Chapter 14 Why Are You So Kind to Me?
Zachary set aside his work and grabbed his phone, moving to the large window to take the call.
reading leury, a trace of sorrow appearing on her face.
Yvette was left unattended, her gaze fixed on his She waited silently for him to finish the conversation.
“Got it. I’ll come by when the time comes“.
After a few brief words, then the call ended.
Yvette asked, “Was that a call from the school? Did something happen to Josie?”
Zachary’s expression darkened as he furrowed his brows deeply. He slipped his phone into his suit pocket and said, “Josie scored very poorly on the recent test. There are still more than twenty days until the mock test, and after that, there will be a parent–teacher meeting
He was Jocelyn’s sole guardian.
“Very poor? I thought her grades were better than that. Did something happen at school? How about I attend the parent–teacher meeting for you? I know you have a business trip to Seaville in two weeks, so it would be better for me to go. After all, I’m Josie’s sister–in–law,” Yvette asked with worry.
After a brief pause, Zachary finally agreed, “Alright.”
Also, isn’t there a family banquet at home today? Aren’t you planning to go?”
Zachary simply responded, “I have no time.”
After dinner and finishing her homework, Jocelyn left the university area around half past eight. Suddenly, she sneezed several times.
Christian waited with her at the bus stop, staring at the ground. “Do you think you might be getting sick?”
Jocelyn shook her head. “No, it’s not that. Ever since I left the shopping mall, my eyelid has been twitching for some reason.
“It’s probably just stress. Don’t worry too much about it. Once you’ve done your homework, go over what I explained to you today, and I’ll check in on you tomorrow.” As the bus Route 17 came into view, Christian gave her the backpack.
As Jocelyn stood on the first step of the bus, she looked back at him. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
Christian answered, “I have a part–time job to get to. You should head back now.”
“Alright, I’ll text you when I get home.”
Christian gave a nod.
Jocelyn paid for her bus ride and took her usual seat on the bus.
1/3
About thirty minutes later, feeling sleepy with her eyes shut, she got off at her stop and went back to her rental house. As soon as she opened the door, she saw a familiar snack box on the living room table.
Confused, she walked over to it. Who could have left this here?
If she recalled correctly, this was the snack box Yvette had bought for Zachary.
How did it come to be here?
The only people who knew I lived at this place were Zac and Evan. Could it be Zac who left it?
She opened the snack box and saw that it contained chestnut pastry, which she found too sweet for her liking.
After considering it, she decided to put it in the refrigerator for now and give it to Christian the next day.
She texted Christian, I’m home now. Where are you? How much longer will you be?”
Christian quickly replied, “You can start reading now. I’ll go over everything with you tomorrow.”
Jocelyn replied, “Okay”
At a late–night barbecue restaurant, Christian, dressed in a white chef’s uniform, was emptying the trash
bin.
After responding to the message, he received a call from the employer’s house.
The caller said, “I heard from my wife that you’ve quit as Ruby’s tutor. Are you really not thinking of continuing? If it’s about the pay, we can talk about it again. Ruby mentioned that you’re an excellent tutor, and her grades have improved significantly thanks to you.”
Christian replied curtly, “As long as she stays focused and gets into a good university, she won’t need my help anymore.”
Noting his refusal, the caller didn’t press further and said, “Alright, if you change your mind, I’ll offer you three times the previous tutoring fee. I’ll transfer the payment for this half month to your account later.”
Christian replied, “Okay.”
Right after ending the call, he noticed a deposit of 500 dollars in his account. He put his phone away and went back to his work.
Meanwhile, Jocelyn finished memorizing the math formulas and started or her English. Before she realized it, she had fallen asleep at the table, waking up to the summer breeze. When she looked up, it was already midnight.
The phone buzzed with a message.
Christian asked, “Are you still awake?”
Jocelyn groggily picked up her phone and quickly replied, “No, have you finished work?”
Christian replied, “Come downstairs. I brought some supper for you.”
2/3
ww
He’s here?
Jocelyn’s sleepiness vanished instantly. She quickly grabbed her phone, put on a light coat, and hurried outside. Halfway there, she suddenly remembered something. She rushed back to the kitchen, grabbed the chestnut pastry from the fridge, and sent a message: “I’ll be down soon.”
As she reached the ground floor and leaned on the corridor railing, she spotted Christian standing under the streetlight, holding a skewer in his hand, dressed in a light shirt.
They settled on a stone bench together. Noticing that she had just showered, Christian placed his coat on the bench to make it more comfortable for her. Jocely sat upright in her white shirt, savoring her food. with a trace of barbecue seasoning on her. Though she had a bit of oil on her lips from eating, she didn’t mind at all. With a smile, she asked, “Christian, why did you message me so late? What if I had been asleep?”
“You wouldn’t have. I set a task for you, and according to your progress, it’s precisely midnight.”
Jocelyn was momentarily taken aback. She put down the skewer, ignoring the oil on her hands, and cupped his face. With her eyes forming crescent shapes from her wide smile, she said, “Wow, Christian, how did you know this? You’re incredible.
Though Christian appeared young and mature, his actions revealed his feelings. He gripped his pants tightly as their eyes locked, causing Jocelyn to hold her breath. This gesture reminded her of something. she used to do with him in her previous life, but now their relationship was only that of acquaintances, not as close as it once was.
“You’ve got oil on your hands.”
Jocelyn blinked quickly and said, “Oh, sorry! Let me clean it off.”
Christian stopped her once more, taking her wrist gently. “Don’t wipe it on your clothes. It’s difficult to wash off.”
As she gazed at him, her heart fluttered inexplicably once more. She couldn’t help but wonder about the possibilities. If I had married Christian in my previous life, would I have avoided such a fate of humiliation and being buried alive?
As she studied him closely, she tried to commit every detail of his face to memory. She pondered how Christian would have reacted if he knew she had already died, especially if he were in prison.
The moon was hidden behind drifting clouds.
The night sky deepened into darkness.
For the first time, she asked him earnestly, “Christian, why… why are you so kind to me?”
