When Stars Collide

Chapter 1: Analysis

“Wait, what? NOOO! We can’t take that offer! It’s preposterous! Do they even know how much delivery is gonna cost us if we... Yes, tell them to stick to the initial... I don’t care if they sent an email! How can they make a counter proposal NOW when I already said yes to the first one?”

The woman on the phone, dressed formally in a flowing lavender blouse and black slacks, was currently rushing through one of her university college’s halls. It was too late when this 5’2 curvy Asian beauty realized that her voice was now echoing up and down the corridors, probably even into the classrooms. She walked a little faster, her black high heels click-clacking off the hard tile floor, just so she can escape any possible arguments with professors whose classes were affected by her sudden outburst. This was not the best time for her to deal with additional stress-related conflicts, after all.

She tried her best to lower her voice as she semi-jogged to get to her classroom on time, her bag, hand-carried items, and her buxom breasts jiggling in time with her steps. “Listen, just don’t reply. Tell them I’m busy right now and will get back to them around six tonight, ok? Just make sure you put an alarm on my Google Calendar for it... Yes, gotta go, bye!”

At that very moment, she found the right door to enter, and just in time too. Only around three students littered the spacious, multilevel classroom and there was no professor in sight. It would not do to be late for your first ever master's class for the semester, so she breathed a sigh of relief as she walked through the back entrance of the room. Just as her eyes adjusted to the dim lights of the auditorium-like space, she saw a well-built and good-looking man in his mid-30s right smack dab in front of her, smiling at her from one of the vacant seats in the last row.

And his eyes shone with an unspoken but clear invitation for her to sit next to him.

Uhhh... no.

Alexia carefully placed her bag, college journal, and business folders on the seat next to the guy before sitting down on the empty chair beside her things. She felt the piercing stare of this brown-eyed, dark-haired male, who was now chuckling to himself, as if he realized that she was putting up a very flimsy wall between them as a response to his non-verbal request.

Well, Emmanuel didn’t seem offended at all as he watched the wavy-haired redhead start texting like crazy the minute she sat down. He couldn’t help smiling again as she knocked down her journal to the floor in one fell swoop in an effort to open up her folder while still texting. Photos, pieces of paper, and other miscellaneous items fluttered about everywhere. Now very much amused with the situation, he knew that he had to help her whether she wanted him to or not.

“Thanks, uh... yeah. I’ll just fix those myself... sorry for the bother,” she awkwardly said to him as she scrambled against him in an effort to get to her things first while still trying to text.

Good luck with that one, woman.

The brown-eyed man flashed her a mischievous smirk as he handed over all the little scraps of what-not that he had picked up from the floor. However, he did give her open journal a quick scan before giving it to her since his curiosity about her was obviously piqued at this point. And this handsome stranger’s actions were not lost on Alexia, since her observation skills are automatically triggered when it came to these sorts of situations. 

Comes with the territory...

The nerve! Is he trying to read my notes?

“So, did you transfer, or are you a graduate here?”

Alexia started at his question since she was still deep in thought due to this guy’s unwanted actions. She could definitely feel the hidden smile in his smooth and manly tone though. 

Realizing that he won’t stop pestering her if she didn’t answer his question, she sighed in resignation. Normally, she would ignore strangers like him but realizing that he will be her classmate for the whole semester, it would be best to just be “friendly”. Besides, he’s really confident, has a face that can pass for a European and looks good in his dark blue collared shirt and tight jeans so what has she got to lose, right?

“A graduate, but that was a long time ago... like more than two decades.”

There, that should discourage him now. I really don’t get what guys like him see in me. I’m no model type, never was, and I’m chunkier even now, given I’m a mom of three. And do the math, please. I’m old enough to be your aunt, for goodness sakes!

The man’s sparkling smile did not faze for a second, “Ah, because of your early marriage. Yeah, that can get in the way of your academic goals every time.”

Alex slowly turned her head towards the observant guy while her cat-like, brown eyes widened in disbelief at his reply.

What the...

Emman noticed her reaction at once and answered it with a swift but short explanation, “The photo inserted at the back cover of your journal: you with your three kids in their late teens or early adult ages. That says it all, really.”

Now, I hope she doesn’t think I’m being a creep just because I used my analytical skills on her. But yeah, can’t help it. These are the kinds of women I like to impress. Curvy, a little on the chubby side, quick-witted, confident, and older than me though it’s hardly noticeable...

Good thing Alexia was more impressed than frightened by his response. She looked at him squarely in the face for a few silent moments before expressing her thoughts. 

“My gosh, that’s really REALLY good! Of course, you can be thought of as a stalker by most, but I do appreciate talking with someone who has above average analytical skills. What else can you say about the photo that you saw?”

Emman felt a tinge of pride puffing up in his brawny chest at her encouraging statements, “Well, you are most likely separated from your husband or he died. No partner in the photo but you all seem happy.”

“Actually, it’s both. We separated more than ten years ago but he passed away last year. But how sure are you I wasn’t just an aunt who’s close to her nephews and nieces?”

“You wouldn’t be posing that way if you were just an aunt. Moms have a tendency to stay in the background when they take pics with their kids. And you’ve got your arms on their shoulders. With aunts, it’s usually the kids hugging her or there’s no hugging at all.”

Alex tilted her head a bit as if she’s suddenly reviewing the photo, ”But that’s not always the case, right?”

”If that doesn’t convince you…” Emmanuel leaned towards her in a conspiratorial manner and accidentally takes a whiff of her sweet-spicy perfume. He paused for a few seconds to regain his senses before pointing to one of the girls in the picture, “…your eldest daughter is such a close copy of you that most would instantly think that you are sisters. That is hardly the case for aunts and nieces.”

The woman’s even pearly whites were on full display now, “Nice! That is quite an amazing talent you have there. But I think I can match your observation skills with a few inferences of my own about you. Care to listen?”

Emmanuel heard the hidden smile in her melodic feminine voice, “Please, I’m eager to hear them.”

“You’re also a graduate from this school and you still live near the campus. Most likely, you don’t use public transportation because you have your own car. Also, you’re either single or in a complicated relationship. Now tell me where I’m wrong.”

Emman’s chiseled jaw dropped and it’s now his turn to gawk at the bright-eyed, busomy woman beside him, a truly surprised expression now plastered on his tanned face. He also realized that she didn’t have a photo to work with as he did. That would mean she could even be better than him…

All of these analytical inferences garnered only through a short conversation? If she really is better than me, I won’t mind it all!

“Whoa, that was good! You’ve really got to tell me how you figured all that out.”

Her tone was very matter of fact, devoid of any mischief or condescension. Her words were fast as bullets but were very clear and understandable. Her curvy, thick lips were smiling as she spoke. And even if her explanation was long, it was a treat to hear and watch her do so.

At least to Emmanuel, it was.

“Simple, really. It’s been raining for about two hours now and I even got wet because the cab I rode in can’t find a proper place to drop me off. You and I both don’t have umbrellas at the moment but your jeans are dry, unlike mine. Even if you’ve been waiting for an hour in this classroom, which I doubt you have, your jeans would still have discolorations due to dampness and they don’t. Speaking of which, I presume you graduated here because you’re wearing jeans despite this being a master's class. Transferees would wear something more formal. I also believe that you still live near the campus because you don’t use a bag to carry your stuff to school. As a matter of fact, you’re practically empty-handed so it means you can easily return to your place from here and don’t need to bring snacks, extra shirts or the like with you even if you’ll be spending a long time on campus. These kinds of classes last around four hours, right?”

Alexia watched intently as her conversation partner’s face became more and more amazed as she continued talking. It felt good to get such a reception from someone smart, witty, and fine-looking so her smile kept getting stronger by the minute. Most guys would just laugh off her analysis and change the conversation. Glad that her new classmate is appreciative of her thoughts.

Teasingly, she stopped her narrative just to gleefully watch this broad-shouldered man eagerly gesture for her to continue.

“Wait, what about the explanation about me being single or in a complicated relationship?” he wheedled.

“First off, you don’t have a ring. Secondly, it’s hard to imagine someone like you without a girlfriend or wife.”

And the fact that you seem to be flirting with me is proof of being single or you’re unhappy with your present partner. Of course, I’m not gonna say that aloud.

Emmanuel paused for a second then tried to stifle a chuckle, “And the fact that you think I’m flirting with you gives the impression of an unhappy union or singleness, correct?”

It was now Alexia’s turn to pause and giggle in surprise even as she read his thoughts through his expressive eyes…

Yes, I can read your face too, woman.

“So it’s safe to assume that you ARE flirting?” Alex managed to say while still mid-giggle.

“I’ll avoid answering that because it might get me into trouble. Let’s just say I’m a very charming young man who appreciates clever women who are also quite lovely.”

“Ok, you’re not so young but you’re now DEFINITELY flirting.”

“Ok, admittedly I’m not THAT young but no, I reiterate that I’m NOT flirting. Just stating the truth. So I promise you that you're safe.”

Both paused then started laughing aloud again.

All this time, the classroom had started to fill up with students, and they were now both very much aware of a few heads turning their way. Who could blame them, with all the noise they were making now...

“So, did I say anything about you that wasn’t true? Other than the flirting part that is.”

Emmanuel stared into Alex’s eyes and smiled widely at the last statement before answering,

“Everything was spot on except for one.”

Alexia paused, her naturally-shaped thick brows knitting together. “Which one?”

The man, in response, took a leather jacket from a chair hidden from Alexia’s view, stood up to his full almost 6-foot height, then slung the black garment over his shoulder. “The part where you said I didn’t bring anything with me.”

Before Alexia could comment, the guy walked up to the front, placed his jacket on the teacher’s table located in the middle of the stage while moving a pile of books and a large leather journal aside. He then leaned in front of the desk and spoke, his deep but strong masculine voice echoing pleasantly throughout the classroom.

“Good morning, class. My name is Professor Emmanuel M. Antonio and I’ll be your guide and mentor for the whole semester. You can call me Prof Antonio or Sir Emmanuel or you can try a mix of both and let’s see what happens.”

The class laughed at his last statement except for Alexia. He grinned victoriously at the woman from where he’s standing, obviously enjoying the shocked look on her face.

Knowing from what I see in her now, I’m sure to get some sort of payback for this. But that’s fine.

He’s sure that they’ll both enjoy the challenge of dueling one another somehow. For now, he’s just glad that he has found someone that could make this class an interesting one.

Nope, this unconventional and manly Professor will definitely NOT be bored during this semester. And hopefully, neither will his new favorite student.