Evans felt relief wash over him as he settled beside Jasmine. "I am glad... so how was today's class? I was thinking we'd present today. I was up all night studying."
She beamed lightly. "Same here. Mr. Derek did not notify me... I would not have missed my beauty sleep."
Evans nodded.
The noise of the students reduced as they left the hall. Eventually, they all left Evans and Jasmine in the class.
"How is Chris? I'm sorry that I could not visit him and apologize personally," Evans let out calmly.
"Chris is fine. The cake was for his birthday, but the one we got at the supermarket was even better..
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen."
Both of them turned their gazes to the doorway.
It was Ophelia.
She was clad in leather pants, a black jacket, and her nose was newly pierced. She had a lollipop in her mouth, and her black heels clicked on the floor as she walked in.
Jasmine widened her eyes as Ophelia walked towards them, while Evans had a look of indifference on his face.
He had texted Ophelia earlier during the class that he was ready to talk, and she replied that she would come.
"You are here," Evans said, making Jasmine shift her attention to him.
"You know her?" Jasmine inquired as she rose from her seat.
Evans nodded. "Yes... I do."
Recognition flickered in Jasmine's eyes. Her posture stiffened slightly, which Ophelia noticed.
Ophelia removed the lollipop from her mouth, and a smirk appeared at the side of her lips.
"The way you guys are together nowadays... people would think you are dating," Ophelia said, her gaze lingering on Jasmine.
"What are you doing here?" Jasmine was quiet and calm, but underneath her tone was caution.
"Well, Evans asked me to come... and here I am," she replied.
"Oh... did he?" Jasmine asked.
Evans quickly stood up as he sensed the tension around them. "I asked her to come, Jasmine. She's a friend."
Jasmine shifted her gaze to him, one of her brows lifted. "A friend? Do you know what you are talking about, Evans?"
Ophelia chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the situation. "Don't speak to him like he is a toddler, dear. We are friends, what about it? Do you have any problem with it?"
Jasmine scoffed. "I am just surprised that you guys are acquainted."
"We met recently," Evans answered back. "Have you perhaps met before?"
Jasmine's eyes flickered. She knew something wasn't right.
"Actually... very recently," Ophelia said, her tone laced with amusement.
Evans glared at her, but she ignored it.
It was a warning, and she knew it.
Jasmine caught the exchange, and suspicion rose in her. Silence then stretched between the three of them.
The clapping of Ophelia's hands broke it, then she popped the lollipop back in her mouth. "Enough with the pleasantries, let's move."
"He is not going anywhere with you...
"I know you are a Porter, but I never knew you were so full of yourself, Miss Jasmine," Ophelia let out in a low tone.
"Watch your mouth."
"That is enough," Evans snapped, then continued. "It is very obvious that you two have a misunderstanding before, and I don't want to be a part of it. I have something to take care of, and Ophelia must be there."
Ophelia nodded. "Very crucial."
"I will see you later, Jasmine," Evans added.
Jasmine's gaze did not leave his. It searched, questioned, but he avoided it.
"Bye-bye," Ophelia said, then headed towards the door.
Evans followed her reluctantly, and when he got to the doorway, he paused and glanced over at Jasmine, then he left.
Outside the hall, Ophelia walked to the parking garage, humming a song, while Evans caught up to her quickly.
"You did not tell me you knew Jasmine, and what was that about? Squabble reunion?" he asked.
Ophelia shrugged. "Let's say we just know each other..."
"That does not look like you guys just knew each other," Evans frowned.
Ophelia chuckled, her heels clicking against the concrete floor of the parking garage. "You are observant. I'd give you my hat for that."
"Does Jasmine know what you are?"
Ophelia stopped, then slowly faced him. "We have bigger things to worry about, Evans. You surely did not text me to question me about your silly friend."
Evans exhaled. "She is not... my friend."
"Oh," she folded her arms as she stepped forward.
"Are you sure?"
Evans ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
"Can we just forget about this and focus on the reason why I texted you? I really don't care about what's going on between you and her... I just found out my entire life is a lie, and I need answers."
Ophelia raised her hands in the air. "Now that's more like it! You are now in the acceptance stage, not denial. Let's move!"
Ophelia opened the car and slid into the driver's seat, followed by Evans, who sat beside her. She placed her hands on the steering wheel firmly.
"Let's move this beautiful baby."
"Why did you leave yesterday?" Evans questioned, his tone low but calm.
"I had important things to take care of. Same as the night I saved you from the hunter, but I had to... because you are my goddamn boss," she retorted, then started the engine.
Within minutes, they were out of the school premises. Moments later, they arrived in front of a small cafe.
Ophelia adjusted her jacket, then shifted her gaze to Evans.
"This is not just any cafe. Our kind meet here secretly, and you must act normal," she said strictly.
"Normal? As in... normal?"
She shook her head. "Normal as in our kind. You are one of us, and you have to act like one," she replied, then reached for his glasses, but he shifted in his seat. "What? You have to take off those glasses. I can't be seen with a nerd werewolf."
"I am sorry, but I can't see without my glasses."
She scoffed, a look of disbelief on her face.