What she shouldn't have seen.
~Oreva~
I have secretly been crushing on Rick, the most valued hockey player in Lunaris and the ladys' sweetheart. I know he's way out of my league and will probably never notice my existence but still, I feel there's no harm in admiring him from afar.
His looks scream perfection and he moves with a certain charisma that leaves one in awe. His jet-black hair is always perfectly styled and his deep emerald eyes are mesmerising. His lips are so thin that I find myself gawking helplessly whenever he parts them to speak— A sharp jawline and a pointed nose which seems to have been broken a couple of times complement his handsomeness and I melt under his stare the few times he meets my gaze.
It's Friday morning and I'm standing a few metres away from the pitch with my oxygen tank which is now my best companion, watching him from behind a pillar, giggling and smiling like a teenager who just got her first kiss. He's gliding gracefully on the field like it's his turf and the ball has no choice but to obey him. That's how skillfully he plays. Even amongst his teammates, he still finds a way to stand out with his supermodel charm.
As much as his looks can hold one spellbound, I find it hard to admit he's the most handsome male I've seen.
While he looks gentle and charming, there's this man whose aura commands the heart of every female in Lunaris.
He's an enigma, the youngest in Lunaris's history. Eyes like burning obsidian, enthralling and captivating. His presence is gravity and he has a voice that can slice through noise.
It's safe to say Professor Roshan is as handsome as a Greek god. Calling him good-looking is a gross understatement because he exists on a different pedestal of handsomeness, one which can only be attributed to immortals. He has a towering stature, broad shoulders and a defined jawline. His raven dark hair is lengthy enough to rest on his shoulders and his rossete eyes are a golden shade of amber.
I always hang my head low in his presence because I find it difficult to meet his gaze. It's safe to crush on Rick but harbouring such thoughts towards Professor Roshan will only be delusional because I can't even hold a candle to the ladies whom he ignores blatantly. Rumour has it that Professor Alphonse, Who is from a bloodline of Alphas got turned down by him a few days ago and was caught shedding tears in the parking lot.
If such a beautiful and powerful she-wolf couldn't get his attention, a miserable sickly human girl like me with a dying lungs will only be courting a heart attack by having high hopes.
Ever since his arrival at Lunaris, Rick suddenly began to lose the attention he used to get from the ladies. The pitch is supposed to be swammed with his sweethearts cheering him on as usual but it's just so scanty which makes me feel I'm his only true fan now. I giggle at the thought and adjust the thin pipe connected to my oxygen tank, which now literally gives me life, around my nose.
Having to move around with an oxygen tank is frustrating as hell but I have to accept the sad reality that it's now a part of me.
"Look who we have here," that familiar voice sounds behind me in a mocking tone, piercing through my daze and I already know who it is.
Arielle, my worst enemy. I don't even consider her an enemy because I sincerely bear no grudge against her but she seems to have taken an oath to never see me enjoy a moment of peace.
She assembles with her minions, obstructing my view of the pitch and I sigh softly, turning around to walk away but she swiftly appears in my way again, blocking my path.
"Arielle, what do you want?" I ask calmly, trying not to cause a scene.
“Did you see the school headlines?" She asks, standing akimbo with a wide smile. She is dressed foppishly as always, impossibly perfect. Her red curls bounce as if they have their own wind, and her smile is just a little too sharp.
“I asked if you saw the headline, Oreva,” she repeats, a fake innocence laced through her tone.
“No,” I respond, my voice slightly muddled.
“Oh,” she says, pretending to be surprised. “It’s just that… well, Rick kissed me after his match yesterday.”
I blink at her. She wants a reaction. I know that. But inside, I feel nothing and everything simultaneously. It sounds ridiculous but I keep a straight face.
She continues, twisting the dagger words deeper. “It was in front of everyone. You know, after he won. Alpha tradition and all. Guess the mate bond finally kicked in."
I avert my gaze. The words sting more than they should. Because they confirmed it. He is hers. Not just her boyfriend, her mate.
“We’re attending the Alpha’s banquet together in a few days,” she quips casually. “You know how exclusive that is.”
I stay silent, watching the sunlight glint off the windows of the upper floor. My oxygen tank gives a tiny hiss as it regulates the flow. Arielle leans in slightly.
“You are coming, right?”
I shrug. “I was not invited.” Who cares about an event organised by an Alpha no one has seen? they all claim he's cursed and a monster yet, everyone wants to be present to curry favour. Bunch of hypocrites!
She smirks. “Right. Not everyone can be chosen. How about I plead with Rick to let you tag along? I could tell the guards you are our maid. That way, you can get a free pass.”
That's it. That's how much I can tolerate this morning because my jaw clenches and I grit my teeth, letting silence linger a bit before speaking up.
“Does Rick know you were in Professor Roshan’s car for three hours last week?” I ask, tilting my head just a little, the way I know will irritate her.
Her face stiffens for a split second before it returns to normal a while later.
“I was…. learning.”
“Hmm.” I let the sound hang between us. “I’m sure Rick would love to hear what subject.”
Her lips part, then close. She glances around quickly, like she can erase the question from the air.
Her voice drops. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I don’t need to,” I replied softly. “People talk.”
Fear dances in her eyes, delicate and raw. But Arielle isn’t the type to back down, even if she’s being cornered.
“I missed Professor Roshan’s test because of Rick, just like you have just done this morning. That's why I was in his car,” she says, her voice tight.
I raise an eyebrow. I already knew I'd miss the test when I was home. Who wouldn't miss a 7 am test after doing as much dishes as I did this morning? "So, the car was plan B?”
She ignores me, stepping back. “I’ll just explain things to Rick before you try to act stupid. I'll advise you to channel this energy into meeting with professor Rosh for a resit because your scholarship will be withdrawn if you fail.”
“Make sure you do it before the headline changes again.” I retort, giving her no chance to see me quiver.
She turns and walks away, but her steps lack the confidence they usually hold. For once, I have been able to strike a chord.
I stand there with the wind pressing gently at my clothes, the oxygen tank softly exhaling. I should feel victorious. Instead, I feel hollow. Like I borrowed strength from something I do not own.
Roshan’s test. Scholarship.
She reminded me of something I can’t afford to forget.
I have my own scores to keep. And I am already behind.
My palm suddenly turns sweaty and I hurry towards our lecture hall to confirm if he actually conducted the test. I hope it'll be a lie but everyone is busy discussing the Alpha's banquet which is not even tonight. They do not even spare me a glance.
I frustratedly lean against the wall, at a complete loss for what to do. Missing this test will do great damage to my grades and that'll be detrimental to my scholarship. I try to consider pleading with him to conduct a make-up but how do I walk up to him when I'm too nervous to meet his gaze? Is he even going to spare me a glance? I suddenly become worked up and I break out in cold sweat, pacing back and forth.
A maniacal laughter erupts from the corridor and there comes the devil. Is she following me around? "Now your perfect grades will suddenly have a dent."
I shake my head, refusing to accept it. Getting into Lunaris have cost me a lot— too much to be thrown out now. I press my lips in a thin line and refuse to be a coward. He's my professor, not a beast. At least, he won't bite....I hope so.
I summon enough courage and head towards the staff building where his office is located. I am walking so fast that the remains of my battered lungs feel on the verge of shredding. I adjust my oxygen pipe and pull the tank along with great difficulty.
Rick and his group of friends walk by casually like I am air, insignificant and unnoticeable. I feel a pang in my chest, knowing how much I've tried to get him to notice me. But I can't blame him. He didn't force me to like him.
I continue in my path, till I finally reach the two storey building. I once learnt his office was located at the far end of the upper floor, so I ascend the stairs as fast as I can, pausing to gasp for air midway. Just a few steps away from what they described, my legs suddenly begin to give out so I slow down my pace.
The hallways are quiet. Most lecturers are not around today and I guess it's because of the event that'll hold in a few days. I pull my tank along clumsily, glancing at the door tags so I won't miss his office but I stop in my tracks in no time.
There is a sound. Soft, repetitive. A low grunt.
I pay much attention, but it gets so crude and lewd. It turns to a groan, and then a masculine whimper.
No. No way.
I shouldn’t look. I should leave. I actually want to leave but then, something..... Curiosity, pulls me closer and I peek through the thin sliver of the glass panel.
And there he is. Professor Roshan.
His shirt is undone and his head is c****d backwards with his eyes tightly shut and lips parted. This shouldn't be what I'm thinking. My gaze trails down the movement of his toned muscular arm and settles on his hand wrapped around his terrifyingly huge manhood.
Holy Hell!
My breath vanishes like air has suddenly been sucked out of my oxygen tank as I watch him jerk himself off violently like his life depends on it. My legs turn to jelly and I step back too quickly, bumping into a shelf. The sound is tiny, but it echoes like a gunshot.
His eyes snap open immediately and meet mine through the crack in the door.
Amber. Piercing. Locked on me.
Time stops instantly, but I do not wait. I turn and bolt down the stairs, the oxygen tank clattering behind me like it is scared too. My breath seizes in my chest and my heart thumps so fast, slamming against my ribcage.
He saw me!