Chapter 168 Not Only Gave Her Body but Also Her Emotions
Katniss found herself rethinking her relationship with Tristan every time she laid eyes on him.
It always felt so distant and disconnected.
Sure, they had been together for a few years, but maybe he was just used to it. Unlike her, who had poured her heart and soul into it.
No matter how things went, she felt lost. So, she quickly masked her feelings, her face as calm as if Tristan was just an old boss.
They ordered food, and every now and then, Eudora would chat with Samuel about the Astor Family.
She'd also talk with Nicholas about the Kennedy Family, but it was clear she kept a polite distance.
However, her occasional whispers to Tristan seemed more intimate.
Katniss pretended not to notice, focusing on her food and occasionally chatting with Saskia.
Halfway through the meal, Eudora brought up Aaron.
"Aaron is a hard one to tame. I think Ms. Grey is too young and inexperienced to teach him," Eudora said.
She immediately dismissed Katniss.
Katniss was a bit taken aback, but given their argument that night, it made sense considering Eudora's personality.
"Ms. Savoy, I get you want Aaron to do better, but he's been out of school for a year and is basically starting from scratch, I'm happy he's passing. Also, using 'tame' to describe him isn't right. I'm here to teach him and help him learn, not to force him through violence."
It was clear Eudora wanted a man, preferably a strong one who could physically discipline Aaron.
But Aaron wasn't that kind of kid. The more you pushed him, the more he'd push back, and they'd end up going nowhere.
"Just aiming for a pass is setting the bar too low. From what you're saying, I don't think you can get Aaron into a top high school in Velvet City within six months," Eudora insisted.
After all, she was Aaron's sister and legal guardian. If Katniss couldn't convince her, the tutoring would be over.
"All I can say is that given the current situation, I'm very pleased with his passing grades. The rest will take time to prove. Mr. Forbes chose me to tutor Aaron after careful thought. Of course, if Ms. Savoy is still not satisfied, you can always find someone else," Katniss said.
Respecting the parents' choice was standard practice for educational institutions.
Katniss had said all she could.
She mentioned Tristan simply because she believed it was the truth. She didn't think Tristan chose her to tutor Aaron just because they knew each other.
He must have sized her up. She had faith in her skills and the strength of her educational institution.
Hearing this, Eudora turned to Tristan and said, "From what I know, Ms. Grey isn't professionally trained in this field. Didn't you think about that when you hired her to tutor Aaron? I've said it before, I need his grades to improve fast."
In other words, Eudora had done her homework. Compared to other places in Nightfall City with more experienced tutors, Katniss didn't quite measure up.
After a few seconds of silence, Tristan turned to Eudora and said, "I believe she can do it, but Aaron is your brother. If you think she can't, then change tutors. No need to dismiss her. Just remember, we've already gone through over a dozen tutors. She's the only one who stuck around and got Aaron to study."
A few words left Eudora speechless.
Katniss was stunned for a moment, having to admit that he was indeed standing up for her.
"I'm not dismissing her," Eudora said after a while.
"Then what are you doing?" Tristan shot back.
Eudora was at a loss for words again.
The atmosphere got tense. Even though they all knew Katniss and acknowledged her abilities, they couldn't guarantee she could get Aaron into a top high school in Velvet City.
Everyone tried to save face. After this argument, Eudora couldn't just dismiss Katniss outright.
She could only say, "I'm sorry, maybe I'm being too hasty. How about this, I'll publicly announce that we're looking for a tutor for Aaron. Ms. Grey can compete with other candidates from different educational centers. I won't let anyone know you're already Aaron's tutor."
In other words, she would try to save Katniss's face. If Katniss failed, no one would know she had been dismissed before the competition.
This put Katniss in a tough spot. If she didn't agree, it would seem like she lacked confidence.
But if she agreed, it felt like a thorn in her side, really uncomfortable.
"Okay," she agreed.
The meal continued, but the vibe was different, except for Eudora, who stayed the same.
Around two o'clock, the meal ended, and the group parted ways at the door.
Katniss watched Eudora get into Tristan's car. Tristan gave her and Samuel a meaningful look before driving away.
Then she turned to Samuel and spoke. "I'm heading back to the educational center. Where are you off to?"
"Got some errands to run," Samuel said. If Samuel was handling it personally, it must be something important for the Astor Corporation.
So he didn't elaborate, and Katniss didn't press further. "Let me know when you're leaving in a couple of days."
"Will do," Samuel said.
Katniss got into her car and headed back to the educational center. Even though Aaron's lessons were on hold, she still had to teach Donna.
Eudora was serious about finding a new tutor from a pool of candidates, and word spread fast.
She informed several educational institutions, each of which had to pick one person to compete for the position.
As for the specifics of the competition, they weren't clear, only that they wanted the best and were offering a high salary.
The high salary alone scared off many ordinary tutors.
So while Katniss was tutoring Donna, she also had to prep for the competition. This wasn't her first rodeo; it was usually some sort of performance assessment.
But what surprised her was that the competition among so many educational institutions caused quite a buzz, drawing significant attention from the education department.
It even made the local news in Nightfall City. It seemed that whoever came out on top in this educational assessment would become a big deal in the educational field.
Saskia suggested that Katniss should try to get some info from Tristan about what kind of assessment Eudora had in mind.
"Why would he tell me?" Katniss knew Tristan too well; he was too principled.
Besides, even if he wasn't, he would likely help Eudora to make her happy.
"How do you know if you don't ask?" Saskia encouraged her. "Maybe Tristan will tell you and even help you out. I'm telling you, when Eudora sets her mind on something, no one but Tristan can sway her."
It was past ten o'clock, and Katniss had just finished her shower and was drying her hair when Saskia brought up the topic.
After a few seconds of silence, Katniss asked, "So, what's the deal between Eudora and Tristan?"
"Couldn't help yourself, huh?" Saskia teased. "Nicholas told me to keep it hush-hush."
Nicholas was still miffed about Tristan's comment about being a thirty-year-old virgin.
Serves Tristan right for not explaining himself. Nicholas wouldn't let Saskia spill the beans, leaving Katniss to misunderstand!
Nicholas was still a virgin, while Tristan had been married once.
If Tristan managed to get married a second time before Nicholas even got married once, it would be too embarrassing!
Hearing this, Katniss turned to blow-dry her hair, then got into bed and played on her phone for a while.
Aaron had sent her some messages over the past couple of days, asking why she wasn't tutoring him anymore.
It seemed Eudora hadn't told him. Katniss explained the situation to him.
She also defended Eudora a bit.
Katniss: [Your sister cares about you a lot. She's a bit impatient, but it'sfor your good. I'll do my best in the competition. If I don't make it, it means there's someone better for this job. Study hard and get into a top high school in Velvet City, and let me know when you do! If I manage I win, you'll have to endure another six months under my clutches of evil.]
She had sent this message yesterday, but Aaron only replied ten minutes ago: [Besides you, I won't accept any other tutor.]
The pressure was now on Katniss. It seemed she had to put in extra effort to win the competition.
After all, Aaron was the type to follow through on his words. For Aaron to continue studying well, she had to succeed.
Early the next morning, she woke up to see a message from Samuel sent at midnight, saying he was returning to Velvet City at nine in the morning.
He suggested meeting at a breakfast place near the educational center at seven.
But it was already almost seven, and she wouldn't make it in time.
She called Samuel, intending to say she couldn't make it, but Samuel spoke first. "Why don't you come to the airport to see me off?"
"Okay." After a few seconds of hesitation, she agreed, quickly got dressed, and left in a hurry.
On the way, she stopped to buy some local pastries from Nightfall City as a gift.
She was very grateful to Samuel and always wanted to repay him. Since she couldn't help in other ways, she bought some gifts.
When she arrived at the airport at eight-thirty, she saw Samuel sitting on a bench in the waiting area near the check-in counter.
He had only a black suitcase and was checking his watch. He stood up when he saw her.
"Sorry, I almost made you late," Katniss said.
"No worries, it's great that you came." Samuel glanced at the bags in her hands. "Are those for me?"
"Yes." Katniss quickly handed them over. "I owe a lot of my success in Nightfall City to you. And you helped me a lot back in Velvet City. I haven't had a chance to repay you, so I bought some gifts. I hope you don't mind."
Samuel looked at the gifts but didn't take them. "Mr. Forbes helped you a lot too. Did you give him anything to repay him?"
The sudden mention of Tristan made Katniss freeze, looking at him in confusion.
Clearly, she hadn't given anything to Tristan, not considering him an outsider, but still feeling awkward about Samuel's help.
"Are you and Mr. Forbes together?" Samuel asked bluntly.
Katniss answered straightforwardly, "No!"
"After all this time, do you still like him?" Samuel's eyes seemed to see through everything, including Katniss's feelings.
Even though Katniss felt their interactions weren't that deep.
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