The Professor I Shouldn't Want

The Truth

POV: Isadora

She was looking around my apartment, looking completely shell-shocked. I just stared at her from the couch, waiting for her to say something, anything.

“My God, Isadora.”, she said, finally meeting my eyes. “Have you lost your mind? I was happy when you finally dumped Ryan, but this is even worse! You’re actually catfishing him in real life!”

“I know! I didn't want it to get this far, but... things just kind of snowballed.”

“Snowballed?! For God's sake, girl! You rented an apartment, you dyed your hair...”, she stepped closer. “I’m serious, I’m actually worried about your mental health right now, because this is clinical levels of crazy!”

“You think I don’t know that? I tell myself that every single day!”

“Then why haven't you just pulled the plug already?!”

“Because I love him!”, I blurted out.

It was the first time I’d admitted it out loud, but it was the godhonest truth. I was head over heels for him.

“I tried, Carol. I really tried, but I can’t stay away from him! You’re with Dylan now, I know you’re falling for him, so you know what I’m talking about...”

“No! Do not compare the two. I’m not pretending to be someone else. And how do you even know he likes you and not this character you cooked up for him?”

“No, he likes me! I might have changed my look and my background, but I didn't change who I am! I’m still the same person. Honestly... I feel more like myself when I’m pretending to be Anne than I ever did as Isadora.”, I looked down, and Carol sat beside me.

“Okay... if you really think this is the real deal, then you have to come clean.”, she looked me dead in the eye. “You’re already sleeping with him, what comes next? You can’t keep up this act forever. And more importantly, he needs to hear it from you. If he finds out on his own, it’s going to be so much worse.”

Carol was right. This had gone way too far. Maybe I should just tell him everything right now. I sat there reflecting on it for a few seconds until the intercom buzzed.

“Are you expecting someone?”, Carol asked.

“No, nobody else knows I live here. Must be the wrong floor.”, I got up and went to the handset. “Hello?”

“It’s me, princess.”, my eyes went wide. I stared at Carol, who looked just as blindsided as I was. “Oh... okay, I’ll buzz you up.”

“Are you insane? Why did you let him in?”, she hissed after I hit the button.

“What was I supposed to do? Leave him standing there? s**t! I need to change!”

“And what about me? Do I hide in the bathroom?”

“Just stay here and get the door!”

“What?!”

“I told him I had a roommate!”

“Oh, hell no! You are not dragging me into your lie.”

“Please, Carol! He’s gonna be here any second and I’m still looking like this!”

“Goddammit, Isadora! I’m already regretting becoming friends with you again.”

“Love you too!”, I flashed her a grin and bolted for the bedroom.

I ripped off my wig, stuffed it in the closet, popped in my contacts, and threw on the rest of the "costume." As I was scrambling into my clothes, I heard a knock at the front door.

“Hi.”, I heard Carol’s voice greeting him.

“Are you the roommate?”

“Yeah... I-Isa...” she cleared her throat. “Anne is in the bedroom, getting changed.”

“Oh, okay.”

“I was just heading out, so...”

“Sure. Nice meeting you.”

“You too.”

She left and immediately shot me a text.

Carol: [You owe me big time]

Carol: [Also, he’s a total babe, btw]

I smiled, and just as I was about to text back, I heard a knock on the bedroom door.

“You don't have to get all dolled up just for me.”, he said from the other side.

“I was just changing.”, I said, opening the door. He kissed me immediately.

“Sounds like your roommate got back early.”

“Yeah... caught me by surprise, too.”

“How about I show you my place today? What do you think?”

“Okay.”, I smiled.

Henry’s apartment wasn't far from mine, though it was in a much nicer neighborhood.

“We’re here.”, he smiled as we stopped in front of a solid wood door.

He turned the key, and with a solid, mechanical click, the door swung open, revealing a floor-through that took up the entire third level.

The moment I stepped inside, the first thing that hit me wasn't the luxury, but the silence. The apartment felt like an acoustic chamber, completely sealing out the street noise.

The entryway was long and narrow, but Henry had turned it into a personal library. Dark wood bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with books that looked like they’d been read and re-read. The scent of old paper and wood, mixed with a subtle hint of his cologne, hung in the air.

He led me into the living room at the front of the building. There were two massive windows with original white frames. The color palette was understated: charcoal grey walls, a textured navy linen sofa, and aged brass accents on minimalist light fixtures.

It was quiet luxury, no showing off, which perfectly reflected the kind of man he was.

“Can I get you anything? Water, coffee, wine?”, he smiled.

“No, I’m good, thanks.”, I smiled back. “Your place is amazing, seriously...”, I looked around before meeting his eyes again. “It’s so you.”

He laughed.

“Methodical and ancient?”

I giggled.

“That too, but I meant comfortable. It’s like that Italian restaurant we went to, it’s cozy.”

“You think I’m cozy?”, he asked, stepping closer.

“Yeah, I think you’re very cozy.”, he laughed again, a soft, genuine sound.

He looked so handsome when he laughed like that. It was as if he’d dropped all his guards and was letting me see the real Henry.

“How about I cook something for you tonight?”, he asked, tucking a stray hair behind my ear.

“You cook?”, I asked, surprised.

“Of course I do! And I’m good at it, too.”

“So modest.”, I teased. He kissed me and led me toward the kitchen.

“I’m making you my specialty.”, he said, looking excited.

As he started explaining the dish, I just watched him, thinking about what Carol had said. He had to know the truth, and he had to hear it from me. I just hoped he wouldn't hate me for it.

“Henry.”, I interrupted. “We... we need to talk.”