MY DANGEROUS PROFESSOR

Chapter 3

Open the door, Ethan, or I swear to God I’m kicking it off the hinges!" Chloe’s furious voice came through the door.

Ethan sighed and stood up to unlocked the door for them. The moment the door opened, all four of them practically tumbled into the apartment.

Chloe rushed in first, eyes immediately searching the room until they found me. Behind her, Maya was carrying a huge bag of takeout, Sam looked like he was ready to punch someone, and Leo quickly shut the door behind them.

"Aria!" Chloe dropped her designer bag on the floor and hurried over, throwing her arms around me.

Within seconds, all four of them were surrounding me on the couch, pulling me into a tight group hug. Their warmth finally broke through the wall I had built around myself, and suddenly, I started crying again.

"Ethan called us," Maya whispered, rubbing my back while Leo handed me a box of tissues. "We know what that bastard did."

"That bastard is dead," Sam said getting up to his feet. He started pacing across the living room with his fists clenched. "I'm going to his apartment right now. I will throw him and his little boy toy out the window."

"No, violence is too easy," Chloe said, pulling back to look at me. "Physical pain heals. We're going to ruin his life financially and socially."

Leo smirked as he leaned against the armrest. "I already spoke to my uncle, who owns the building Logan lives in. Guess whose lease is getting terminated by the end of the week because of 'unauthorized sub-tenants'?"

He paused, looking far too pleased with himself.

"And since Aria's name is the one on the lease, we are cancelling her credit card authorizations today. Let's see how Mr. 'Expand Our Relationship' pays for his precious Julian's organic smoothies."

"Plus," Maya added with a smirk, "I made a few calls to some people who know people. Logan is already struggling to find a job, so let's just say I have made sure his résumé won't be landing on the right desks anytime soon. Maybe that bastard will finally learn what it's like to live without Aria paying his bills. Let’s see how long he and his boyfriend will last without Aria’s money"

Despite the ache in my chest, I couldn't stop a small smile from forming. These people were my family. They always had been.

"Now," Chloe said, standing and folding her arms, "that takes care of Logan. Now let's talk about you."

I blinked at her, wiping my nose. "Me? What about me?”

"You are not spending another night sitting on this couch crying over that broke, delusional leech," Chloe said firmly without giving me a chance to argue, "We are going out tonight."

"What? No." I immediately sank deeper into the couch. "Chloe, I can't. I look like a corpse, and I feel like one too. I just want to stay here."

"Stay here and continue crying and sulking over Logan all day? Not happening," Leo said, tossing a sleek black outfit into my lap. "We are going to my favorite club. The VIP section is already reserved for us."

"You are going to get dressed, put on some red lipstick, let those beautiful curls down and have a few drinks," Sam added, pointing at me. "Even if it's only for one night, you are going to forget that man's name. We are not letting you sit here and torture yourself."

"Ethan, tell them!" I looked at my cousin, hoping he would take my side.

Ethan stood by the kitchen counter with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked at my pale, tear-stained face, then at our four friends.

"They are right, princess," he said softly, walking over and resting a hand on my head. "You have spent years sacrificing everything for a man who didn't deserve it. Tonight, you go out, have some fun, and forget he exists. I will even drive you guys, I won’t be drinking tonight ."

“Yey!” They all screamed together.

I looked around at the five people who had been beside me since high school. They were the only people who knew the parts of my past I rarely talked about, and they loved me anyway.

I took a deep breath and looked down at the black dress in my hands.

"Fine," I whispered, feeling the smallest spark of excitement return. "Let's go."