"These are my two dorm mates. Janet and Kalie. There is one more person, her name is Abigail, but she is very introverted."
Livy held a glass of grape juice in her hands full, giving a brief introduction to the two strangers. Sarah asked her out for lunch right after she wanted to contact Arthur.
In the end, she didn't contact him and left.
Sarah asked, "Have you finished cleaning up? I'll help you if you haven't."
There was a dry smile on Livy's lips, Sarah realized this.
"I've done that. I didn't have much with me," she said.
"You're the one assigned to VIP Dorm, right? Everyone's talking about you. Do you know?" Janet suddenly said.
Kalie replied, "I heard that too. It was quite a buzz because some guys from the freight company came in the other day. They sent all the new furniture to the room."
Only Sarah didn't know what to say, glancing at Livy.
Livy herself also could not respond.
That's right. Someone will definitely talk about this. It said that the furniture had just been delivered, so she believed it. It was not even a rumour.
Sarah clicked her tongue. "Then what if it's true? Didn't you guys bring things to the dorm as well?"
Kalie pinched the donut meat and ate it. After chewing twice, she said indifferently, "Come on, Sarah, I didn't mean anything. That's all I heard."
"She's right. You know how rumors are." Janet chimed in, then looked at Livy. "We're sorry, Livy, please don't take it personally. I'm saying this out of pure curiosity. This rumor has been everywhere, everyone's talking about it."
Livy practically knew the gossip.
Surely the gossip wasn't good gossip, just like the dormitory lady said.
"But that's just a rumour, right?" Sarah rolled her eyes.
"You're right, it's just a rumour. But isn't this strange? Abby, she's just like Livy, she's a scholarship holder too. Oh, Abby is Abigail's nickname, just for you to know. So why can't Abby have the same facilities as her?"
Livy bit her lower lip.
Kalie, "Ah, I remember. It is said that you are given special privileges because of your intelligence. Abby is also on the track for achievements and scholarships. Shouldn't you all be given the same rights?"
Janet, "Yeah, that's what I meant."
Livy was still silent.
Their intentions may not be evil.
Apparently rumors had indeed developed at this stage and Livy had no control over them. Can't blame anyone else. Moreover, the identity of her marriage is kept secret.
Everyone was just guessing.
Seeing Livy silent, Janet clapped her hand softly. "Livy ..."
Before Janet could continue, Sarah interrupted, "Guys, I've been friends with Livy since childhood, I know Livy isn't like that. Don't eat rumors, ok?"
The two of them looked at each other as if unsure.
Sarah couldn't help but want to tell them it wasn't a bad rumor. In fact, all of this was done by Arthur for Livy. This was purely the concern of a husband. Unfortunately, Livy didn't want anyone else to know that she was married.
After they parted ways, Sarah followed Livy to her room out of concern.
Seeing that the room was just as the rumors said, Sarah was somewhat amazed and forgot her purpose in coming. "Whoa. It's such a set design, it's no wonder everyone is talking about it."
Even the contents of the fridge that Sarah opened was complete with food and drinks. Surely someone had prepared it.
But in contrast to Sarah, Livy was very anxious.
"What should I do, Sarah? I don't like all this when I'm badly gossiped about."
Livy sat on the edge of the bed. The suitcase was still intact and has not been tidied up. She completely lied to Sarah that everything was taken care of.
Sarah sat beside her. "What should you do anyway? This is fine. Don't you appreciate your husband's efforts? At least he's doing this for your comfort, right?"
"I know what that means, but ..."
"But what? Oh. Come on. Why do you have to listen to what outsiders say, huh?" Sarah cut her off. "Livy, trust me, Janet and Kalie didn't mean anything bad. You can rest assured, they are good people."
"..."
The cooler circulates fragrant air. Almost completely dispelling the uncomfortable feeling, Livy sighed.
She also did not fully want to blame Sarah's two friends.
Sarah's arms wrapped around her and squeezed her shoulders firmly. "Hey, I'm here ok? As long as you don't stray, you don't have to listen to bad rumours. I'll warn my friend not to bring this up again. I'll always help you, how's that? What you need is to study and graduate. Remember what your goal is, right?"
Right; goal.
No one knows Livy's goals other than Sarah, because Sarah is the only one she trusts. She went to college and majored in law to claim the rights her uncle and aunt had taken away. She wants justice.
Remembering that, Livy became calmer, all that was left was unrequited grudges and became even more fiery.
Sarah was satisfied to see her. "Yeah, you calm yourself down. This is your husband's concern. Shouldn't you enjoy it and be grateful?"
That day, the orientation period had not yet started. So all day she just lazed in the room with Sarah. In the end they stopped talking about the rumours. Fully discussing many things filled with light vent.
Right when Sarah returned to her room, Livy started packing her suitcases and started sorting things to put in the closet. Suddenly her phone rang and it was a strange, unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Sister-in-law, it's me." The voice on the other end was loud and excited.
Livy's hand on the handle stopped. The voice was familiar, she recognized it immediately. "Dave?"
"Yea. You remember me?" he chuckled. "Are you in the dorm now?"
Livy frowned. "How did you know I was here?"
"Just guessing."
Livy couldn't believe it.
"Sister-in-law, I would like to take you out to dinner. I hope you don't have any plans tonight yet."
"I don't have any plans," Livy replied, packing the clothes in her trunk again.
"That's good!" Dave was more excited. "Actually I'm at your university now. What's your curfew at the dorm?"
Livy had read the rules, the curfew was only until ten. After that the dorm will be locked. It was still seven in the evening.
"Ten o'clock."
"Then can I ask you out? Besides eating, we can chat. While there's no boss." Dave chuckled shamelessly.
Livy was confused.
Chat? What to talk about? What was that about Arthur?
As if reading her mind Dave said again, "I want to tell you about Boss's secrets. Aren't you curious?"
The guy was really good at getting her triggered.
Livy ignored her clothes and stood up. "I'm going out now. I happen to be hungry too."
"Good. See you then, Sister-in-law."
***
"So that's it."
Livy didn't react right after Dave's story was over. There were many things that he tells, starting from Arthur's youth, his former lover in the past and how many girls want to be his girlfriend. After that Dave didn't talk about Arthur's family at all, so Livy didn't dare to ask either.
"He's so handsome indeed," Livy blurted out.
These words referred to her thinking that it was only natural that Arthur would be the target of girls in the past.
Dave finished his meal before saying, "But that's all in the past. Boss isn't interested in any of them. Even though he can get any woman, he has only stuck with one person in the past."
This story was not completely a lie, Dave deliberately said it to see Livy's reaction. It turned out to be completely unexpected, just as he had expected.
"Who is that woman? Are they still in touch now?" Livy asked hastily.
Dave looked at her.
Livy became clumsy. "I mean, you said that he stuck with just one person, even though there were many after him. This person must be very special, right?"
"Are you jealous, Sister-in-law?"
'Jealous?'
Livy only felt something uncomfortable in her heart and felt curious about that woman. Can that be called jealousy?
Dave glanced at Livy occasionally even though his hands were busy flipping through the menu. He smiled mysteriously.
"Ah, I actually don't dare to tell this. If Boss finds out, I could be killed by him." Dave pretended to be gloomy, then leaned forward and said in a whisper, "Sister-in-law, forget this, ok? Pretend that I didn't say anything. Boss is only yours now."
Dave backed away with a satisfied smile on his face. Livy saw two dimples on Dave's face. But she didn't realize the purpose of the man's playful smile.
From the first time she saw Dave, Livy's impression of him was that he was a delinquent. He has lots of piercings and tattoos, his style is also very quirky. He always wore a leather jacket and ripped jeans. When compared to Arthur or Evander, their differences are stark. Like black and white.
Oddly enough, Dave's character actually felt more natural and familiar. Unlike Arthur and Evander who are mysterious and cold.
"By the way, how old are you, Sister-in-law?" Dave pushed aside the empty plate and took the fries.
Still with a slightly dazed face, Livy answered, "Please, just call me Livy, ok? And I'm twenty."
All in all, she was still disappointed that Dave had refused to tell her about Arthur's ex-girlfriend. Why had he told this matter in the first place, if he didn't want to leak it?
Very annoying!
"Well, yeah, Livy. So, have you ever had a drink? You're old enough to drink. I'll order it." Dave was excited, then he lowered his head as his voice turned low, "I see you're still thinking about what I said, are you really curious about Boss' ex-girlfriend?"
“…” Before Livy could answer, she was interrupted again.
"Come on, if you're jealous, just say so. I'll break my promise to tell you everything about Boss until you're satisfied. How's that?" he grinned.
"I just want to know a few things."
"Not just a few things! I'll tell you every detail. Then you'll know, what's Boss like with this woman. One thing for sure they've broken up!"
This was all as Dave had expected. Arthur and Livy's marriage was only a contract, Dave was one of those who knew, apart from Evander. He also knew that Livy seemed to be starting to like his boss.
Judging from her personality, Livy is a good girl.
If Livy can fit into Arthur's life that's a great development. Because after Arthur broke up with his past lover, this was the first time Dave saw Arthur accept someone else in his life again.
Dave believed, at least, deep down in Arthur's heart, he had not rejected Livy.
The restaurant was lively at night, bustle audible because the two of them had not reserved a private room, but the atmosphere was very comfortable. Immediately after saying that, he didn't hear Livy's reaction, so he called for the waiter. Order some drinks.
"So, Livy, we'll drink while chatting, ok?"
***
There was no expression on Arthur's face. He took off the earphones in his ear and sighed. On the first day Livy moved into the dormitory, he had heard too much and he already expected this.
The first unexpected thing was when Livy had to be insulted by the dorm guard because she got a special room. Another unexpected thing was because Dave suddenly came to the university to ask Livy out and talk nonsense.
Evander almost laughed in the corner of the room, but tried to hold it in as hard as he could.
Dave is a doctor, he is educated. Despite his character, Dave must have known that the act of bringing Arthur's 'wife' out would surely be discovered very soon. Dave might appear unconcerned and indifferent, but if he had been around Arthur's side for a few years he would know how his boss handled things.
There was no way Dave didn't realize that there was a eavesdropper in Livy's body.
Arthur had heard the entire conversation between Dave and Livy.
"Putting the bug on her was a good move." Evander put the documents on the table and his expression was even. "You can hear stuff like this. Dave is so brave because you always let him do as he pleases."
Even though Evander said that, he actually praised Dave's actions. This time he was pleased with Dave's impulsive and arbitrary character.
Arthur picked up the documents Evander had placed. It was a data file regarding the dormitory guard at Livy's dormitory building.
"What's the time now?" Arthur asked, closing the file.
Evander replied, "Seven minutes to nine."
Arthur's hand grabbed the earphones he took off and put them back on. He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes as he listened to the conversation.
Yes, Arthur could hear the conversation. He put a bug on Livy—on the watch he'd given her that morning. He gave the watch not without purpose and not just as a gift, but to monitor all her moves.
Surely Livy did not know this.
"Send someone to watch them from afar. Wait for my next order," he said.
At least Arthur still wanted to hear what other crap Dave could spit before he dragged the punk doctor away from his wife.
... to be continued ...