My Professor's Secret Obsession

An Encounter with Professor Zaijian

ACIR HILLS

Having Zaijian this close to me after three years of being apart felt rather… intense.

Up close, he had become more handsome and captivating. Back when I was in high school, he was already a head-turner, but now? You literally can’t take your eyes off of him. His looks and whole demeanor was compelling. It might be intimidating for some, although for me, it kind of felt somewhat comforting.

My body immediately reacted to the warmth he was exuding. He was so close to me that I began feeling conscious of the current state that I’m in. I was so engrossed with the argument I was having with Wesley that I didn’t even notice that someone was already approaching us. To my defense, he came from behind me so it does make sense why I assumed that Wesley and I were the only people at this part of the building right now.

How dumb of me to even think of that?

“Is everything fine?” Zaijian inquired. There was no hint of any emotions in his voice. It was as if he was just simply asking if there’s anything wrong or not. Although, he was solely looking at me when he asked that question. Once again, his gaze never left mine as seconds passed by. He was looking at me and was waiting for an answer.

Due to his presence, I suddenly didn’t have the voice to speak. My throat felt dry and constricted.

How long was he standing there? Did he hear anything or did he hear everything? Was he eavesdropping? And why was he even at this part of the building? Countless questions popped inside my head, wanting answers and yet I was rendered speechless.

“Yes, everything is fine, Mr. Hewson.” Wesley spat, dismissing him. With his attitude, I don’t think our new professor would buy his words.

“Are you alright, Ms. Hills?” he asked, specifically pertaining to me. Disregarding the fact that Wesley just answered his query. I could see the concernment flashing in his eyes even though his facial expression remained stoic.

I ended up just nodding, still couldn’t find my words.

Zaijian raised a brow this time. “Are you sure, Ms. Hills? You look uncomfortable right now.”

Probably because you are here, I suppressed the urge to say. He lifted his index finger and pointed toward Wesley’s firm grasp on my arm.

Oh, that was what he was pertaining to.

When he motioned his hand, I caught sight of a branded luxurious watch attached to his wrist. Scanning my eyes over him, I realized that he was also wearing designer clothes and leather black shoes. Zaijian’s whole persona was screaming expensive and elegant right now. This was really far different from the Zaijian I knew back then. He doesn’t like lavish things like this. He has never been a materialistic type of person because of his family’s financial status.

How was he even able to afford all of these?

I mentally rolled my eyes for that stupid question. Of course, Acir, a lot can change in a span of three years. Now that he’s a professor, I’m pretty sure that he’s successful enough to buy things that he couldn’t buy before.

Sneakily peeking over what I was wearing, I bit my lip because this isn’t really my best outfit. I was wearing my trademark denim jeans, black shirt, and a dirt converse. First days are usually uneventful so I didn’t bother to put on nice clothes. Also the fact that I hate September, I just really didn’t have energy to begin with.

All of a sudden, a thought invaded my mind. Panicked, I averted my eyes on both his hands. There were no rings.

Thank God.

Fu.ck! What the hell am I saying? Why am I even thinking—

“She’s my girlfriend,” Wesley implied, breaking me from my thoughts, and as if that alone was enough reason to justify his actions.

His words made me feel more awkward. Why does the thought of Zaijian finding out I have a boyfriend taste awful in my mouth? Why do I even care if he knows about it now? I shouldn’t even be reacting this way in the first place.

On the other note, Zaijian didn’t seem fazed by that information. It was as though he found that detail irrelevant. The expression on his face remained the same… he looked unbothered. I don’t know why but my heart sank for a second.

“That looks like it would leave a mark,” he commented, eyes focused on my arm.

Darting my eyes to where he was looking, I saw that Wesley’s knuckles were already turning white by the force he was holding me. Strangely enough, I seemed to grow numb because I didn’t even notice until Zaijian pointed it out.

His presence is really doing something to me. I kept spacing out, my thoughts were all jumbled and messy, and why do I have this sudden urge to pull him into a hug and tell him that I’m glad to see him right now despite knowing that we parted on bad terms?

Because of Zaijian, Wesley has now let go of my arm. Just like what he said, there was already a subtle mark on it. I covered it with my hand even though he already saw it. His jaw ticked for a fraction of second–almost invisible in naked eye, but since I was laser-focused on him, I noticed this quite easily.

“Mr. Garett, I believe that the Dean is asking for your presence in his office.” His voice was now laced with authority as he peered over Wesley.

Looking at Wesley, he fidgeted next to me. Seemingly as though he grew anxious of this sudden fact.

“And you’ve heard of this when?” Based on the tone of his voice, Wesley was skeptical about this information.

“Just five-ten minutes ago. I was heading back to the west wing to try and look for you since he asked me to do it. I was hoping you were still at the class. So it was a good thing I bumped into you now.”

My eyebrows raised inwardly. Why was he saying this just now? Is he just telling Wesley to f***k off in a nice way because he heard everything that we were talking about? Or is Wesley really being called by the Dean?

“Look, Mr. Hewson. If you’re here to intervene because you heard our voices, we’re just having a casual talk and everything’s alright,” he explained, exasperated. Then he nudged me on my arm. “Tell him, babe.”

I cringed at that. He just said the word babe in a whiney tone and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

Ugh. How did I even end up in this situation?

Clearing my throat, I finally spoke. “Yes, Zai—Mr. Hewson, everything’s fine here.”

Holy f***k! I almost called him by his first name. I’m still not used to calling him by his last name or by ‘sir’ and ‘professor’.

A ghost of a smirk etched on Zaijian’s lips when he realized I almost called him by first name basis. He seemed amused for one second, then unfazed the next.

“See, you don’t have to make thing up just to—”

A loud tapping of the microphone can be heard through the speakers scattered across the campus. “Mr. Wesley Garrett of the Computer Science Department, please proceed to the Dean’s office immediately.” The same sentence was repeated three times before it ended.

I saw how Wesley’s blood drained from his face by the announcement. He clenched his teeth and curled his hand into a fist. I could only imagine how he feels embarrassed right now. He really thought that Zaijian was just throwing reasons up so that Wesley would leave me alone.

Well, I did think of that as well cause it seemed so coincidental, right?

“I would never lie to my students, Mr. Garett.” Once again, his expression remained stoic.

Wesley had now regained his consciousness when he heard Zaijian say that. A smug grin flashed on his face before speaking. “If you excuse us, we’ll be going.” Wesley informed, slightly nudging me. He pivoted his heel, but I wasn’t moving.

I don’t really want to be with him right now. Although making him leave on his own would also mean that I will be stuck alone with Zaijian–and I don’t want that to happen either.

“Babe?”

Leaning closer to Wesley, I whispered. “I told you I’m going to the bathroom. I’m not coming with you.”

“You can go to a bathroom near the Dean’s office, Acir,” he said in gritted teeth. Again, he’s getting pissed at me for not following what he wants.

We shouldn’t really be doing this in front of a professor—arguing over some stupid sh.it. So being the bigger person, I just mumbled. “I’ll see you in the Cafeteria. You still owe me some lunch.” My words must’ve seemed to calm Wesley a bit.

The intercom announced the same message for Wesley, implying that it was some urgent matter that he needs to attend to.

He huffed out an exasperated sigh, annoyed at the sudden intervention that he had no other choice but to leave. “Alright. See you later, babe.”

What happened next was something I didn’t expect. He leaned in to plant a chaste kiss on my cheeks. I thought he was going to kiss me on the lips and not on the cheek–but still, PDA in front of a professor? We could be in big trouble!

Besides, he’s not just someone, he’s my ex-boyfriend! Though, Wesley didn’t seem to mind as he left.

Neither Zaijian and I moved even after Wesley was out of sight. I was staring blankly at the wall, still stunned by Wesley’s actions.

“Is everything alright, Ms. Hills?” Even when we’re alone, he’s still calling me by my last name. I know he’s being professional since any students might pass by. It would be weird if we were on a first name basis on the freaking first day of class.

Straightening my back, I met his gaze. My knees almost felt weak when a full worry was written on his face. Now that no other student was in sight, it seemed like he was more open to showing his emotions. Unexpectedly since he’d been pretending that he doesn’t know me—not that I wanted him to come up to me and begin to catch up as if nothing happened.

We still can’t let anyone find out that we used to date back then.

“I’m fine, Zai–Mr. Hewson, sir,” I stuttered under panic. On the other perspective, I look like a clown right now, but Zaijian wasn’t laughing. His expression remained the same, worried about me.

He moved a step closer, taking my breath away. I stumbled backwards, avoiding him. He stopped short because of my reaction.

“I…,” he heaved out a deep breath. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Clearly, he isn’t stopping until he’s getting the real answer. Not some stupid make up sh.it that I’m going to say.

Nodding my head, I replied. “Yes, everything’s fine.” I managed to say when in reality, I wanted to ask him a lot of questions.

What are you doing here? When did you get here to Vista Central when I thought you were at Metro Global studying for a master's program? What happened to you in the past three years? Why are you acting like we didn’t have a past together? Why didn’t you say no when I asked for us to break up? Why did you come back?

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom, sir.” I mentally gave myself a tap on the back for being able to suppress myself from asking him all these queries.

He seemed hesitant, like he wanted to step closer to me… or was I just imagining things. “See you next class, Ms. Hills,” he said, then began walking away. While I remained in my tracks, confused by his actions, and relieved that this encounter was now over.

Zaijian Hewson, what are you really doing here?