Capítulo 9: Chapter 8
"Excuse me! Excuse m-- oh, Hi!"
I was startled by the loud female voice. I turned and saw a woman in the same uniform as mine. She was outside the old library and seemed to be looking for something. I passed her because I didn't know her but she quickly stepped in front of me.
"Hi! I'm from block 2, nice to meet you! Laurenestine right?" She introduced herself cheerfully. I just looked at her hand in front of me before looking back into her eyes. After a while, she approached me and seemed to be smelling something.
I got nervous when she smiled at me. "You're wild for a nerd. So, who's the lucky guy? Is it--" she peeked where I came from and looked back mischievously. "Uhm, I see.. that's unexpected." She added with a bite on her lip.
"W-what do you need?" I couldn't look at her because I wasn't comfortable.
"I'm here for my brother-- Oh, hi bro!"
"Zaen, what are you doing here?" I turned around when I heard Professor Zaiden's voice. Professor Zaiden looked at me as if asking if I knew the woman.
"Ahh, Laurenestine, meet my younger sister, Zaen. She's also a student here. Zaen, this is Laurenestine, one of my students," Professor Zaiden explained as he introduced us to each other.
"So you're Sir Zaiden's sister? Nice to meet you, Zaen," I greeted her with a smile on my face.
"Nice to meet you too, Laurenestine! Bro, I was just looking for you. Mom said you left something at home," she said, handing over a small bag that Professor Zaiden seemed to have forgotten.
"Ah, thank you for bringing it, Zaen. Laurenestine, sorry for the interruption. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to approach me. I'll catch up with you later," Professor Zaiden said while talking to his sister.
As they walked away, Zaen seemed to whisper something to Professor Zaiden. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but I noticed that she seemed to be teasing Professor Zaiden, which made him smile.
I was left standing in front of the old library, confused by the sudden scene.
When the two had gone some distance, I realized that I was once again alone in front of the old library. Zaen looked at me and smiled brightly.
Hey, Laurenestine, right? Sorry for the sudden intrusion. My brother mentioned you're a great student. Nice to finally meet one of his favorites!" she said with a unique sparkle in her eyes.
"N-no problem. Nice to meet you too, Zaen," I replied, still somewhat confused by the sudden turn of events. "Your brother is a great professor." In bed.
Zara laughed, "Oh, don't let his serious demeanor fool you. My brother can be a goofball too. Anyway, I'll catch up with you later. I need to return this or Mom will go ballistic if I don't bring it back right away."
I nodded, "Sure, take your time."
After she left, I glanced at the Professor's office but I didn't expect that the Professor was there, looking at me. He's literally looking in my direction. I wanted to meet his gaze but I was the one who looked away. Why do I feel this way about him? Why does it feel different?
When I looked back at him, he was already talking to other Professors so I decided to go home because I wanted to rest.
But I couldn't sleep right away because as soon as I opened Instagram, he was the first thing I saw, along with his fiancée. They are having a date! I bit my nail because I was trying to hold back my anger but I couldn't. I was jealous and I wanted to snatch him away right then and there.
Why are they still together? Doesn't he have a conscience? He cheated on her with me and then they are still together? He's really testing me.
I followed her and scrolled down to see her recent photos. She really is beautiful and sophisticated. Whenever she smiles, she looks so innocent, as if she couldn't break a plate, but I don't care about that.
I clicked on her message and composed a message to ruin her night.
[Me]
Sent a photo.
After a while, she saw it. I smiled widely when she started to type.
[Shannon Jain]
Who are you?
[Me]
Why would I tell you? Are you surprised? We look good together, right?
[Shannon Jain]
You must be good at Photoshop. It's not obvious.
[Me]
Are you blind? You'll find out that it's true. You're too self-sacrificing. You better break up with him or do you want me to send you what we did at his bachelor's party?
[Shannon Jain]
I don't know who you are, but I won't let someone manipulate me with lies. If you have an issue, address it directly.
[Me]
Oh, Shannon, you're so naive. I don't need Photoshop, and I have proof of what happened at the bachelor's party. Don't play innocent; I suggest you rethink your relationship.
[Shannon Jain]
I won't let baseless accusations ruin my relationship. If you have evidence, show it. Otherwise, stay out of our lives.
[Me]
You'll see the evidence soon enough. Consider this a fair warning. Enjoy your ignorance while it lasts.
[Shannon Jain]
I don't believe your lies. If you have any proof, show it. I won't let someone like you destroy what I have.
[Me]
Oh, Shannon, you're in for a rude awakening. I have evidence, and I'm not afraid to expose the truth. Your perfect little world is about to crumble.
[Shannon Jain]
I won't let your deceitful games affect me. I trust my partner.
[Me]
Trust? That's cute. Let's see how much trust you have when I reveal everything. Enjoy your date, Shannon. It might be your last happy moment for a while.
I logged out, leaving her with the unsettling revelation.
The next day, we had class in the afternoon, so I rushed to get ready. I wasn't late because I had almost an hour of free time before the class started. Professor Zaiden was our last subject today.
I just looked at him with a smiling face. He was seriously writing on the whiteboard for his discussion today. I turned around when someone tapped me. It was one of my male classmates.
"Valencia, you have a message on Facebook. Check it out," he said, glancing at a guy at the front who was now smiling while talking to the person next to him. I was surprised when he suddenly looked at us and when our eyes met, he shyly smiled and his cheeks turned red.
He's one of my male classmates who doesn't care when I get bullied sometimes. Sometimes he just laughs, but he doesn't say anything.
I suddenly became curious, but I decided to open it later.
While the class was ongoing, I focused on Professor Zaiden's lecture. But I still couldn't get the message I received out of my mind. When the class ended, I hurriedly opened Facebook and read the message.
I was surprised to see the message from Tristan, my male classmate.
"Hey, sorry for the times I didn't notice you were being bullied. I wouldn't do that, you know, I'm just really an introvert. Maybe we can be okay later, let's review together for the upcoming exams?"
Before I could even type a message, someone approached me right in front of where I was sitting. I looked up and saw Tristan smiling at me.
"Uhm, Hi.." He greeted shyly.
I nervously responded, "Hi, Tristan. Uhm, about your message, it's okay. I appreciate it." I flashed a small smile.
While Tristan and I were talking, Professor Zaiden suddenly arrived and I didn't know why his eyebrows were furrowed, especially when his gaze landed on Tristan.
"Ms. Valencia, Grogales, may I have a word with both of you?"
We exchanged puzzled glances before following the professor to a corner of the room. Professor Zaiden cleared his throat before speaking, "I couldn't help but notice the camaraderie between the two of you. It's crucial for students to maintain a professional environment during class hours."
Tristan and I exchanged quick glances, both unsure of where this was heading. I cautiously asked, "Professor, is there an issue?"
He sighed dramatically, "Ms. Valencia, I've always admired your dedication to studies. Seeing you engage with your classmates is... unexpected, to say the least. And Grogales, focusing on socializing rather than academic pursuits might hinder your progress."
Tristan tried to defend himself, "Professor, I just wanted to apologize to Ms. Valencia and suggest studying together. It's all about academics, I promise."
He raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly accusing, "Studying together, huh? Well, make sure it remains strictly academic. I wouldn't want any distractions affecting your performance in my class."
Tristan nodded, "Of course, Professor. We'll keep it strictly academic."
The professor eyed us both for a moment longer before dismissing us with a stern look. "Very well, but when was your studying session? I have something to discuss with Ms. Valencia today."
He said, looking at me with an unreadable expression. I was also confused but I didn't answer because it seemed like the Professor would yell at me if I spoke. He seemed to be in a bad mood.
Tristan and I exchanged another bewildered look before he answered, "Uh, we were planning to study later this evening, Professor."
He nodded approvingly, "Good. Make sure it doesn't interfere with your academic responsibilities. Ms. Valencia, I'll see you in my office before you go with Mr. Grogales."
He didn't see me nod because he suddenly turned around. Why is he so grumpy today?
I excused myself to Tristan before I headed to the Professor's office. I knocked twice before opening his office but my eyes widened when I saw him shirtless and a shirt hanging in the air.
I looked away when his eyes landed on me so out of embarrassment, I closed the door again but he quickly reached me and immediately pulled me inside.
I leaned against the armrest of the couch when he suddenly cornered me and stared at me intently. My heart was beating fast and I felt like I had a fever because of the heat.
"Are you with him?"
"N-no, sir." I stammered.
"Good. Text him that you can't continue your so-called study session." He said sarcastically.
"But I already agreed--"
"I don't care. Stay here and keep me company." He said sternly and then he brushed my hair aside and brought his lips close to my ear and bit it gently.
"I won't let you be with someone else, Laurene." He whispered in my ear. I got goosebumps because of his baritone voice.
I also don't know why I feel this way about him. I should be happy because he obviously has an interest in me but my mind is insisting that something is wrong. He is acting very differently from the Professor I knew for two years.
Professor Zaiden continued to hold me close, his breath sending shivers down my spine. I don't know how to handle the surprise and excitement I'm feeling. What he's showing now is the opposite of what I expected. He's really not like this.
"Prof, thanks for your concern, but Tristan and I are just studying. It's purely academic, I promise," I said, stammering.
Professor Zaiden smirked, his grip tightening slightly, "Oh, Laurene, I know what's best for you. Academic pursuits are overrated. I can offer you an education of a different kind, one you won't find in textbooks."
He continued trailing light kisses along my neck, making it difficult for me to think straight. "But, Prof, even though we're doing things together, we don't have a label because we're just after each other's bodies." Even though what I'm saying is true, I can't help but feel hurt because even if I give him my whole body, he will never love me. I was the first one to enter his life so I need to stand by this.
His hands roamed possessively, and my attempts to protest were met with a low chuckle. "Hmm, are you stopping now?
My obsession with Professor Zaiden clashed with the attention I was receiving from Tristan. I bit my lip because of the idea forming in my mind. This reaction from him is what I want.
"It's not like that. Tristan is just a classmate offering to study together. I would feel guilty if I didn't accompany him," I reasoned, suppressing my smile.
Professor Zaiden's eyes narrowed, and he tightened his hold on me. "You're testing my patience. You should focus on what truly matters—us."
"Prof, you know I love you. But I also need to understand Tristan, I consider him a friend."
His gaze turned cold, "Friend? You should be careful with your choices. I won't tolerate any distractions."
Suddenly the door opened and I could hear Tristan, "Prof, just a question about the assignment-"
He quickly distanced himself and immediately switched to a professional demeanor. "We're in the middle of a private discussion, Mr. Grogales. I suggest you come back later."
I quickly lowered my gaze to his body. Good thing he's dressed now because if not, Tristan might say something different.
Tristan looked puzzled but nodded, "Sure, Professor." Tristan looked at me and smiled. "I'll catch up with you later, Laurenestine."
When the door was closed, Prof Zaiden gave me a look and his teasing smile appeared."Now, where were we, Laurene?" He said with a grin.
Regalos
-- Regalo
recibido Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder