AFTER HOURS: MY DEAL WITH PROFESSOR BANCROFT

CHAPTER 12

JULIA

Professor Bancroft couldn't hide the first emotion that struck him.

Shock.

He stared at me like he couldn't quite believe I'd uttered those words.

And then his gaze narrowed in an intimidating fashion. Like that would make me take back what I'd said. But I set my jaw stubbornly.

I'd thought over what I'd wanted throughout the night and that look on his face wasn't going to make me back track.

"Don't be ridiculous Miss Walker" he growled at me and I chuckled.

"Julia when it suits you. And then we're back to Miss Walker?"

"It's only appropriate. You are my student" he growled. And it did nothing to convince me.

He'd been the one to toss the deal at me weeks ago. He hadn't thought about what was appropriate or not.

And I wasn't about to start caring.

"You offered to teach me" he ground his teeth, not bothering to hide his expression anymore. I didn't allow my lips to relax into the smile I desperately wanted to show.

"You said I could become a better writer. Experience opens a whole new world" I paused and inched closer.

"That's what you said"

Professor Bancroft held my gaze for another second and then he looked away.

"You misunderstood Miss Walker. I do not offer that kind of teaching to my students"

"Then what kind do you offer"

"Nothing" he snapped.

"Wrong professor. You offered me something... and I'm willing to take it"

The emotions flashed in his eyes. I could see him wrestle now to keep himself in check. To wipe every trace of any emotion off his face.

But he was failing.

"Leave Miss Walker" he growled at me but I didn't move.

"Is there a reason you won't work with me again" I challenged.

If I'd come to know anything about Professor Bancroft, he liked a challenge. And he was certainly going to give in because he didn't want to back down.

"I only work with promising students"

The insult tore right at my heart and my smile slipped off my face. I glared at Professor Bancroft with a dark look.

"Get out of my office. Now!"

I swallowed the words I wanted to hurl at him and turned around. I marched to the door and pulled it open.

But I didn't leave immediately.

I turned around and found him staring at me.

"It's quite disappointing that you can't even win your own challenge"

I watched his face change and then I slammed the door shut.

When I returned to my dorm, I was exhausted and mildly frustrated that things hadn't gone my way.

I'd expected Professor Bancroft to cave at a challenge. He'd done so well the first time he'd offered.

Or maybe his confidence had come from the fact that he hadn't expected me to challenge him back with his own words.

I didn't expect things to change but I wasn't going to give up that easily.

"You disappeared after class" Nina muttered as soon as I entered, her eyes following me with suspicion.

"I had something to do"

"What is that?" She pressed

"Just a question I needed to ask the professor"

"Is he bothering you again? Timothy..."

"It's nothing, Nina. I'm fine. Really" I added a smile to convince her.

"Very well then. Look at this" She held out a colorful flyer and I took it from her.

"A pre graduation dinner party" she announced before I'd finished reading through. I frowned as I stared at it.

"It's early"

These things were usually organized for after our exams.

"Yeah. Apparently, the department is really pleased by the progress they've seen so far so the dean personally approved it. It'll be a huge hit"

I hummed and handed it over to her. Nina's eyes followed me as if she was expecting something.

"What?" I queried.

"You didn't say anything"

"It's stupid to do two graduation dinners"

"Pre" she corrected as if I'd forgotten about the prefix. I rolled my eyes at that.

"Right. Anyway, it doesn't make any sense"

"It's a party. It doesn't have to make sense" she muttered under her breath.

"I take it you won't be coming"

"No"

"Come on Julia. It's our last days here. Why don't we make the most out of it"

An excuse to live recklessly and deal with the regrets that followed.

I didn't mind a party. I just didn't want to be involved. But Nina didn't let go easily.

"It's going to be huge. I'm telling you. All the professors will be in attendance"

I froze at the news.

"All?"

"Mhmm. I even heard rumors about Bancroft attending. But it'll be confirmed by tomorrow" I said nothing.

There wasn't the slightest chance that Professor Bancroft would attend a dinner party. Since his years at the university, he'd never once attended a function. Why would that suddenly change?

"It can be a good idea to interact with them outside university. Who knows, you can secure a stellar recommendation"

The idea of a recommendation enticed me. It would do more than a lot for me after graduation.

"I'll think about it Nina" I said finally and disappeared into the bathroom before she could keep talking.

When I stepped back into the room freshly showered, Nina had left the room and I was certain she'd gone over to Jared place.

Good. That gave me the time to dress up without any questions.

I pulled a black satin slip dress from the back of my wardrobe. Nina had given it to me as a gift some years back.

I'd never had a reason to wear it.

Until now.

I stared at myself in the floor length mirror and I grimaced. The dress hugged me tightly, the thin straps leaving my arms bare.

But I didn't change. I brushed my hair, letting it fall around my shoulders in waves. And then I grabbed my strappy black heels and a small clutch and stepped out into the night.

An hour later, my cab stopped in front of a club.

Exposure.

The same one Nina has brought me to. Where I'd discovered a side of Professor Bancroft that nobody had ever seen.

I stared at the neon lights for a moment and my lips curved.

I was a woman on a mission.