When Stars Collide

Chapter 4: Fear

“Alright, class do you have any questions about the syllabus? What about the readings? Or the submission requirements for this semester? None... That’s good, 'cause that would mean I can now end our meeting. You may go.”

The students looked at him in surprise. They didn’t expect to be released this early and it was taking time for them to process their professor’s orders.

Well, everyone was like that except for Alexia who is now looking at her cellphone and slightly panicking

Oh, Gabriella texted and… s**t! Five messages from JM and he sounds pissed!

Emmanuel’s suddenly booming voice slaps her out of her troubled thoughts, “COME ON PEOPLE! Get up out of your chairs and get out of here. I’m sure you have places to go.”

Oh, thank God our class has just ended. I can tell JM this and I’m sure he’ll ease up on me. 

As the class happily picks up their things and prepares to leave, Emman was glancing worriedly at the suddenly silent Alexia as she started to speed type on her phone instead of getting ready. He couldn’t believe the sudden change in the woman’s expression.

Is she actually scared? What kind of person could turn this amazingly strong woman into a frightened deer that’s about to be run over by a truck with just a few text messages?

The perplexed prof gathers his few things from the teacher’s table and walks through the now empty classroom, his gaze still attached to the now panic-stricken mature female seated at the last row. She was so focused on her smartphone she didn’t even notice Emman calling her name repeatedly as he approached her. 

”Ms. Alexia… Hey, Alex… Ma’am Mikael, hello!”

Alexia gasped at hearing the last name used on her by her manly and puzzled professor, who is now sitting right beside her. For a minute she forgot her anxiety over JM’s text…

”What did you just call me? Didn’t I say I never wanted to be called Ma’am?”

“Oh, good! It worked. For a minute there I almost lost you.”

Alex heard Emmanuel’s teasing tone and relaxed a bit, “Sorry, I didn’t mean for you to notice me and my… uhhh… problems.”

”I can hardly ignore you when you still haven’t left the room even if everyone else is already gone. So what’s going on?”

The worried woman paused for a while, looked down then shook her head, “I don’t think it’s important…”

”Bullshit, Alexia.”

A long, awkward pause…

“Excuse me, Sir? Did you just say…”

“YES, I did! All because you look as pale as a ghost right now and it’s over a few text messages that you just read on your phone. Now, are you going to be honest with me or do I deduce what exactly has happened to you?”

Damn it, I forgot he can analyze like friggin’ Sherlock Holmes… Why should he even care anyway? And why should I even bother to bother him over what’s bothering me? Ok, I don’t think that makes sense. What the hell was I planning to say again? Oh yeah…

Alexia tried to calm herself down before speaking, ”Sir Emman, I appreciate your concern but I’m really not comfortable discussing my personal problems with a stranger.”

”I'm not a stranger. I’m your professor.”

”And that makes it even worse because you’re not even supposed to be a friend to your students, right? Some would even call it unethical.”

”Who says so? Can you point these people out to me so I can tell them why I care about my students a lot?”

Alexia sighs, “I’m one of them, sir.”

A long pause...

Emman ended the silence with his own deep sigh, “Alex, It’s because I’m your professor that I care. Like I told everyone in the class earlier, it absolutely breaks my heart when I have a student who leaves or drops my subjects because of non-academic issues and this is especially true with those taking up Masteral courses.”

”But getting too involved is not professional, right?”

”Are you even listening to me, woman? Professional be damned, I intend to see you finish your Master's degree! You are one of the most intelligent, charming, and amazing women I have ever met and I really think, out of anyone else in the class, you truly deserve this chance.”

Damn it, Prof, you’re going to make me cry…

”I’ll keep what you said in mind, Sir Emmanuel. But for now, I really need to go.”

”Call me Emman when we don’t have classes, ok? And sure, take your time. I’ll just be waiting for you.”

Do you mean you’ll be waiting for me to open up or you’re waiting to leave the room with you?

Emmanuel smiles inwardly at the question that he just read on the scared woman’s unhappy face. He just couldn’t believe that this was the same fearless lady who fought wits with him just a couple of hours ago.

At least, with a little of his coaxing and encouragement, she has regained a little of her old spirit back.

”We can start with me waiting for you to stand up. I’ll even motivate you by doing this…”

He picks up her books, folder, journals, and then stands.

How did I come to care for someone like this so sudden and so fast… But everything I said is true… She’s probably one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met within a few hours… So is it wrong to be concerned about her in such a short time?

She looks up at him, sighs, then she slings her bag on her shoulder as she leaves her seat.

Isn’t this a bit too sudden Alexia? I mean, sure he’s awfully attractive and your professor to boot! But you’re in the middle of a complex and troubled relationship right. Get your head on straight and don’t expect anything out of this man no matter how friendly or concerned he is you!

Leading her with one hand under her elbow, Emman steps in time with Alex, watching for any signs of her weakening or even emotionally breaking. To her professors’ relief, the woman manages to step firmly out the door.

As he walked slowly beside her trying to match her stride, Emmanuel gives his lovely student a motivating smile…

It was a smile that only lasted for exactly five seconds.

”EMMAAAAAN!!! HONEEEEYYYYBUNNYYYYY!!!”

Shit! What the hell is she doing here?

++++++++++++

A mobile phone rings. Its female owner answers it.

"Yes, Beta?"

"Alpha, the asshole is currently in your matriarch's location," says a younger sounding woman's voice.

The one called Alpha raises an eyebrow. "Really now? How dare he!"

"Do we make a move now, Mistress?"

"What do you plan to do?"

"Scribbles and Scratches..."

"What text?"

"No idea Alpha. Any suggestions?"

"Hmmm... why don't we try V for Vendetta, the movie version?"

"A very good choice Mistress. We will set the plan in motion right away."

"Good job Beta. My regards to everyone else. Will meet you at the house tomorrow evening. Make sure all the active ones are there. We have much to plan..."

"Of course, Alpha. Will update you as we move along."

"You'd better..."