The Professor I Shouldn't Want

Stupid Event

POV: Isadora

“Where have you been?”, she asked, her voice cold. I sighed and walked toward them. “Two nights away from home, barely answering my texts...”

“I was on campus, Mom.”, I said. She laughed.

“You really expect me to buy that? And where did you sleep? The library?”

“At a friend’s place.”

“Oh, sure, how convenient!”, my mother snapped, losing her patience.

“Isadora, just admit you’re seeing someone.”, Isabella said.

“She thinks we’re idiots!”, my mom exclaimed, her voice rising. “Do you not realize how obvious this is to me? You dumped Ryan Fletcher, the best catch you could ever hope for, for some nobody you met on campus! Are you going to tell me that’s not exactly what happened?”

Well, yeah, basically. That was exactly what happened, though Henry was far from a "nobody" to me. But they couldn't know that. In fact, they couldn't even suspect it, or my cover would be blown for sure. I couldn't keep dodging my mother forever; I needed to give her a "why" before she decided to play detective on her own.

“Fine, you want to know what’s really going on? I’m drowning! I’ve spent the last two days buried in books and assignments! There is no guy, it’s just me trying to handle the pressure of Harvard Law!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Isadora! Your brothers went to Harvard too and they didn’t struggle like this.”, she said, looking at Isabella, who nodded in agreement.

“Then I’m sorry I’m not as smart as my brothers! But that’s the truth!”

Trading one problem for another, that was my play. If there was one thing that worried my mother as much as my dating life, it was my academic credentials. Graduating with honors from Harvard Law was non-negotiable, and if she believed I was actually failing, she’d drop the "why did you dump Ryan" thing, at least for a while.

And it wasn’t a total lie. I really was struggling. I hated the subjects and had to work twice as hard just to grasp the basics. Honestly, the only thing I liked about the whole program was Henry’s lectures.

“I spent the last couple of nights at a classmate’s apartment near campus. We were prepping for an oral exam... Actually, I’ve been thinking about moving closer to campus so I can... you know, focus. No distractions.”, I looked at them, dead serious. My mother studied me for a few beats.

“Maybe it’s not a bad idea, since you’re clearly having a hard time...”, Isabella said.

Having to admit in front of them that I couldn't cut it at Harvard, especially knowing my brothers breezed through it, was humiliating. Once again, I was the runner-up. But I didn’t have a choice. Better they worry about my grades than who I was sleeping with.

“Fine. If it’ll get you to focus, then move.”, my mother replied. “I didn’t realize you were struggling this much... but if that's the case, do whatever it takes to turn it around. Don’t forget, you’re a Bennett!”

“I know... Can I go to class now?”, she nodded.

“Oh, Isadora!”, she called out before I reached the door. “Don’t forget the charity gala tonight!”

Oh, damn it. I had completely blanked on that dinner.

“Do I really have to go?”

“Of course you do!”, she answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I just nodded and walked out.

I sat through my morning classes in a foul mood, knowing I’d have to waste my night at that gala, mostly because it meant not being with Henry. These events were always the same: a bunch of rich people pretending to care about a noble cause. In the end, it was all about optics, as usual.

At lunch, I met up with Carol. She’s doing her PhD in Psychology at Northeastern, so we met at a spot halfway between our schools.

“I can’t believe you chickened out at the last second.”, she said.

“I didn’t expect him to ask me to be his girlfriend!”

“But that makes it worse, Isadora! Now you’re in a serious relationship and he doesn't even know who you really are.”

“I know! I’m going to tell him.”

“When?”

“At the end of the semester.”, she gave me a look. “Look, think about it. If I tell him now, there’s a huge chance he’ll break it off because he’s my professor. But once the semester is over, he’s not my professor anymore, so...” I grinned.

“You’re playing with fire.”, she sighed. “But if that’s how you want to play it, I hope it works out.”, she smiled. “In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you this into someone. This guy really hooked you.”

I laughed. It was a fact. I’d never felt like this before. I’d liked plenty of guys back in school, but nothing compared to Henry. It was like he was custom-made for me; everything about him pulled me in. Because of that, I had to be strategic. I didn’t want to keep lying, but I didn't want to lose him either. I needed to find a way to come clean without making him hate me. And I had until the end of the semester.

After lunch, I headed back to campus for afternoon classes and then straight home to get ready. As I got out of the shower, I got a text from Henry. I had to make up some "girls' night" story with my roommate, just in case he wanted to swing by my place after work.

Henry: [Alright, princess.]

Henry: [I’ll let you off the hook tonight, haha.]

Henry: [But tomorrow, you’re mine.]

I bit my lip after reading that last one. Dammit. Why did I have to go to this stupid event?

The gala was at the country club where my parents are members. After getting dressed, I grabbed my keys and drove over, not feeling it at all. My mother wanted us all to go in the limo, but I insisted on taking my own car. I didn't plan on staying a minute over an hour and a half.

The venue was a massive ballroom filled with round tables and cushioned chairs. A band on a small stage was playing something "classy" and mellow, and waiters were circulating with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

The second I walked in, I ran into my mother. She was waiting impatiently.

“You’re late.”, she said, masking her irritation since we were in public.

“I only left thirty minutes after you!”, I snapped back, already annoyed.

Without a word, she led me to my table. All the tables were assigned, and since she was the one in charge of the seating chart, I found it weird that I wasn't at hers.

“Our table was already full.”, was all she said before leaving me alone at a table for two.

“Looks like someone’s finally ready to beg for me back.”, Ryan said. To my absolute shock, he sat down in the chair right next to me.

Of course my mother would do this. God, it was so obvious I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it coming.

“Only in your dreams, Ryan.”

“Come on, Izzy.”, he smirked. “I know your mom didn’t put us here by accident. Why don't you drop the act and get to the part where you apologize for dumping me?”

“I didn’t come here to get back with you. I didn’t even know you’d be here, let alone at my table! My mother set this up, not me. But don’t worry, I’m already leaving.”, I grabbed my purse and started to get up, but he grabbed my arm.

Pissed off, I told him to let go, but he ignored me. His expression went stone-cold, his eyes locked on a specific spot just below my chin.

“What the hell is that on your neck?!”