My Obsessed Professor

“Tell me, Claire. Does your boyfriend know how interested you are in me?” Claire Bennett stared at Professor Adrian Hayes across his desk. “I came here to discuss my grade, not my boyfriend.” “Your grade is a C.” “You gave my research proposal the highest evaluation in class last week. What changed?” “Your final submission disappointed me.” “That’s funny. You called it exceptional.” Adrian leaned back, his expensive watch catching the sunlight. “Perhaps my expectations have changed.” “Or perhaps you're punishing me because I rejected your dinner invitation.” His smile vanished. Three nights ago, Adrian had approached her after class and invited her to dinner. Claire had assumed he wanted to discuss her research project. Then he'd suggested a restaurant outside campus and told her to dress nicely. She'd refused. He'd simply smiled and said, “You'll change your mind.” Now her grade had mysteriously dropped. “Be careful with your accusations,” he warned. “I'm asking you to explain my grade.” “Your academic future depends partly on my recommendation.” Claire's stomach tightened. “Is that a threat?” “It's advice. You should learn to be more respectful.” She snatched her assignment from the desk. “Respect goes both ways, Professor.” She headed for the door. “Claire.” She stopped. “You're making a mistake.” “No. I made one when I assumed you were a decent man.” She left before he could respond, but she could feel his eyes following her through the glass panel beside his office. For the first time, she wondered whether rejecting him would cost her more than a good grade. “Who do I need to fight?” Ethan Brooks placed a chocolate muffin in front of Claire at their usual café. She looked up. “Why would you need to fight anyone?” “You've been glaring at your coffee for ten minutes. Either it insulted you, or someone did.” “Maybe the coffee has a terrible personality.” “Impossible. Coffee has never betrayed me.” She almost smiled. Ethan reached for her hand. After four years together, he knew when something was bothering her. “Is this about Professor Hayes?” Claire stiffened. “Why?” “You mentioned he was acting strangely about your project.” “He's just being difficult.” “Has he done something to you?” She wanted to tell him everything. Instead, she remembered Adrian's warning about her academic future. “It's just a grading issue. I'll handle it.” Ethan studied her face but didn't push. “I talked to my parents last night,” he said. “They want to meet yours after graduation.” Claire blinked. “Why?” “Because I want to marry you, obviously.” He pulled a small velvet box from his jacket. Inside lay a delicate silver ring. “It's not an engagement ring,” he explained. “Not yet. But I want us to start planning our future.” Claire touched the ring, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice. “Four years, Claire. I'm not dating you because I enjoy stealing your fries.” “You absolutely are.” “And I'll continue stealing them for the rest of our lives.” She laughed and kissed his cheek. For a moment, everything felt normal. She could picture their future: graduation, their first apartment, and a wedding when they were ready. Then her phone vibrated. An unknown number. Unknown: You look beautiful when you smile. Her smile disappeared. Another message arrived. Unknown: Especially when you're sitting with your boyfriend. Claire glanced around the café. Nobody appeared to be watching her. “Who is it?” Ethan asked. “Spam.” Her phone vibrated again. Unknown: Enjoy your time together. Tomorrow, you'll have something more important to worry about. She blocked the number. But the uneasy feeling stayed with her long after she and Ethan left the café. Someone knew where she was. Someone knew about Ethan. And whoever it was wanted her to feel afraid. At 9:43 p.m., someone knocked on Claire's apartment door. She checked the peephole and froze. Adrian Hayes stood in the hallway. She opened the door only as far as the security chain allowed. “What are you doing here?” “I need to talk to you.” “How did you get my address?” “You listed it in your university records.” “That doesn't give you permission to show up at my home.” “I was nearby.” “No, you weren't.” Adrian glanced at the narrow gap between them. “Can you let me in?” “Absolutely not.” His jaw tightened. “Claire, I don't want to fight.” “Then stop contacting me outside university matters.” “I wanted to know if you got home safely.” “You don't get to monitor me.” He pulled a small black box from his coat. “I brought you something.” “Keep it.” “You haven't even seen it.” “I don't want anything from you.” His expression hardened. “You're determined to make this difficult.” “No. You're refusing to accept a simple answer.” She started closing the door. “Do you really think Ethan can give you everything you deserve?” Adrian asked. Claire stopped. “Don't talk about my boyfriend.” “He has no established career yet. I could offer you opportunities he can't even imagine.” “You're married.” The words silenced him for a moment. “I know my situation,” he said coldly. “Then act like it.” Claire shut the door and locked it. Her phone vibrated almost immediately. Adrian Hayes: You'll regret treating me like this. She stared at the message. He already had her number, though she'd never given it to him. She took screenshots and emailed them to herself. Then she searched the university website for its student complaint procedure. She would report him in the morning. Another notification appeared. It was a photograph. Claire opened it and felt the blood drain from her face. The picture showed her and Ethan at the café earlier that evening, holding hands across the table. The photograph had been taken from outside the window. Someone had been watching them. A message followed. Adrian Hayes: He looks happy. I wonder how long that will last. Claire saved the photograph as evidence and blocked the number. She checked the deadbolt twice before going to bed. She barely slept. The next morning, Claire went straight to the university administration building with printed screenshots and a copy of her graded assignment. “I want to file a formal complaint against Professor Adrian Hayes,” she told the receptionist. “He's been contacting me personally, and I believe he's retaliating against me because I rejected him.” The receptionist's expression changed. “Please wait here.” Minutes later, Claire sat across from Melissa Grant, the student affairs director. Melissa reviewed the messages carefully. “Has Professor Hayes threatened you directly?” “He implied he could affect my academic future. Then he showed up at my apartment and sent me a photograph of myself and my boyfriend.” “Have you ever been romantically involved with him?” “No. I've rejected him every time.” Melissa nodded. “We'll review the evidence and determine the appropriate next steps.” Claire finally felt some relief. Someone was listening. Then Melissa's office phone rang. She answered, listened, and glanced at Claire. “Yes,” she said slowly. “She's here.” After hanging up, Melissa folded her hands on the desk. “Professor Hayes's wife has contacted the university. She wants to discuss an allegation involving you and her husband.” Claire stared at her. “What allegation?” “She's claiming you've been having an affair.” “That's insane! I've never even been alone with him outside campus!” “I understand that you deny it.” “Because it's a lie!” Claire's phone vibrated. Victoria Hayes: My husband says you've been pursuing him. Claire's hands went cold. Another message followed. Victoria Hayes: If you want to protect your future, tell me the truth. Claire had never met Victoria Hayes. She'd never spoken to her. Yet Adrian had somehow convinced his wife that Claire was the one pursuing him. Then a final message appeared. Victoria Hayes: If you're lying, I'll make sure everyone at Westbridge University knows your name. Claire looked up at Melissa, barely able to breathe. Yesterday, she'd been an ordinary student worried about a grade. Today, she was being accused of having an affair with a married professor who had been harassing her. Then another notification appeared. Adrian Hayes: I told you not to make me your enemy. Claire's blood ran cold. He knew she'd filed the complaint. And somehow, he was still one step ahead of her.