Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Not interested in each other...

Esther looked at James from head to toe and couldn't hold in her laughter. "She didn't think you were good enough..."

"You're right. Sabrina's lover is abroad and has yet to return. She went on a date without her parents knowing. We both decided to sabotage this to show our parents we can't be together." Esther never imagined this turn of events.

"My parents are looking into my relationship, and they'll eventually find out about you. I've been keeping my distance from you intentionally to protect you. I couldn't tell you because I needed it to seem genuine. If you knew, it might've messed things up."

James truly had her best interests at heart.

Esther suddenly felt guilty when she realized that, but her pride prevented her from admitting fault. "Fine. But aren't you worried things might go wrong now that you've told me?"

didn't tell you, I might lose my

from the start to prevent her from overthinking. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the

stupid, but did you have to rub it in?"

you were crying so sadly at Mobius's funeral now?

Okay, I'll admit it. I suddenly missed you, and that's why I was so upset. It wasn't planned. You were so cold to me, and when I saw Pearl, I couldn't hold back the tears..." James couldn't blame her

"Okay, I forgive you."

eyes. "What do you mean you forgive me? If you'd told me, none

in the first place, huh?" James couldn't forget what she said during her recovery. Admittedly, what he did was a risky move, but she was the

was enough to make Esther feel guilty. "I..." She ran out of excuses and simply hung her head. "Okay, I'm sorry.