"Ah! Miss Qin! Miss Sy! Good timing. Mr. Mo just arrived to meet everyone. He is taking us out for lunch." Amy Lin, one of their colleagues immediately greeted the two. Amy is another professor who is teaching political science at the university. "Mr. Mo this is Miss Qin and Miss Sy. Miss Qin is teaching international studies and political theories. She is twenty-seven this year, divorced, and is living alone. While this is Miss Sy, she is teaching economics and is already in her early thirties." The woman beamed as he held Mo Li's arm.
Seeing this Bella smiled. She recalled that this woman seemed to hate Bella for no reason other than the fact that Bella already had two doctorate degrees. Bella remembered how Amy repeatedly told her how two doctorate doesn't matter when she was already a divorced woman at the young age of twenty-four.
Of course, Bella being the plain woman that she was, would only keep her silence. After all, a part of Amy's statement was true. In this world, being a divorced woman at that age was truly unfortunate.
"Miss Lin, I never understood why you have to mention Bella's personal stuff to Mr. Mo. Isn't that too unprofessional?" Jen chimed in. "But what could we expect for someone who only got inside the university because of her father?" Jen was never the type that would hide her emotions. She lifted an eyebrow at Amy Lin as if challenging her to try and rebut her words.
"You— "As expected, Amy's face reddened. Everyone here was well aware that she only got in because of her father, who was also a politician. She clenched her teeth and looked at Mo Li who was staring at Bella. "Mr. Mo… please don't mind us. We are uh… we are just really close and sometimes we talk like this to each other." Amy immediately smiled, easing the tense atmosphere that Jen created.
"That's right Mr. Mo. We all considered ourselves as families here so we tend to just joke around with each other." The assistant head immediately added. "We should just leave and have our lunch. Bella, Jen, you should come with us." The assistant head gave a cordial smile.
"Let's go?" Mo Li said, his gaze never left Bella. "Korean?" He asked as if she was the only person inside the room.
"Hmmm," Bella said. Bella was always known as the calm and unconfrontational person, and as much as Lily wanted to tear this Amy apart, she still felt that she needed to act like the real Bella. Or at least, remain calm and collected in front of stuff like this.
Bella grew up in a very strict household that always loved to pretend how perfect they were in public. She learned proper etiquette at a very young age and was always used to acting all calm under pressure. Just like a politician, Bella learned how to smile even when insulted and giggle even when she was hurt.
"Hey, do you know him?" Jen elbowed her. The two were walking behind the group while Mo Li was surrounded by the other professors. Most of them were asking him about his background and educational attainment as if they haven't read the man's files before. "I think… the reason why you didn't know about this was because of that Amy," Jen whispered. "She must have wanted to surprise you and embarrass you in front of the handsome man."
Bella only shrugged. She was planning on leaving this school anyway. To her, a woman like Amy is simply not worth it. She wouldn't stoop down to her level unless that woman would really provoke her. "We went to high school together."
"You and Mr. Mo?" Surprised flashed in Jen's face. "So you and him— "
"Nothing like that." Bella immediately said as she recalled her history with this man. At that time, Bella wasn't aware that Mo Li was actually the heir of the Mo Family. This guy spent most of his time abroad, so he was rarely seen with the Mo Family. "Just schoolmates."
"Really?" Jen grinned. "He is very good looking. You sure you didn't like him back then?" She narrowed her eyes before pinching Bella's arm. "Tell me honestly, did you know that he will come here? Is that why you changed your hairstyle?"
Bella snorted but said nothing. The two just followed the group and watched as Amy and the others keep on asking Mo Li questions. The latter patiently answered them.
"He knows that you like spicy food, right? That's why he asked if you want to have some Korean food?" Jen asked again. "Then does this mean that you were more than schoolmates?"
"I already told you. He was a bully back then. I don't like him." Bella lied. Knowing Jen, this woman wouldn't stop talking until she would get something from her. She might even go as far as asking Mo Li about these nonsense questions.
"Really? Why was he so kind now? He looked really charismatic, answering nonsense questions like what was his favorite color? Isn't that to… " Jen clicked her tongue and shook her head.
Bella only smiled in response. For an ambitious man who was planning to run for mayor, smiling kindly and answering questions should be one of his qualities.
"Bella… you should sit beside me." Mo Li's words made everyone silent. He gently smiled at Bella and patted the chair next to him. "It's been years since I last saw you."
'Been years… my ass.' Bella uttered inwardly. Mo Li's face was so gentle and kind, saying no to him would immediately make Bella look like a sinner, the devil. She faked a smile and sat next to him, purposely stepping into his black shoes before she made herself comfortable in her own seat.
"Alright… don't worry about paying. Please order as much as you like, I would take care of the bill." Mo Li's charismatic voice reached her ears. He then turned towards her, the same gentle smile was on his face. "I am taking whatever it is that you will order."
Once again, his words made everyone silent. The other eight people inside the circular table eyed each other wondering about Bella and Mo Li's relationship.
