Remy was insistent, pulling me back. "Luisa, just go have a quick word with Alessandra, then you can leave."
I tried to shake him off a couple of times but was pulled back into the private room.
"Alessandra, I brought Luisa back. She wasn't feeling well earlier and wants to apologize."
Alessandra smiled with a slightly flushed face. "It's alright, Luisa. If you're not feeling well, you should rest."
Remy gave my shoulder a gentle nudge, leaning in to whisper urgently, "Come on, say something."
My thoughts were a tangled mess, and his insistent prodding only irritated me more. I pinched him sharply to get free, then turned and walked out.
"Luisa!" Remy called after me.
With a hint of tears in her voice, Alessandra asked, "Remy, does Luisa dislike me?"
It seemed like Remy said something to comfort her, then he caught up with me and grabbed my arm again, sounding a bit frustrated, "Luisa, Alessandra finally agreed to be with me. Why are you being like this?"
He frowned, looking upset. "Come back and apologize to Alessandra."
"It's just a university admission, is it worth all this fuss?"
I stopped and looked at him. He hesitated, and I asked, "If I apologize, will you let me go?"
He didn't respond, so I went over to Alessandra, gave a slight nod, and said, "I wasn't feeling well tonight and missed what you said. I'm sorry. Congratulations to you both. Goodbye."
Returning to Remy, I asked without expression, "Are we done here?"
His demeanor softened a bit, as if realizing something was off, and he spoke gently, "Can I take you home? I'll have someone keep Alessandra company. You seem..."
"No need," I interrupted.
Suddenly, the whole situation seemed less dire.
At least the university agreed to waive all tuition fees and offered me a $10,000 scholarship annually.
This lesson is one I won't forget.
