Chapter 41.2

'Wait where are you going?' the frivolous voice asked Jason. He was nearing the school, so he ducked into an alleyway and changed his outfit into something more professional. 'You're leaving that delectable girl who's offering herself to you, and your redheaded woman who's clearly trying to make you envious, just to see your kids? They'll be fine, they are fine! Spend some time, me time! God knows you need it.'

The voices, which were silent when Jason was watching the clips A.V.A sent him, began protesting when he decided to see Alina and Alice first. The wise voice of reason, however, was silent ever since he first asked Jason if he was willing to 'heed their advice'.

'At least tell me you're going to see that lovely teen,' the frivolous voice realized that Jason was ignoring him and sighed.

'There is . . . another disconcerting issue,' another voice said. It was the hot-headed warrior, who was stumped for some reason. 'As I recall, you weren't willing to care for that child two years ago. What was her name? Almia? Aliza? In fact, weren't you preparing to leave her? What changed your mind?'

Jason didn't answer them and the voices began speaking amongst themselves.

'Nonsense,' the frivolous voice said. 'He clearly listened to my advice and was grooming her to be the perfect pla-'

"If you finish that sentence, I swear to god, I'll find a way to silence you forever," Jason growled under his breath. His eyes flashed with unconcealed ferocity as he felt sickened at what the voice was suggesting.

'Ooh, how frightening,' the voice said mockingly. 'You do realize that I'm simply suggesting something you've thought of before? We're you and you're us.'

"She is my sister," Jason said quietly. "Not some . . . thing to be raised, but family. And I . . . am nothing like you."

'Not yet,' another voice heckled. It was the pessimistic voice that enjoyed mocking Jason. 'Give it time, we'll influence you soon enough. Just like how we influenced you to abandon your dear Katie . . .'

Jason clenched his fists and gritted his teeth until gums ached and he tasted blood.

'A mistake in the long run though,' the frivolous voice said. 'With her bearing our - oops - your child . . .'

'Ah, I see,' the warlike voice said with a guffaw. He was silently observing Jason's memory, completely ignoring the issue with Katelyn, and immediately came to a realization about Alina. 'How amusing karma and fate can be. An eon in the making and the result is her . . . She is indeed worthy to be our sister.'

Jason ignored whatever else the voices were saying and walked through the gateway. He could see Alina and Alice exiting the car and he hurried forth, catching both of their attention. Alina gave him a disappointed gaze while Alice looked away with her nose in the air and crossed her arms; she was refusing to even look at Jason.

"Hey, kids . . ." Jason looked at them guiltily and Alice stomped away while Alina sent him a helpless look before hurrying after the child who stopped to greet Michelle. Asami, who just entered the school's entrance, smacked Jason on the shoulder as she passed him, all the while sending him an 'oh-you're-so-screwed' look. Jason brushed a hand through his hair while sighing with frustration.

"Jason," a soft voice called out to Jason from behind him.

Turning around, Jason froze when he saw Emily. While she was still wearing her school outfit, she appeared much more mature, and natural, than her normal glamorous look. Her white blouse only had one button undone as opposed to the two or three she usually had and her skirt was no longer rolled into a miniskirt. Her choppy styled bob haircut barely grazed her shoulders and the warm brown hair also made her look much more attractive. Jason lost himself while staring at her emerald eyes, and this was despite the baggy eyelids that were concealed with makeup. In fact, it wasn't only Jason, but nearby boys, who also stared at her with unabashed faces. [1]

"Jason?" Emily asked again shyly and he started before smiling sheepishly.

"Hm? Oh, right. Sorry," Jason said incoherently. "I - you look wonderful. Today."

Emily smiled as she looked down at the ground bashfully, her checks tinged red. She tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear before looking back at Jason.

"Thanks," she said to him and Jason nodded blankly.

'Goddamn normie . . . go di -' a voice muttered pessimistically but was quickly silenced by the other voices. To these back seat drivers, watching Jason's life was like watching a drama. When it upsets them or they didn't agree to it, they would immediately voice their disagreements, but they were usually quiet when it came to his relationships. Well, mostly quiet.

"Trouble with Alice?" Emily asked, her voice sweet and shy.

"I was, uh, working overnight and . . . didn't realize the time," Jason sighed. "I ended up missing breakfast with them."

"I'm sure if you explained it to Alice she'll understand," Emily said. "Also, make sure you bribe her. Chocolate works wonders on all children."

"Sounds like you've had experience in bribing kids," Jason said with an amused stare.

"Siblings," Emily replied softly with a shrug.

"Well, they're damn lucky to have you . . ." Jason said quietly with gentle eyes and Emily smiled with another blush.

The two stared at each other, his black onyx eyes gazing into her vivid emerald eyes. they silently watched each other in a cozy, warm atmosphere but a cough interrupted them a few minutes later. Turning around with a start, they saw Silvia in her trademark white blouse and black skirt, watching them with disapproval gleaming across her glasses.

"Ms. Caldwell, classes are about to begin. Jason? A word please," Silvia said before walking away. Jason exchanged looks with Emily then followed Silvia.

Emily sighed as she watched them leave. She wanted to stay longer with Jason but knew she couldn't rush things. She turned away and began walking to class when she overheard students speaking about her.

"Did you see that? She tried seducing him, a teacher!"

"What a slut. Think she'll let me have a go at her?"

"I can't believe Mr. Sage almost fell for her charms! Luckily, Ms. Silvia was there to stop her."

"I'm not surprised. She failed once so, of course, she's going to try and get better credits. Filthy slut."

Emily ignored the gossiping students and continued walking through the hallway mechanically. She forced whatever she was hearing out of her mind while trying to ignore the pain she felt from their comments.

"Something wrong, Silvie?" Jason asked. He and Silvia were walking on the school grounds, casually passing by a few students who were rushing to avoid being lectured by Silvia. Since most of the students had entered their classes, they were alone. Mostly alone, if not considering the prying eyes that were watching them from the windows in the classrooms near them.

"Jason," Silvia asked quietly. "How old are you?"

"What does that -?"

"How old am I?" Silvia asked, interrupting him.

"Silvie . . ." Jason realized where this was going and he couldn't help but feel guilty. He knew Silvia has feelings for him and here she was, talking to him about his ambiguous actions with another girl.

"I understand how it is, Jason, I do. I've been on the receiving end too," Silvia said. "But we're teachers. And even if the law of consent allows relationships with teens, we're in no position to do so as we're responsible for these children."

"It's not like that, Silvie," Jason said with raised arms. "You know how girls are. It's just a crush, nothing more."

"Is it?" Silvia asked quietly while sending him a sharp, knowing glance.

Jason opened his mouth but couldn't reply. Most of his relationships started physically but Emily she . . . she was different. There was an emotional connection, not unlike the one he had built with Elizabeth and Katelyn, despite only knowing her for a short time. It was also why he was maintaining a distance from her; he didn't want to hurt or frighten Emily. And with his luck with women, the odds were that he would hurt her.

"I know it's hard," Silvia said while laying a hand on Jason's shoulder. "You're young, only a few years older than your students, but you can't . . . not so long as you're a teacher here in Second Academy."

"Don't worry," Jason reassured her. "I'm a professional. I always get the job done right."

[1] Choppy bob haircut like this: https://therighthairstyles.com/choppy-bob-hairstyles/5/