Someone Saw Us
463 Words
Chapter Seven: Someone Saw Us
Layla didn’t sleep that night.
Not because of guilt.
But because of the kiss.
The way he touched her like she was both a question and an answer. The way he whispered “this is a mistake” with his lips still tasting like yes.
She kept replaying it — over and over — until morning blurred into afternoon and reality slapped her hard in the face.
Because when she arrived for her afternoon lecture, something was different.
Eyes followed her.
Not the usual glances. Not the curious kind.
These were sharp.
Knowing.
Judging.
She sat in the middle row and pulled out her notebook, trying to shake the feeling crawling up her spine.
Then it happened.
A folded note slid across her desk.
From someone she hadn’t even noticed sitting next to her.
No name. No smile. Just four words scribbled in faint ink:
> “I saw you two.”
Her stomach dropped.
She turned — but the girl was already gone.
---
After class, Layla found Cole in his office.
Door cracked. Tie back on. Mask back in place.
> “Someone knows,” she said without greeting.
He looked up. “Knows what?”
> “Don’t,” she snapped. “Don’t pretend this didn’t happen.”
He stood, closing the door behind her.
> “Who?”
> “I don’t know. But they left a note. Someone saw us.”
He didn’t speak. Just stared at her like time had stopped.
> “What do we do?” she asked.
> “We end it,” he said.
Her breath caught. “What?”
> “Before it becomes a scandal. Before it ruins you.”
> “And you?” she whispered.
His voice cracked, just a little.
> “I was already ruined.”
---
She reached for him without thinking, grabbing his wrist. Warm skin. Cold regret.
> “Don’t walk away from this. Not after what you said. Not after how you kissed me.”
His jaw clenched.
> “This isn’t about what I want.”
> “Then what’s it about?”
> “It’s about who’s watching.”
---
A knock on the door made them jump.
Cole stepped back instantly, hands off, mask on.
Layla turned.
> “Professor Ashford?” came a voice. Sweet. Innocent. Laced with venom.
> “Hi. I was just hoping to ask you something… privately.”
It was her.
The girl from class.
The one who passed the note.
She stepped into the room slowly, eyes flicking between them like she already knew the ending to this story.
> “Sorry,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Did I interrupt something?”
- Writer
