I sat back down on my bed. "No, it''s a good time. I just came back from campus."


    "Campus? How were your sses today?"


    "Mid-term exam results came in, and I got an invitation to join apetition. Just regr stuff. How about you?"


    "Regr stuff?? Haha..." Aliceughed softly. "What about me? Emm... this old hag of a professor was pretty pissed off at me because I didn''t print her stuff for ss."


    "ssic... what excuse did you make?"


    "I couldn''te up with anything..." Alice''s tone shifted slightly. "Anyway, I''m calling because I wanted to ask you something."


    "What is it?"


    "When will you visit Boston again?"


    "Hmm... it might be a few months."


    "...Alright, just wondering. By the way, I never asked—what are you studying?""


    "Economics."


    "Makes sense. So, what will you be doing today?"


    "Actually, I was about to go y some basketball when you called."


    "Oh? You y basketball?"


    "Just started not too long ago. I met some guys on the court and we''ve been ying since. How about you? Howdoyouspendyourfreetime?"


    "Free time? What is that?" sheughed.


    "Sounds like you''re busy. Studyingw must be hard."


    "Yeah... I''m either in ss or studying in my room. Not much room for free time, really."


    "Not even for a movie?" I asked.


    "Emm... now that you say that... I''m a fan ofedies. Maybe I could find time to watch something."


    "If you''re intoedies, I''d rmend Interstate 60. I think you might enjoy it."


    "Interstate 60? Okay, I''ll check it out." she said, and then her voice became more serious, "So, Jack, if you don''t want to say, you don''t have to, but who exactly are you? I mean... what were you doing in Boston, what are you recruiting people for?"


    "I can''t tell you all the details, but I own apany, and I was in Boston to take care of some formalities and headhunt for some people. A Finance student at Harvard caught my attention."


    "Wow... No wonder you''re always busy. Thanks for telling me. It''s nice to hear what you''re up to."


    "It''s boring though."


    "It''s not... Well, I should let you go to your game now. I have a revision to do as well..."


    "Thanks, Alice. It was good talking to you. Good luck with you studying."


    "Have a great time on the court! Oh, and... can I call again?"


    "Sure. But I''ll be busy from Friday to Sunday."


    "Alright. Talk to youter!"


    "Bye."


    I ended the call.


    I did what I nned and headed to the court to y some ball. Hana wasn''t there, but the game was still a st.


    When we finished ying, I headed back to my room, and I saw that I had a new message on my phone.


    It was from Charlotte.


    Charlotte: "Up for dinner at the Dining Hall?"


    I quickly typed out a reply.


    Jack: "Sure, just let me shower."


    Charlotte: "You need me to help you?"


    I shook my head.


    Jack: "Not really. I''ll be there in 15 minutes."


    I entered the bathroom for a quick shower. Once I was clean, I changed into a fresh set of clothes—casual but presentable.


    On the way, I saw Chloe with a guy in tow.


    When she saw me, she waved enthusiastically.


    I gave her a quick nod.


    If the guy was her boyfriend, I hope he will be good for her, or I''ll rip the legs out of his ass.


    Just kidding... I''m not her father after all... Though her father did look like the kind of guy who would do it in my stead.


    Now that I think about it...


    She never really seemed interested in me that way... If it really is her boyfriend, then... It was a long time ago, but that love letter that I got on my birthday—if it wasn''t Chloe and it also wasn''t from Ashley... someone else must have sent it to me.


    Interesting...


    I walked further, and as I entered the dining hall''s parking lot, a red motorcycle drove into the parking lot and came to a smooth halt right in front of me.


    The driver was a woman, around 5''8'''' (173cm). She had a helmet on, a ck and hot pink leather motorcycle jacket, as well as tight ck riding pants. Her figure was graceful, with curvaceous hips and shapely legs.


    She dismounted the bike, reached for her helmet and raised it over her head.


    She stood the motorcycle on its side, put the helmet on top of it and then she reached both hands into her short jet ck hair, giving it a yful ruffle.


    She turned to look at me, her dark brown eyes meeting mine. "Good evening, Jack," she said, her lips curling into a warm smile.


    "Hana?" I blinked in surprise.


    The pretty Korean-American girl unzipped her jacket and slung it over her right shoulder, revealing a thin, short-sleeved blouse over her white tank top.


    "What? You don''t recognize me?" she asked.


    ''Till now Ionly saw her in baggy clothes...'' I thought.


    "I won''t lie. I''m a bit surprised to see you on a motorcycle."


    "Motorcycles are my thing... Are you heading to dinner?"


    I nodded. "I''m meeting a friend for dinner."


    "Can I join you?"


    I smiled. "Absolutely. But I don''t know what my friend will think about it."


    We walked into the dining hall together. My eyes immediately found Charlotte, sitting at a table on the other end of the hall. She was wearing a cozy blue sweater, her dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail.


    Hana noticed me looking and followed my gaze. "Is that your friend?"


    "Yes."


    "Girlfriend?" she asked.


    "Not really."


    "Not really?"


    We made our way over to her table. As we approached, Charlotte looked up, her eyes widening in surprise but immediately going back to normal. "Who is it that you brought with you, Jack?"


    "Charlotte, this is Hana. I''ve been ying basketball with hertely. Hana, this is Charlotte." I made the introductions.


    Hana nced at Charlotte. "Nice to meet you. I hope I''m not intruding."


    Charlotte shook her head. "Not at all. Let''s go order something."


    After ordering our food, we returned to the table and took our seats. Hana settled next to Charlotte on the opposite side of the table.


    As I sat down, I took a closer look at Hana.


    Her appearance struck me as a bit different from usual—she had on more makeup than she normally did, and her hair was tidied up neatly. She also clearly got a manicure job.


    I decided to ask, "You usually don''t wear much makeup, Hana. Did you have an important meeting or something today?"


    "Oh, you noticed?" She gave a slightugh, shaking her head. "No, there wasn''t a meeting. I actually just had a conversation that made me do some thinking. I realized that it''s much harder for a woman to get respect in the business world. So, I figured that only by presenting myself with confidence would I ever seed."