You're the reason behind my S.M.I.L.E

Chapter 26

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Jennifer

Oh my god.

"I told you I saw Jen here with a man but you said I'm seeing things because I'm getting old." Mr. Lee said but my only focus was on the word man.

Mr. Lee, my professor along with his wife and daughter—whom I know from his display picture—spotted me here, who by the way is well acquainted with Mr. Reynolds.

What if he would have spotted me with Mr. Reynolds? It could have ended one eighty degrees differently. What if Mr. Reynolds shows up here now? I tried to calm my racing heart but the wild scenarios running down my head wouldn't let me have a moment of peace.

"You are getting old. Remember when you forgot to take your bag to work?" Mrs. Lee counters while I look around for any sign of Mr. Reynolds. Please don't show up now. Please don't.

"Why do you always bring that up? That was one time. To be honest that was because I spent all night preparing notes for my students." Mr. Lee looked at his wife lovingly even though they were arguing.

I coughed awkwardly. Miguel and their daughter kept talking about Frozen while Mr. Lee and his wife kept arguing like kids. What should I do?

"Oh dear. What are we doing?" Mrs. Lee said after seeing me looking clueless as hell. I want to go home. Oh, I remember my apartment is demolished and Audrey's spare room doesn't feel comfy as I have to clean it up all the time otherwise she would freak out. So the first thing I need to do after going back is clean my room because I made a mess by pulling out all the clothes, shoes, makeup, clips and what not and didn't put anything back. Ugh. I need to call dad's assistant to ask if he found some other apartment or not.

"We are sorry." Mr. and Mrs. Lee said, looking slightly embarrassed. I just said it's okay when it is absolutely not. Mr. Reynolds must be waiting for me if he comes back to the photo booth. I was stupid when I thought that I would just look around a little until he comes back.

"By the way, who is this gentleman?" Mr. Lee asked after I greeted his daughter who looked so cute with fake fangs.

"Umm, Mr. Lee, this is-" Before I could say he's a random stranger from whom I'm trying to get away, his wife beat me to it. "Honey, he's obviously her boyfriend. Now, stop bothering your student and let her enjoy her date." She winked at me.

What on the Earth is happening? This is the third person today who assumed that I am out on a date when I'm obviously not. For god's sake, I have never been on a date. I don't even know what it feels like. Not that it is important to think about it at the moment.

"But I'm pretty sure I saw you with a dark brown coloured hair guy. For a minute, I was like, 'Is that Ryan?'" That caught me totally off guard. No way. I made a blunder. I was on the verge of a panic attack but I need to handle the matter.

"Daddy, who's Ryan? Is it my classmate whom I have a crush on?" Mr. Lee's daughter asked cutely which made me crack a helpless smile. Yeah, baby. Even I have a crush on Ryan. My hands are shaking so put them behind my back.

"Nah, Ria. That's someone else. And you better inform me if this Ryan troubles you and you better stay away from him." Mr. Lee playfully admonished. God, Mr. Reynolds and I would be in great trouble if the word got out that we are out in this couple's worthy place together. I need to lie in order to protect this secret, I can't let others know that.

"You look like you have seen Satan himself." I composed myself while Mr. Lee laughed like it was some joke.

"No, you must have been mistaken. I was with him all this time." I said as I grabbed Miguel by the jacket. "He's my-" I was about to say a friend but I was cut off by Miguel. People cut me off too often.