Thorns of White Rose

Chapter 3 - Special Favor

As weeks passed, I am slowly getting used to seeing famcy cars and expensive things. This is what's normal in this university. When it comes to my grades, I make sure that I am still on track. Although I joined several organizations, my priority remains my scholarship. I have to keep it until I graduate.

One lazy afternoon, Aubrey decided to fut classes. She is going to attend a debutation party at night so she decided not to attend the afternoon classes. I can't really say that I'm alone because even I hate to admit I yhink I'm growing fond of my blockmates. I thought I would feel like I don't belong, but someof them are really nice and I accept their social behavior even sometimes they're really spoiled. I hang out with them sometimes. I'm still surprised when they take me to their resort or vacation house around the city.

Today, Soncha is sitting at Aubrey's chair because she's not here. She keeps talking about the guy she met online and how she loves his red flags. She doesn't care how many times I have shown uninterested by rolling eyes and taking deep sighs.

"Why would you be with someone like him? It's obvious how you will end up sobbing for unworthy person." I blurted. I was not close with my classmates before so this kind of conversation is new to me.

"You haven't been in love, have you?" The disbelief in Soncha's voice made me want to laugh.

"And what's the big deal with that? We are still minor plus I learned early that such thing doesn't last. It's only beautiful at first." I smiled at her.

"What? I can't with you!" She rolled her eyes the resumed to tell me what's going on now in her chaotic love life. I am not interested, but if she will feel better by telling me all those nonsense then let me willingly pretend to listen.

My afternoon just got worse when the Calculus professor entered in the classroom. Lately, Aubrey seems to be over him. I think she was turned off. He's quite the strict type and nothing gets passed to him. His house rules are implemented with severity. One time, he caught someone sleeping in the class so he sent him to the nap room. The second time he caught that student, he sent him to the detention. Some professors would just let students be, but he's different. After that incident, the guy dropped the subject. And I think everyone's a little scared of him now.

He memorized the name of everyone, so he does the attendance by scanning and making remarks in his records using laptop.

His eyes focused on me before his jaw clenched. I didn't do anything, but I felt scared. What's with him?

"I assigned a pairing for the new activity. I was initially planning to give it as individual activity, but other class complained so I'm being exrra generous to you." There were side comments.

He cleared his throat before continuing.

He mentioned Aubrey's name first, she's paired with Krist. I rolled my eyes. Why wouldn't he let us choose our own partner.

"Since you're 35 in class, one has to do it individually." He's looking directly at me. If it's me then I'd be grateful. I don't want a liability, I can do that activity alone.

"Ms. Savedra, I believe you're capable to do it alone. Should you have any clarification, just go to my office." I was about to stand to het the paper from him, but he walked towards my direction and handed it to me.

"Thank you." I answered coldly.

"You're welcome. By the way, class, this is equivalent to one long quiz. Since you can answer this outside the room, ai believe no one will fail." That sounds like a warning.

I looked at the paper when he walked back to where he was standing. I don't recognize most of the questions. Maybe I can take a better look later.

He discussed a new lesson and left some remarkable advises. I have to say even he's a Math teacher and still very young, he's full of wisdom. He talk with maturity. He stood professional despite the lustful words some of my classmatrs are spitting at him.

I am scheduled to go home to Batangas this weekend, so I wanted to finish that activity on the same day. I went to th library to finish that, but the items are really different from what he taught. I tried to sesrch online and look for related books, but I can't understand what's being asked in some problems. Submission is on Monday before 1 PM. I was in a dilemma whether to ask for his help or to ask someone. But I don't know anyone else who's good at this.

It's around 6 PM when I decided to visit his office. I must say that even the faculty rooms here are of top class. Each office is occupied by 3 professors and 1 secretary.

I saw from the glass walls of his offoce that the lights inside are still on. The secretary asked who I need when I entered in the room.

My eyes looked around searching for the man I need. He's the only professor left there. Why does it feel like someone ponched my heart when our eyes met?

I smiled at the secretary, and asked her that I will just talk to Kale. I bite my lower lip as I approached him. He's on the phone, hut he immediately put it down when he saw me.

"Hi, Ms. Savedra. Didn't expect you here." He's wearing a grin when he said that.

"Do you perhaps have some time, s-sir? I want to ask something about the activity." He stood and pulled another chair towards his table. He gestured me to sit on his swivel chair as he sat on the chair he pulled.

I hate calling him sir. He's too young, and I feel inferior.

"I have all the time." He murmured. I gave him one awkward smile then pulled the paper from my bag.

I almost cursed when I smelled his perfume when he extended his arm to reach for a pen on the other side of table. I just wish I am not blushing at that moment.

" Let's see. Which items can't you answer?" It became suffocating when he pulled his chair near me. Despite the cold temperature in that room, I felt hot.

"Hi. Sorry I have to go. Do you still need something from me?" The secretary seemed to be in hurry when she approached us.

"No. You can go. Have a happy weekend then." She smiled at him and told him that she's returning the key to the front desk so he can just lock the door.

We waited for her to leave. Suddenly, I am out of words. I showed him the paper, I was only able to answer a few items.

"I'm already impressed that you're able to answer some items. What I gave you were questions from advanced lessons." I stared at him for a while.

"Why?" He took a deep sigh.

"I want to see how much you know. I was requested by the Math Association of Stallion to pick a president for the next school year. I have my eyes on you." My eyes widened. There are many atudents, and I am certain that there aee more students who are more capable than me.

"Thanks for seeing the potential in me, but I am not sure if I'm even capable."

"I will support you all the way." My brows raised. He said those words without thinking twice. What I can't understand is my heart - the way it is reacting to the situation is unacceptable.

"Why me?"

"I know you can. I also don't want to disappoint Ms. Vegas who asked me to choose the next president. You're the most suited student for the position. Why? You're not interested?"

He leaned closer to me trying to make me look at him in the eyes. I just can't. I felt butterfly in my stomach. I never felt this way before.

" I-I will think about it. What about these questions? Isn't it unfair that you gave me harder--"

"You will get full remarks for this acitivity. I want you to think about my offer." He took a deep breath then smiled. I lost. I felt how hot my face was.

I admit that he's good looking. His brown domineering eyes made me feel hot all over. From the way he stands, it's obvious that he's smart. I never met someone so goodlooking and smart like him, that's why I am kind of excited right now. On top of that, he's young. I understand why girls are flocking over him. He's rich, he looks professional yet hot at the same time, he's intimidating, he smells good and he can really make someone feel hot even by jist staring that them. 

"I'll be watching you for the whole semester, and I will guide you to the presidency. Hope you don't turn me down, I'll be very hirt. I've never been turned down before." He murmured the last sentence. 

I stood and faked a smile. 

"Okay. We can talk about this another time. I'm going now." He stood as well. He reached for his phone then turned to me again.

"I'm leaving now. I can give you a ride, where do you go home?" His eyes sparked or is it just my imagination? 

"N-no need. I can manage." He stared at me as if disappointed. 

"Okay. See you next week then." He answered. I walked towards the door but he reached for it and openend it. He let me go out first. 

From my peripheral view, I saw him turned off the air conditioner and the lights before shutting the door. 

I can smell his perfume again when we're in the elevator. It's so awkward. I can see our reflection at the door. When I stole a glance, I saw him looking at me. He avoided my gaze. He's tall, so I needed to look up just to confirm he's staring at me. 

None of us spoke. Gladly, the elevator reached the ground floor. He has to walk to the parking lot while I need to go out at the front gate to call for a taxi.

"Ahm thanks for your time..." I didn't finish what I was going to say because Brynne suddenly appeared beside me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and gave a wide smile. 

"You're still here? Scholars surely are different, aight Sir Kale?" They really seemed close. 

Kale looked at me and then Brynne's arm.

"We had to talk about some things. How's the preparation for school festival going? Want to talk about ot over coffee?" 

"Oops sorry. I have to catch a family dinner tonight. We can talk some other time. I will asl for youe availability next week so we can set a merting with you."

Brynne turned to me with a really wide smile. 

"You're going home to Batangas?" How did he know? 

"Your bestfriend told me. I can drop you off in the terminal. It's along my way to the restaurant." His eyes were sparkling when he asked me. 

"Are you sure?" I asked then smiled back. He nodded. 

"Okay. Thank you." I answered.

Kale cleared his throat. I bite my lower lip when I remembered I just turned down his offer then said yes to Brynne. 

"What about you, Sir Kale? Do you have other business? You're also headed the same way, right? I can give you a ride but you surely have a driver." 

He's really something. Is he a CEO or son of a politician? Just exactly how rich is he? I have a feeling he's just using his career as professor to add something on his profile. 

" It's fine. You can go ahead. I need to check something." Kale looked annoyed when he walked away from us. 

That night, Brynne safely drove me to the terminal and even waited for me to get on the bus. He's a true definition of a gentleman.