Chapter 26 GREEN LOOKS BETTER.

Chapter 26 GREEN LOOKS BETTER.
“Oh, come on. I think you’re more beautiful than Anna,” Mrs Ola said with a small, teasing laugh, setting her teacup down with a soft clink. “I can’t believe this, Ruby. You’re never one to care about how your students dress or look. What’s gotten into you?”

Ruby blinked, her lashes fluttering once before she met Ola’s curious eyes. “Nothing,” she said quickly, too quickly. “I just noticed today, that’s all.”

Mrs Ola smiled knowingly, her tone warm but edged with mischief. “You always dress appropriately and beautifully. Professional, elegant. Not like the girls who parade into class as if it’s a fashion show. And between us,” she leaned in slightly, her eyes glinting, “I’d take green eyes over blue any day.”

Ruby laughed, startled at the comment. “Really?” she said, her laughter soft but growing as she shook her head. “I can’t believe you actually said that.”

Ola chuckled, unbothered. “It’s true. And speaking of Anna Newton the only person who truly tolerates her is Chancellor Winslow. Her mother’s a nightmare, from what I hear, and she’s connected to the Meyer family. So you know… wealth, old influence, the usual story.”

Ruby’s smile froze. The words sank like cold metal.

She turned her gaze to the mug in her hands, pretending to watch the swirl of coffee while her pulse began to thrum in her ears. Linked to the Meyer family?

Her mind spun.

Leslie never mentioned that.

She inhaled quietly, steady but shallow, her reflection rippling in the dark liquid. Was that why they were close?

A small, practised smile tugged at her lips. Like one of those polite masks she’d perfected over the years.

“I see,” she murmured, setting her cup down gently.

But the warmth that had filled the room moments ago had drained. Beneath her calm exterior, something sharp and uneasy curled inside her chest: jealousy, realisation, maybe even a touch of hurt.

Ruby walked along the pathway leading to the faculty block, her mind elsewhere. The afternoon sun was gentle, warm against her skin, but she barely felt it.

Her thoughts drifted as she clutched the folder for the teachers’ meeting about the Switzerland class project. She should’ve been reviewing the proposal or thinking about logistics, but instead, her mind kept circling back to the conversation she’d had with Mrs Ola that morning.

Linked to the Meyer family.

She exhaled quietly, almost to herself, as she reached the economics building.

Students milled about the entrance, some chatting, some scrolling through their phones but her attention was caught by movement through the tall glass windows.

Her steps slowed.

At the far end of the hallway, Leslie was standing beside the noticeboard. His head tilted slightly as Anna Newton said something to him, smiling up at him with that bright charm Ruby had come to recognise.

Leslie’s hand brushed against the paper she was holding, and Anna laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Ruby’s chest tightened.

She stopped walking, staring without meaning to. The distance between them felt smaller than it was and her gaze caught on the relaxed way Leslie’s shoulders leaned toward Anna, on how easily he seemed to be listening.

And then, as if he felt her looking, Leslie turned.

Their eyes met through the glass. For a second, the noise around her faded just a flicker of awareness, sharp and unsettling.

Ruby blinked, suddenly aware of herself again. She turned to move, too quickly and bumped hard into someone.

Her folder nearly slipped from her hand, and her glasses slid down the bridge of her nose.

“Oh—” she gasped, steadying herself.

A low chuckle sounded above her. “Careful there.”

Ruby adjusted her glasses and looked up, meeting a pair of warm hazel eyes and a polite, teasing smile. The man before her was tall, with neatly combed dark hair and an easy, confident posture that suggested he was used to being noticed.

“I’m so sorry,” Ruby said, her tone flustered but still measured. “I wasn’t looking.”

“That makes two of us,” he replied lightly, bending to pick up a paper that had fluttered from her folder. He handed it back to her, his gaze lingering briefly in recognition. “You’re Professor Allaire, right? Economics.”

Ruby blinked. “Yes,” she said, caught off guard by how he knew her.

He extended his hand with an amiable smile. “Aaron Carson. I just joined the Department.”

“Ah—yes. I remember seeing your name in the staff bulletin,” Ruby said, her voice steadier now, though her pulse hadn’t quite caught up.

“Then I’m flattered you read it,” he replied easily, his tone warm, laced with quiet humour

Ruby let out a soft chuckle, the sound easing the awkwardness between them.

“Heading to the faculty meeting?” he asked.

She nodded, adjusting her folder. “Yes, for the Switzerland project discussion.”

“Perfect,” he said with a faint smile. “We’re going the same way, then.”

“We are?” Ruby asked, exhaling slowly.

“Yeah. Why don’t I walk you, then?”

“Walk me?” she repeated with her brows lifting slightly.

He grinned. “Since we’re going in the same direction.”

Ruby’s lips parted in a small gasp before she cleared her throat quickly. Her composure returning. “Of course.”

They began walking side by side as the faint buzz of campus chatter faded behind them.

The air between them felt strangely light but charged spiking an awareness that Ruby couldn’t quite name.

She tried to focus but her thoughts were still scattered. Her eyes trailed Professor Carson who stared at her occasionally. But that didn't ease the faint burn in her chest she couldn’t shake.

Something made her glance back over her shoulder.

Through the glass corridor behind them, Leslie was still standing by the noticeboard, his eyes fixed on her.

Ruby’s breath caught. She turned back quickly, pretending to listen as Professor Carson spoke, her heart thudding harder than before.