Heartstrings on Fire

Chapter 69
Agnes bolted out of the Century Building and headed back to school. She holed up in the library till late, since she was free in the
afternoon.
Jared shot her a text: “When are you coming home?”
Agnes stared at her phone for a moment but didn’t respond.
Soon, Jared called, his voice deep and resonant from the other end: “Got class tonight?”
Agnes answered, “I’ve got a journalism project on my plate, so I’m a bit swamped.”
“When will you be done?”
“I’m not sure, you should hit the sack; don’t wait up for me.”
After hanging up, Agnes felt a pang of regret. Truth be told, Jared was all she could think about the whole day. It’s been a while
since they last saw each other, and Agnes missed him. But when she recalled Jared’s cozy moment with Mamie yesterday, she
had to admit she was a bit green–eyed.
Jared tried to explain, but Agnes was not satisfied with his explanation, and she realized she barely knew Jared. Their marriage
was initially a farce, but Agnes found herself taking it seriously.
Agnes stayed overnight in the library. When she was too tired, she caught some Z’s on the couch in the lounge.
For days on end, she would sneak home during the day to change and shower, then crash at the library at night, all to avoid
bumping into Jared.
Agnes admitted she was a bit of a chicken, but she really didn’t know how to face Jared. On the fourth day. Jared found out.
That day at noon, Agnes came home as usual, and finding the coast clear, she dashed for the shower.
Sleeping in the library for days on end, Agnes felt groggy and scatterbrained. After showering, she realized she had forgotten to
bring a change of clothes. This wasn’t the first time, but the house was empty and the bedroom curtains were drawn tight. She
shrugged it off and walked out naked, planning to fetch her pajamas from the closet.

But she was dumbstruck the moment she stepped out of the bathroom!
Jared was sitting on the couch, his gaze fixed on the bathroom. He was also stunned when he saw Agnes walk out naked.
Then Agnes screamed, quickly turned around, and darted back into the bathroom, slamming the glass door shut.
Then, silence.
Agnes hugged herself, her heart pounding like it was about to leap out of her chest.
She could see herself in the bathroom mirror, her body as red as a boiled shrimp, her cheeks flushed like they were bleeding.
After a while, Agnes heard no sound from outside. Did Jared leave the room?
She peeked out from behind the frosted glass door, but what she saw was a hand holding her pajamas and underwear.
Looking up. Jared was leaning against the wall next to the door, one hand casually stuffed in his pocket, the other holding her
clothes, as if waiting for her to open the door.
Agnes exclaimed in surprise, then shut the door again. What kind of person is he? Is he waiting here to make fun of her?
But this time, Jared just swung the door open: “Agnes, there’s a limit to being shy! We’re married; it’s normal to see each other
naked once in a while, and we’ve even been in the bathroom before.”
“Ah! Jared, shut up!” Agnes knew what Jared was about to say.