Emerald’s POV
By the time my lectures ended the following afternoon, one thing had become painfully clear.
Professor King’s assignment wasn’t something I could complete by relying on experience alone. I required in-depth research, not just a simple internet search. I needed extensive information.
Instead of returning to my dorm after class, I headed straight for Lanard’s main library.
The building was every bit as impressive as the rest of the campus. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stretched in every direction, while students quietly occupied individual desks or gathered in small study groups.
The only sounds were the occasional turning of pages, the soft tapping of keyboards and hushed conversations that barely disturbed the silence. It was exactly the kind of environment I needed.
I made my way toward the business strategy section, scanning the shelves until one particular title caught my attention.
The Value Paradox.
Just as I reached for it, another hand reached for the same book. Both of us stopped, then I instinctively withdrew my hand.
"You can have it."
The voice was calm and pleasant.
I looked up. Standing opposite me was a young man about my age. He was neatly dressed in a navy sweater over a crisp white shirt, his dark hair slightly tousled as though he had run a hand through it one too many times.
A relaxed smile rested on his face, making him seem approachable without trying too hard.
"Thank you," I said politely before taking the book. As I turned to leave, he squinted slightly. "Weren’t you in Professor King’s Strategic Corporate Leadership class yesterday morning?"
I paused at his words. For a brief moment, I simply looked at him, and then, at last, I replied, "...Yes."
His smile widened. "I thought so." He shifted the books tucked beneath one arm before extending his free hand. "I’m Elias."
There was the briefest hesitation before he continued. "Elias Roth."
I looked down at his outstretched hand, then back at his face. Ignoring him altogether would have been rude. Reluctantly, I accepted the handshake.
"Emerald."
He waited. When I said nothing else, he chuckled softly. "Just Emerald?"
"Just Emerald," I insisted.
His smile never faltered. "It suits you."
I gave a small nod before withdrawing my hand. I had no intention of continuing this conversation. Hopefully, he would take the hint. But to my not-so-surprising...
"So," Elias said quietly, mindful of the library rules, "are you researching Professor King’s assignment too?"
The moment the question left his mouth, I narrowed my eyes ever so slightly. Not because of the question. Something else had caught my attention.
A familiar fragrance wafted by: oud, black pepper, and fresh peppermint.
My breath seized briefly. That fragrance... For some inexplicable reason, the first person who came to mind was Michael King.
The scent was unmistakable. I had first noticed it at the Mercer Technologies anniversary gala. Again, at the exclusive club last Friday night. And now... here.
Why did I even remember something so trivial?
I hadn’t exactly been in the best state of mind during either encounter, yet somehow, that scent had stayed with me.
Without thinking, I turned and glanced around the library. Students filled the nearby tables. Others browsed shelves several aisles away. A librarian pushed a trolley stacked with returned books. But there was no sign of Michael King.
"Looking for someone?"
Elias’ voice pulled me back.
I blinked, then turned my attention back to him. I had almost forgotten he was still standing there.
"No." I offered a polite smile. "It was nice meeting you."
Before he could say anything else, I tucked the book beneath my arm and walked away.
"I guess I will see you around," he called quietly after me.
I simply lifted a hand in acknowledgement without looking back. Hopefully not.
Finding an empty desk near one of the large windows, I settled down before opening both the book and my laptop. Within minutes, I was completely immersed in research.
At first, Professor King’s assignment had seemed almost impossible.
Can a company become more profitable while simultaneously becoming less valuable?
The more I read, however, the more fascinating the question became.
Companies could reduce investment in innovation to increase short-term profits. They could cut employee development, ignore research and delay infrastructure upgrades.
All of those decisions could improve financial statements today while quietly destroying long-term competitiveness.
No wonder there wasn’t a simple answer. This assignment wasn’t testing knowledge; it was testing judgment.
Without realising it, nearly two hours slipped by.
Books accumulated around me. My notebook filled with observations. Several pages of my laptop document slowly took shape.
Eventually, I rubbed my temples. Nothing else was coming. No matter how long I stared at the screen, my thoughts refused to organise themselves.
Then my stomach growled. I looked at the time; it was already pretty late, and I was yet to have lunch. No wonder my stomach protested.
Smiling to myself, I saved my work before closing my laptop. After returning the borrowed book to its proper shelf, I packed everything into my bag and left the library.
Back in my dorm room, I took a quick shower and changed into a comfortable cream-coloured knit sweater and dark jeans.
The cool Boston evening air felt refreshing as I left campus. I deliberately ignored the cafés and restaurants surrounding Lanard.
If I stayed nearby, there was every chance I would bump into classmates. I wasn’t interested in socializing yet, so instead, I hailed a taxi and asked the driver to take me to one of the better restaurants in the city centre.
The journey took nearly twenty minutes, which was perfect. Surely the chances of meeting anyone from school here were practically zero.
I paid and stepped inside the elegant restaurant as soon as the taxi stopped me. Soft piano music drifted through the dining room while conversations blended into a comfortable murmur.
A hostess greeted me warmly. Before she could even ask how many were in my party, I heard my name.
"Emerald?"
My heart skipped for a moment. That voice sounded familiar. Please don’t tell me... Turning toward the sound, I saw him sitting several tables away.
Elias Roth. He smiled as though this were the most natural thing in the world before lifting a hand in greeting.
"Over here!"
I stared at him for a moment, then let out a long, defeated sigh.
Seriously... What were the odds?