Chapter 10: Distance
722 Words
The knock on the dean’s office door echoed through the quiet hallway.
“Come in.”
Professor Kael Villanueva stepped inside, his expression as composed as ever.
The dean motioned for him to take a seat.
“I’ll be direct, Professor.”
A brown envelope lay on the desk.
Inside were several photographs from the academic retreat.
One showed Kael reviewing Ariana’s research during a workshop. Another captured them leaving the seminar room together.
The dean slid the envelope toward him.
“We received an anonymous complaint.”
Kael examined the photos without changing his expression.
“These pictures don’t show misconduct.”
“No,” the dean agreed. “But they may create the appearance of favoritism.”
“I’ve treated Miss Monteverde no differently from my other students.”
“I believe you.”
The dean folded his hands.
“Unfortunately, universities must protect not only fairness but also public trust.”
Kael understood immediately.
“You’re asking me to establish stricter boundaries.”
“I’m asking you to avoid situations that can be misunderstood.”
After a brief silence, Kael nodded.
“I understand.”
⸻
That afternoon…
Ariana arrived outside Professor Kael’s office for her scheduled consultation.
She knocked twice.
“Come in.”
She entered with a hopeful smile.
“I’ve finished revising Chapter Four.”
Instead of inviting her to sit as he usually did, Kael remained standing.
“You may leave the manuscript on my desk.”
She hesitated.
“Aren’t we going to discuss it?”
“I’ll return my comments through email.”
Her smile faded.
“…Professor?”
“From now on, all consultations will take place during official group consultation hours.”
She stared at him.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then why are you suddenly avoiding me?”
For the first time, Kael looked away.
“This arrangement is more appropriate.”
The answer felt cold.
Professional.
Final.
Ariana slowly placed the manuscript on the desk.
“I understand.”
She forced a small smile before leaving the office.
The moment the door closed, Kael let out a quiet breath.
It was the right decision.
Even if it felt like the wrong one.
⸻
Outside the faculty building…
Ariana walked aimlessly across campus.
She replayed the conversation over and over in her mind.
Had she become too familiar?
Had she disappointed him?
None of it made sense.
“Hey.”
She turned.
Ethan stood beside her, holding two iced coffees.
“You look like you’ve had the worst consultation of your life.”
She laughed weakly.
“Something like that.”
Without asking questions, Ethan handed her one of the drinks.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
She accepted it gratefully.
“Thanks.”
“How about taking a short break? You’ve been buried in research for weeks.”
Ariana looked toward the faculty building.
Professor Kael’s office window was closed.
After a long moment, she nodded.
“A short break sounds nice.”
The two walked toward the campus garden, talking about anything except research.
From his office window, Kael happened to notice them crossing the courtyard together.
He quietly closed the blinds.
Whatever loneliness he felt was his burden to carry.
His priority remained the same:
Protect his student.
Protect the integrity of the university.
Even if it meant becoming the cold professor everyone believed him to be.
⸻
That evening…
As Ariana organized her notes, her phone buzzed.
It was an email from Professor Kael.
The attachment contained detailed comments on her latest chapter.
At the bottom of the page was a single handwritten note scanned into the document.
“Your improvement is evident. Continue working hard. Don’t let temporary setbacks distract you from your goals.”
Ariana read the sentence twice.
A small smile appeared.
Maybe he wasn’t pushing her away because he had lost faith in her.
Maybe…
There was another reason.
⸻
End of Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Teaser:
The anonymous complaint is still unresolved when another incident shakes the university. During a laboratory demonstration, Ariana is injured while protecting a classmate. Professor Kael rushes to the scene, and his instinctive concern is witnessed by dozens of students—fueling even more rumors just as the investigation reaches a critical stage.
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