TUTORING MY RIVAL ( The Rival I Fell For )

‎June Anderson hurried across the grounds of Whitebridge University, in New York City, her books pressed tightly against her chest. ‎ ‎At twenty-one, she had already learned that being a Law student meant never taking a lecture for granted. ‎ ‎It was a bright morning, and the university grounds were already filled with students rushing to their various classes. ‎ ‎Some walked in groups, chatting and laughing, while others hurried along with books in their hands, trying not to be late. ‎ ‎June quickened her pace. ‎ ‎She had a morning lecture to attend, and being late was something she disliked. ‎As she approached the lecturers' offices, something caught her attention. ‎ ‎A young man was walking into one of the offices. ‎ ‎June slowed down for a moment and ‎looked at him. ‎His face was unfamiliar to her. ‎She stared for only a few seconds before continuing on her way. ‎She didn't think much of it. ‎Not until she discovered whose office he had entered. ‎ ‎A few minutes later, June arrived at her classroom. The room was already occupied by her classmates. The students sat quietly in the lecture hall, dressed in formal shirts, trousers, skirts, and ties. ‎ ‎June took her usual seat and placed her books on the desk. ‎ ‎She glanced around the classroom. ‎Something felt strange. ‎Scott Parker wasn't there. ‎June noticed his absence almost immediately. ‎ ‎Scott was one of the students everyone knew. He was intelligent, though he rarely seemed to take his studies as seriously as he should. ‎ ‎Coming from a wealthy and influential family, he had never appeared particularly worried about anything. ‎ ‎His father, Mr. Fred Parker, was a wealthy and influential politician, while his mother was a successful businesswoman who owned several establishments across different cities. ‎ ‎As their only son, Scott had grown up surrounded by wealth and privilege. ‎ ‎His parents had always given him everything he wanted, and perhaps that was why he had never learned to take certain things as seriously as other students did. ‎ ‎Yet, despite his carefree attitude, Scott was one of the brightest students in their class. ‎ ‎The students continued waiting for their lecturer. ‎ ‎Their lecturer, Lily Bennett, was supposed to take them that morning, but she hadn't arrived. ‎Five minutes passed. ‎ ‎The students began murmuring among themselves. ‎ ‎"Where is Mrs. Bennett?" ‎ ‎"Maybe she's running late." ‎ ‎"Has anyone tried calling her?" ‎ ‎June looked at the clock. ‎ ‎She sighed quietly. ‎As the course representative, she knew she couldn't simply sit there and wait indefinitely. ‎ ‎“I'll go and check on her,” June said, standing up. ‎ ‎She picked up her phone and headed out of the classroom. ‎ ‎The walk to Lily Bennett's office didn't take long. ‎As June approached the office, she suddenly remembered the young man she had seen earlier. ‎She wondered if he had something to do with the lecturer. ‎ ‎When she reached the door, she raised her hand to knock. ‎ ‎But before she could touch it, she heard a voice from inside. ‎A male voice. ‎ ‎June froze. ‎ ‎Her hand remained suspended in the air. ‎She frowned. ‎Who could possibly be inside with Mrs. Bennett? ‎The room was unusually quiet, and June couldn't hear any clear conversation. ‎Curiosity got the better of her. ‎Instead of knocking, she moved closer to the window beside the door. ‎She hesitated for a moment before carefully looking through it. ‎ ‎And then she saw them. ‎ ‎Her eyes widened. ‎ ‎The young man she had seen earlier was inside the office. ‎ ‎But that wasn't what shocked her. ‎ ‎It was what he was doing. ‎ ‎The young man was sitting on Lily Bennett's lap, and the two of them were kissing. ‎ ‎June's heart nearly stopped. ‎ ‎She stared at them, unable to process what she was seeing. ‎ ‎No. ‎ ‎Her mind refused to accept it. ‎She knew Lily Bennett. ‎ ‎She was their lecturer. ‎ ‎And the young man— ‎ ‎June stared harder. ‎ ‎She recognized him. ‎ ‎Scott Parker. ‎ ‎Her mouth fell open. ‎ ‎Scott. ‎ ‎The same Scott who had been absent from class. ‎The same Scott who was always competing with her academically. ‎The same Scott she had seen walking into the lecturer's office earlier that morning. ‎ ‎June almost screamed. ‎She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. ‎Her heart pounded violently against her chest. ‎What am I looking at? ‎ ‎She couldn't move. ‎ ‎For a few seconds, she remained completely frozen. ‎ ‎Then Scott suddenly shifted. ‎ ‎His head turned slightly. ‎ ‎June's eyes widened. ‎ ‎Had he heard something? ‎She stepped back from the window. ‎But it was too late. ‎ ‎Scott looked toward the window. ‎ ‎June panicked. ‎ ‎She didn't wait to find out whether he had actually seen her. ‎ ‎She turned around and ran. ‎ ‎Her books were pressed tightly against her chest as she hurried down the hallway, her heart racing. ‎ ‎She didn't look back. ‎ ‎She just kept running. ‎ ‎She had gone to the lecturer's office to find out why their class was waiting for her. ‎Instead, she had seen something she could never have imagined. ‎ ‎And now she had one question repeating over and over in her mind. ‎ ‎Why was Scott Parker with Mrs. Bennett? ‎ ‎