That night, when Michelle got back home, she saw the lights were on in the guest bedroom.
She pushed the door open and found her mother busy making the bed.
"Mom, is someone staying the night?" Michelle walked over to help. The two women grabbed the four corners of the quilt and lay it on the bed neatly.
Elaine bent down to smooth the creases on the quilt and smiled. "It's Tim. He's going through something and has no place to stay, so he'll be staying with us."
"What?" Michelle's hand froze.
Her mind started to race. Leon had told her that Tim liked her, and she also recalled the three promises she made to him regarding Tim.
She had promised not to go to Tim's place. If he was staying in her house now, did that mean she was breaking her promise?
What was she supposed to do now?
Ask him to leave? She knew that this wasn't the best idea, since he'd be homeless if she kicked him out, and she couldn't bear to do such a thing.
Michelle frowned deeply.
Lost in her thoughts, she clutched the corner of the quilt tightly. Elaine tried to pull her end of the quilt and failed. Only then did she realize her daughter was in a daze.
"Mimi!"
When Michelle snapped back to her senses, she let go of the quilt and watched silently as Elaine tidied up by herself.
"Mom, did you say that Tim is going to live here—in our house?"
"Yes, we are neighbors. It's not a big deal." Elaine shrugged. "Didn't you run into him when you got here?"
Michelle shook her head.
"He's probably out jogging with your father. You should join them sometimes, you need the exercise." Elaine poked her daughter's forehead and clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "You never liked sports, ever since you were a child."
Michelle touched her forehead absentmindedly and turned around to leave. "Mom, I'm going to my room."
The second she closed the door behind her, she quickly took out her phone and typed a message.
"Leon, something's happened. Tim's in trouble and doesn't have a place to live, so now he lives in our house."
Leon replied with a question mark. Then, her phone started to ring.
Leon was requesting for a video call.
Michelle swiped to answer. "Leon?" she asked in surprise. "Aren't you busy?"
"It's okay." He cut straight to the chase. "Is Tim living in your house?"
Michelle tried to angle her phone in such a way that made her look flattering. "Mom just told me. He's supposedly out jogging with Dad right now, so I haven't seen him yet."
Leon frowned deeply.
Michelle's parents seemed to like Tim very much, it was almost as though they wanted him to become their son-in-law, which was bad news for Leon.
Now, Tim posed an even bigger threat to him.
He kept silent for a while, his mind racing to come up with a solution.
Seeing that he was obviously unhappy, Michelle tried to make the best of the situation.
"Leon, I can stay in the studio for a few days. The dormitory there isn't so bad, and I can bunk with one of my colleagues."
That colleague was the one who was also in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend.
Living together would not only enhance their camaraderie, but Michelle was also hoping she would also teach her how to maintain a long-distance relationship.
Her eyes lit up excitedly.
"Leon, that's it!" she said triumphantly, feeling quite proud of herself for coming up with such a great solution.
Seeing the excitement on her face, Leon couldn't help but lighten up and chuckle softly.
"What makes you so happy?" he asked.
"You'll see," she answered cryptically.
"I want to know now."
"No. I've made up my mind!"
"Michelle..." Leon shook his head firmly. "I'm worried about you living someplace else. As for Tim's housing situation, don't worry. I'll solve it."
Michelle had always trusted in Leon, but she was a little disappointed that he dismissed her proposal so quickly.
"Be good," he said in a voice that made Michelle's skin tingle. She nodded obediently.
With a gentle smile, Leon said, "We don't have to hang up. Go wash up and get settled in bed."
"Bed?" Michelle echoed in surprise. "Leon, I've slept all day. There's no way I'll be able to fall asleep so soon!"
"Then just lie down, close your eyes, and rest." His soothing voice washed over her.
"Okay. I'll go wash my face and brush my teeth now."
Just as she was about to put down her phone, Leon said, "Take your phone with you."
"What?" Her surprised expression reappeared on his screen. "Do you want to watch me wash up?"
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