Depraved Professor

Chapter 3: "Nocturnal Revelations"

Night falls over Oxford, shrouding the city in a dark blanket. I'm sitting in Sarah's room, and we're both silent, looking out the window at the twinkling lights of the streets. But the silence is not oppressive — it seems to prepare us for what needs to be said.

Finally, Sarah breaks the silence.

— Are you still thinking about Harris?"

I sigh, looking away.

"Yes, Sarah, I can't stop thinking about him. His words, his looks, his touch… They are like a fire that burns brighter and brighter.

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

"You're so confused, Emily. The attraction to him is like a poison that slowly spreads through the veins. 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 feeling? It is stronger than reason. Sometimes I think I'm ready to give up.

Sarah takes my hand.

— You should be more careful. Your feelings can ruin you. Harris is dangerous, you know that.

I look at her, and my eyes are filled with despair.

— But I find myself fantasizing about what it's like to be in his arms, to feel his touch... " The color rises in my cheeks as I realize I've said it out loud.

Sarah smiles a little.

— Your feelings are natural, Emily. Harris is a charismatic and domineering man. But remember your goals and who they really are.

We are silent for a few minutes, each lost in her own thoughts. Then I decide to share another secret:

— What if I told you that sometimes I think I hear his voice in my dreams?" He calls me, and I go... and in these dreams there is no fear, only desire and passion.

Sarah looks at me carefully.

"Your dreams are a reflection of your innermost desires. But don't confuse fantasy with reality. In real life, things can be very different.

I nod, but I know deep down that her words can't put out the fire raging in my heart.

When I get back to my room, I think about Harris again. His image haunts me everywhere: in the wind, in the moonlight, in every rustle of the night.

"What's happening to me? I ask myself. — How do I deal with this attraction?"

But there is no response. Just darkness and the whisper of the wind, which seems to repeat Harris ' name over and over.

My feelings are getting stronger every day, and my struggle with myself is getting more desperate. And I'm not sure who will emerge victorious from this confrontation: reason or passion.

Or maybe I don't have to choose at all. Maybe fate has already decided everything for me?

These thoughts keep me awake until morning, and when the first rays of the sun break through the curtains, I realize one thing: my journey is just beginning, and there are new challenges and new revelations ahead.

As the days go by, my feelings get more and more confused. On one side is the domineering and charismatic Harris, who draws me to him like a magnet. On the other is David, whose interest in me is becoming increasingly apparent.

I meet David in the university cafeteria. He's sitting at a table by himself, lost in thought. Our eyes meet, and I feel a slight flutter in my chest.

"Emily," he says with a small smile, " it's good to see you." Will you join us?"

I hesitate, but decide to sit at his table anyway.

"Of course," I say, trying to stay calm. — What are you doing here?"

David shrugs.

"Just getting something to eat." And you?

— Same thing, " I smile.

We start a conversation, and with each word I feel a special connection between us. His gaze — soft, attentive-seems to envelop me in warmth. I find myself thinking that I'm more comfortable around David than I am with Harris. But at the same time, I feel a strange sense of guilt: like I'm betraying my secret desires, which are connected to Harris.

After lunch, we leave the cafeteria and walk down the university corridor. David stops suddenly and looks at me.

"Emily, I'd like to meet you outside of university. How do you feel about this?

His question catches me off guard. I feel my heart start to beat faster, but I try to keep my cool.

"Meet... outside the university?" It's interesting, but I have to think about it.

David smiles.

— I understand. Let me know when you're ready to give me an answer."

I've been mulling over his suggestion for a few days. On the one hand, meeting David can be an interesting step, but on the other hand, I can't forget about Harris and my feelings for him.

One evening, while walking in the park, I decide to call David.

— I agree to meet you, " I say when he picks up the phone. — But let's choose a quiet and private place.

- great! he sounds happy. — I know a beautiful place in the country. There is a small pond and gazebo. How do you like this idea?

"That sounds great," I say.

On the appointed day, I put on my best dress and go to meet David. When we arrive at the pond, I feel an atmosphere of calm and comfort envelop me.

We sit in the gazebo, talking, laughing, and I find myself starting to feel a little warm about David. His touch — light, unobtrusive — makes me tremble, and his gaze-tenderness and embarrassment.

At one point, David takes my hand.

"Emily, you're special. I've never met a girl like you.

His words make my heart beat faster. I look into his eyes and realize that his gaze isn't as dangerous as Harris's, but there's something just as powerful-sincerity and warmth.

Our lips come together, and I feel a light, gentle kiss. This moment turns my world upside down: I realize that my feelings for David are not just infatuation, but something more.

But I know deep down that the fight with Harris isn't over yet. My feelings for him are still alive, and I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this internal conflict.

When we return to the city, I feel both happy and confused. Meeting David opened up new facets of my feelings, but at the same time made me think about how to combine these feelings with my attraction to Harris.

"What lies ahead for me? I think, lying in bed. — Can I make the right choice?"

These questions go unanswered, and I fall asleep lost in my thoughts and feelings.

At Harris ' next lecture, the atmosphere in the audience is tense to the limit. I can feel the tension in the air, and I know that something inevitable is going to happen today.

Harris walks into the classroom, his gaze skimming over the faces of the students, and when it comes to rest on me, a shiver runs down my spine. His eyes seem to pierce right through me, and I feel my heart begin to beat faster.

The lecture begins, and Harris immediately takes the bull by the horns.

"Emily, I'd like to hear your opinion on the topic of today's lecture. What do you think about the role of emotions in scientific research?

I look up and meet his piercing gaze. I catch the challenge in his tone, and it spurs me to respond sharply.

— I believe that emotions can both enrich the study and distort its results. It all depends on the researcher's ability to control their feelings and remain objective.

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

"Interesting… But is absolute objectivity possible? Aren't we influenced by our desires and passions?

I answer, trying to keep my cool.

- Of course, we are people, not machines. But the scientist should strive to be as objective as possible. Emotions are part of us, but they don't have to dictate terms.

Harris leans forward, his voice quieter but steely.

— What if emotions aren't a weakness, but a strength?" What if they are what makes us who we are?

I feel the blood rush to my cheeks, but I answer anyway.

— Then the scientist must be able to control this force, not succumb to it.

There is a tense silence in the audience. Harris stares at me for a long moment, and I feel the air around us sparkle with tension.

Finally, he says:

— You speak very boldly, Emily. But remember that in life, not everything can be explained by logic and rationality. Sometimes feelings take over, and there's nothing you can do about it.

I clench my fists, trying to control my emotions.

— I respect your opinion, Professor, but I'll stick to it. Feelings are important, but they should not overshadow the mind.

Harris nods slowly.

— Let's see how strong your beliefs are.

After the lecture, he holds me up.

"Emily, you are a very brave and determined girl. But remember: the game you play can have serious consequences.

I look him in the eye and answer firmly.

"I'm prepared for any consequences, Professor. I will not deviate from my principles.

Harris chuckles, and there's something in his eyes that makes me wince.

— We'll see who's who."

When I leave the classroom, I feel like I'm on a battlefield where my principles and feelings are at stake. I understand that the confrontation is just beginning, and there are new challenges ahead of me.

Back at the dorm, I share my feelings with Sarah:

"It's like he wants to break me, but I won't give up.

Sarah looks at me with concern.

— Are you sure it's worth it?" Harris is dangerous, and his methods can be brutal.

I nod.

"Yes, I'm sure. I have to protect myself and my principles.

But deep down I'm not so sure of my abilities anymore… The tension is growing, and I feel that something inevitable is about to happen.