Love Is So Beautifully Cruel

Chapter 3

During the day, students are able to visit other dorms. Elijah has plans to go to a party later in the evening, so he decides to visit Rose beforehand. He's outside her dorm when he reaches for his phone. Seeing as it was out of battery, he decides to head up the stairs to call her out.

The door is near Iris' room and was left open, so instead of quietly entering, Elijah raises his hand to knock on the door but stops when he hears, "My sweetheart also studied at Regis. Did you and Elijah know each other back then?"

A few seconds pass, he hears Iris say "No" flatly.

Rose is taken back. "Oh, I thought you and Darling would've known each other." She pauses, then continues in her sickly sweet voice, "I just wanted to know what he was like in high school."

Iris remains silent.

Rose perks up, "But Iris, he must have been the popular guy of school, right? Did you hear any stories about him at school?"

Iris was quick to answer this time. "Sorry, but I didn't really pay much attention to guys at school."

Disappointed, Rose stops prying as she can tell that Iris wouldn't help her gain any more information about Elijah.

The room is silent. Rose finishes putting on her makeup and Iris continues to read her book. Just as she was about to leave, Rose turns to Iris once again and says, "Iris, Darling invited me to go to a friend's party a few days ago. The party is tonight. There will be loads of directing and acting students, great for film opportunities. Since you and I are both actresses, we should go and network with other people. Do you want to go?"

"I never want to have anything to do with Elijah Iris. Not now, and never in my life. Why would I go to a party he's attending?"

Iris reflexively responds with a "No". She quickly realizes that she forgot her manners and changes her tone by adding, "I have plans tonight."

"Are they really that important? If not, then you should totally join us! It's not easy for us to network with others this early on during training. It'd be such a shame for you to miss such an opportunity."

Before Iris could answer, a string of knocks alert the girls about their visitor. Rose's closer to the door, so she answers the door. She swings the door open, but her face lights up when she sees Elijah at the door. She smiles, "Darling, you're here early. Are you here to pick me up?"

He stands in front of the doorway without saying anything or even entering the room. His face shows a dull expression. Rose makes it clear the person that arrived was Elijah. Iris pretends to be interested in her book, pretending that she didn't notice Elijah is at the door.

Rose hurries to get ready, grabbing her bags and phone. "Let's go, Darling," she says. Elijah gives a slight nod and straightens up. The two were about to leave, but he caught a glimpse of where Iris was sitting. His attention isn't on her but the trash can next to her. He sees the unfinished cake inside. It's left like the previous night, uneaten, thrown in the trash just like that.

Rose took two steps out the door before she turns back to Iris and says, "Are you really sure you aren't coming with u—"

Before she could finish, Elijah finally makes a sound. His voice is hoarse and abrupt, "The party isn't open for everyone. Don't go inviting random people as you please."

"Random people" Iris sits still as if she was still reading her book. Deep down, she was glad to have her book to stare at.

Before Rose can say anything, she glances over at Iris. If she hadn't, she probably would have stayed quiet, speechless to Elijah's words.