Emerald’s POV
For reasons I couldn’t explain, I instinctively stepped backwards.
Then I quietly turned into another aisle before he had the chance to notice me. Only after putting several shelves between us did I release the breath I was holding.
Why am I avoiding him?
I honestly didn’t know. Perhaps it was because he was my professor, and because we had already crossed paths far too many times outside the classroom for comfort.
Whatever the reason, I wasn’t particularly eager to add another coincidence to the list.
The thought made me smile to myself.
After making sure he was nowhere in sight, I continued shopping. But from time to time, I found myself glancing around every now and then before turning into another aisle.
Thankfully, our paths didn’t cross again.
By the time everything on my shopping list had been checked off, my trolley was considerably fuller than when I had arrived. I pushed it towards one of the checkout counters and unloaded the groceries onto the conveyor belt.
The cashier worked efficiently, scanning each item before placing it into shopping bags. When she finished, she smiled politely.
"Your total is four hundred and twenty-eight dollars."
I reached into my handbag and handed her my bank card. She inserted it into the card machine. A few seconds later, the screen flashed.
Transaction Declined.
I frowned. "I’m sorry," I said. "Could you please try again?"
"Of course." She tried once more, but the result was exactly the same.
Transaction Declined.
For a long moment, I just stared at the screen, shocked at the fact that my card wasn’t working. That couldn’t be right. There was more than enough money in that account.
"I’m sorry," the cashier said apologetically. "It still isn’t going through."
Heat slowly crept up my face. I could already sense the people waiting behind me. I quickly searched my memory, trying to think of what could possibly be wrong.
Had the bank frozen the card?
Was there a network problem?
Before I could come to any conclusion, a familiar scent reached me. Oud. Black pepper. Fresh peppermint.
I knew that fragrance.
Almost immediately, a hand holding a black bank card appeared beside mine. "Use this."
The deep, calm voice left no room for misunderstanding, so I quickly snapped my head to the side.
Michael King stood next to me, dressed in a plain white T-shirt, black trousers and a pair of black shoes. He was dressed the way he usually dressed at school, except that his glasses were gone.
I forgot how to speak.
Before I could recover and react, the cashier accepted his card. "This will only take a moment, sir."
The machine processed the payment almost immediately.
"Approved," the cashier announced.
My embarrassment deepened. "I’m... I’m so sorry."
Michael finally spared me a glance. "There is no need to apologise."
"But—"
"It’s alright."
The cashier handed his card back before immediately scanning the few items in his shopping basket. Compared to my trolley, there were barely half a dozen things.
I quietly pushed my bags aside and waited for him near the end of the counter. Once he had paid for his own shopping, he picked up his basket and walked over.
"Thank you," I offered a small bow before meeting his gaze. "And... I’m really sorry about that. I will refund everything."
He gave a small nod. "I know you will."
Relieved that he believed me, I quickly reached for my shoulder bag. "If you could give me your bank details, I will transfer the money right away."
As I spoke, I took out my phone, but the screen remained black even as I tapped the screen twice. Quickly, I pressed the power button, but nothing happened.
I furrowed my brows. That was strange. The battery hadn’t been low while I was shopping, so what happened now?
I pressed the button again; still nothing.
Michael waited quietly while I tried once more, but my phone remained completely unresponsive.
"I don’t understand..." I murmured. "It was working a few minutes ago." I looked up, feeling even more embarrassed than before.
Michael glanced briefly at the lifeless phone before speaking. "I need to leave right now. You can transfer the money another day."
The words made me even more anxious. I didn’t feel comfortable owing him. "But..." I tightened my grip on the phone.
He exhaled softly, a subtle crease forming in his brow, as if pondering. After a moment, he said, "If that’s the case, give me your number."
I blinked. Huh?
"I will send you my bank details later," he finished.
Relief washed over me almost instantly. It felt like I had been given another chance not to run into him or go looking for him for something private, so I quickly agreed, "Alright."
He fished his phone from his pant pocket and glanced at me. I took that as a cue to call my number.
When he was done entering the strings of numbers, he turned his phone screen to me. "Is this your number?"
I checked it carefully before nodding. "Yes."
He saved it with a few quick taps before slipping the phone back into his pocket. "I will message you later."
"Thank you." I lowered my eyes briefly before looking back at him. "And... thank you again."
He gave a slight nod. "Have a good evening, Miss Hugo."
"You too... Professor."
With that, he picked up his shopping basket and walked towards the exit.
I withdrew my gaze and turned to the lifeless screen of my phone before letting out a helpless sigh. "What a day..."
I had barely taken a step when a familiar voice called from behind me.
"Miss Hugo."
I turned immediately. Michael had stopped a short distance away and was staring at me calmly. "Do you at least have enough cash to get a taxi back to your dorm?"
My lips formed an ’O’ before I quickly nodded. "Yes." Then a polite smile found its way onto my face. "Thank you for asking."
He gave a small nod. "Good."
Without another word, he turned and continued towards the exit.
I watched him leave until he disappeared through the automatic glass doors. Then something suddenly occurred to me. A slight frown settled on my face.
How on earth did he know I was staying in the school’s dormitory?
I stood there quietly for another moment, unable to make sense of it. Eventually, I shook the thought aside and reached for the trolley.
Perhaps... he had simply guessed.