Chapter 4:Cold Shoulder
1506 Words
Eleanor's perspective.
My attention was at the entrance of the class, to observe Professor Asher walk in. Seconds after, he walked in majestically in a navy blue suit and his leather work bag in hand.
"Phhuuwwweeeeet-Phheeew!!!" Whistling went off again in class. It was more controlled than yesterday, maybe because they knew he didn't welcome such admiration.
"Be silent." His bass-baritone voice was calm but subdued the class to his will. It was commanding yet brought orgasmic satisfaction.
"He got a lot hotter over the night!" I overheard some girls say giggly besides me.
I gave them a scornful look, as I was offended on his behalf. Who were they to sexualize him?
I felt he was mine, and only I could give him such compliments. Anyways, it was true - he looked a lot hotter today!
"I am sorry for being 5 minutes behind schedule."
"I had a very busy night and I slept late," he said, as he unpacked his work bag.
I could hear the class giggle at his apology, especially the girls who I overheard earlier besides me. They were beginning to annoy me.
"Why is everyone so giggly?!" I was slightly irritated. In fact, I was impressed he could even apologize.
"Really?" Scarlet asked with a smile.
I looked at her for a hint, for a clue, anything. I didn't get the joke.
"You really are out of touch with s*x and relationships." She chuckled.
"Please tell me." I shot her a friendly frown.
"Okay, I will."
"He had a 'very busy night'. His words could suggest he had s*x last night." She revealed with raised brows.
I was taken aback.
"That isn't true!" I whispered in his defense. I couldn't imagine it.
"Why not?" Scarlet asked puzzled.
She didn't know all the things I knew about him. She didn't know he was attracted to me. She didn't know it was love at first sight.
It was only a matter of time before he confirmed it all, so why would he have s*x with someone else?
"He had a 'very busy night'. It could mean he was working late." I corrected her. I wasn't pleased with what she said about him.
"Yeah, it could mean that too. It could also have a double meaning. Maybe he did both last night." She smiled.
"How can you say such without any proof?" I was struggling to hide my anger.
"I don't have any proof, but that was how the class understood it." She concluded in her defense.
I couldn't tell her all I knew yet in his defense. I couldn't tell her what I had researched about him last night. How I found out he was single and not in a relationship.
"Okay."
I swallowed my rage, bottling the truth inside of me for the meantime.
"Be silent."
I heard Professor Asher say, as he brought the chit-chats about him in class to a halt.
"Let's begin lesson 2," he announced, gaining my full attention.
I tried like yesterday to establish eye contact with him. I wanted him to stare at me with those beautiful dark eyes of his, but he didn't.
I had my laptop out in front of me, but I couldn't type a word. I noticed he hadn't looked at me once since he arrived in class. Should I be worried?
I looked at the class and everyone seemed to be taking notes on their laptops except me. I was the only one affected by his lack of attention.
"Please, how do I look?" I whispered to Scarlet, seeking her validation.
"You look fine." She replied, without taking her eyes off her laptop.
"You didn't even look at me. How do I look?" I begged her for her honest opinion.
This time around, she took her eyes off her laptop and stared at me.
"You know I see you everyday, right?" She stated the obvious.
"I know, but I still want your opinion," I insisted.
"Okay, let me see." She paused, as she analyzed me.
"Your face and hair look gorgeous."
"Your white tank top, blue ripped jeans, and long cream cardigan look good on you."
"You look beautiful. Anything else?" she asked.
"No, thank you." I smiled at her, as she went back to taking notes on her laptop.
I was now sure there was nothing wrong with my appearance. There was no reason Professor Asher was not going to give me his attention today.
An hour later, he was done with his class.
"Are there any questions?" He inquired, as he stood in front of the podium.
I raised my left hand, having a question to ask. This time around, his attention was not on me.
Luckily for me, there were no other hands up. He had no choice but to look at me.
"I can see no other hands except for Miss Eleanor's." He sounded disappointed.
His dark eyes, a sight to behold as he stared at me. I had a faint smile on my face because now I had all his attention.
"Well, since it is just you alone, your question will have to wait until next week. I have to hurry now." He said disinterested, as he packed his things inside his work bag.
I was shocked by his coldness towards me. He had ignored me all through his class and now was snubbing my question.
I stood up in protest, as he attempted to leave.
"I can't wait until next week, Professor Asher. I have a question that needs your urgent attention." I was defiant. He stopped in his tracks.
"My next class is on Monday, just three days away."
"Write it down somewhere, I'll take your question on Monday." He insisted unbothered.
"But I can't wait for that long. Can I at least email you? Will you be so kind as to look at it today?" I suggested.
"I guess you won't let me leave if I say no, would you?"
"Okay I will." He smirked. He picked up his work bag, and he resumed walking towards the exit.
"Oh, one last thing." He paused, as he stopped.
"I didn't mention it yesterday, but my email is only for your school work. Do not send me anything other than that." He warned and he was off.
I sat down feeling distraught. Now I knew why he was avoiding my gaze. He didn't like the video I sent in my email.
"That was tense." Scarlet chuckled with eyes wildly open.
I felt it too. I guess the entire class also felt it as well.
"It is not your fault, don't let it bother you." She consoled me.
"I heard he can get like that sometimes. My boyfriend tells me everything, you know he is in his third year?"
"Speaking of my boyfriend, I have a friend I'd like you to meet tonight at a party. He is good-looking, nice, friendly, and you'll love him." She assured, expressing her approval.
I was hearing what she was saying, but I wasn't listening. My heart was deeply troubled.
My hopes were hanging by a thread because of the way Professor Asher had spoken to me. If he was upset with me, he could simply have told me.
"Okay." I said, as I stood up.
"Is that a yes?" She asked delightedly. I nodded my head in the affirmative, not sure what I was agreeing to.
"Yayyy!" She cheered happily.
"I'll be back soon," I revealed, as I headed to the exit. I needed to speak with Professor Asher.
As I stepped into the hallway, I recalled he had said his office was on the second floor, to the right.
"Hopefully, he is in his office. I hope I don't miss him." As I made my way to the staircase.
I recall he said 'he had to hurry now'.
I couldn't wait for the elevator, as I felt climbing up a flight of stairs would be faster. I did, and I didn't lose any steam.
Now I was on the second floor, I needed to look for his signage on the doors. I started from the first door to my right, heading down the hallway.
I have never been to this part of the building before. The hallway was totally empty, otherwise I would have asked someone for directions to his office.
It was a straight hallway, so there was no way I could miss his office. It was only going to take a few more seconds before I found it.
"What am I going to say to him when I stand face-to-face with him alone?" It dawned on me.
I wasn't yet prepared for a personal encounter with him. I had been fueled by a need to know why he was acting the way he was towards me.
"I still have some time to be mentally prepared to face him, until I find his door." The last word barely came out of my mouth when I saw his sign.
'Professor Asher Scott', boldly written on the door.
- Writer
