Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Chapter 38

The Journalism Society at Lakeside College quickly made a name for themselves. They even received

personal praise from the Dean. Their publication Big Shot got huge backing from the school, with many

lining up for interviews, including some high profile socialites. For a campus media outlet to cause such

a stir. It’s almost unheard of Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Almost every member of The Journalism Society became campus celebrities.

Of course, Agnes, the interview host, was immediately thrust right into the spotlight.

At first, Agnes didn’t pay much mind to it

Until the topics about her switched from her family background to her private life, then to rumors of her

being a kept woman.

During lunch, Kerri showed Agnes the gossip circulating on the forums: ‘Everyone’s saying Jared

agreed to your interview because he’s your sugar daddy. Agnes, these rumours have been getting

more rampant these past few days. Don’t you want to clear things up?”

Agnes was eating her favourite ribs in sauce. After a glance, she simply said: “Let it be. The innocent

need not explain. Given time, these rumours will fade.”

Kerri sighed “All you care about is eating. You’re a journalism student, don’t you know that rumours

stop with the wise? I bet someone’s just jealous and trying to smear your name. I can’t believe you’re

taking it so lightly.”

It’s not that she was taking it lightly. Agnes knew that someone must be stoking the fire.

The first post was anonymous, but the follow–up posts were already in the hundreds.

But Agnes knew, this rumour probably had Jenny’s fingerprints all over it.

The rumours of her being kept were heating up.

When Agnes walked around, she always got weird looks.

She thought she could ignore it, but being the target of constant scrutiny and gossip, Agnes was really

bummed out..

One evening, Agnes was studying in the library, surrounded by noise.

Through the murmur, Agnes could hear her name and the word kept woman.

Agnes felt she couldn’t even stay in the quiet library anymore. So she packed up and decided to head

straight back to Maplewood Manor..

Just as she was leaving the campus, Agnes suddenly remembered that Jared was supposed to be

back from his business trip to Willowbrook Town today.

Suddenly, Agnes checked the flight schedule from Melbourne to Willowbrook Town.

The last flight was arriving in half an hour.

And it just happened that the drive from the school to Willowbrook Town airport was also half an hour.

Agnes hesitated for a moment, then grabbed a cab straight to Willowbrook International Airport.

When Agnes arrived, the plane hadn’t landed yet, supposedly delayed due to the weather.

Agnes figured since she was there, she might as well wait in the terminal.

Little did she know, she ended up waiting for four hours.

Jared didn’t arrive until midnight. By that time, Agnes had already dozed off in her chair.

Jared gently woke her up.

Agnes opened her eyes to see Jared’s handsome face.

Once she woke up, she rubbed her eyes and said: “You’re here. I came to pick you up.“.

Jared looked at Agnes with a gaze different from usual, his voice low and tender: “Why didn’t you text

me ahead of time?”

Agnes smiled: “I want to give you a surprise. But I didn’t expect to oversleep. How did you know I was

here?

Jared took off his coat and draped it over Agnes‘ shoulders: “Your sleeping posture is so unique. How

could I not recognize you.”

Agnes was speechless.

In reality, when Jared walked out, there were already many people in the hall.

But he spotted Agnes right away. She was curled up in a corner like a little kitten, fast asleep.

n that moment, his heart wavered as if gently touched by a feather.

How long had this girl been waiting here?