Butterflies in her stomach

Brenda saw the large building which was the university where Livy studied. Brenda found out about this place after she asked Livy via message. The building is big. Because it is right in the city center, it is one of the best universities.

Actually she had a plan to take Livy down, so she had to get any weapon against Livy and since she could only meet her in this college, that's why she came.

Brenda suspected that there was something wrong with her cousin. She was married but decided to live in the dorm, she must have something to hide. To uncover her rottenness in her in-laws, Brenda can only do this. It is better if Livy is divorced she will be eyed again by Arthur's family and made daughter-in-law.

That would be a great ending.

As soon as Brenda entered the university building, she immediately asked where the girls' dormitory was. University's guards almost kick her out, but when Brenda said she was a relative of a student here, she was allowed in. It was also thanks to her fake innocent face that the guard believed it.

The female dormitory building is not far from the campus itself. Right behind the campus building. When she walked into the main lobby of the seven-story dormitory, the place was eerily quiet. Brenda went deeper.

"I told you she's a rich man's mistress. She doesn't look like a nice girl."

A female voice was heard.

Then another voice answered, "She tries so hard to look pure and innocent, but look at what she does, getting drunk with men and hugging in public. You see, Darla, that guy looks a lot older than her. Looks like a businessman."

"What kind of businessman wants a teenage girl? I don't think he's very rich." The first voice sneered.

"This girl is not an ordinary teenage girl." The second voice reminded.

"That's right. She might be a prostitute!"

Both of them laughed together with satisfaction. The dormitory was quiet at that time so their voices echoed into the lobby.

Brenda, who was curious, came to the source of the sound and found two rather old women. One was fat and short, the other thin and wrinkled. As soon as they saw Brenda, they all stopped laughing.

"Who are you? Where did you come from? I never saw your face in this dorm!" The fat woman barked from behind the glass with a sinister face.

Brenda said as casually as she could, "Ma'am, I want to visit my sister. She lives in this dorm."

"You think I believe you? There are a lot of thieves in this dorm on holidays, you might be one of them!" The fat woman was angry again.

"Ma'am, please have a look. Where did my thief-like appearance come from? I really want to meet my sister." Brenda looked down sadly. "She hasn't been home since she was in this dorm, my whole family is worried about her. And sorry, she's quite a ... naughty. I'm afraid she's involved in promiscuity and in trouble."

The two women who were in the glass room stared at each other. "Hold on."

Then the two people approached each other and whispered while looking at her sarcastically.

Brenda really wanted to punch those two ugly women in the face, if she didn't remember her purpose. She wants to find out any information about Livy and spread fake news to embarrass her.

At that time, her eyes were on the phone that was on the table and was showing a photo. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"That's ... that's her ... she's my sister!"

The two people who were whispering were shocked.

"What are you shouting for, you idiot!" This time it was the thin woman who scolded her.

Brenda looked down. "Sorry, sorry ma'am. But that's my sister, in the photo is my sister, her name is Livy."

The fat one, Darla, immediately stirred in her chair. Grinned. "Oh, so you know Livy? In this photo it is her, so what?"

"W-Who is my sister with? Why is she hugging with a man?"

Judging from the photo, it doesn't look like Arthur. Even though Brenda had only seen Arthur a few times, but in the photo, she was sure that it wasn't Arthur judging by the big jacket he was wearing, as well as his face which was covered in blurry shadows.

Darla glanced at her. "Let's see again, is this man not your acquaintance?"

Brenda took the phone, she saw the man's face unclear and increasingly convinced it wasn't Arthur. "No, I don't know him. Gosh, sis, why hasn't she changed? Why ... why is she like this?"

Brenda looked sad.

Darla and the thin woman beside her looked at each other and grinned.

"See, you don't even know your sister's behavior. Poor you. She came to this dorm with special privileges. You look poor, especially Livy, your sister. But she can pay for a special room. Isn't that suspicious?"

Brenda clenched her fists at the poor ridicule. She wanted so badly to grab this woman's mouth.

"We all actually know that my sister is being a bad woman out there. Sorry, she was even a prostitute in a gambling parlor. We are all very sad for her." Brenda was gloomy. "Mom, Dad, and everyone was looking forward to her return. But I didn't expect that she would still do such a thing."

"What an ungrateful girl." Darla spat.

"Then ... then what should we do? Is my sister in her room today?" said Brenda shakily.

"She's not here right now," said Darla, watching as Brenda was on the verge of tears and a bit of pity.

The two women had previously hesitated to share this photo in order to damage Livy's 'arrogant' reputation. Seeing her little sister twisted with grief like this, they were now convinced.

"This kind of behavior will also not be accepted by the university. You understand, right? Now that the photo is in my hands, on behalf of the uni, I can't defend this kind of girl. What if the dean finds out there is a prostitute in the uni? What if everyone anyone out there know? You should know what consequences we have to bear!"

Brenda feigned surprise. "You ... you guys want to spread the photo?"

The fat lady shrugged. "Not my fault, this photo has been spread without me spreading it."

"My sister enters college with dirty money, I think it's really better for her to leave. My parents will not like it. They will definitely be very sad." Brenda's voice was so weak it evoked sympathy from both of them. "Can I have the photo? I just want to reassure myself."

The thin woman who had been silent, took her phone and said, "Well, it's just a photo, I can send it to you."

After the photo were sent, Brenda thanked them and left glumly.

"Look, she's not a good girl. Look at this man, is he really rich? His car only looks a little good, but his appearance is bad," Darla sneered.

"Right, I didn't expect that she could do something like that."

"I don't care. Spread this photo and see if she can still be cocky again. This university doesn't need a slut like her. Geez!"

The two people laughed.

Behind the wall, Brenda wasn't actually gone. She grinned in satisfaction that the photo would be shared. Luckily she had decided to come here at the right time, before she could even make a bad story about Livy, she had already tarnished her own name so stupidly. Even though Brenda had no idea who the man was, if Arthur saw a photo like this, how would he react?

Brenda was very curious.

"See, Livy, you've stolen my happiness. Soon I'll take it back!"

***

"Your nose is red, don't rub too hard." Arthur said while the two were in the car. Their driver was thrown out while Livy calmed down before they headed back.

As Arthur handed her the new tissue, Livy sucked her nose innocently, her lips pouting. "Sorry, you have to see me like this."

Arthur's handkerchief was wet and dirty. A box of tissue is almost gone to wipe all of Livy's tears. Now her nose hurts. Arthur didn't deliberately delve into the girl's grief, he only intended to visit his in-laws' graves of his own accord. Also to greet them.

He didn't expect that it would make Livy so sad.

"Shall we go back now?"

Livy nodded.

"Before going back, I will take you to eat. What would you like to eat?" asked Arthur, he opened the door and gave the driver instructions to get in.

"I don't wanna eat."

"..."

"Umm ... can I just have some ice cream? My throat is a bit dry, s-so I thought eating some ice cream would relieve it." Livy was a bit embarrassed when she answered this.

Arthur was as usual expressionless. But inside his head, he thought that what all the articles out there about getting a woman back in the mood with sweets was true. He found it a bit funny.

Maybe he should find out more about women's secrets next time.

"Where are we headed, sir?"

The driver's voice was heard.

Arthur replied, "Go to the convenience store."

The driver understood and started the car. Half an hour later, they arrived at the nearest large convenience store. They got off at the lobby while the driver went to the basement to park the car.

The two entered the crowded convenience store. At the entrance, Arthur stopped suddenly.

Livy who walked in front of him, was shocked. "Eh? Why did you ... stop?"

Livy looked around the area full of people clumsily.

Not immediately answering, Arthur coughed slightly. Most people would wear casual clothes to come here, but Arthur, even to the grave, he wore a formal suit. After all, he had never been to a supermarket in his life. Seeing this many people, he was not used to it.

Livy seemed to have guessed what was going through Arthur's mind, she immediately said, "I'm sorry. About the ice cream, forget it. I don't want it now. Come on, let's go home."

Just as Livy was about to turn and leave, she heard Arthur's voice,

"Why come back?"

Livy glanced at him, biting her lip, not sure what to say.

Arthur stared at her. "It doesn't matter if you don't want to eat it now. We can buy it for stock at home."

"But, you ..." Livy didn't know how to say it, that Arthur looked reluctant.

"I'm just not used to coming to a place like this."

Oh.

Livy said, "It's actually okay not to buy it now."

"But you want ice cream."

"How about this, you can wait in the car or wherever, I'll be quick," Livy said still unsure.

Livy more or less knows the situation of people who are not used to crowded places. She also guessed Arthur would never go to a place like this, she didn't want Arthur to feel uncomfortable, she couldn't be selfish.

"I will accompany you. Don't go alone," Arthur finally replied. Since Livy didn't answer, he took her hand. "Come on."

'Why are you holding my hand? Why are you giving me so much hope after rejecting me?!'

Livy was so nervous, that she was powerless to pull her hands free. She felt her hands sweaty and cold, but Arthur's hands were even colder than ice. Is his skin normally this cold?

Ah, she is so nervous!

Arthur flinched as he felt the hand in his grip disappear.

"Um ... I'll be quick," Livy grabbed a shopping bag at the corner of the door hastily.

"Don't run. You could fall." Arthur loosened the tie on his shirt. When he saw Livy carrying a shopping bag, he took it from her hand.

"Eh, n-no need. I-I'm going to do the shopping, why are you the one carrying the stuff?"

But when Livy tried to snatch it again, Arthur dodged.

"I will help you," he said

Ouch!

Livy just couldn't stop her heart from jumping. She felt today was like a dream to her. During this time, she had gone out many times alone with Arthur, but it was just an ordinary meal. When they went shopping together today, it felt very strange. They are like a harmonious husband and wife.

"I think ice cream over there," she pointed in a corner when she saw Arthur's eyes narrow slightly.

When Livy glanced at Arthur, he didn't seem to see what she was pointing at. Livy looked around, they were in the fruit area and the lights were too bright here.

"Arthur, is it too bright in here?" Livy asked quietly.

Arthur flinched slightly, but his expression didn't change. "Yeah."

Arthur's eyesight certainly wasn't that good in a place like this. Livy racked her brains for ideas, there was no way she would ask Arthur to wait elsewhere, while the man insisted on accompanying her. The only way is to lead him.

Oh God, holding hands again. Livy's heart couldn't take it.

Livy cleared her throat. "Then I'll lead you. We can just walk slowly."

Arthur was surprised to hear Livy's words. On the other hand, Livy rubbed her palms on her pants before grabbing Arthur's hand. Due to too much nervousness, her hands went cold, but as the two held hands, the temperature from Arthur's colder skin began to neutralize hers.

"Your hand is cold as ice."

"It's cold here." Arthur tightened his grip.

"The ice cream counter over there." Livy pointed with her linked hand with Arthur's. "We'd better not take too long."

Livy was a bit worried because after the heavy rain, the weather wasn't very good, it was cold everywhere.

"You don't want to buy anything else? Anything you need in the dormitory?"

Hearing this question, Livy started to think about it, it looked like she needs some items and stationery stock for her studies.

"I need some stuff for my studies."

"Then, let's buy your needs first. After that, get the ice cream."

Livy didn't argue, she thought it made sense and agreed. She shyly took Arthur's hand and led him down the study supplies aisle.

The whole time her heart was beating fast, and she felt the butterflies in her stomach fluttering along with her happiness. She didn't know at all that there were cunning intentions behind her trying to keep Arthur away from her.

... to be continued ...