Professor be mine?

New friend?

Chapter9__

Luna

When I reached the bar, the first thing I saw was Lia laughing at someone and that someone was none other than Cruz, Kian’s friend. Sandwiched in between Cruz and Kai, Cruz seems like he’s having a time of his life, while Kai, on the other hand, looks like he’s forced to be here. I take a glance around but don’t see Kian anywhere.

When I reached their table, Lia was still mid-laugh when her eyes suddenly landed on me. “What took you so long?” I can sense a hint of concern in her voice.

Before I can say anything, I feel the presence of someone behind me—close enough that the air shifts. I don’t have to look to know who it is. Everyone around the table is now staring at us. I shifted a little closer to Lia, not wanting any rumors or speculation from students.

Lia finally breaks the silence: “Your students were keeping me company while you were gone to the washroom. They are honestly the sweetest.” I know Lia is a social butterfly, and it’s not hard for her to make friends. She walks into any room and somehow ends up in the center of it without even trying.

Before I can respond, “Glad to know my friends are making such a good impression,” the person behind me steps forward towards his friends. “Even better, to keep company on a woman like her? Deeply honored. I need to follow you right away.” Cruz reaches inside his jacket pocket and brings out his phone.

I glance at Lia as she slowly types her ID on his phone and hands him back. So much is happening tonight. Although I want her to explore and meet people, go on dates, but not this way.

Cruz is a trouble, no better than Kian. I saw him at college to find out the pattern: different girl, same charm, same grin. Safe to say he’s not exactly a one-woman guy. In fact, none of these boys are. I need to warn Lia right when we get back to the apartment.

“Professor Ashby, it’s good to see you around.”

Cruz's eyes finally shifted to mine. “Hope you won’t take this to your heart and complain about it to the headmaster, will ya?” I don’t miss the playfulness in his tone. Although I have got to be careful and professional around these students. “Don’t worry, I am not in the habit of tattling…unless you give me a perfect reason.” I slightly tilted my head, leaving a small smirk.

Everyone drifts back to their drinks and conversations. “I must tell you, I never knew seeing a professor holding a drink in her hand could look this intimidating.” He leans back like he’s proud of himself for saying it. If I had known before he was Edric's brother, I would never have crossed my path with him.

“Noted. I’ll try not to let my extracurricular habits distract me from my professional duties.” With that, I set my drink aside, acting completely unfazed. I have to keep this thing in mind, no matter how hard he tries to intimidate me, I have to be professional around him. I can’t let him get under my skin.

He was about to say something—probably another one of his teasing comments, when suddenly the same blondie from earlier launched herself at him, draping over him like she's placing a claim. She doesn’t even bother to acknowledge me even though I am sat just next to him.

I couldn’t help but watch, a small smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. It was almost comical, the way he was trying to disentangle himself from her. Serves him right. Nobody on the table except Lia looks bothered by the situation, as if they are used to it.

Within a minute, she drags him to the dance floor, her friends following closely behind. All of them dressed in a short tiny dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. She’s practically dancing all over him, hands looping around his neck, spinning and laughing like she owns the night and the person. Are they dating?

There’s a subtle grin on his face now, like he’s actually enjoying the attention, even though he looked uneasy and bothered just a minute ago. Does this guy have a split personality or something? That explains a lot. From the corner of my eye, I catch Kai’s gaze fixed on the dance floor, or more specifically on the person from the dance floor.

His face is unreadable and neutral. It’s hard to tell if he’s curious or annoyed. Whatever it is, it’s bothering him to the point he suddenly leaves the table weaving through the crowd. Nothing about tonight is normal.

I check my time that says past eleven, which is my cue to head home. I gently tap Lia on the shoulder, but she’s too busy in mid-conversation to notice at first. “Maybe it’s time for us to leave,” I whispered in her ear. “Sure. Let me say proper goodbye to my new friend here.” She already has a friend now. Great. I left without a second glance at the dance floor even though I could feel the eyes boring me from back.

We took a cab back home. And just as I entered the living room, I practically collapsed onto the sofa, kicking off my heels. The exhaustion of the night hit me all at once. “Who knew the night would turn out this good, yeh?” I heard Leah coming out of the kitchen with a glass of lemon water in her hand.

“I wouldn’t say it was good, but better than the date. Bumping into my students was not what I signed up for,” I muttered, stretching my legs out. I don’t want to think what tomorrow awaits. Can I act the same around him now that I know his little secret just like he knows mine?

“Can’t say about others, but Cruz was a total entertainer. He must be the only person keeping the group together and somewhat entertained.” She takes a sip from her drink, thinking about it.

“Although I am glad you had a blast night,” I say, letting a small serious note creep into my voice. I have to warn you…don’t let his sweet persona fool you. He and his friends are in trouble.” I paused, letting the words sink. It was meant to put some sense into her, but somehow I feel like the words are directed at me.

“Don’t worry. I know it all, I am just seeing him as a good friend, nothing more. And besides, he’s way younger than me, so there’s zero chance I’d be bouncing on his balls.”

I almost choked on my spit at her words and, with the casualty, she said that. “Bold words coming from someone who practically only talks about men’s sizes based on their physique.” I tried not to gag by saying that. She actually loves talking about man’s di** more than anything and every time she brings out the topic I have to mentally be prepared.

“Do you want to know who among those students of yours I think has the biggest di**?” She jumps on the sofa now looking all focused and excited. I regret bringing out the topic about man’s sizes.

“I can’t with you. Please spare me the information. I don’t want to hear it.” I put my hands on my ears. “Kian,” I hear her say, clapping her hands all excited. As soon as that name leaves her mouth, my mind swirls back to the moment we spent outside the club. “It’s so obvious girl, like with that aura and body he just gives a big d**k energy vibe.”

I lean back on the sofa now thinking about her words. Is that the reason why that blondie was almost glued to him? Is that because he’s that good? I mentally shake my head at that. He’s my student, for god's sake.

“It’s getting late. You should go to sleep and don’t dwell on such things”. I head towards my room with that. I need a cold shower after tonight’s experience.