Professor be mine?

Keep my guard up!!

Chapter10___

Kian



I can’t believe my dipshit of my brother dated my professor once upon a time. Yeah, I heard them arguing outside the restroom. I was not trying to be noisy or spy on them. Hell, I didn’t even know he was already there. I just wanted to have a civil conversation with professor Ashby until I caught them in a heated argument.

Honestly, I don’t even know what took over me when I pulled her outside the club. What started as playful banter turned into having serious conversation. Before I knew it, I was already telling her about a part of myself which I again regret later sharing. Thankfully, I didn’t open up everything, secrets that I had buried deep inside and no one, not even my friends, know about.

I can’t blame the alcohol entirely or the way she looked last night. Maybe it was both. Maybe it was neither. She surely looks hot in glasses, but damn, she looks even hotter without them. I need to get laid man. Thinking about your professor sexually is not what I signed up for. It’s reckless, inappropriate and yet, here I am looking at the door for the tenth time waiting for her arrival.

I don’t know if it’s the tension or the curiosity. It must be the later one. But whatever it is, it’s getting dangerous. “At this point in life, I am convinced I have the power to attract not just any woman but women older than me. Who could blame me? I mean look at me, Lia was all over me last night. She even texted me this morning.” Cruz takes his phone out of his pocket and even shows it to us looking all amused.

“I am sure whatever relationship she was trying to build with you is purely friendship. That girl wasn’t flirting or giving any mixed signals to warm your bed—she was just talking, like having a real conversation.” Kai shut him up with that. Hmmm..even I could tell that, the girl had no hint of desire for Cruz.

“Yeah man, she practically spelled it out without saying a word—she only wants to be your friend, nothing more.” I pat him on his head lightly, just to mess with him. He throws my hand away and probably looks offended by our opinion. “Whatever, she was not even that cute.” He flat lies because Cruz never spends his precious time chitchatting girls unless she offers him something in return.

The sharp click of heels pulled my attention from him. A second later, Professor Ashby walked into the classroom. My eyes couldn’t help but follow her every moment. In her long skirt, fitted blouse and, as always, glasses perched on her nose only made her more untouchable, almost forbidden.

I shift in my seat trying to pull myself together. I can’t let her get to me. Again, she’s my professor, no less my brother’s ex. I am here for a reason and I can’t risk getting myself in trouble before graduating. A part of me knows something in the air changed between us since last night.

I tried to avoid her eyes during the whole class. Although I can feel her eyes in between her lecture. It is a subtle glance but nothing that my eyes can’t miss.

After class, I headed to the cafeteria with my friends tailing behind. I can hear kai and Cruz bantering somewhere near. I can feel Cruz slightly elbowing me, more like a signal. Just as I follow his gaze, I see Professor Ashby and the headmaster in the doorway, deep in conversation.

Whatever they are talking about looks pretty intense. Her eyebrows are drawn together, and she looks flushed in his presence. Is something cooking between them? “How many chances are there that Professor Ashby is complaining to us about last night? My chances are high,” Cruz says with impatience in his tone.

“Are you blind? Can you not make it by their expressions, they must be talking about other things. If she had complained about us, the headmaster would stilln't be talking to her with that calmness on his face.” Kai says, irritation clear in his voice. I just hum at that response.

“By the way, did you see your brother last night?” Kai knows about my relationship with my brother more than anyone. So does Cruz, but nobody gets me like Kai. That guy can read my mind, it’s almost scary. I mean I like the fact that he understands me, but sometimes I wonder if he reads too much and sees things he should not.

“Nope. Didn’t get a chance.” I flat out lied. I know Cruz will buy that because he’s got zero sense of humor, but Kai is different. I can’t tell if he believed my lies. Either way, I can’t let him see through me. Some lies and secrets are just meant for you to keep.

"I thought you didn't want to join us last night. What made you change your mind?" I am glad Cruz changed the topic and directed his question at him. "Thought you would throw a fit about it later." Although he said in his usual tone, I find it hard to believe. What must be the actual reason?

Lia

When I bumped into the headmaster in the cafeteria, I almost lost my balance from embarrassment. Why do I keep making fun of myself in front of him? “Can I have a word, Professor Ashby?” he asks lightly. I shifted my gaze around the cafeteria, not sure if he meant to have conversation in the cafeteria? What’s wrong with his office?

His lips curled at my reaction. “It won’t take long. I just want all the professors in my office after your shift ends,” he said, his voice calm but firm, leaving no room for argument. “There are few discussions to be had, and I expect everyone’s presence.” He takes a step back and leaves without another word.

Right after he left, I tried finding a seat at the corner of the cafeteria so that nobody bothered me. My hand feels clumsy from all those stares as I try to steady my tray. Why did I even think having a meal in the cafeteria was a good idea? I would just have gone to an empty room and had my meal.

And then I lightly bumped into someone’s arm. Again. God must be really having fun mocking me down here. The yoghurt that I picked for a dessert splattered across the stranger’s shirt, leaving me to gasp. “I am so sorry, I didn’t realize where I was going,” I said in all breath. The women again looks somewhat of our age.

“It’s okay. It’s my fault too, not looking my way. I am Professor Jennie, by the way.” I don’t know if I should be relieved or embarrassed. “Professor Luna,” I simply said, cringing at my tone. “I’ve seen you around, but we never met personally. If you are trying to look for a table, mind joining us?” Her voice was soft and sweet in a way that made it impossible to refuse.

I felt a tinge of guilt for ruining her shirt, but I nodded anyway. She pointed to one corner of the table where a few of her friends, professors precisely were already seated. By the time we reached the table, she introduced me to the other professors. Well, there were only two of them. Anyway, I got to introduced to Professor Camilla, who is in her mid 50s, and Professor Henry, who appears to be in his mid 40s.

Honestly, by the time lunch was almost over, a part of me couldn’t help but notice how natural professor Jennie and her friends made the whole situation feel, despite my mess. “Have you had a chance to meet any other professors? There are not many of us, but anyway?” Jennie asks me, taking a sip from her drink.

“Ummm… I got to meet the professor this summer,” I said in my usual tone. And I am surprised at my own tone, at the ease I slipped those words. It was a shocker for me as well. Everybody looks surprised at what I just said. Suddenly I feel exposed, afraid I might have said something offensive.

“Professor Freya? Business professor?” This time I replied, adding more detail. “Have you not met her yet?” I blurted out. “No, obviously we have, it’s just we were not expecting that.” There’s a hesitation in her voice like she’s in debate.

“I don’t know if you will believe me or not when I say this, but Freya, she’s a two-faced, cunning bi***. Beneath that sweet, composed exterior lies someone who manipulates you with a subtlety so sharp that you won’t even realize, and surprisingly, she’s good at it even better.” Jennie is practically whispering at this point.

I was completely shocked by what she revealed, putting me in deep thought. Out of all things, I was not expecting her to drop this bomb. Whatever the reality is, I know what I must do. I have to keep my guard up and watch every word and gesture from everyone. One mistake and I could get myself in trouble.