Depraved Professor

Chapter 2: "The first signs of attention"

Harris's presence in my life is becoming more palpable every day. He is like a shadow that haunts me in the corridors of the university, in the lecture halls, and even in my thoughts. His views are becoming more explicit and his remarks more ambiguous.

In one of the lectures, Harris asks me a question:

"Emily, you've been so quiet today. Aren't you interested in my topic?

I look up and meet his piercing gaze. There's a hint of mockery in his tone, but there's something else in his eyes that makes my heart beat faster.

"On the contrary, Professor, the subject is very interesting. I just prefer to think carefully about my answer, " I say, trying to keep my cool.

Harris smiles, and there's something predatory about it.

"Caution is a commendable quality. But sometimes you should allow yourself a little impulsiveness.

His words sound like a hint, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

After the lecture, he stops me at the door.

"Emily, I'd like to discuss some points from today's lecture with you. Do you have time?

I hesitate, but answer anyway.

"Yes, Professor, I can spare you a few minutes.

We walk into an empty classroom and Harris closes the door. His closeness makes me nervous, but I try to control myself.

"You're a very talented student," he says, coming closer. — You have a sharp mind and the ability to think outside the box.

I can feel his gaze moving over my face, and I find it hard to breathe.

"Thank you, Professor," I say, averting my eyes. — I'm trying.

Harris leans a little closer.

— Keep trying. But remember: the world of knowledge, like the world of people, has its own rules of the game. And sometimes you need to be able to take risks.

His voice is low and insinuating, and I find myself unwittingly falling for his charm. But then I pull myself back: "Don't give in! He's dangerous!"

When I get back to the dorm, Sarah notices my agitated state.

— What happened?" You're kind of weird today.

I tell her about my meeting with Harris, and she listens intently, occasionally nodding.

"He's obviously interested in you,"Sarah says. "But be careful. His reputation speaks for itself.

— I know, " I say. — But I think he doesn't just want to teach me, but — " I stammer, unable to express my thoughts.

Sarah looks at me with understanding.

— Do you feel there's more to him than just a teacher?"

I nod, unable to deny the obvious.

- yes. But I mustn't give in to these feelings. I need to be mindful of my goals and who he really is.

Still, as I lie in bed at night, I keep replaying Harris's words and the look in his eyes over and over in my head. And each time, my heart beats faster, and a fire ignites in my soul, which I desperately try to extinguish.

He's dangerous, I remind myself. — But at the same time... there's something about him that draws me like a magnet."

And with these thoughts, I fall asleep, not knowing what my confrontation with myself and Harris will lead to.

The days turn into a series of challenges. Each time, Harris gets closer, his hints get more explicit, and his looks get hotter. I try to keep my cool, but I'm feeling a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

The attraction to Harris is like a poison slowly spreading through my veins. His charisma, intelligence, and authority attract me, but at the same time, his methods and reputation keep me at a distance.

In the evening, I share my experiences with Sarah. We're sitting in her room, and the air is filled with tension.

"Sarah, I'm not sure what's going on with me," I start, looking out the window. "Every time Harris is around, my heart starts beating faster. But I remember who he is and what you can expect from him.

Sarah turns to me, her eyes full of sympathy and understanding.

— You're between a rock and a hard place." Attraction and reason are fighting in you. But you must keep your goals in mind.

I sigh.

"Yes, but what if I can't stop thinking about him even at night?" I find myself fantasizing about what it's like to be in his arms...

The color rises to my cheeks as I realize I've said it out loud. Sarah looks at me with a small smile.

"It looks like you've really fallen into the trap of your feelings." But remember, Harris is not the one who will protect your heart.

I cover my face with my hands.

— I know, I know… But what to do with this attraction? It's like a fire that can't be extinguished.

Sarah leans toward me and whispers, " I'm sorry.

- Maybe you should admit your feelings, but not lose your head? You're strong, Emily, and you can control your emotions.

Her words calm me down a little, but I still feel uneasy inside. I understand that dealing with my own feelings is the most difficult challenge I've ever faced.

At the next lecture, Harris turns his attention back to me. His gaze slides over me like a touch, and I feel my insides freeze.

After the lecture, he stops me again.

"Emily, I'd like to discuss some aspects of our last conversation with you. Do you have time?

I hesitate, but nod anyway. We walk into an empty classroom and Harris closes the door. His nearness makes me shiver, but I try to control myself.

"You're so mysterious, Emily," he says, coming closer. — I can sense a storm of emotions in you, but you're very good at hiding them.

His voice is low and insinuating, and I find myself wanting to hear it again. But then I pull myself back: "Don't give in! You must keep your goals in mind!"

When I get back to the dorm, I start thinking again. My attraction to Harris is growing stronger, but I know I have to resist him.

You can do this, Emily, I tell myself. "You're stronger than your feelings."

But deep down, I'm not so sure of my abilities anymore...

Every day the struggle with my own feelings becomes more difficult, and I do not know who will emerge victorious from this confrontation — reason or passion.

With each passing day, Harris ' manipulations are becoming more apparent. He is like a skilled chess player who calculates every move, trying to capture my attention and feelings. His looks, gestures, and remarks are all aimed at breaking my defenses.

At one of the seminars, Harris asks me a question that sounds innocuous, but in his tone I catch a hidden subtext:

"Emily, you're so deep in thought. Would you like to share your thoughts with the group?

I look up and meet his piercing gaze. There's a challenge in his eyes, and something else that makes my heart beat faster.

— I think the subject deserves a more detailed analysis, " I say, trying to keep my cool. — There are several aspects that we would like to consider in more detail.

Harris smiles, and there's something predatory about it.

- Detailed analysis is good. But sometimes you should also trust your intuition. What does it tell you?

His words sound like a hint, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. I try not to show my emotions, but inside I feel a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

After the seminar, Harris detains me again.

"Emily, I'd like to discuss some points from today's class with you. Do you have time?

I hesitate, but answer anyway.

"Yes, Professor, I can spare you a few minutes.

We walk into an empty classroom and Harris closes the door. His closeness makes me nervous, but I try to control myself.

He moves closer, and I can smell his perfume, tart and inviting. His gaze slides over my face, and I find it hard to breathe.

"You're very perceptive, Emily," he says, lowering his voice a little. — But sometimes you should be less careful.

I look away, trying to hide my excitement.

"Caution is my best ally.

Harris leans a little closer, his breath brushing my cheek.

- Perhaps, but sometimes the risk brings the most vivid fruits.

I feel his hand touch mine just barely, and an electric shock runs through my body. I pull my hand away as if I've been burned.

"Professor, I - I have to go."

He looks at me with a small grin.

"All right, Emily. But remember my words.

When I get back to the dorm, I immediately share my feelings with Sarah.

"It's getting closer and closer. His touches, his looks… I do not know how long I can resist.

Sarah listens intently, occasionally nodding.

"You're like a spider's web." Harris is adept at setting up his traps. But remember: you're stronger than you think.

I cover my face with my hands.

— But what about this attraction?" It's like a fire that can't be extinguished.

Sarah looks at me sympathetically.

— You must find a balance between your mind and your feelings. Otherwise, Harris will swallow you whole.

Her words calm me down a little, but I still feel uneasy inside. I understand that the fight is just beginning, and it is not known who will come out of it as the winner.

At night, lying in bed, I keep replaying Harris's words and touches over and over in my head. And each time, my heart beats faster, and a fire ignites in my soul, which I desperately try to extinguish.

You need to be stronger, Emily, I tell myself. "You can't give in to these feelings."

But deep down, I'm not so sure of my abilities anymore...