"Emma, what are you doing? I have called you ten times since the morning, and YOU DID NOT PICK IT UP ONCE! I even called your housekeeper, and she said you're not at home.
I thought you were abducted and was about to call the police. Where are you? What are you doing on a Sunday without me? Did you find another friend to hang out with? Is it that Vanessa? I don't like her, you know. She is-"
Before her friend Ellie could continue to wound her ear, Emma calmly replied, "I am at the library, studying. If you are free, come over. You could use some studying as well."
"Eh? You? Emma Lin? At the library? Emma, no one is buying that lie. I would rather believe the Earth is flat." A laugh left Ellie's mouth.
"Well, I did take a coffee break now, but I have been studying in the library since the morning. Is it that hard to believe?" Emma had a puzzled expression on her face.
"Do you hear yourself speak, Emma? 'I have been studying in the library since the morning'. Darling, didn't we make an oath not even death can make us enter the library?" Ellie retorted, excited.
Emma sighed.
Her younger self felt like a completely different person.
Why was she so dramatic?
"Well, my dad wants me to do well. Thinking about it, you should come to the library as well. You need to study as well. At least, that will make you smarter and you wouldn't be making dumb choices. It will keep you occupied as well," Emma said after serious consideration.
Her friend, Ellie, was a nymphomanic like her. That's probably why they say birds of the same feathers flock together.
Ellie fell in love with a young man while dancing in the club one day. The Ellie, who loved to change men every week became hung up on this man's sweet words, was willing to give up everything for him.
She fought against her family for this young man, and after threatening her parents that she will leave the family if they do not agree with her, they could only get them married regardless of their wishes.
However, it seemed that this was a trap planted by the young man to take advantage of her friend. It didn't take long for the man to take over Ellie's family business, and when he did, he had her parents die.
He was merciful enough to spare Ellie's life, according to him, although he left her with a limping leg and a shell of the woman she once used to be.
Back then, even Emma was too powerless to help her dear friend.
If Ellie got engaged into studying, maybe she wouldn't get much opportunities to visit clubs, and she will not meet that disgusting man.
The more she thought about it, the better the idea seemed.
"Emma, you're starting to sound weird now, somehow like my dad. I don't think I need to study. You can continue to do whatever you are doing. I won't bother you anymore, alright?" There was a hint of begging in her friend's voice.
Switching to a stern tone, Emma ordered, "Come over now. I will treat you to your favorite cupcake if you are being a good girl or else I might have to talk with your father."
A frustrated groan left her friend's mouth.
"Why do you bring up my dad always? Fine, I will be there."
"There, there, don't be upset. You will learn that I am doing this for your own good," Emma attempted to comfort her.
Not responding to her, Ellie hung up the phone.
Staring at the phone's screen, Emma shook her head.
°°°
When Ellie arrived at the library about half an hour later, Emma was finally done with her break. Grabbing the hand of her reluctant friend, Emma dragged her into the restaurant.
"Emma, you know, my pride is going to take a great hit because of you. How am I going to show my face to others after this?"
The more Ellie thought about it, the more ashamed she felt.
Where would she put her face if someone spotted her in the library?
The only reason she entered the university was because her father bribed the higher-ups, and she proudly owned up to that.
Emma narrowed her eyes at her friend.
"What pride? Is there anything great about failing your exams or making stupid decisions? Now, be a good girl." Emma's tone was stern.
Ellie's jaw dropped.
Ellie wondered if her friend has been switched with someone else. Why was she becoming only weirder? Why did she remind her of an elderly trying to look after the younger generation?
"I don't get it. What's wrong with you, Emma? You are not being yourself. If I do bad in exams, you're worse than me. Do you even— Ah, I get it now."
The frustration on Ellie's face changed to form a teasing expression, and there was a wide grin on her face. Emma followed Ellie's line of sight, and soon a frown sat on her face.
There she saw Daniel working in the library, organizing the books in the shelves.
Ellie nudged her. "No wonder you're suddenly in love with studying and the library. It's because you want to stalk him, right?"
Daniel worked a lot of part-time jobs that she could barely remember them. If she had known he had a shift here, Emma would have just studied at home.
"Stop looking over there. I am really here for studying. It has nothing to do with him," Emma stated, afraid that she will be attracting Daniel's attention.
She didn't want to be misunderstood by him that she was here for him.
"What are you being so shy for? Let me help you."
Soon after those words left Ellie's mouth, Emma had fear brewing inside her, and that feeling was justified when the woman opened her mouth, calling, "Hey, Daniel! Emma is here for you. Now, take a little break at work and accompany her! This—"
Before her friend could carry on further, Emma slapped Ellie at the back of her head in order to shut her up. Her friend stared at her with grievances in her eyes.
However, it was too late.
Daniel had already looked over towards them.
There was a hint of annoyance in them.
"Keep it quiet. It's a library," he warned coldly, reminding them to not act wildly.
Emma couldn't feel more embarrassed. On the other hand, Ellie was pissed off and wanted to start a fight with Daniel when Emma held her hand and stared at her sternly.
"He is right. You can't be loud at the library. It will disturbing others," Emma instructed.
"Are you really taking his side over mine? Can't you see that he is treating us like some idiots? Emma, let go of me. I need to teach him a lesson so that he learns his place," Ellie retorted.
Emma felt like a parent, trying to correct her naughty child.
"That's because we are behaving like idiots. Now, do not kick up a fuss. Follow me quietly," Emma voiced out nonchantly.
Ellie's eyes widened, unable to process this Emma.
Daniel seemed to have overheard her words as well, and even he couldn't hide his surprise.