15 A Huge Crush on Him

The following day, Alice ate without taste and walked without a soul, counting down the minutes until the quitting time. Finally, she rushed to change out of her work uniform.

Just before stepping out the door, a glance in the full-length mirror by the door startled her.

There she was, in a thick, long, cozy cashmere coat. She couldn't help but pause, taking a closer look at herself.

Her skin was still smooth and radiant, her hair tied up in a ponytail – usually reserved for work. She actually managed to look like an undergraduate in university again, but no matter how young she appeared, time couldn't be turned back.

Alice took a taxi. The scenery whizzed by outside the car, thankfully without any traffic jams. She arrived at the airport quickly. Wrapping herself tightly in her overcoat, she stood on tiptoes to look for the exit.

To her surprise, she caught a glimpse of a woman's slender figure, wrapped tightly in a black overcoat, even in flat shoes, standing out in the crowd. It was Alice. Her cold expression hesitated for a moment when she saw Alice, nodding slightly.

Alice greeted a professional smile reflexively, but Emily didn't stop, continuing on her way. Alice composed herself and looked up again, only to see the tall figure appear in her line of sight. She remained unusually calm, standing there without calling out to him, knowing he must have seen her.

He always noticed her first, whether she was in the back corner of the classroom or lost in a sea of people.

Back in her university days, waiting outside Mike's classroom after class was too conspicuous, so they agreed to meet at a certain spot – he was serious about his teaching, always going over every detail, and tended to run a few minutes late.

Alice blended in with the waves of students leaving, silently counting down the minutes. By then, she was in her senior year, with fewer classes, and she knew his habits – his popular class always drew a crowd, and his gentle nature made him a favorite among university students, who often lingered to discuss the lesson.

Alice could be impatient, but all it took was one look from him, and her irritation would melt away with his warm, affectionate gaze, tinged with an apology.

Alice complained more than once, "Why do all the girls ask you questions? What's their purpose?" She'd rant, but Mike Jones just held her hand tightly with a smile, letting her vent all the way.

Every time they have meals together. Mike took good care of her. He knew she wasn't used to spicy food, so he always ordered light dishes for her.

Alice recalled with embarrassment, that Mike loved spicy food so much and couldn't live without chili, just had gone without it for two years. She'd enjoyed his pampering so selfishly and openly for two whole years.

Her first crush was in his class. When he ended the class with such enthusiasm, he told the students they could ask questions freely.

A student tried to trip him up, but he answered smoothly, "Check your notes."

Laughter erupted, and the student sat down red-faced.

A bold girl asked, "Mr Jones, are you married?"

"Currently single." He answered without a care.

"Mr Jones, they're asking about the story of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitti," a boy stood up, looking at the girls, who were giggling.

What a sophisticated question! Alice laughed, putting down her pen and looking up at the young professor, who blushed a little.

His voice was deep, but tinged with humor, "An interesting story. That's all."

The sunlight danced on the collar of his white shirt, that easygoing, carefree demeanor, that hint of laughter in his tone, just like his youth and overflowing talent. Alice had a huge crush on him from that moment.

All of these memories came flooding back as Alice habitually called out to him, "Hey!" Mike Jones, dragging his suitcase, stood before her, smiling as he looked her over, "Young lady, you're still as naughty as ever."

She always called him "Hey" because, when they first started dating, she was still too embarrassed to call him Mike. After all, he was her professor. Yet couldn't keep calling him Mr Jones. So, she ended up calling him "Hey" all the time, and he was used to that.

He hadn't changed much, gaining maturity in his demeanor, and his gaze was still warm, ready to embrace her fully.

He looked at her, wondering if she had dressed up on purpose. The three years had passed, and she seemed unchanged. He realized he still vividly remembered that morning when she left, her long hair swaying slightly.

But things were different now. They sat in the car, the atmosphere oddly uncomfortable. She no longer chattered away, knowing he preferred quiet like she used to. Alice stayed in a corner without saying anything.

They could have a lot to talk about in the past. Yet they could stay silent at the moment. And those forgotten times couldn't just come back.

Spicy and Silent dinner

When they arrived at the hotel, the sky was studded with twinkling stars.

The air was fresh, refreshing all their tiredness. "Shall we go out for dinner after you check in?" Alice asked, looking at her watch.

A bellboy had already taken Mike's luggage and was leading the way politely.

Mike looked around the lobby, as usual, full of sparkle and glamor, as if all the brilliance in the world had been gathered here. The marble floor reflected everyone's steps, busy passersby rushing by. He furrowed his brow, looking at Alice. She had once loved a poem.

"A long while amid the noises of coming and going, of drinking and oath and smutty jest, There we two, content, happy in being together, speaking little, perhaps not a word."

She also loved, "With the earth and the sky and the water, remade, like a casket of gold, For my dreams of your image that blossoms, a rose in the deeps of my heart."