Chapter 53.6

"Oh, don't mind us," Mia said when she saw them turning to look at the two peepers, her head supported on her hands as she sniggered. "Please, continue."

"Oh?" Jason grinned as he sent both Jared and Mia a mischievous glance.

Well, if you insist, he thought as he pulled Emily into his arms. He spun her once and held her tightly by the waist before kissing her again, even as he used his height to bend her over, lowering her body to the point where she could only cling to his neck for support. His other hand travelled to her back and supported her as she surrendered herself to him, relaxing in his embrace. Jason nibbled on her lower lip, gently chewing on it before giving a light flick of his tongue as he pulled away and straightened Emily.

As she took a step back, Emily refused to even glance at the direction of her siblings while Jason turned to smirk at them.

Ha, that'd teach you not to mess with me, he thought as he noticed that Jared was gritting his teeth while glaring at him. Mia, on the other hand - much to his chagrin - was munching on popcorn while watching him with wide eyes; it was obvious that she was taking the entire scene in front of her as a Sunday drama.

When she noticed Jason's gaze on her, Mia smiled and reached out a hand. "We haven't met yet, but I'm Mia. Aaand I'm assuming you're the hot teach that Jared mentioned? The one my sister has a crush on?"

"Guilty on both accounts," Jason said. The sly smile on his face changed into a much gentler one as he shook her hand. "I'm Jason, Jason Sage."

"Isn't it technically illegal for a teacher to be dating their student?" Jared asked in a deadpan manner.

"If she was my student," Jason slyly. "Technically, I'm a teacher for the lower grades. Not her grade."

"Technically," Jared repeated with narrowed eyes and Jason smirked in response, his smug attitude only infuriating Jared.

"So, what do you think of our sister?" Mia interrupted, asking with a wide grin.

"Mia!" Emily protested, her face red as she still couldn't face her siblings.

"What? I'm just asking."

"She's incredible," Jason replied softly, his eyes on Emily once more. "Never ceases to amaze me how tough she is. Also, not to mention, a great kisser."

"Jason!"

"Mhm, mhm. You have good tastes, young man," Mia nodded as she agreed with Jason while ignoring his lewd comment, causing the latter to laugh. For some reason, Mia reminded him of Alina.

"You should visit my place with your sister some time," Jason told Mia as he rubbed her head. "I also have a sister and I think you two would get along."

"Really? So the three of us can visit anytime?" Mia asked, a glint flashing in her eyes.

"Of course," Jason replied as he sent his contact information along with his address holographically to their holo-devices with a sweep of his arm. "And if you're having any trouble, don't hesitate to call me."

"Sure thing, brother-in-law!" Mia saluted Jason while Jared grumbled, unhappy at how much Mia was enjoying this. Emily, on the other hand, was ready to berate Mia but lost focus as her imagination took over.

We'd be married . . . ? Emily thought dreamily before she thought of the other women around him with despair submerging her. They're all so much more amazing than me . . . why would he even consider me?

"Oh, right," Jason snapped his fingers as he recalled something. "This is our first meeting and I forgot that I bought some gifts for you all. Here."

Jason opened a small dimensional rift and took a few items out of his pendant.

"This is for you," Jason handed Mia a pendant with a tiger's eye stone. The stone was not a natural tiger's eye, but a mutated one helped one maintain focus while meditating. It was a priceless item for Practitioners but worked well for Espers as well. "And this one's yours."

Jason also tossed a small wooden box to Jared who caught it in surprise. Even though he didn't like Jason, he was curious as to what the latter had gifted him but froze halfway before he could open it.

'It's an item that'll help you awaken as an Esper. Kid, relax. This is a recording I left on the box and, don't worry, no one else but you can hear it. Don't open the box here and don't tell Emily or Mia what it is. It's too dangerous of an item and it'll put their lives at risk.'

Then why give it to me? Jared thought as he turned to look at Jason with mixed feelings. He figured that Jason knew his desire to protect Emily and Mia, but tumultuous emotions of mixed feelings kept him quiet.

"Jason, you shouldn't have . . ." Emily wanted to refuse the gifts he was giving but Jason raised his hands with a shrug.

"You heard the girl. It's a gift from her brother-in-law," Jason teased. "As your husband, there's no way I could come and visit empty-handed!"

Oh, you . . . Emily blushed at his teasing but rolled her eyes at his cockiness and turned her face away from him. Yet, deep inside, there was a jolt of pain; he more he treated her like this, the more painful it was when she recalled his messy relationship with several other women.

"Nice," Mia sent Jason a thumb's up, complimenting him on how smooth he was and he grinned back before pulling an emerald bracelet from his pendant. The bracelet was silver while the large, polished emerald in the center shone in the dark, reflecting what little light there was everywhere.

"This is, uh, something I've been wanting to give you," Jason said sheepishly, though his eyes betrayed his him as he held the bracelet out for Emily; even though he was acting casual, Jason's heart was thumping in his mouth.

As someone who previously worked in a jewelry store, Emily was able to quickly deduce that this was not an ordinary bracelet. She could tell that it was made from white gold, appearing like silver or platinum to most, while the stone itself had managed to absorb some Psionic Aether.

"This - this is too valuable," Emily shook her head, firmly refusing without a hint of hesitation. "I can't -"

"And that's exactly why I'm giving it to you," Jason answered. He grabbed her hand and placed the bracelet in it before closing her hand firmly with his own. "It's a piece of enhanced jewellery, one that can protect you. Besides . . ."

Jason leaned forward and whispered into her ear gently, "You're more valuable than any gold or jewel."

Jason pulled away from Emily but still held her hand for a moment before speaking softly, "I should go. Call me?"

"Of course," Emily nodded and Jason turned to leave after stroking her cheek.

"Bye, brother-in-law!" Mia called out and Jason shook his head wryly as he left.

"Hehe, you two are so cute together," Mia giggled once Jason was out of sight and Emily glared at her.

"Don't be so rude next time and stop calling him brother-in-law! We're not . . . yet."

"Mm? What was that? I didn't catch that last part," Mia asked, pretending not to hear the last bit but her grin said otherwise.

"I said get ready for bed!" Emily said sternly before entering the house.

"Hey, is it just me or is she a little off?" Mia asked Jared.

"Hmm?" Jared was lost in his thoughts until he heard Mia but the latter rolled her eyes.

"Nevermind."

Inside the house, Emily took off her shoes and went straight for the washroom, locking the door. She then opened the tap water faucet in the sink and let it run loudly as she covered her face with her hands and leaned against a wall.

Why? Emily asked herself as tears fell from her eyes and she slid down to the floor. I should be happy . . . but why does it hurt so much?

Emily thought about what Jason told her.

Valuable . . . Emily thought. If I'm so valuable, then why are you with other women? Why won't you open your heart to me?