Rose’s POV
Cars are probably the most incredible marvel humanity has ever created. Sure, the internet and smartphones are impressive in their own right, but nothing quite compares to the sheer brilliance of a car. These machines not only offer rapid, seamless travel but also boast remarkable efficiency. It’s astounding to think about how long it took humanity to develop such a transformative invention. Cars are nothing short of a modern wonder.
As I drove mine toward the academy, the roads felt almost serene. With only a handful of people owning cars, the streets—engineered for smooth, effortless driving—were mostly deserted. Occasionally, a car would pass by, just a fleeting shadow in my peripheral vision every ten or thirty minutes.
Cars are expensive, and only those with deep pockets can afford them.
The academy had also invested in a new parking lot specifically for professors who drove, thanks to a lucrative partnership with Leonamon. This collaboration not only funded the construction of the parking area but also spurred Leonamon to build a variety of new facilities. These upgrades were designed to enhance the working conditions for professors, faculty, and staff, and to create a more conducive learning environment for students.
Leonamon’s rise to prominence in the industry is nothing short of remarkable. Their innovative products and ambitious projects have cemented their status as a leading global company. The name Leonamon is now so well-known that even those with no background in the industry recognize its significance.
I arrived at the academy and parked my car in the lot, which was packed with vehicles. Every faculty member seemed to own a car now—well, everyone except one person.
“Irene.”
I spotted her walking into the academy, looking as haggard as ever, maybe even more so than usual. She must have drunk herself senseless last night.
“Oh, Rose…” she muttered, her voice heavy with depression. I already had a pretty good idea of why she was like this.
“You drowned yourself in alcohol last night, didn’t you? Though, the smell alone gives it away,” I said
She breathed into her hand, sniffing it cautiously. Her expression soured instantly. “I don’t think I smell that much like alcohol.”
“Your face screams hangover. Are you sure you’re up for teaching in this state?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I mean, I’ve done it before. I think I can manage.”
“Is it because you’ve been ghosted that you’re doing this to yourself?”
The moment I said that, she flinched, her reaction telling me everything I needed to know.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Look, I get it—or at least, I’m trying to. Maybe I can’t fully grasp what you’re going through, but it’s clear as day that your heart’s shattered. You got played, left in bed like a used toy, and now you’re haunted by his ghost. But why are you still holding on to him? He’s ghosted you, vanished without a trace. That guy has probably—no, definitely—moved on and forgotten all about you. You should do the same. Let go of that dead weight and find someone else who actually deserves you.” I leaned in closer, my voice softening but still firm. “You being not a virgin anymore doesn’t change the fact that you’re a damn good woman. Anyone would be lucky to have you. Don’t you think the best revenge on that asshole who disappeared from your life is to show him how happy you are now, even after he fucked you over? That’s the real victory—proving you’re better off without him.”
“T-That’s not really… I mean, I know I should do that, but I just can’t. Yesterday…”
“What about yesterday?”
“Uh, nothing.”
Her mouth slipped, and I caught it instantly. She mentioned “yesterday,” which meant the person who ghosted her wasn’t just a memory but someone she had seen recently. My mind started to churn, piecing together the clues. If she saw him yesterday, then it had to be someone close by—someone from this school. My thoughts narrowed down the possibilities, boiling it all down to the most likely scenario: it had to be someone from the faculty.
“I’m going to track down that bastard for you, Irene,” I said firmly.
“Y-You don’t need to do that. I mean, you don’t even know who he is.”
“I’m excellent at investigating. I can find him in no time.”
Irene’s face turned anxious, her eyes darting around. She clearly didn’t want me to find out who it was. Her panic only made it more obvious that she was trying to keep something hidden. But no matter how much she tried to conceal it, nothing could stay hidden from me.
***
I checked every male faculty member at the academy. None of them seemed to match Irene’s description. Even those who seemed like they could fit her type were unlikely candidates. Sesillian was ruled out as well. The only possibility left was someone older, but that seemed unlikely. Still, it couldn’t be completely dismissed.
There was a whisper of gossip about a faculty member in his sixties who had been caught cheating. Such rumors rarely spread without some kernel of truth. Where there’s smoke, there’s usually a fire burning somewhere. Could this old professor be the one who had been with Irene? It was a possibility worth considering.
However, my investigation soon led to the revelation that the man in question was indeed cheating, but not with Irene. His affair was with another woman in her forties.
“There’s no chance it’s a woman,” I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. “Irene definitely doesn’t swing that way.”
Irene had never had a boyfriend, but I was certain she wasn’t interested in women. Her history—or lack thereof—made that clear.
As I mulled this over, my smartphone buzzed insistently. The caller ID read “Partner.” I had saved the number under this name since we had become partners.
I stared at the screen, my mind flashing back to that night. The night I had awkwardly asked if he wanted to have sex. The memory made my face burn with embarrassment. I couldn’t believe I had actually blurted that out.
After a brief pause, I picked up the call.
“Ahem. Hello, Leon?”
“Professor Rose, I have some valuable information about Eclipse,” Leon’s voice came through clearly. “I’d prefer to discuss it in person rather than over the phone, if you’re not too busy. Would that be alright?”
Eclipse was the cult I’d been digging into, and any new intel could be a game-changer. Given our arrangement to cooperate, I didn’t waste a moment in my reply.
“I’m on my way.”
I set aside the search for the man who had left Irene in the lurch for now.
