get-together, Emily couldn’t help but feel irritated. To her, all her old schoolmates were as annoying as flies—people who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Throughout her childhood, she had been an easy target. Her calm, innocent nature made it effortless for them to pick on her.

The only person who had been kind to her was Tina, her one true friend from those days. Tina was kind, approachable, and always stood by her, offering a sense of relief in a sea of hostility.

It had been a long time since Emily heard from any of them, so when Tina called her out of the blue, she was surprised. The reason for the call? To inform her about the dreaded school reunion. Even though neither Emily nor Tina wanted to attend, they knew their former classmates would persistently provoke them until they agreed to come. So, reluctantly, both Emily and Tina decided to show up.

Emily knew what to expect. Those annoying flies would be there, showing off their rich boyfriends, relishing in the shallow competition of who had the best life. But this time, things felt different—she wasn’t the same Emily they used to push around.

After Emily left for college, Leo headed to the main base. As the captain of his team, the weight of responsibility rested heavily on his shoulders. He was expected to be present at the base 24/7, constantly overseeing training, strategies, and the progress of his teammates. Yet, out of his deep concern for Emily, Leo chose to live at their apartment instead of staying at the base full-time.

Each day followed a familiar rhythm. Once Emily departed for her classes, Leo would head to the base for training and team duties. His role as captain demanded his focus, and the pressure of leadership often left him mentally exhausted. However, no matter how busy he was, he always made time for Emily. She was his priority, and he ensured that he was available for her, balancing his packed schedule with his commitment to their relationship.

Leo’s day passed by the training matches and team meetings, his focus sharp as he led his team through the drills. But as evening approached, his thoughts inevitably drifted to Emily. He wondered what she was doing at that moment, if everything was going smoothly for her.

Though he knew a little about her childhood and how it had shaped her, he didn’t know much about her old schoolmates or the struggles she had faced with them. The thought of her going to that reunion stirred a sense of unease in him. What kind of people would she have to deal with? He hoped she wasn’t facing them alone, and though he trusted her strength, he couldn’t help but worry about what she might encounter.

(The moment of contemplation had finally arrived for both of them.)

The taxi pulled up to the venue, and Emily stepped out, her heart racing with anticipation......

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