Chapter 2

Landon cut a striking figure through the crowd, his long-legged stride carrying him forward. In just a simple white shirt and black trousers, he exuded an air of aloof elegance.

A few guys hovered around him, deep in discussion. Landon tilted his head slightly to listen, offering an occasional nod. The camera hadn't lied. He even looked better.

Emma took a deep breath and, with the resolve of a soldier marching into battle, ran out to meet him. "Landon?"

Landon stopped. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers. His steady gaze made the words die in her throat. In that second, Emma's mind went completely blank.

The guys beside him started whistling and catcalling. "Whoa, Landon, someone is here for you. The freshman is pretty cute."

Landon shot them a look, and they immediately fell silent. He turned his attention back to Emma. "Can I help you?"

She held out the envelope with both hands, leaning forward in a frantic, stiff bow. "I... I am Emma. The one who... called you by mistake. I am so sorry. Here is one thousand dollars.

"Thank you so much for helping me. I can calculate the interest. Like a bank loan. Just tell me how much."

The air was still for a few seconds.

Landon didn't take the envelope. Instead, he asked, "Have you eaten?"

"What?" Emma was completely thrown off.

He glanced at his watch. "I told you to eat well. I haven't eaten yet either. Join me?"

"No, that is okay," Emma stammered, waving her hands. "I'll just give you the money and go..."

"Consider it," Landon paused, as if searching for the right words, "a risk assessment. I'm just making sure my borrower is still alive and well. Dead people are notoriously bad at clearing their debts."

The logic seemed irrefutable.

Under the teasing gazes of his friends, Emma found herself dazedly following Landon away from the building.

At the campus dining hall, Landon went straight to the hot food line. He put together a full meal, including double protein and a side of greens, and nudged the tray Emma's way. He only had a cup of coffee for himself.

"Aren't you eating?" Emma asked cautiously.

"I already ate," Landon replied, gesturing to the tray. "That is for you. I will watch you finish it."

Emma was speechless. What kind of new-age debt collection tactic was this?

Under his calm, unwavering gaze, Emma forced herself to eat. She took small but quick bites, desperate to end the ordeal.

"Slow down," Landon said suddenly. "It is bad for your stomach."

Emma paused, her cheeks warming.

"Um... Landon, please just take the money," she said, pushing the envelope toward him again.

This time, he took it, but he only pulled out a hundred dollars, pushing the rest back to her.

"What is this?" Emma asked.

"I'll take one hundred dollars today," he stated calmly. "The other nine hundred dollars stays with you. You can use it to cover my meals next month."

"Meals?" Emma exclaimed.

"Yes. Starting tomorrow, lunches are mandatory," he said casually after a sip of his coffee. "I'll be there to 'supervise.' We aren't finished until that hundred dollars is spent."

Emma was completely dumbfounded. "But why?"

Landon looked up at her, his deep eyes glimmering with a hint of amusement. "It's because of that 'bro' you dropped," he said calmly.

After a brief pause, he continued, "You sounded so sincere that I've decided to officially take you under my wing as a 'little sister.' Consider yourself stuck with me."

Emma's face turned a deep, burning red.

And so, Emma began her surreal new life of being "supervised" at lunch by Landon.

Every day at noon, he would appear in front of the literature building, waiting patiently for her, whether she was just getting out of class or in the middle of a club activity.

They would grab a table at the commons with a full tray of protein and greens between them. Landon would be buried in his laptop or checking messages, yet he never missed a beat.

Between lines of code, he would throw out casual warnings. "Careful, it's hot. Finish the broccoli."