The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

294 In Between

Calvin couldn’t believe that he had to see such a painful sight – The real scene he hoped was a dream.

Calvin admitted that he was not someone special in Emma’s life. He was just a university friend. He had no right to feel devastated by seeing Emma with another man.

But he thought that all this time, Emma had at least almost the same feelings as he had for her. Maybe he was a grown man who was too innocent and naive. He thought that he was the only man orbiting in Emma’s love world.

All of Calvin’s thoughts had been wrong. He did not know who that man was. But he was sure it was not Emma’s brother or relative. Until the last second, he still said in his heart, ‘I hope I’m wrong.’

After pulling himself together, Calvin forced a smile that could only crack very thinly. “Emma,”

Levi straightened his back. He looked at the man named Calvin, then looked at Emma who looked surprised. From there, Levi could judge that it seemed like the two of them had a special relationship.

To be honest, Levi felt a strange throbbing in his heart. It was a very uncomfortable feeling.

Did Emma really have a special relationship with that man? Were they close? Or maybe, they were actually dating? Was it possible that all this time, Emma had only been playing with his feelings?

From the start, Levi and Emma agreed not to know about each other’s personal lives.

.....

Now, this made Levi feel even more frustrated. He did not expect that tasting the bitter reality behind every sweet thing was so painful.

From never caring or even thinking about Emma’s personal life, now he was very curious about it.

“Y-you... are here,” Emma smiled awkwardly at Calvin.

The man nodded as he stepped closer. It felt like all his joints suddenly became stiff and hurt when he moved. “I’m fixing my laptop on the fourth floor. What... are you doing here?”

“Um...” Emma chuckled awkwardly. She didn’t even know why she had to chuckle. She was confused about what to do.

Then, Emma pointed at the man standing right beside her. “He’s Levi Wargos, my friend. We’re just taking a walk here.”

“Levi, he is Calvin Lee, my college friend. We are in the same major.” Emma explained to Levi.

‘Friend’ The word kept repeating in both men’s minds.

Certainly, both Levi and Calvin only had the status of a friend to Emma. Although bitter, at least each of them felt relieved that neither of them was Emma’s boyfriend.

Calvin reached out his hand to Levi with ??a better feeling. “Nice to meet you,”

Levi stared flatly at the hand hanging in front of him. Only when Emma nudged him, he returned Calvin’s brief handshake. “Yes.”

Levi’s attitude made Calvin offended. It looked like this bastard called Levi saw him as an enemy. He deliberately acted indifferent to Calvin in front of Emma to humiliate him.

Emma could feel the tension enveloping the two men who stood staring at each other beside her. Their eyes stared at each other intently and seemed to emit flashes of lightning that collided in the middle.

For the first time, the two men, who orbit Emma’s love life, meet. This was something Emma had never predicted or imagined at all.

Even though she considered herself too confident, she understood that both men had feelings for her. Just like Emma herself who selfishly had feelings for both of them at once.

Suddenly, Emma’s cell phone rang again, “Excuse me. I have to answer this,” Emma said awkwardly while showing her cell phone which kept ringing.

“Mm,” both men nodded, not looking at her at all. They were still staring at each other like two people in love. But of course, they were under different circumstances.

Emma stepped away from the two men and answered a call that turned out to be from Rachel again.

“H-hello, Rachel? Sorry, I’m leaving soon,” Emma said instantly before Rachel even said anything.

She should have been on her way home now. Even though time was a bit tight, Emma thought that it would be fine to stop by to buy some snacks for a while. But she didn’t expect it to turn out like it was now.

“It’s okay, Emma. It’s still forty minutes to go. I just happen to be on my way too. Are you still at the mall you told me about?” Rachel asked.

Emma nodded. “I’m still here on urgent business.”

“Ok. I’m on my way from my house to yours. To make it faster, what if I pick you up at the mall?” Rachel offered.

“Yes, please!” Emma answered immediately, “If possible, could you come sooner? I’m in trouble here,” she whispered.

Rachel frowned. “O-ok... But, you’re okay, aren’t you?”

“I’m fine, Rachel. It’s nothing dangerous. So you don’t need to worry.” Emma replied, understanding what Rachel was thinking.

“All right. I’ll be right there,” Rachel said before hanging up.

Emma heaved a sigh of relief.

Hadn’t she said that she was a loser in love? Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising if she tried to escape from this situation.

Emma turned back to the two men who were now not looking at each other anymore. Now, they stood a few steps apart with their backs to each other.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, guys,” Emma said.

“No problem.” Levi replied, then took Emma’s hand in his, “We’d better go home now. You said you had to go somewhere after this, no?”

Calvin’s eyes stared intently at the pale, tattooed hand that was daringly holding the hand of the girl he liked. He raised his eyes back to the face of the guy named Levi.

Levi himself realized that Calvin was watching his behaviour towards Emma. For that reason, he deliberately did that to irritate Calvin.

In fact, Levi didn’t have to think hard to know that Calvin liked Emma too. He would show who was in charge here.

But apparently, Emma didn’t plan to help Levi’s intentions run smoothly. She quickly pulled her hand, making Levi frown in displeasure and Calvin smiled happily.

“Well... Levi, I’m sorry because I can’t seem to go home with you,” Emma said with a guilty face.

Levi narrowed his eyes at her. “Why?”

“The one who called me just now was my friend who was supposed to go with me after this. As it turned out, she happened to be in this area. So she said that she would pick me up directly at this mall so we can get to our next place on time.” Emma pretended to glance at her watch, though she didn’t really see the time. “Actually, we’re already late. You know, my house is quite far from here.”

“Your house?” Calvin muttered directly. Don’t tell him this man knows Emma’s house and he doesn’t?

“Yes...”

“Oh... I mean, the bus stop near my house.” Emma immediately revised her words, as well as cutting off Levi’s. She knew what Levi was planning.

“Oh,” Calvin nodded with a relaxed face. It turned out to be the same for him, Emma also kept her house a secret from Levi.

Levi felt annoyance in his chest. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. “So, you’re not going home with me? How if I take you to your next destination?” he asked in a somewhat forcing tone.