The Master Programmer-Chapter 73: A Million Secrets 2

He didn’t wait for her response, capturing her lips again. This time, she responded with more confidence, her hands finding their way to his shoulders. By the time they pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, her breaths coming in soft gasps. Jason felt a warmth come to him at that moment... So cute.

Jason chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "You’re a quick learner."

She laughed nervously, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

As they resumed walking, Jason kept the atmosphere light, slipping his arm around her waist. They exchanged playful banter, their connection deepening with every passing moment. When they finally reached her apartment, Jason paused, taking her hand in his. Looking at the big building behind her, he sighed, staring at her in sadness.

"I guess this is the part I have to let you go… or maybe it’s your father who’s going to rip you out of my hands."

"Stop~!! I am my own person. And... he’s a bit overprotective… but he’s nice," she said, smiling as she gazed into his eyes, before looking away shyly.

"I’m sure of it. And trust me… I don’t blame him for how things turned out as I said before in my texts. I admire his courage to be himself, to go against the grain… I’ve always admired people who are brave enough to look beyond what others expect of them. I think your dad is one of those people, and I think you inherited that aspect from him too."

"You think so?" she said playing with his fingers as if she liked her hands being in his.

Jason nodded. "It’s like stepping out of a shadow and realising you’re not just a reflection of someone else. You’re your own person. I think I’m sure you can agree. Have you ever felt like you are more than what people assume you to be?"

"Yeah, I have… People think I’m some shy girl… But I’m very active online. I live stream and I have more than ten thousand followers on Social Media. So… why am I even telling you about this, ugh~" she said, shrinking down, only for Jason to shake her out of it.

"Stop that! Emily… I need you to remember something. I see you. Most people, especially the people who are closest to us, try to define us, to see us through their own lens, through their fears, their expectations, and they forget to consider the person we are becoming. I’m sure that’s happened to you in the past. But it will never happen with me."

Jason was telling her that people closest to her didn’t see her for her and placed expectations on her. This suggestion was obviously to make her question her father’s importance. And in so doing, he was placing himself above her father, saying he would not limit her. He would let her be her.

And she listened to him with a smile on her face, completely satisfied with watching him yap his face off. Jason wasn’t bothered though. The Subconscious would deal with the rest.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Jason said, pinching her cheek, causing her to chuckle, as she pushed his hand away.

"I just realised how much I love listening to you speak. And I think I understand what you’re saying. So many people have placed their expectations on me before. But I always manage to be myself. I always stay original," she said with a smile. She was talking more now. Maybe she was getting used to him... or she was getting used to relating to him, and not the idea of him she had been infatuated with in her head.

Jason kissed her hand and squeezed it. "Exactly. What if, just for a moment, you could step back, and see yourself as the person you want to be? Not the version someone else has created in their mind... Imagine what it would feel like, to live on your terms, making choices because they matter to you, not because someone expects them."

"Why are you saying all this, Jason?" Emily said with a smirk her eyes lingering on his lips. It was very clear that she wanted to make out and call it a night. But Jason was delaying it for a reason.

"I’m saying this because I’m worried about you, dummy!"

"I’m not a dummy!" Emily said, sticking her tongue out.

"No but your personality is too soft," Jason said pinching her cheek again, making her smile. "Life is hard… and some people, especially those who try to control us, aren’t really seeing us. They are projecting their own fears and desires onto us. People are dangerous, and you might never realise it… But you know my story. I’ve seen it all, and I don’t want you to end up like me..."

Jason’s tone was supportive by now as he gave her another hug, whispering breathily into her ears. "The truth is, you have every right to create your path, even if it feels unfamiliar or scary at first. Think about it… when you look back on your life, do you want to remember it as a series of choices you made, or choices someone else made for you? You do social media, so you have to be the author of your feed from now on. What kind of story do you want to write moving forward?"

"Probably something exciting! And maybe a bit dangerous?" Emily said uncertainly as she lay on his chest.

"That’s it!" Jason said, letting her go, and grabbing her by the arms, his tone optimistic and his expression smiling. "I can already see it… There’s a spark of who you really are and it’s starting to shine through. You’re not just your father’s daughter or anyone else’s idea of who you should be. You’re YOU… And that is something worth discovering every single day. Don’t you think so?"

Jason said this and Emily nodded, smiling just as brightly as him. Well, that’s what happens when you reinforce someone’s individuality and self-worth, creating a strong emotional anchor. And the fact that it was Jason who was saying this, acknowledging her, meant that she would feel the most authentic around Jason.

"I know it’s not easy, but every step you take toward being your true self is a step forward toward freedom. And it’s worth it. You’ve got everything it takes to live life the way you want to. So what’s the first thing you’d do if you were completely free to decide for yourself?"

Emily took a moment, wrapping her hands in Jason’s. "I don’t know. I want to think about it. I’ll definitely tell you as soon as I figure it out."

"Well, here’s an idea… How about you think about it for… a few days? And then we meet up again, so you can tell me all about it. I’d love to see you again," he said, his voice sincere. "Let’s make it happen, okay?"

She nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips. "I’d like that."

Jason raised her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it. "Until then," he said, stepping back reluctantly. No goodbye kiss for you. You will want to see me. Need to see me. And I might think about you... Might.

As he walked away, he turned once more, flashing her a grin. "Miss me already?"

She smirked, her voice light with laughter and her expression reluctant. "Maybe."

Jason winked before disappearing into the night, leaving her with a heart full of anticipation and a mind racing with thoughts of him.

As he walked away, he looked at the notification that was showing to him.

|————————————

|| Master Programmer System || Stats | Missions | Items | Store |

—————

Congratulations on completing the hidden mission: Persuade your Innocent Girlfriend to Consider finding a new "Daddy". As a reward, you have received the following:

—> 50 MC

—> Random Data Block Fragment (50%)

Your Current Missions:

—> Make your Sexy Boss Fall For You (58% done)

—> Take Revenge on the Grumpy Middle-Aged Landlord (65% done)

—> Build a Syndicate! (20% done)

————————————|

|————————————

| Master Programmer System || Stats || Missions | Items | Store |

—————

Name: Jason Cross

MC (Master Coins): 500

Level: 22

Stats: (No Change)

————————————|

Jason looked at this and then his eyes went wide. He was fine getting 50MC for this, but what the hell was a Random Data Block Fragment? Was it a part of a Data Block? That is so fucked up...

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

Anyway, for now, looking at the progress he was making, Jason shook his head. The progress on Thomas’ Mission had overtaken Veronica’s mission, and that was because Veronica’s mission was taking too long.

Jason needed to make progress in Veronica’s Mission. Especially since it was going up and down. Maybe he should take it on right now when he goes back home. At least that was what Jason was going to do… Until on his way back, he found something incredible.

As he reached the edge of the main road, the sight stopped him cold. Three hulking figures lay crumpled on the ground like discarded puppets.

Their clothes were torn and bloodied, and their faces were swollen beyond recognition. Jason’s breath hitched. Weren’t these those three idiots? What happened to them?

Were they dead?