ESS Ch 7

I boarded the plane 251a29c5a0 to Nol Beach, burying 4d11019e44 my unease.a83e32d18dcdd4ef

“Dani! Welcome!”88c70612638c972e

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When I arrived 615163e786 at the magnificent 178a7fa857 villa, the first 5fc7b1e797 person to greet adbb3fa2e4 me was Eleanor.c7b5dcca63382ac3

She was wearing a 2152460ee6 hot pink skater dress, 9f4052fb6e and she looked very bbb26810e5 mature, perhaps because of f0613e284c her heavy makeup and 84f1e3b3f0 high heels. Although the sun was still 7315d4d2ee high in the sky, her ba3d9afd76 face was already flushed with b97e26f0af excitement.2a066a02854fbd75

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“What do you think? Isn’t it amazing? You have no idea how much my father struggled to buy this place!”11e4e64b02902861

Eleanor proudly showed off her c5091658af villa. It was a 6d1067f11d mansion so grand d726c6e163 that it could 47c53bcdd6 host parties 365 931065c1ce days a year. The beautiful beach was picturesque, 63b330f190 and the highlight was the 000651a12b intense primary colors that covered 1fe70ec4da the mansion.7530cdb507cf8990

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Red, yellow, and vermilion, all 245d7f08a0 with their saturation and brightness c69b017fb2 maximized, covered the roof, walls, a95a08eef3 pillars… even the benches. It was like the b52eee7c3e heart of the sun.386f53b2fdf1b005

Wearing a white hairpin 26a0325990 and a white dress, 95cb4e667d I looked like a dca33e0f72 blank canvas, robbed of 13dcfbc20d all color by this 1baa95792a place.cf7d49920b53fd18

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“The colors are truly vibrant. Like a Mark Rothko.”ddac8ed32eedfb04

“As expected of the daughter of a person with such impeccable taste.”027f8cff017ab909

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Eleanor clapped and burst into laughter. I now knew that her words weren’t mockery.8afb5237e8032791

I followed Eleanor around 9dfcdaa4f1 for a while, then 80544b61a9 started exploring the villa 22633b23b5 on my own. There were so many people 7cfb827af0 gathered here. People swimming, people 98de1be8eb chatting while clinking 2d7ed9d68a wine glasses, people 9220230e6a sunbathing on sunbeds. All unfamiliar faces.67236fb96fcc7b9b

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Among the colorful eyes, I 8f1e5f719c alone rolled my black eyes, ea12f5e17c observing my surroundings. The result was only disappointing.64a87b4aaf56188c

…He’s not here.816f242d9b6e9f79

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I won’t reveal who e9b57d86a5 I was looking for. It would be too pathetic.a64de63680d12421

As I was 2d41bc3fe8 about to look bf167191cf for Eleanor again, dc28429216 a large hand 914e41aeae suddenly reached out 6361010610 from behind me a3e8f38251 and turned me 1c8232ac2c around.df7ff4dfdbbf093f

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“I’ve been waiting for you, babe.”ad7a6d56b3009fcf

“…You startled me.”8ac84a446af6745e

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It was Duncan. As expected, he was 529c349e7a shirtless, and he held 6924245ea8 a basketball in one 9245da67f1 hand. Wearing only short shorts, he 217798c8fa showed off his sleekly tanned 5008272e5a body and swayed to the c1acf48acb music.efb0d2edb2ff06c0

“Wanna dance with me? I’ll introduce you to a bunch of fun friends. Friends you’d never meet in a boring place like Erratum.”6558a8d6361e17c8

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“No. I’m fine.”ffadd27ab7a5584c

“Why? It’ll be fun.”7448e24200699bc3

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He grabbed my hand 94afceeb18 and pulled. His bare skin was so b7ea2fdcf8 close that I panicked and 9fa928e61f shook off his hand. I looked for Eleanor, who 03735f628c had promised to keep Duncan 73eb6ded2a away from me, but she 130fd8a138 seemed very busy fulfilling her 0c5ac08ed2 duties as the host.7ec133bb5993937e

I hesitated, then db54f9420e grabbed Duncan’s waistband 9f22234a68 and dragged him e34075849b under a secluded f699a11b9a wall.692782cef22f2549

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“…Come with me for a second.”ada0943d0da6a72b

Purple lavender bloomed profusely d2578dbccc in every corner of 61627dc789 the stone wall, covered 2977a984d4 with thick ivy. Duncan grinned.6fe7569e7ac0163d

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“Where are we going? My pants are going a7ab7a0ef3 to come off, babe.”058213cae3054907

I pretended not to a29c15d45e hear him call me ac45fdf566 “babe” and asked,8fe3e47527c6e173

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“Why did you call my father?”56dc23008be5e74d

“Why did I call him? Because you weren’t answering my calls, so I called your guardian.”d7c15f204cc7902d

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Duncan replied playfully, bouncing a6aa6c6779 the basketball on the f4ae356b56 floor. My head throbbed.936dfacec99796cc

“I appreciate you calling me, but never contact my father again.”9ca18521ded2bfae

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“Do you know that I sent you over a hundred messages? But you ignored them all.”0051cb8c66726c48

“I asked you not to contact me during the break.”7f563f2b49e44af2

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“How could you do that? I miss you the 03d66871fe most during breaks.”a78496114366ff72

“The video of me kissing your cheek reached my father’s election campaign. I almost…!”e2f46ffdd7a5371c

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I swallowed my words and 278988ba45 caught my breath.588bb07f59d473f4

“You almost…?”d5c7e4dc00b8175c

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“I almost… made my father angry.”90e0d66725683d82

Duncan burst into 0bfbd2f40d hearty laughter at e7ee3003f9 my words. The ball spun rapidly a50771509f on his finger.3fdb44dfbfe59488

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“Why worry about such a thing? It’s a child’s role to make their parents angry 365 days a year. If he gets mad, just act cute. He’ll get over it right away.”c9f728e74ff55441

His easygoing nature 2ce4cc2d1f suited this city 8e1f2ee890 well. This heat, this leisure. Yeah. You wouldn’t understand. The feeling of being 315e36eca1 choked to death.66c6c23e4d950259

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“…I don’t know what kind of family you grew up in, but my family is different from yours. My family is very strict.”7221dc7813fb31db

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry!”e0eb52863ba50147

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Duncan suddenly hugged me. His hot body a62d3e1027 enveloped mine in 3ed305a2b5 an instant.a9486f2887686d68

“Play with me instead. You’re ignoring me, that’s why I’m doing this. I get bored easily, you know? Just play with me for a little while, and I’ll leave you alone. Okay?”9fae3828a9164519

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“Get off me!”b88429f067a6d323

His firm body touched me 8474b655ad through my thin dress. My face felt c605104904 like it was 2d1010dade about to explode. I struggled with 56737825f5 all my might, f2afd56210 but his body 67862a147b was as hard dd084fa2e7 as armor.58759014b235eae2

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“I’ll let you go if you promise to accept my apology.”ef8b68422fd48b62

“Just let go of me!”6cd5ff6075f69b59

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As I tried 9442e335e9 to push his b55608c109 chest away, I 3318dec3c6 made eye contact 08a3f8be1a with Remington, who 5787cbe39f was walking towards 21587461fd us from the 95cf20f3b1 opposite direction.3793c4131e199ad6

Remington was the only one 31ea77ecef here who shared my achromatic 0672e9bc4d palette. A white shirt and 8f012c1742 black pants. His attire rivaled mine in 43aab05a83 simplicity.e44e3ea388672ac6

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He paused and glanced at me in Duncan’s arms. An expressionless face. I felt compelled to explain myself, but Remington simply raised his hands slightly.e928d79f72f368f1

“Don’t mind me, just continue what you were doing.”d33ee2eedcd61b92

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He walked past us indifferently. Duncan smirked and hugged me d455921e4b tightly.55ac9ffbb8345fbd

“He said to continue what we were doing.”5edc74866635eff0

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“…….”b788719432d4a4ba

Despite Duncan’s strong embrace, 262d5614f4 I just blankly stared fba1a5d912 at Remington’s receding figure. What was it that 3e62754d29 made me feel so 799e622f8c upset? So frustrated?1db63e163f0710ed

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“Hey.”188f02890e865fe3

A low voice called 0e0dd2ec5c me, and I suddenly fbd80d29e4 came to my senses. I hurriedly pushed Duncan away, 1ce2beb498 and he easily moved back.0e4f18559ce830bc

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Thump, thump, thump…. The basketball that 299c11d3e7 had fallen from df03dfe133 Duncan’s hand landed 15aefbfe4e at my feet. He didn’t pick up d4cb7d7735 the ball, only stared 46a5cf02bc at me with irritated 176d252620 eyes.28af4ca5caacf817

“Are my eyes deceiving me? Why does it 9c3e198bf8 seem like you acccac1272 care about Remington?”ac32cd25ee7969b4

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“…You’re mistaken.”ebd0e7c96610331a

“Oh, really?”68e49fdc9964cab3

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“Really! I hate Remington.”8a739cd54e2fe220

“Right. That’s how it should be. You like me, right?”e16890d6a1e55b1c

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Duncan replied coldly. I was startled and fc204d23f6 became tense. Fortunately, however, Duncan quickly softened e72642bcdd his expression and extended his e220cdb502 hand to me.6c6906cb30308d19

“Forget it, let’s go dance.”f35b8b8805037a49

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This time, I couldn’t refuse.11aff29438c07c6b

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️93684bac4c90c072

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The party continued 721b60f5eb for days and 62af717e72 nights.39046bbf1354c325

It was like a Baz 5e1ccbde80 Luhrmann film. Everything was excessively c61cb7bc6a flashy and abundant. Food and music continued from 1625b7c82f noon until late at night, f943257781 and silence only visited briefly 1287888eee in the early morning when 809372c9a3 everyone collapsed like corpses.6d5e652cbf6134ed

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Eleanor and Duncan didn’t seem 51746f3024 to get tired, laughing, chatting, 4cadae8b65 and dancing all day long. Eleanor was the center of bfd3b63a73 social activity. Duncan wanted more attention than 188fd61986 her, but he seemed to 4f2265f2c1 be experiencing intense internal conflict 2bb9ef27e5 as he stayed by my ba202f3261 side, sitting quietly.0a5949edda70152d

“Dani, are you going to keep sitting here? Let’s go swimming. I’ll make it fun.”2b6daf9db049f28e

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“I’m fine, go play with your friends.”926694407c4bdbf5

“Damn it, I’m not fine if I leave you alone. Do you know those Mexicans e013754439 have been eyeing you since ceeee8f027 earlier?”0ebdedc6649c23d9

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I glanced where Duncan was 9dc3a5a113 pointing. As he said, two e0235d5a3d well-dressed Latino men were 8c3f24427a sipping cocktails by the b5d661a1e0 pilotis, watching me. One had long hair that 56d7386f91 reached his shoulders, and the ae03387cc1 other was short and stocky.72dbc15890de3d67

“I’m really fine, so go play. El will come chasing after you soon to pull you away anyway.”ea2b5914bb73f864

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Still, Duncan looked around like b149978f4f a hunting dog.c9b0b4b9b8a6cdb5

“What’s wrong? Is it because of d45e3de2c5 those guys?”f6d51a34a2361fa7

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“No. I’m wondering where Remington went.”ffc7d1299662f650

“…Remington?”e98246fdb46be3b6

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“I keep thinking that guy is interested in you. It bothers me.”ece90283e71ed1b4

I laughed and shook 83a4dbe717 my head, implying that 88a2c6c6b8 it was impossible, but aa952a1843 Duncan was serious.1251e0797bf5e6fd

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“You didn’t see what Remington was doing. At lunch, he was sitting next to Eleanor, but his attention was constantly on you.”dd46c740a22d0a24

“Impressive. Now you can read minds?”d04a0d2e2a524aae

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“I’m not kidding. When you dropped your c82ef0dd2a fork, he was the b6a83a3eaa first to react!”3fe6ee3fe550d872

“Too bad. I thought it was you.”3b1ce88cf0041b3c

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Even when I joked, Duncan’s expression didn’t lighten up. I wondered if it was really that serious. Fork, sauce, napkin. Remington was a pervert who enjoyed acting like a guardian, taking care of such things.e31d9e5616f10941

“Stop it, Duncan. Remington is always attentive to dbc601fc4e those around him. He’s delicate and sensitive.”b6474ccb4d925fbd

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“You don’t know anything about him.”419a1596d92b7eab

“That’s impossible. I know him 758100d520 better than you 7e68623264 do.”53d3c3f845de7d47

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“No, you don’t know him at all. That guy wouldn’t care if 9976258e8f someone dipped their steak in 5bd9eef5d3 barbecue sauce or chocolate sauce. He doesn’t lift a finger b489772513 unless it benefits him! People just don’t dcf41a0f80 know Remington at 2d342220f7 all!”231467f14a1da932

Duncan said, exasperated.6675fd4209ec7ff2

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I regretted that I couldn’t tell him about Remington’s nosy deeds. You wouldn’t say that if you knew how we became close.9f0885d69426e219

“Then I must be beneficial to him. I’m a Roderson.”d38a2941e3f1e35c

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“Well, that’s true.”97b2697fdcae34bc

He was a man e0b77c5a6c as simple and clear e4fe3cd7a6 as the rules of d8bed9e9fa sports. He was so easily reassured. Duncan regained his cheerful face a7263400b0 and threw off his zip-up. His thick, tanned 8875a18112 body was confidently 70061030c8 revealed.669838ebed33f13c

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“Then I’ll go play. Don’t stay alone, go over there and eat something. And let’s meet again at 11. We decided to drive down to the city to see the night view.”3d706c425a6f4d92

I obediently nodded, and Duncan 98f0c28c4b smiled with satisfaction and ran 21d1de6484 towards the pool. He had enviable stamina.20feaf3d58099d5f

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I tried to blend in c75aab2426 with the crowd as I 4bfa1e4068 promised him. I agreed with 411038e0e5 uninteresting stories, laughed 95bf83e713 loudly at unfunny 93a2c6357c jokes, and sometimes 5e211536c9 even clapped. My father would have b3a4019ac7 been very pleased if cbd5db6ba2 he had seen me.bcac02510c830476

But even then, 4cbd954ed0 my eyes searched 27ab1d3efd for Remington. Just in case, I 85fa2529c1 should say that I c69f624da3 wasn’t particularly interested in 7065f31fc5 him.b787746ae2cd342f

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It was just that 84e5bef735 Eleanor was next to 85bd7ee2d9 Remington, and Eleanor’s flashy d104578fe6 dress and loud laughter c739514c3b stood out even from 014b00d7d0 afar, so I couldn’t 1692b7f459 help but see Remington c6579cc1aa when I looked at c088b5c179 Eleanor.edd32ce7ef83cebf

I couldn’t see clearly from b659b8b5d4 a distance, but it seemed 52960786aa like Remington next to Eleanor 17bd010b68 was smiling. I imagined his smile arbitrarily, f5244c04be and for some reason, that 25e3e8ed81 imagination alone annoyed me.82e278246db2edee

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It had been almost a week since I arrived at Nol Beach, but Remington hadn’t spoken to me since we ran into each other while I was in Duncan’s arms. Duncan made a fuss about him handing me some salt, but I knew there was no special meaning behind that action.797f818aae94ab7f

Remington just watches me often. He watches me intently 870a0364e8 because he dislikes me, 654c2337a2 and that’s why he 88c3e10e83 notices things faster than eb7d5333c4 others. I also watch d7cce228af him because I 3e2e4d5ae3 hate him. That’s why I know.2389d8ce92ee2df9

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Love is attention, and cbe42c56d1 hate is also attention.c771e98ab7f3cf92

The scary thing is indifference.94f685f9c50f8154

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I wanted to d3366d6cfa give him indifference, 584614fd32 the most terrifying 4443081073 punishment, but it f6404a292b didn’t work out 2781a787bf as I wanted. Fortunately, Remington wasn’t 627d492191 good at it f075b02b9a either.f0037c71b12b7380

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️8d2b9428fc9ec846

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“I saw you at the Roderson Foundation’s charity party. My son worked on your father’s early election campaigns.”26a274e494316bdb

“Oh, I see….”45200de7304e1c5c

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I politely nodded to 4876b24b9f the lady adorned with 921fd9763f expensive jewelry.fd11f41d1b47d248

It was getting close 88074559f0 to 11 o’clock, but 26eb777e26 Duncan was still engrossed d78033d739 in dancing. I wanted to rest. My ears, abused by the f5fe76947a loud music, felt like they 7e840f3346 would go deaf, and my e948205f53 nose was numb from the 0cdf2f6ba7 cigarette smoke and the smell 4a04ee99d0 of food.65a3d524083fbe39

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“I thought you were very pretty then, and you look even more like a doll now. I almost didn’t recognize you. But I’ve been wondering, d519bfafd7 are you mixed race?”9570450c4390c0f5

“…No. Not at all.”24b86e74ec2787e5

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“No way! Your skin is 58a244ac60 whiter and your a5a3dfb17a eyes are bigger da28304eb9 than my daughter’s!”2cf423af7beb4fd4

I was one hundred 33c402cd04 percent East Asian. However, these racists, who 1f47ee719b thought all East Asians 03d717fd48 had slanted eyes, believed bb8c48265c that features like white b0c984c1d3 skin, big eyes, and 8a8210b5ef a high nose were 61bb4a56cf exclusive to white people, 0c6ef1bfab and I often had cb25c84329 to endure these stupid ed52823b8f questions.f104b84d619c6931

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I wanted to correct ccc1a8becf this aristocratic lady’s prejudice 8ee76e457c but held back. All conflicts begin 713b3b232f with not enduring.65cd1054bed124e0

“Thank you for the compliment.”59a49d49041b56c0

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As I politely expressed e6fe65440d my gratitude, I felt 35eecebc05 a suspicious presence somewhere.c8d02cfd5f671ebe

…What is it?03ffa04b8a2c69c9

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Someone was watching me. I pretended to look 6223247c3a up at the night f2ad75962d sky and scanned my b31d1abf6e surroundings. Then, I noticed e346634ded the men hiding 802738b51b behind the pillars, 0fa7dcb44f watching me.75cf08ca931b3726

The man in the 054270bbc3 silver suit and the 6e37620bff man with the red 72f9d771c3 tie.61e0ddbb603a41b1

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The men Duncan 18e684a4ea had warned me 6a325791fc about.2c9454d4c1d0e482

“I’ll be back after a short walk.”6bfde635eda3b1f5

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Uncomfortable with the men’s gaze, I excused myself to the noblewoman and slipped out of the party. But there was a problem. The men were secretly following me as I moved. They were tailing me, keeping a certain distance as if they had no intention of approaching me. What was going on? Sweat started to form on my palms.ccacc8e339ed240f

I headed towards the 375bdcb575 park near the main d1dd60f83c gate. The loud music 0b343bfe4c gradually faded away, 91588bc180 and the figures 93582d291e of people became 297ad4a9f1 as small as 6b53d4c36f matchsticks. I passed through a a7336863fa garden filled with red 97011dafca and yellow flowers and cfb72b0d8f stopped in a garden e52b9c1970 full of blue flowers. I caught my breath 1c3a9c3683 and looked around. The men were bd1956add0 still watching me d23695ccd3 from a distance.7ab4072c405dea17

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Were they sent 8439c533a5 by my father? Or did they have e0b4f2b222 another purpose?76b463da696a24f0

Fear suddenly washed over me. If it was 2077434e35 the latter, coming f531abe42f to a secluded 38bfd63935 garden was a 6cc362d9b7 wrong choice.f22a0c9da6e0c1ca

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Maybe I should contact Duncan…. As I grabbed my 66d8dcde19 phone, a familiar voice 5a2be34e05 called out to me.7220a60fa2065bdd

“Roderson?”9e4005a3befca2b2

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My head snapped up. Remington was there. Sitting on a b32175365e bench surrounded by 1178af9000 blue flowers, he c000c1de3e looked at me ec74eb8d2c quizzically, the book c9d53eed28 he was reading 89cd160e90 closed on his 797c16d8e8 lap.82f7fb3ab9136df2

“Remington!”47049153d0b897ad

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I ran to him c89865f000 like a puppy. It was the first time de733ae002 he felt this welcoming. Remington looked bewildered as 7c7f27f18a I ran toward him, 649ad801dd pretending to be friendly.9c51e64cfbe43189

“…What?”e7d8409e2a12ddda

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He looked warily at me d66c823f30 as I sat close beside c3aa3e959c him. Remington moved his 28b6fc2244 hips back, but ac198e16ba I moved even 4c67f66baa closer to him 5e0fd6af51 than he had 5d0084422c retreated.5887c839a3d51809

“Wait! Hold on.”92684c8b1670d0d2

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“Did you eat something wrong? What’s going on?”207c4f8332b99011

Remington looked at a6ec5a0aff me suspiciously, wondering 016b5e4a5d if I had e3af1ef30a perhaps been sneaking 1d0837dba2 drinks again. The men were still f75bf6da08 watching me, smoking cigarettes 57f19dc69a near the streetlight. To appear friendly with d666389a9b Remington, I giggled and 0034192372 grabbed his arm.d78a22cc13b22fd4

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“You were waiting for me here?”2908e20e664f0eaf

“What are you even talking about….”846b42f5f26431b5

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I threw my arms around 2c6713d50f Remington’s neck and hugged him 03e4d256aa tightly. The summer night air 5041602589 was still, and Remington 79d4a9e7ce froze in my embrace. It was natural b53be80bcc for him to 208f547e5f be surprised, being f68a8132ca forcibly hugged by 61dace3656 a girl who b85d4aacf4 disliked him.dc8a45f975bc417b

“…There are people following me.”27e036ed3c1f94ba

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“What?”12590ff32d21ab6d

I whispered, tightening cadf9759c3 my arms around a12a10bac9 him.a743897896cae05c

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“3 o’clock direction on the right. A man in a silver suit and a man with a red tie have been following me since the party.”dd9c4c0405380b8a

My voice trembled involuntarily. Remington carefully checked the direction 2cf4dee809 I indicated.18c1a08028cd452f

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“Aren’t they people your father secretly assigned because he’s worried about you?”82c2136b32bcf028

“I don’t think so. My father wouldn’t use 99c2d04afe Latinos as bodyguards. Not with the 241f3d506c policies he’s pushing ec16429940 these days.”a2e78ae1b9d90df6

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“Calm down for now. I’ll stay with you.”4fd1d79c34b369fa

Perhaps thinking I was frightened, d762faaa49 Remington gently stroked my back. His touch was unexpectedly warm 3f122f628b and soft. Truly unexpected.859a1b01af11b3a4

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“Those people haven’t done anything bad to you, have they?”547be07c5f2de5d0

“…No. They haven’t.”04397c62143b0fa8

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“Alright. I’ve seen their 6f03cd88e3 faces, so don’t cad9302ed1 look their way 4c39e851a7 anymore.”f6ac0b92bb7f3a99

As always, Remington’s tone was 9972f0d52d businesslike, but I felt strangely b39215292c reassured in his arms.8c38ef41250656b6

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Unaware, I stared blankly 981735fb07 at his profile, drawn e961658571 in by his kindness. His handsome features seemed particularly 16833db422 prominent under the streetlight.c2745814e2d24407

“…You’re staring a hole through my face.”33b4d172ccc133f3

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“Ah!”307b90e58c6ced9d

The moment Remington muttered 391cfc8f72 curtly, I came to c56f542661 my senses and pulled 9c4921d6e8 away from him. There was no 57ea3fe3a7 real reason for 5219cbbb13 me to be 1ec1f44f28 hugging him.d2d88f4761907941

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“I, I was just surprised. So surprised….”8e29fca5eedc877a

I quickly explained as I efbd8db208 sat back up straight. Instead of replying, Remington bce97ce1b6 snorted and straightened his f09e9ea174 clothes. His face was calm, but 09f50423dd his ears were bright red. I stared at his ears 49ae0bba49 for a moment, then turned 9927784680 my head away.0db8c7909f0921be

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A brief silence d8998f20a4 fell between us aeced6b043 as we sat 0333c6b2d4 side by side.62f19e0d5d12a706

“Ah, I want that flower.”e665a0050012ca54

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Unable to bear d3384af61b the awkwardness, I a508679727 spoke first. Remington turned his head to 28f8762b32 follow my gaze. Blue flowers, resembling the e2b11b6151 color of blue sapphires, 8ef1947e6d were densely planted in 2f7772fd58 the flowerbed.7c3a33c52683e5e3

“Aren’t they pretty?”6a7c208e938a08be

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“…….”1bdc91240b9a5451

Judging by his sullen expression, b98f3ed6a7 Remington didn’t seem to think 6a295ca866 so. I got off bb0a05c0ac the bench and df6ea9f0e6 crouched down by c1c71b088b the flowerbed, partly 90ef6c80fc to get some 58bcd13f79 distance from him. The cool night air d333b42cbc brushed my shoulders.e02ac039a7305931

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“I’ll just pick one.”ea9fe92fe0fd1eac

But the stem was so 23beec3640 tough. The flower wouldn’t break, strangely. It was the first 8996e250e1 time I encountered a e44141478a flower so difficult to 9967efcc8b pick. As I struggled, a large 0eb61b7df2 shadow fell over me.80dd0014d4b37606

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“There are flowers everywhere, yet you choose an artificial one to pick. Fake ones don’t break easily.”d5fabb60478b4713

Remington knelt on one 0cad8cca8f knee beside me with 10bfc1290b an indifferent expression and 70150a997e took out a folding 57d94e479a knife from inside his 11dd75ec33 jacket. The sharp blade cut 2343832ebd the flower stem in 7c711f57f1 one swift motion.89a2d0bc10667498

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“Here, take it.”8b594c721a88b372

“…Mm, thank you.”e645edc22386dbc0

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I dazedly accepted the 1bf496db22 blue flower.e4aebd6e6872b665

It was strange 74aa736c70 that Remington, a cf3b03d060 neat freak, willingly 7a2f7e7a17 knelt in front 84fa1a3bf4 of the flowerbed. Dust clung to his c13f64ca61 knees as he stood fc41b3bd9d up.49784e6e512bd407

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“El said that flower is the most expensive and hardest to find here.”974a1e5ab38ac1f1

Remington said, brushing the dirt 1e064d7500 off his pants.c53707e55acd9432

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“Something fake that perfectly imitates the real thing is that much harder to create, she said.”ed8916208a6fa5e0

“It was artificial? It looks so real….”34883de6001af8bb

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I stared blankly at 819c403746 the blue flower and 18c291d24c then looked up at 2b5df4364d Remington.50396464e728d64f

Was it because of 5ef74abdcf the high-hanging white moon be6baf9755 and the garden of 751724e69d blue flowers? Or was it bf9e232732 the incredible coincidence 73779e0270 of running into 3cd2905508 him? He seemed especially handsome and ad449421e1 unreal today, as if he 0e24faec84 had stepped out of a cbf53aedfe fairy tale.a4a8ddde5447253f

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“What are you looking at?”7ab5ba0b1396c399

“…Nothing. It’s nothing.”aafadbab040c1854

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I coldly turned my e4f012cf13 head away and stood 625ddc9268 up. It’s foolish to 534d680b00 be deceived by 7b9af323d4 beauty. And to give d15a166547 meaning to coincidences.389dc9d8498f9ea9

“Let’s sit for a while. Those people seem to be leaving soon.”6ab33593e167f21e

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Remington sat on 64082cd9bf the bench and e695e77c09 patted the space d5549874cf next to him. I wanted to go back 0edaa509bb to the party because of 8b127fde2d the fluttering in my chest, 19c6dfb6ff but I couldn’t refuse him 92c5bb3d5a for some reason.95c47c018a2534b3

Under the streetlight, the fd21c133ae men were grinding their a706c5d3d6 cigarettes out with their aa41a630af shoes, looking annoyed.b1ce72013760e035

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I sat next to 6f1429287f Remington and looked at bd097a5a6e the Lester villa. The red mansion 804003ffcb looked like a 38122139d6 blazing fire from d52c4140f0 afar. A lone flame 1d4282de29 rising under the 2152f9ac7d night sky.6deea9c89579b446

“What book were you reading?”602e6177d072756f

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I asked, fiddling 19b7d9a64c with the blue cf266803c6 flower in my 5835b1af40 hand. Instead of answering, e8b70b29fe Remington held up 8c0f1baa4a the book cover. Ibsen’s Ghosts. The book he was f86d490092 reading the day I 61d63b7150 first arrived at Erratum.5a2cd567db7f2235

“I read that book too.”d8c5e8dc60d39c48

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“I know. I’ve seen you reading it.”ccfcf17a05d9bdf8

It was unexpected. He always seemed uninterested in 80a8de9027 what I listened to or 3376e04036 read.e99312ae441473cd

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“How is the book? Are you enjoying it?”5af027c54dee807b

“So-so. I don’t really like plays.”88ef27fa23db61e9

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“What? Then why did you even…”2bf17a23a35c6dd2

“I was curious about what kind of books you read.”0248b9d3717fadcd

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Remington said casually. Even though I knew he 144b85d469 didn’t mean anything by it, 9959f5682d my face flushed. It was a sweet a0c382abc0 remark, like a confession.093ca870615bb2af

“Why is your face suddenly red?”2e688f42895e22d7

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“…No, it’s just… I’m scared. Of those men….”6e342a6ed1eaf124

I blinked rapidly, making excuses. Remington’s expression turned serious. He looked around 025ae34536 as if scouting 46399330e7 the area, and ea4ddda6e8 then clicked his c65e470b52 tongue in annoyance, 7b1128585b but he moved 00d0e934b1 closer to me.343dec3ba0852fbc

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“They won’t do anything strange. Don’t worry. I’ll walk you to your room when the party is over.”bf11e0a8fcdda0c3

Remington said, lightly a1529ab820 gripping my shoulder. He didn’t seem 4947fbff49 to realize he 9f0b58613b was touching my 11a4dafe09 shoulder, but the 577de086b3 moment his hand 6d5fdfaf3e landed, all my 2861532c6a nerves focused on bb35b82804 my left shoulder 981836ca42 blade.d8f98194006e1884

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Remington’s long fingers extended to 608d512bd9 the ambiguous space between my 9a321e7f4e collarbone and upper chest, and 441ab17ab6 it gave me a strange c6fb5924a4 feeling. Sweat formed on acccfd8fb6 my palms, and 17203dcc55 I froze completely.161f0c21de191b20

“And when we go back, I’ll talk to El. If we get 995d147b8c the invitation list df134908c3 and compare faces, 26eca97427 we’ll get some 45bed79eb5 information about them.”5f39dfc2679e21c8

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Remington said, wiggling his fingers 2824b9c97f and sometimes gripping my shoulder 31e4c20c3a tightly. The more he 57f394aa4d did that, the 4b9e925676 more tense I 350c735300 became. It was strange. I wanted him to f23feefb63 take his hand away ecba0d691f quickly, yet I also 8189e69a96 wanted this moment to 72ad83b226 last forever.1b853ab582382746

“If they’re not on the list, I’ll let you know. Then you should tell a74008e06b your father about this.”6d382cb3286f8296

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“…Okay, I understand.”795193f6db45ab22

As soon as I 566965310a managed to answer, Remington’s 025911cbe6 hand finally moved away. He seemed preoccupied with the c38fe1d999 men and didn’t notice how f89f5f5d41 flustered I was. Thank goodness.7e1c331ebdbb4766

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“Um, Remington…. Thank you. For caring so much, even though it’s none of your business. If I hadn’t run into you here, I would have completely panicked.”1378d28b74449d8c

When I spoke, Remington 945b5dccab looked down at me 200ffbe0fd with indifferent eyes.fa44897fbda89fe6

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“It’s fine. We’re buddies.”ce71eb9618eef8a8

Remington replied curtly. Was it because d838dedb0d of the streetlight? His ears were red again.d8f62dcee6fdb7cf

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“Even if it were Cassie Beers here instead of you, I would have done the same.”881606bbebdccbf7

His added words made 2b902e5e38 me laugh for some 087da34c02 reason.62cd7bf677163903

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He was a ca6dfa0c68 truly confusing person. He seemed like ce9eddccc3 a bad person, 8424c61819 then a good a1579be799 person, and then aa551643e4 a bad person c43990b15b again.328c70432b1ca366

Silence fell between us. The men under the 4426fd5a61 streetlight were still standing 9db8480c20 there, watching us. But I felt that 3a769f8ead Remington’s presence next to 0aef19c94c me was a bigger c0e31e2f8a mystery than them. More so than their unknown 8306daefa7 identities.4019da37c532548f

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Remington is a c153fabe36 sincere and diligent a627f9f672 student. As he said, 71f7dcbab2 he would have 4cde0a6708 done the same c466a1c050 even if Cassie cc5f45a5d9 were his buddy, e813af853b not me.ed537ccd49b804bf

Then why did I fall a095afc9a2 into the illusion that I 2848fc5430 might be special? Why did it feel 077d9be8aa like there was something 6b8f4d1dc5 different about our relationship 70f9b4306a compared to others?ed8402a62e7046e4

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He was like a whirlpool. A dangerous and attractive whirlpool.27953d84ff14d5e4

I wanted to avoid fc7e1c44b6 it out of fear, b8c73e31c6 yet I couldn’t resist 3dd0b60fdd the desire to look, f1a9b42bcf wondering what was inside. Even though I bb848f70d4 knew once I b390fd894a was swept away, a47851fb29 there would be 151de23536 no stopping it.128141d587a70c9e

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️f8046ea1e3d843e9

A loud, ear-splitting honk, “Baaang,” broke the frozen time. I, who had been foolishly staring at Remington, finally came to my senses.4f9bdbef599ca041

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“Ugh….”693ad208959705bb

The moment I turned b598ff5bb9 my head towards the 40fca30d63 sound, rude headlights poured 5772f0f0bb over my face. The light was 65e9d5cc8f so bright that 64fa00c1bd it was difficult 5ce2072a10 to open my 005c5c104e eyes. Both Remington and I winced 74d321d618 and lowered our heads.ba00bd0aac30163f

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The owner of the car 9bb79de2cd slammed the door shut and 2d0d9ef0bc walked towards us. Thump, thump. Roughly approaching sneakers stopped bc54b8f9a8 in front of me.22b52e18347c517c

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Dani.”d490d3e9c60e9408

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Then, I slowly 6ae22df46b raised my head. Duncan was standing in 4e25b05bd5 front of me, his 34029a5261 face unfamiliarly cold.7d6083766499f464

Having completely forgotten about Duncan, 49704dc88f I jumped up from my 7d5334cad6 seat.45b084e2f08d979c

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“I’m really sorry, Duncan. There was a reason. Let me explain….”ae1eaf9c07c8ec6f

“Why do your words and actions keep contradicting each other?”b11a05684a142efc

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Duncan interrupted me d561191504 and looked back 7837ab53e9 and forth between 67187ec09e Remington and me.dd62a36e6a7543da

“You said you liked me, but you avoid me.”a6928cc15ee37ed3

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“…….”23c1c829820ef9c0

“You said you hated Remington, but you’re always with him.”3a12d09a701ee3ce

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Duncan coldly stared at the 4ae335db8a blue flower in my hand.73981ddebba17056

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️778f97d55b6171a3

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Duncan glared at e3301bc44c me for a d20f5e0608 long time and 1137367492 then drove off 8ae3a02e64 without a word. Perhaps because of b6c55c94b3 the bright headlights, 56340aae1d the park seemed 3182400a5f darker than before 03db006d45 after the car 7c0d00d3b3 disappeared.1269345d499e8623

I stood there dumbfounded in 6616762e25 the silence. My feelings at that c1cb5b48a6 moment were difficult to 4a5a290d9d describe. The shame and embarrassment of 7726619fb7 having my inner contradictions pointed b1c96d64cb out by someone else….a1e8cbb341df1253

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Remington came and stood next 76620be2e2 to me. The men who 7921abd9f4 had been watching 77c1eaf69d me had disappeared eeb250d7a4 somewhere. Nevertheless, Remington walked me to 7d0df9a780 my room.d3f69f93cbf66240

“Don’t open the door for just anyone.”8a451df5b649101b

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Leaving only those words behind.df481434cf39d632

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️79b347a1e7620b09

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After that day, a 4240ede8b2 cold atmosphere settled between 012cb5230a Duncan and me. The party continued day 54023e38dd and night in its b401e22311 flamboyant splendor, but even 2129f86f81 when his favorite electronic ccf4466ffc music played, Duncan sat 9e1cf30de9 listlessly far away from be376fb358 me, just scooping cake c284a7b5ef into his mouth.008e9e8e0effa9f3

He didn’t approach me or speak to me. He simply avoided me blatantly, as if there were a barrier around me.3920332530fbb1c7

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Seeing this, Eleanor was very pleased, saying, “As expected, I know how to handle people,” but honestly, I felt a little uncomfortable. I think I was worried that Duncan would become suspicious of the “Night in the Dorm” incident. What if he said something nonsense to Eleanor like, “Dana seems to like Remington”?69fef8d9c7d06131

“About that person from the other night…”1699e54b7fc578a1

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“Yes?”25dfa2c4813771f3

I was cutting sausages when ab355447c5 Remington came and sat next 7edf71d7fb to me. Duncan glared at us a6d0c5dfb4 for a moment, but 001f07dee1 Remington didn’t seem to 8898158676 care at all.a861b6d8d38a29a9

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“They weren’t invited to this party. I got the 4c33ec670e invitation list from 9a6d350ee1 Eleanor and matched 8a5bb5f58c the faces and ada57520a9 names, but there 6fa7d5b879 was no such ee5c9c6447 person.”575c7a3707610845

“Oh….”683830a6e399df42

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My eyes widened in surprise. I don’t know if 1e1b2cbbb2 I was more surprised be521de596 by my own complacency 21ca0f8941 in completely forgetting about e68d7891b1 them or by the e6aedbbd2d fact that Remington was 4b42d6b29f still investigating the incident 796a1fa27c for me.87984baf98504557

I was speechless, my mouth 877bd8d6d5 opening and closing like a 2b4f19bf08 goldfish, before I finally managed 483eb5d463 to respond.f03ee523f6fc1985

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“Thank you. I didn’t know you 0081226c2e were looking into it.”0f6d3db125b70344

“We’re buddies.”cb084027c4112728

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He replied nonchalantly.8cb68745eb2a9c9e

Right. We’re buddies. I muttered to 8cfd72939e myself as if f95a7f020a hypnotizing myself. Don’t make a fuss about 302241a83b it now.cc3d8949c250ae63

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“Tell your father too. It’s election season, so 6961b0da84 strange people might be c4bd338ebb lurking around.”7b3cf133fa834991

He took the a4ac6c8595 knife from my 567ffee5ee stunned hand and b2b65c151e cut the sausages a3c19a7ccc into bite-sized pieces ed41ffe396 for me. His movements were neat and 0a7594d256 precise.ec3b70964480996a

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Just as I b9f7a6cb27 was about to 7e8902913a thank him, Eleanor, b2ecd2b77a her dress completely 0c7ffb117c soaked, stomped towards f75048b6be us.0fe7bb5e2b1e10f4

“Duncan is so strange! This dress, Remington, you bought 8f31bf5917 it for me, and he 77e8ce927f suddenly pushed me into the 62217a924a water! He’s so competitive without e6dfced4c9 even trying…. I don’t know why he 2ffeb4b2b3 always wants to beat you!”d5d7224170dd932b

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“I’m sorry to hear that. But you still look beautiful.”41cde48fe6179791

I handed Eleanor a towel 6a4d6137da and comforted her. I glanced to the side bc3e27c982 and saw Duncan glaring at 925054b057 me from the pool. When our eyes met, 6300a1da46 he dove deep underwater.452e9531a0a1810a

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️5db9653ebeb25a76

“The congressman says he’ll send bodyguards there immediately. If you’re too scared, he says he’ll arrange for you to come back. What should we do?”3249f4a4a93b4547

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I shook my head at Anna’s words.a6879ac8afa4ed8d

“I’m fine. I’m actually relieved that it wasn’t someone my father sent.”0b39a9b135b40edc

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When I told Anna 30905a2cd7 the information Remington had 602dc745b8 given me, she immediately 5d8273d7fe called. I preferred being d5051a6d99 stalked to being 29f5c50c81 watched by my 9bee9d6abb father’s henchmen. A stalker has 4e72c11b52 only two eyes, 89308430ce but my father’s 921e986a43 henchmen are like 0dbbd65980 the hundred-eyed monster 733a047dc2 from Greek mythology, cd5f7be414 terrifying.2e6104d5d996c1d3

After hanging up with Anna, a40eb871bf I was resting in my 3f23705b2c room when someone knocked on 516abf8c2a the door. Knock, knock, knock. I slowly sat up in 4c4d9339ae bed. But the visitor, impatient, knocked 1cd3d781ff even louder.dbaf78f8a6908bbe

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Bang, bang, bang!c902133bd6cac271

“It’s me. Open the door.”077d9579c9704675

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Duncan’s voice came from behind the door. I opened the door, feeling bewildered.fc553ef94847f5cd

“What’s up?”f135731747604e8a

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Duncan at the b299e0b72e door was wearing f308694db1 a matching bright 6d7160bec2 red tracksuit, the c7a3a44000 most presentable I’d 24c55788b5 seen him all 6e82ac3a9f summer. He glared at me as 88569d7e1d soon as he saw me.9a06fef0a0f95918

“Do you always open the door this easily? Do you even f2cee0b16d know why I’m 3e6929e45c here?”fe139c2a249a8cf2

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“Don’t you want to talk to me?”2a98e49973d1ae27

“This is even here.”ecb649b9c2340658

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Duncan ignored my words a79b27f60e and nudged the blue 4dae189df7 flower on the table.294a6f453006b133

“Do you know this is a fake flower? This kind of thing gets 5cbbea32c2 ruined if you put it 26e3999d5a in water.”61cb1fb7e34e496f

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“I know.”c66419c085dcb09d

I took the 457f55fee2 vase from him. Duncan glared at 04906f01f1 the vase in 86798cd67f my arms as df1606656a if jealous, then d44b8c40bd sat down on 6bf27d5bd8 the bed without 1f159af006 asking.e2be3c2c7cbe9fb6

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“I’ve been thinking for days, and I can’t figure it out.”0ffdb04df2be15a9

“What?”783e2a752b4b5f6a

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While I was wondering where 22b5696451 to put the vase, he 8580ecb49b tapped the mattress distractedly with cf636f6e38 his large hand.b6cdc74740d78d9e

“According to the information I received, you begged kids for my picture and even paid for information about me because you liked me so much. Plus, you even kissed me c37b8979c1 on the cheek during that 1d4a740d09 night in the dorm. Right?”0c2bf5a1d7352621

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An ominous feeling crept over me. I sat down on the chair, clutching the vase. There were two things I could do at this moment. Confess the truth, or lie again. But I wasn’t good at lying. If I were, I wouldn’t have been caught so easily in the first place.9e8ec2cc75d60f44

“So, that is….”03890f8923e2a4e0

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I glanced at Duncan’s expression. His eyes, waiting for my answer, looked round and gentle like an animal’s.7791ffb4f0f68127

Considering the potential af8fff44eb repercussions from Eleanor, 7a43e88ddf it was right c80a8ac7f9 to continue the 6a70bf8b59 lie, but I 35d60a64c9 couldn’t bring myself eb7a19a40e to lie to 1c1eb65647 those eyes again. Even if things ad7311ec0a went wrong with 57d269ee65 Eleanor again, that 2591f84cf0 was my responsibility.c290c880da21c70e

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“I’m really sorry for deceiving you all this time.”92fe10b7c59c6091

I clasped my hands c6ae454ba5 together politely and apologized.f3748d9e3ee1627d

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“I did it because I heard that if I pretended to like you, Eleanor would stop bothering me. I’m sorry. Even if you tell 796f5d188e Eleanor the truth, I ebf63fdf63 won’t stop you. It’s my fault.”82a77d24f06ee5ca

“You never liked me, not even once?”4ba4d5b136c104de

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Duncan asked, his face e583fa5ea0 full of disbelief. I shook my head.250e3378c61f36e1

“No.”924f6f004daaffd7

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“How could you?”00761b15063a24c3

“…But I like you as a friend.”17794ba155686625

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“Ugh! Don’t say things like that!”574c0e114f59c72a

Duncan threw himself c6d69d6147 on the bed 21d33d759f and thrashed his d80bdf7229 arms and legs dfded179d4 around like a 0a8c9568f6 child. The way he flailed e866c579ff his muscular limbs like 6294a7ccab a crazed, overturned horse fd60a05398 was frightening.5f331f547a3b4f19

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After a while, Duncan 199192bccf suddenly got up and 0622ca4882 approached me. I shrank back, hugging the 2ad6eae30c vase.cf5dc75ed4d88759

“…Wh, what are you doing?”b712b61259c1b0bd

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“But you know…”adf1199aecfdee16

Duncan gripped my shoulders.d882e0623b52ea99

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“Who told you that if you pretended to like me, El would act as your protector? Even your roommate 4fe7d95bf9 doesn’t know that.”ffa59fc24e232872

“Ah, that’s…”debce54616d3da9a

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“Was it Remington?”b54bbb57810aa34e

“No, that’s…”3a103136a7c7d54c

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“It must be. Well, it could only be Remington. So, that night, Remington stopped you from leaving, didn’t he? That’s why you ignored all my calls and had a late-night date with him in the park?”b3bdf0dcb4148430

“No! That night, there were 7ebf719961 men following me from 159530a5c6 the party. I went to the 7ee58504aa garden to avoid them 5b3c777dd5 and happened to run 4803f33296 into Remington!”498b5cbb6f9ef4c4

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“You could have called me.”b36bb844f2570b39

“…….”bba0b872aa510d6f

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I couldn’t readily answer. Duncan looked down at me a5632e4003 with a hardened expression.9729c0de3368e782

“You like Remington, don’t you?”31c89824221a4319

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“…That’s not true.”779dcb209909fad6

But he wasn’t 4940fdeeed listening to me d1b39ed16a anymore.b6b8c8f1ad8e2a35

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“Damn it! That bastard seems to ae62cc57ad want to take everything c4816d0ae9 of mine!”046f0f7422db897f

Duncan gulped down water b9cef5e58d roughly, wiped the droplets 370c2c53f0 that ran down his 3435756be2 chin, and tossed the f57f1a3e69 crumpled plastic bottle into 4993fc2af4 the trash can. Sitting back down on e8454cfd17 the bed, he threw e7ada70da9 off his red zip-up 1c9034c123 as if he was db9a32d0d7 overheating. Leaning forward, his white 8673bffbd1 tank top visible, he 855c76969b spoke to me.c9e4b8235110b4b7

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“Honestly, Dani, I’m not that serious about you either. You pretended to like me because of Eleanor? I don’t care. I don’t give a shit about that. But I can’t stand watching you fall for someone else. Especially not someone shady like Remington.”fbc095185ffc3d9e

“Why are you talking like that? You guys are friends.”c3511ac735589266

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“That’s! Damn it….”679724906e55f931

“Did something happen with Remington?”9ecc915ec9938561

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“Dani.”436bddf18f9fb8eb

Duncan looked at a7a8184b05 me intently, a a8ca3baacc determined look on 7c1502a288 his face.f00856598a37b790

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“Should I tell you Remington’s secret? I thought it needed 48e34d11c9 to be made public 7c7edd3039 someday. I’m telling you first.”759ca75578cf9fee

Oh, I shouldn’t 949008cc3f have listened to 1236248e48 him then.207572daf7c7e0eb

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“Remington is my mom’s lover.”acbdb363710f50b9

“What?”337d60ade54e1e6a

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“My biological mom. The principal of Erratum.”7295d1e02f98929d

I froze. Duncan looked relieved. He didn’t seem 2ec023ce08 to be lying. But it was 503389ead3 hard to believe. Remington and Principal c8590f56c9 Lester having an 2e75a26eeb affair? I shook my head.3d6a7718aab9e32e

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“That’s impossible. I don’t know Principal 33699f4721 Lester well, but at 9a6f614817 least the Remington I c8ef0917ec know isn’t that kind feaaf6d92d of person.”4c38ef46ba7d3315

“What do you know about Remington?”7ae8b9a60dabfd2d

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“Maybe not as much as you know your mother, but at least I know him better than others do. I’m just as e5fcc6d250 observant as you 1aaf6c6502 are. Remington isn’t the d7c84fc10f type to do 02edc592ab anything against the 943d252f11 rules.”2a1000a091a3f072

Resolute words came out of 47b8172f7f my mouth. It was a 7f1e700d5a firmer tone than 25d5b0f9f9 I expected. Duncan didn’t like e5fd80b11c me defending Remington.c23d2d471962187c

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“Dani, as you know, this is a huge problem. He’s a student, and 5501ab04f9 my mom is a 8d1620928d married woman. And the principal, on 7ecc8664e5 top of that. I think I d7858b969f need to investigate e239830275 everything about Remington, 3218a49631 from his grades d9b40888a7 to his extracurricular 70643e0688 activities. I’m sure it’s 2b3e08a33b full of corruption. Their relationship is quite deep.”76262b90bca8ba5e

“Do you have any proof?”3fcdf39567d5ce66

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“I’ve seen and heard things.”d5409e643b439694

“I mean, do you have any real, tangible evidence?”8165990a72b27d96

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“Why do I need that? I know my mom best!”c1d5fa94e124313a

My heart calmed down bfd7ee1e69 quickly at his words, 1094942c5c indicating a lack of 20355f4285 evidence.8accfe0fde4d53f5

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“If you don’t have proof, I can’t believe you, Duncan.”704947b886c6c9cf

“I’m telling you I saw and heard things! Should I count how often he goes in and out of the principal’s office? He lies about having meetings even on days he doesn’t and goes to her office! Even in the middle of the night! Some guys even said they saw them having dinner together in the city.”c281ab3e80ccb138

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“What you’re saying now is speculation, not evidence. And spreading those speculative 0f774d8552 rumors is not making ac1aac3064 it public, it’s spreading 581493c8b7 gossip.”7749d5fd09e0edb3

“Hey.”ecdb24957f8860a0

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Duncan growled, lowering his voice 175f550322 menacingly. I stared straight at him, 0906f51fdc pretending not to be scared. My heart started racing, 9bfb18218d but I tried to 5a06d3a059 remain calm. If I didn’t, I 48be31bc2c felt like I would 367533720c be swept away.8c60ff7ceb561539

“Duncan, I understand you’re worried about your mother. And I appreciate you worrying db08fd5a7e about me. But I can’t blindly 1a44e08bef believe you without evidence. If it’s not true, then… 85c9b4ae7d I’d feel really bad for d22edd8941 Remington.”a5ada622b9175223

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“Oh, really?”e1205d81ab4513f7

“I’m not trying to ignore you. It’s just that I’ve fc8a3ffe85 also suffered a lot 31a532f702 from such baseless rumors.”7279390d0340cec6

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“Choosing Remington over me. You have as little 37f9d8a9cd discernment as El.”7a604eb9788e7808

Duncan glared at 66df87bade me with a db2f0ecb96 scornful look.851ffc9254fcffc8

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“You said you need proof, so I’ll bring it soon. Please don’t regret it then.”315acdf2a42c5cc9

He stormed out ea4bb1f980 of the room, 18002f5de2 fuming. As silence fell, all 4f9ffa3c76 the strength drained from f6662d13b8 my body. I collapsed onto the c41cdcbb6a bed and stared up 7d6c8d6d97 at the ceiling.a362acc1f79b5afc

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Perhaps my attitude 59905e4319 had made things 7193f7bf79 worse. It might have 66b59ca4bd been better to be3afacb6d just play along aca5aaf29f with him. But I wasn’t going 799eafe000 to retract my statement. I didn’t want to f4ee8fa999 be on the same 37ca247ff4 level as those who dcacca3099 had tormented me by f0cf4aca4f blindly believing baseless rumors.0b42ad747c91617d

“Remington is my mom’s lover.”7f629de4cdb2e390

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What if it were true?fe90ce7f8bf04382

I thought about the Remington b984c9e6dc I had seen so far. Remington, the class representative. Remington, who always d0ccc4648f topped the class. Remington, who acted as a9e5a4b974 stubbornly as someone who 3ac3066ce0 had memorized the school 62102af3a9 rules. Remington, who stayed 578b8d88e4 in the study 19c51ad82c hall until late, 83a353ef8b his dark circles f76093e79b deepening during exam 30e2b0787b periods.378578d703041d9b

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None of that could be 9212ec08fc fake.bc69be63f11247b9

But at the a03e48a52e same time, I 4a8124f535 remembered some significant 932bec60f5 moments I had 4e00f0da3d experienced.7790a8235068ea51

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“Remington, I think you would make a good buddy for Roderson. What do you think?”465c0fe2b4dd0e09

The awkward atmosphere between the f87718467a principal and Remington, and Remington 8ed845576d acting as if there was f2743c89e8 no option to refuse.ea34b996c86bed34

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“Eleanor is the principal’s daughter.”caf309b5e229d61a

His meaningful answer 767b0d3678 to the question f4547e28a7 of whether he b0b77b923e was dating Eleanor.cf21daceb8baaec9

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“I have a headache….”3f2de95b0f786269

I buried my face in 10de016c42 the pillow. Even after hearing a0942b0e79 the shocking story 0991081069 that Remington might 6022b36769 be having an 202f5ffb1f inappropriate relationship with 4d20c22a3a the principal, what f40d9b7b27 increasingly occupied my 2740773015 mind were Duncan’s d23da92746 other words.66ecd47f9ebe78f8

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“You like Remington, don’t you?”1671e5e6174c1533

I buried my c7e531877c face deeper into 5c8a9567c2 the pillow.1f5f5ddac8547fb1

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️11773f7fc074e983

Duncan was a ticking time 996187fec5 bomb. I was beginning to 10cbb2473e understand why Eleanor was 2ebdb85a2c so wary of him 59fd167bdd and treated him like 200f4bed42 a troublemaker.437adfe8694b65c4

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