Chapter 78 Your Smile Is Still As Lovely

Chapter 78 Your Smile Is Still As Lovely
Elena Pov

I laughed out loud hearing the funny joke Sean had just told. I couldn’t hold it back even if I tried to keep my composure.
Sean didn’t laugh anymore. Instead, he simply stood there watching me quietly, the smile on his face becoming softer.
How could he be so funny?
I never knew Fatty Joker—oh, Sean—was this fun when we were in high school. At that time, he had always been silent and kept to himself, but now…
My laughter slowly died down as I raised my head only to meet Sean’s deep gaze. He stood in front of me, his face still as sunny and handsome, but his eyes… Why do I feel awkward?
He had smiles in his eyes, and meeting his gaze, it was as if I was the only one in his world. Somehow, this made my heart skip a beat. The laughter died down, and the smile on my face stiffened.
I quickly looked away, but somehow, I could still feel his eyes on me. 
A moment later, I couldn’t take it anymore. I let out a cough to break the silence, but when I looked up, Sean’s eyes were still on me. It was like he hadn’t heard anything.
I frowned, then shifted nervously. I cleared my throat, this time louder.
Finally, Sean, who had been in a daze, snapped back to reality. He looked at me for a second, his face confused, but immediately, a look of realization flashed in his eyes.
His face turned red, and he looked away while coughing to cover his embarrassment. Even the tips of his ears had turned red. I looked away too, then touched the back of my ear.
An awkward silence settled between us. But if I was asked the cause of it, I really wouldn’t be able to answer.
A second passed… then another minute. Then—
“I-I’m sorry, Lena.”
I blinked, surprised by the apology that came out of nowhere. I turned my head to look at Sean, who was now walking next to me, but was speechless when I met his serious face.
“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just became dazed seeing you laugh out loud. Besides…” he paused, then smiled gently.
I raised an eyebrow, confused by his smile.
What is it he wants to say?
“…your smile is still as lovely as in the past. It hasn’t changed at all. I couldn’t help but be dazed watching you. It makes me remember the innocent days in high school.”
His voice, which was as smooth and calm as a soothing violin, echoed in my ears. My ears suddenly felt a little warm.
I knew he was explaining his inappropriate stare from minutes ago. Though I really didn’t mind, as I hadn’t felt anything negative or seen any lustfulness in the way he looked at me, unlike some Alphas who gawk at Omegas like they’d pounce on them at any time. They act like they were in their rut.
But Sean wasn’t like that. He had always acted properly and kept a respectful distance, which is also why I didn’t reject him escorting me back to my hostel whenever we were done with classes, just like now.
Done thinking, my lips curled slightly as I shook my head at him.
“I understand, Sean. You really don’t need to explain to me. Besides, I’m not that petty.” I chuckled.
Sean beamed, then we continued to walk back to my hostel.
The evening breeze was cool and relaxing. I couldn’t help but indulge in it a bit. Around us were different students—Alphas, Betas, and Omegas—carrying books and also returning. Some walked in pairs while some walked alone.
But it was rare to see an Alpha walk with an Omega like this. Most Omegas worry that they might go into heat just by inhaling the scent of an Alpha they walked close to. But I didn’t have that worry because the only scent that could affect me was a special scent of mint, which only one person has. I hadn’t smelled it for days already.
Thinking of that person, the good mood I had crumbled. The more I thought about him, the heavier my chest became.
Somehow, the urge to talk to him filled me. I felt my heart begin to pound heavily, and a feeling of restlessness crept into my body.
Unconsciously, my hand moved to my pocket where my phone was, but the moment I touched my phone, my hand paused again.
What if he is busy and gets annoyed by my call? What if he is still angry about what happened in the past and finds me annoying?
I lowered my head, and my fingers slowly curled.
I remembered how he had left decisively last time after asking one of his men to send me back. He hadn’t even looked back.
These past few days, I had paid attention to my surroundings, hoping I’d find the men Marcus had sent to protect me, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find them.
At first, I had thought they were just well hidden, so I had purposefully let Lilith deceive me to the back of the school for revenge. I had hoped that the men would come out seeing that I was in danger, but even after Lilith had thrown a blow, I saw no one. I waited… but still…no one came.
So, with the frustration, I had beaten Lilith to a stupor. But even after hitting her, I felt no happiness. Instead… I felt empty inside.
Does that mean Marcus wouldn’t care about me anymore? He had listened to me and didn’t send men to follow me.
My heart tightened, and I suddenly felt a little annoyed.
Why did I reject him that day? Why did I oppose him?
I had always wanted him, right? I loved him to the point of obsession. I have groomed my body to only accept him.
So, why did I always fight him?
My eyes stayed on the ground as my thoughts became more and more messy.
The air suddenly felt gloomy. I didn’t even pay attention to the road in front of me until I felt someone grab my hand and pull me back.
Suddenly, Sean’s voice changed.
“Elena, be careful!”
Startled, I raised my head and looked at Sean with a blank expression. He looked serious, and his expression was dark.
I looked at his hand that grabbed mine, then at the front, only to find out I had walked into the tree planted in front of the female hostel.
Surprise flashed in my eyes, then relief.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness Sean was here, or I’d have hit the tree and embarrassed myself or, worse, gotten injured.
Thinking of this, I slowly turned and gave Sean a grateful smile.
“Thank you, Sean. I’d have gotten a bruise on my face if you hadn’t pulled me back.”
Sean frowned. “What were you thinking about? You were so deep in thought and didn’t even answer when I called out to you.”
Huh? He called out to me? How come I didn’t hear him?
I gave him a smile with hidden awkwardness. There was no way I could tell him what I was thinking about.
This is a secret. Besides, there is no way I’d tell anyone that I’m associated with Marcus.
What if his enemies used me as a weak point against him?
I remained silent. Sean, who seemed to have realized that I didn’t want to say a word, sighed, then let go of my arm. He took a respectful step back.
“You should always be careful. Always watch your steps, Elena.”
Warmth filled my heart as I looked at his serious expression. I knew he was just worried, so I nodded seriously in response.
A moment later, we continued walking and finally got to the entrance of the female hostel. I turned and was about to bid Sean goodbye, but—
“Elena.”
I paused, stunned by the call.
I looked at Sean, waiting for him to speak. But he just stared at me, his expression awkward and hesitant.
I frowned, unable to understand why he wasn’t speaking.
“What’s wrong, Sean? Do you have any difficulty?” I asked, a bit worried.
Sean paused, then immediately shook his head.
“No. No.” He waved his hand. “I-It’s… Hmm… I actually wanted to ask you a question.”
I raised an eyebrow, becoming serious. This is the first time since we met again that I saw Sean being this hesitant.
“Okay… go on and ask.”
Sean coughed. He shifted, then scratched his head. He took a deep breath before looking into my eyes again.
“Well… I wanted to ask if… hmm… Do you—Elena, do you have a boyfriend—”
Ring!!
The loud ringing of my phone interrupted him. I gave him an apologetic smile, then immediately brought out the phone, but the moment I saw the contact name, my heart skipped. A bad feeling suddenly rose inside me.
How come Marcus’s butler was calling? Could it be…?
My heart began to beat so loudly. My fingers that held the phone shook, but I let out a breath, then decisively picked it up.
“H-Hello—”
“Miss Elena, please come back to the mansion immediately.” His voice was calm… too calm. 
“Go out of the gate. A car is waiting for you.”