“What’s with that look? Why do I get the feeling that you’re scared?” Elise couldn’t help asking.
Brendan was embarrassed. After coughing lightly, he answered honestly, “I was just worried that you
guys…” As he spoke, his voice got softer and softer. And within seconds, his ears turned completely
red, making him look like a pure and innocent boy. Elise belatedly realized what he was referring to,
and she quickly smacked him. “What were you thinking! We’re totally pure and innocent.” Brendan
nodded repeatedly. “Yeah, yeah, got it. My bad for having my mind in the gutter…”
Having said that, Brendan quickly changed the topic. “By the way, your letter of admission arrived at my
house. Danny said that he would bring it over to you. Did you get it?” “Not yet. He’ll probably bring it
over a little later.” “You did so well for the exam, Elise! That’s just awesome. When should we throw a
celebration party for you?” At that suggestion, Alexander immediately voiced his opinion. “I think a
celebration is in order! Would you consider it?” he asked Elise. However, all Elise did was frown
slightly. “There’s no need for any huge celebrations. Why don’t we gather everyone for dinner some
day? Think of it as a present for me. I’m going to be moving to Tissote for university soon, after all.
I’ll probably only be able to come back during winter break.” “That’s a great idea! That works too!”
Brendan quickly answered. “I can organize this and get everyone together for that dinner.” Elise made
a noise of acknowledgement. “Sure, I’m just worried about you going out of your way.” “What’s with the
worry! It’s just a small thing. Just leave it to me.” “Thanks for taking all the trouble for this.” Alexander
patted Brendan on the shoulder. Brendan was stunned by this display of affection. “We’re family, okay?
No need to act like such a stranger. I’m doing this for you and Elise. It’s something that I should do. So,
now that we’re all going to have that dinner, I’ll pick a date for that dinner party.”
Once they had the details ironed out, Elise got right out of Brendan’s car. “I’m going now. Take care
while on the road.” Brendan waved at her. “Hurry on now! I’ll be fine on my own.” After watching
Brendan drive off, Alexander took Elise’s hand. “Let’s go. We should go home.” Elise followed him, the
two of them walking side by side into the residential area. They had just gotten out of the elevator, only
to realize that Danny was already standing by her door. “You’re back at last, Boss. I’ve been waiting
here for like half the day already.” As he spoke, he glanced at Alexander.
“Oh, you’re here too.” Alexander murmured a response, his gaze roving over to the red envelope in
Danny’s hand. “Is this Elise’s letter of admission?” Danny nodded and promptly handed the envelope to
Elise. “Here, Boss, your admission letter.” Elise took the letter and unlocked her door before ripping the
envelope open. Although she had already signed the enrollment forms for Tissote University, her heart
still wavered at the sight of this letter. This was the result of her one year of hard work in Athesea!
Alexander walked over to her side and softly said, “Congratulations for making it into your dream
university.”
Elise looked up, her smile absolutely beatific. “Thank you!” Alexander could sense the happiness inside
her, and he felt nothing but glad for her. “Now that I’ve delivered your letter, I’m going to just leave you
two be. I’ve still got other things to do, so see you around.” Danny did not continue to linger and left
swiftly. Thus, Elise and Alexander were the only ones left in the massive room. Elise solemnly put away
her letter of admission before she spoke. “I’m going to Tissote in September. Doesn’t that mean we’ll
be in an LDR after that?” Alexander narrowed his eyes slightly as he held her.
“I don’t want to be in a long-distance relationship with you.” The sound of his strong, steady heartbeat
entered Elise’s ears, pressed as closely to his chest as she was. “I don’t want this either, but it looks
like that’s the only way forward. However…” Elise raised her head to look at Alexander. “I can rush
through my course and graduate early. Then we won’t have to be in an LDR.” Alexander stroked her
head. “Don’t think too much about it. Just let things play out naturally! And besides, even if we’re not in
an LDR, I’ll still miss you so, so much…” “Me too…”
The both of them hugged each other tightly. After an unknown amount of time, Elise released him at
last. “It’s getting late. You should go back and rest.” Alexander squinted his eyes. “Planning to get rid of
me?” Elise hastily pushed him. “Off you go! See you tomorrow!” Even though Alexander longed to stay,
he also knew about that gulf that he couldn’t cross, so he just sighed. “Elise, when can I stay with you?”
Elise’s face turned crimson, and she said, “Just leave already! I’m getting sleepy…” He sighed again
helplessly. “Okay, I’ll leave. Rest well tonight.”
Having seen Alexander’s longing gaze, Elise quickly withdrew her own. She then closed the door,
putting a barrier between their gazes before she turned around and leaned against the door. She
exhaled deeply. Alexander eyed the shut door, his gaze then moving downward to look at the tent in his
pants. He sighed again helplessly, and then he closed his eyes and emptied his mind. Only then did his
heart gradually return to some semblance of calmness. Once he was back in his apartment, he picked
up his phone and made a call. “Cameron, isn’t there an open management spot at the Tissote branch?
Make the necessary arrangements… I intend to take over things there next month.”
Cameron was stunned after hearing all that. “President Griffith, you… you’re not… joking, are you?”
“No! The company just so happens to have many businesses to expand. If I move to Tissote, it’ll be
easier for me to handle the expansions. Thus, my decision.” Cameron wanted to tell him that Alexander
would just be a big fish in a small pond if he ran over to work at a branch office, considering who he
was. In the end, though, he didn’t say this out loud. He could make a rough guess as to Alexander’s
intentions. “Understood, President Griffith. I’ll handle this.”
After hanging up, Alexander looked up to take in the night view of the city through his window. The
moon was beautiful tonight, and stars cloaked the sky; the vista made one feel inexplicably relaxed and
at ease. However, every long night eventually had to give way to dawn. Elise rolled over and opened
her eyes, her vision still hazy with sleep. Sunlight streamed in through the window, lighting up the large
room.
She stretched and sat up for a bit before hastily changing her clothes. She then entered the bathroom
to brush her teeth and wash up. Just then, the doorbell rang. Elise rushed over to open the door, and
the first thing that came into sight was Alexander, standing there with a bag of breakfast in hand. “Did
you actually wake up that early?”
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