She told him not to worry...

She told him not to worry...
Carissa stepped into Leon’s office and asked what was going on as soon as she crossed the threshold. Leon moved first to close the door behind them, then guided her toward the sofa and sat down beside her. He told her that nothing was wrong, that he only wanted to take her away from that place. He explained that there were many men around and that he did not feel comfortable with her being there, because he feared something could happen to her. As he spoke, he brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear with a careful hand.

Carissa gave a small smile that showed she was trying to reassure him. She told him not to worry, that Alvero was there and would look after her. She added that she wanted to start learning how to live like a normal girl from now on. Her tone was light, almost cheerful, and it made Leon let out a small laugh.

Leon told her that she already was a normal girl. Carissa shook her head and disagreed, saying she was only halfway there. That made Leon laugh again. The way she answered him looked innocent, almost childlike, and it softened his expression as he watched her.

He then asked what made her different from a normal girl. He shifted closer while still holding her hand, not letting go. Carissa did not seem to notice, or perhaps she simply did not want to pull away. She paused for a moment, thinking, while Leon rested his chin on his hand and kept his eyes on her.

Carissa began to explain that a normal girl was social, had many friends, both male and female, approached people easily, and dated. She said her own life felt repetitive and quiet, comparing it to a dull routine. She even mentioned a cartoon character to describe how plain her days felt, while she looked away so she would not lose her focus by meeting Leon’s gaze.

Leon responded that she was not wrong about herself, but that many normal girls also preferred to keep to themselves and not be very social. He told her that her difference was not about being abnormal, but about how she chose to live her life. Carissa then reminded him that he had told her she needed to change that.

Leon nodded and agreed, but clarified that change did not mean she needed to be close to many men like she had been earlier. Beneath his words, his feelings were clear, even if he did not admit them openly.

Carissa tilted her head with a playful expression and asked if it would be fine to be close to just one or two men instead. Leon smiled at her teasing tone and asked if she was trying to provoke him. Carissa asked why he would feel that way.

Leon let out a breath and held her hand a little tighter while saying that he did not like seeing her close to other men like that. Carissa reacted with a doubtful sound, not fully believing him. She assumed he was only teasing her.

A knock came at the door, interrupting their conversation. After a brief pause, the door opened and Kristal appeared, her expression showing clear surprise. She noticed immediately that Leon and Carissa were sitting close together on the sofa without any space between them. Her attention dropped to their joined hands, and Leon quickly let go, standing up at once. Carissa, however, remained seated, her body stiff and unmoving.

Leon greeted Kristal and asked what she needed while walking back to his desk and sitting in his chair. Kristal glanced at Carissa with a look that carried a hint of annoyance before she approached Leon. She asked if she was interrupting anything. Leon shook his head and said she was not.

Kristal then asked if she could speak to him alone. Leon turned his attention toward Carissa, but before he could finish asking her to step out, Carissa had already stood up and left the room without saying a word. Her face showed no emotion, yet her eyes had darkened, and it was clear that she was holding back anger.

Carissa walked away, and as she did, she remembered how Leon had ignored her presence the moment Kristal arrived. That moment brought back his earlier words about her being nothing more than a backup. In her mind, Carissa accepted that she could never compare to Kristal Beverly. She had always been aware of her position, so leaving without protest felt like the only natural choice. In her view, a backup was no longer needed once the main person had returned.

Later, Carissa sat beneath the shade of a large tree, resting her back against the trunk. She closed her eyes and let the cool air touch her face while music played softly in her ears. The sound filled her ears and helped her drift into a quiet state where her thoughts began to fade. She was just about to drift off when someone called her name.

Carissa slowly opened her eyes and looked toward the source of the voice. It was Jovan. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she was seeing correctly, and it truly was him. He stood in front of her in casual clothes while she remained seated on the grass, leaning against the tree like someone used to being alone.

Jovan gave a small laugh at her reaction and sat down beside her, keeping a small distance between them. He asked why she was sitting there alone in the middle of the day, joking that she might scare away any spirits around the tree. Carissa removed her earphones before answering that the place felt cool and comfortable, unlike Leon’s office.

Jovan looked toward the campus corridor where groups of students were chatting and laughing together. He then asked if she did not have any friends. Carissa responded by asking if he did. His reaction turned into laughter again, which made Carissa wonder why people always found her responses amusing.

Jovan then asked what she was doing there. He explained that Alvero had been the reason he came out, saying that the young man always found a way to disturb his rest at home. Carissa guessed that Alvero had forgotten his laptop, and Jovan confirmed it. He said he had already been told to send it through delivery, but Alvero insisted there was no need since Jovan was not busy at home. Jovan complained about him with visible irritation, clearly still annoyed.

Carissa asked if he was not working. Jovan explained that he was not, but he still kept track of his laptop and phone. Carissa nodded in understanding. Jovan then asked again if she truly had no friends at the campus, scanning the area as if expecting someone to appear. Carissa told him that she did have a friend and mentioned that Alvero was currently working on a group task at another location.

Jovan looked disappointed and asked if Alvero was the only one, then followed up by asking if she had a boyfriend. Carissa rolled her eyes at the question and asked why it mattered if she did not have one. Her tone carried a hint of irritation. Jovan replied that it was a pity, saying she deserved attention and care.

Carissa responded that she did receive attention and care from others, though she said it with a slight sense of pride. Jovan acknowledged that but added that attention from a partner felt different and more personal. He encouraged her to try dating, speaking with the same ease as someone used to saying whatever came to mind.

Carissa brushed it off and said she was not interested. She then asked if he had a girlfriend. Jovan shook his head with a grin. Carissa reacted in disbelief, questioning how someone like him, who looked attractive and approachable, did not have a partner. Jovan answered that it was because she herself avoided relationships, which made Carissa shake her head in refusal.

She then told him to sit closer instead of keeping such a wide distance between them. After a moment of hesitation, Jovan moved closer until he sat beside her, reducing the space to almost nothing. Silence followed, and the space between them felt heavier than before.

Jovan suddenly spoke her name, and Carissa turned toward him, feeling slightly awkward at how close they now sat. Jovan admitted that his heart was beating faster being near her. He insisted that he was serious and even took her hand, placing it against his chest so she could feel it for herself.

Carissa widened her eyes as she felt his heart beating fast against her hand. The two of them looked at each other, holding each other’s gaze, unaware that Alvero had been standing behind them the entire time, watching the scene unfold without a word.