She was about to accept the request when Elias' hand shot out, stopping her. He snatched the phone from her hands, his voice low and cold. "Which class are you from? What’s the name of your class teacher? What was your midterm exam ranking? You don’t focus on your studies and all you do is flirt with girls, huh?"
The boy’s face turned beet red, and in a flash, he turned and ran off.
Elias' expression remained sour, and after watching the boy flee, he handed the phone back to Vera. His voice was sharp. "Do you really want to add him?"
"No," Vera shook her head quickly. "I just didn’t want to embarrass him by refusing. If he adds me, I’ll delete him."
Elias' mood lightened a little upon hearing her explanation. "Alright, let’s eat then."
Mira, standing off to the side, felt like a stranger in the moment. She observed the interaction silently, her heart sinking.
After the meal, Vera excused herself to go to the bathroom.
Elias turned to Mira, his fingers brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Mira, are you upset?" he asked softly. "You didn’t say much during the meal."
Mira’s voice was blunt, her words cutting through the air. "You treat Vera very differently."
Elias froze, momentarily speechless, before a knowing smile spread across his face. "So you’re jealous?" he asked, his tone light yet teasing.
He gently ruffled Mira's hair, the warmth in his touch contrasting with the seriousness in his voice. "I just see Vera as a sister. Don’t you think she’s pitiful? Her life’s ticking away, her father doesn’t care for her, and my job is to help people. I do what I can to save as many as I can."
Is it really that simple?
Before Mira could voice her doubts, a cleaning lady came rushing out, mop in hand, shouting urgently, "Someone’s fainted!"
Elias' face immediately shifted, his expression turning grim as he rushed back into the restaurant. Moments later, he emerged, carrying an unconscious Vera in his arms.
"I’m taking her to the hospital!" His voice was firm, his gaze never meeting Mira's as he carefully placed Vera in the backseat of the car and sped off.
Mira stood frozen, her thoughts swirling in a haze.
Buzz—