Chapter 247

Chapter 247

"Charlotte is our school's top beauty — I saw it on the school forum right when we enrolled. They did an open vote."

I had noticed yesterday, but I didn't really care about that kind of thing.

"Beatrice made the list too, top ten." Alice looked at us with pure envy.

"But why does this Eleanor look so familiar?" Violet muttered, staring at the photo. "Like I've seen her somewhere before." She couldn't put her finger on it no matter how hard she tried.

Beatrice and I exchanged a glance and smiled at the same time, though neither of us said anything. After all, our situation was nothing like Eleanor's.

For dinner, Beatrice and I had wanted to get hot pot, but Alice and Violet were on tighter budgets and didn't want to splurge so soon, so they decided to eat at the campus dining hall.

That left Beatrice and me to go on our own.

On the walk back to campus after dinner, the air was cool and the sky was full of stars. The warm yellow glow of the street lamps lit up the busy street scene in a way that felt surprisingly peaceful.

"Something's off with your boyfriend. School's been in session for days and he still hasn't come to see you?"

"Why would he just show up for no reason?"

"I always got the feeling Edward was super attached to you. There's no way he's fine going days without seeing you."

I had a popsicle in my hand. "He's busy with work. And we're not kids — work comes first."

Right as we were talking, we noticed a crowd of girls gathered not far ahead, chattering away.

"Wait, are they mobbing someone over there?" Beatrice asked, curious.

I shook my head. "No idea."

We walked a little closer and saw a man standing over six feet tall in a casual suit and a face mask, completely surrounded by a group of women.

One look was all I needed. It was Edward.

Beatrice recognized him too.

"Hey, can I add you on WhatsApp?"

"Have you eaten? Let's grab dinner together!"

"You're so handsome — the most handsome guy I've ever seen."

Edward spotted me too. His eyes curved into a slight smile, and then he said, "My fiancée is here."

With that, he walked straight toward me and took my hand.

In an instant, every girl around us turned to look. Their eyes were full of envy, sharp as ice-cold needles, like they wanted to poke holes right through me.

"What are you doing here?" I couldn't hide my surprise.

"Missed you. Came to see you."

Beatrice greeted him easily, no fuss at all. "Hey, Mr. Fairfax. We met at a banquet once. Never thought you'd end up as my best friend's fiancé someday. Guess we're basically family now."

"Hi there. Charlotte's mentioned you. Thanks for looking out for her."

Beatrice patted her chest. "I've got her covered, don't worry."

With all those stares still landing on me from every direction, I felt really uncomfortable. "Let's find somewhere else to talk."

"You two go ahead — I need to head back to the dorm and video call my mom." Beatrice gracefully gave us space.

"Sure."

And just like that, with everyone watching, Edward and I got into a Maybach parked by the side of the road. David was in the driver's seat, and when he saw me, he grinned and called out, "Good evening, Mrs. Fairfax."

Then Edward said, "Eyes forward."

David had barely turned his head when Edward kissed me — impatient, like he couldn't wait a second longer. His kiss was both possessive and tender, our breath completely tangled together.

For a moment I almost couldn't breathe, but I kissed him back anyway.

We were both a little breathless by the time we pulled apart.

With David still right there, my face went completely red. I couldn't help but give Edward a light smack on the chest.

Edward looked genuinely confused. "Baby, why'd you hit me?"

"Get lost."

"What did I do?" The man looked completely innocent.

David couldn't help cutting in. "Mr. Fairfax, Mrs. Fairfax is embarrassed. And honestly, doing that right in front of me... you've really changed."

"Did you see anything just now?" Edward's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of a threat in his voice.

David was "forced" to answer. "Nope, nothing."

"Then we're good."

David: ...

Me: ...

"Edward, when did you get so shameless?" As I said it, I caught David making faces at me through the rearview mirror.

I had to laugh. David really did have it rough, following Edward around every day.

"Charlotte, don't you miss me at all?" Edward asked again.

"We text every day, don't we?"

"Texting is nothing like being together in person. Why does it feel like you don't miss me at all?"

I looked at him helplessly. Why did he suddenly seem like such a child?

"Edward, how old are you?"

"Around you, feel free to treat me like one." And with that, he kissed me again — like no amount of kissing was ever going to be enough.

Some of the girls outside had even pressed themselves against the car window trying to see in. Seeing that, David hit the gas and got us out of there.

After a while I pulled back, catching my breath. "You're impossible."

Edward still looked like he wanted more. He held my hand. "Don't go back to the dorm tonight. Isabella misses you and wants to see you."

"School just started. I can't just skip out on the dorms."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "You think I don't know who runs Hamilton Law?"

Me: ...

Before I could say anything, he kept going. "Mr. Johnson poured serious money into building a luxury dormitory just for you. You think he can't look the other way if you spend one night out?"

Me: ...

There was no arguing with that. "Fine," I gave in. "You did your homework."

"You're going to school here — of course I looked into everything. I'm not going to let anything make things hard for you. That's what a decent fiancé does." He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

I rolled my eyes on purpose, though honestly I didn't mind at all.

On the way, I messaged Beatrice to let her know I wouldn't be back tonight, then texted Eli too, just to be safe.

Eli replied quickly. "Do whatever you want. Let me meet your fiancé sometime. Actually, you two could just stay somewhere together outside of campus, that works too."

Me: ...

I typed back: "What are you talking about? Not happening. I'm going to visit Isabella tonight."

Eli: "I get it. No need to be shy."

Me: ...

Beatrice replied too: "Be careful, okay? We don't need any rumors about a college girl getting pregnant."

Me: ...

Those two were so far apart in age, and yet they said basically the exact same thing.

Me: "Stop making things up. Nothing is happening. I'm going to visit Isabella — Edward's grandmother!"

Beatrice: "Oh my god, you're moving straight into the family home?? You are unreal."

Me: ...

Edward noticed the expressions running across my face and leaned in, curious. "What are you guys talking about?"

I quickly locked my phone. "Nothing."

"I heard you've had a lot of guys chasing after you at school?" Edward said suddenly. His expression made no effort to hide the jealousy.

I raised an eyebrow. “Heard it? Heard it from who?”