Chapter 35: Invitation to His Table

Emerald’s POV

Laura’s soft pants came through my AirPods.

Neither Claire nor I said anything for a moment because the poor girl sounded as though she had just escaped from some great danger.

"I almost died!" Laura cried dramatically.

Claire sounded puzzled. "From what exactly?"

"My phone charger.... The charging cord brushed against my thigh. I thought..." She paused before groaning in embarrassment. "I thought it was something else."

Claire burst into laughter. I couldn’t help laughing too, although I quickly lowered my voice so I wouldn’t attract the attention of everyone else in the café.

When our laughter finally settled, I adjusted one of my AirPods and shook my head. "You nearly burst my eardrums with that scream."

"I’m sorry," Laura said immediately. "I honestly thought it was something else that had touched me."

Claire laughed even harder. "You should’ve heard yourself."

"I did hear myself," Laura replied pitifully. "That’s exactly why I’m embarrassed."

The three of us laughed again before the conversation naturally moved on. Claire was the first to change the topic.

"I saw Kelvin and Maya again today."

The smile on my face slowly faded.

"They’ve practically been going all over Los Angeles together," she continued. "It’s as though they can’t wait for the entire world to know they are a thing."

Laura clicked her tongue. "They are enjoying the attention far too much."

Claire became quiet for a brief moment before saying, "You worked tirelessly for Mercer Technologies, Mera. Are you really going to leave everything for those two?"

I lowered my eyes to the mug of hot chocolate sitting before me and released a slow breath. "There is actually something I haven’t told either of you."

"What is it?" Laura asked.

"My grandfather has already given me a task." I instinctively lowered my voice. "He wants me to reclaim Mercer Technologies in six months."

The line suddenly went silent. Then both of them exclaimed together. "What?!"

Before I could say another word, the voice call ended. I frowned slightly and pulled my phone away from my ear.

A second later, it began ringing again. This time, it was a video call. I smiled helplessly before accepting it.

The moment the call connected, Laura’s face almost completely filled the screen. "Say that again."

I couldn’t help smiling. "My grandfather ordered me to reclaim Mercer Technologies in six months, but I just have five left now."

Claire leaned back slowly in her chair as Laura stared at me. They didn’t speak for a moment until Claire finally broke the silence.

"But you’re studying in Boston. How are you supposed to reclaim Mercer Technologies while you’re over there doing your MBA?"

I sighed again. "Truth be told, six months isn’t possible." The words came out more quietly than I intended. "I honestly don’t know what to do."

"I won’t pretend that’s easy," Laura said while Claire nodded in agreement. "It isn’t."

I gave them a small smile. "I know."

Just then, Laura’s face suddenly brightened. "I have an idea."

Claire immediately said, "Whenever you say that, I become nervous."

Laura ignored her. "If worse comes to worst..." She pointed at me through the screen. "Prepare your papers and elope to another country where your grandfather won’t be able to find you."

I looked at her in disbelief. "So, your solution is for me to become an international fugitive?"

She nodded seriously. "Exactly."

Claire laughed. I followed a second later, and before long, Laura was laughing at herself too.

Claire smiled once the laughter subsided. "Before I forget, your cousin’s wedding is next Saturday." She tilted her head. "You’re attending, right?"

"I am."

Laura clapped happily. "Good. Because we have missed you."

Claire nodded. "We can’t wait to see you again."

Then Laura suddenly asked, "Have you picked your dress yet?"

"Not yet."

"When are you coming back?"

"I should be in Los Angeles by next Friday afternoon."

"Perfect," Claire said with obvious satisfaction. "That gives us enough time before the wedding."

We continued talking for a little while longer before finally saying our goodbyes.

After ending the call, I disconnected my AirPods, placed them back inside their charging case and slipped them into my bag. Only then did I return my attention to the food in front of me.

The hot chocolate had cooled a little, but it was still warm enough to enjoy. I picked up the mug and took another sip.

Now that my mind had finally settled, that familiar fragrance drifted into my nose again.

I frowned ever so slightly and lowered the mug from my lips. I definitely hadn’t imagined it this time.

The fragrance was too familiar for me to mistake it for someone else’s.

Before I could think any further, a familiar voice reached my ears from somewhere behind me.

"You are really something."

I blinked. That voice... Slowly, I turned around in my chair. The moment I did, my eyes widened. Michael King was sitting at the table directly behind mine.

A cup of hot coffee rested in front of him while he held his phone against his left ear.

Today, he wasn’t dressed the way I usually saw him during lectures. He wore a crisp black shirt with the sleeves neatly rolled to his forearms, and a pair of rimmed glasses rested comfortably on his face.

From where I sat, the table blocked the lower half of his body, so I couldn’t tell what colour trousers he was wearing.

What caught my attention more, however, was his face. He looked tired.

The sight surprised me more than I cared to admit. Somehow, I had unconsciously assumed someone like him never looked exhausted.

How come he’s here? The thought slipped into my mind almost immediately.

Just then, he spoke into the phone again. "If you accidentally spoilt my coffee machine, you should likewise accidentally replace it."

He paused for a second before continuing in the same calm voice. "Now tell me why you’re calling."

I quietly withdrew my gaze. Whoever was on the other end of that call certainly wasn’t having an easy conversation.

A few moments later, after I glanced back, he lowered the phone from his ear. At almost the same moment, our eyes met.

I pushed a polite smile up my face. "Good evening, Professor."

"Good evening, Miss Hugo." His voice was as calm as ever.

Remembering the transfer that had failed the previous night, I felt this was probably the best opportunity to explain myself.

"Professor, about the transfer..."

"Miss Hugo." He gently interrupted me before I could finish. "It is rather rude to speak to someone from that distance. If you have something to say, come over."

Was he... asking me to join him? I thought to myself.

There was nothing strange about his tone. In fact, the way he spoke made it sound like the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t even think of a reason to refuse.

"Oh..." I mouthed before quickly standing up. "I’m sorry for inconveniencing you."

As I spoke, I glanced at the tray containing what was left of my food. Leaving it behind while I walked over to another table somehow didn’t feel right. So, I began gathering my belongings. I picked up my handbag first before grabbing the tray.

My plan wasn’t to move over permanently.

I simply intended to explain what had happened with the transfer, apologise once again, and then return to my own table to finish my meal.