Nina followed me down the street, the hood of her jersey jacket pulled over her head which did a great job of concealing her face. I'd always thought of stalkers to be the creepy people lurking in the silhouettes of dark. I knew being a Sherlock Holmes was no fun walk in the park; she was thrilled, mostly because she was a pro at the stalking game and had done it more frequently than she could recall. For me, it had to do more with crime and less to do with Adrenaline rush.
I tried to get a better look in the dark; I could see a woman walking briskly with Mr. Masters, dressed in a ragged shirt over pencil skirt, her wavy short hair tied in a high ponytail. I was yet to uncover her true identity. She was lean, tall figure. Who was this woman?
We followed them closely, trying hard not to make a sound, but the sound of our footsteps on the pavement below was unavoidable. Demon professor was too caught up in his moment to notice us follow him.
"Why on earth are we playing stalkers?" Nina interrupted my thoughts; I hadn't realized she'd been walking in silence with me until she decided to talk.
"Don't you want to find out who that woman is?"
"Why do we care? I mean, that's the professor's personal business unless..." she narrowed her mascara smudged eyes at me, "Don't tell me you've got the hots for the professor?"
Was it such a dead give away?
"You tell this to anyone and I swear..."
"Wait. What were we talking about? I'm experiencing sudden memory loss."
"That's good." I laughed.
I was sneaky when it came to keeping a low profile, the demon professor and the likely demon professor's girl, cornered a tall dumpster. All I could make out of his demeanor was that, whatever was going down wasn't pretty. The woman seized him by the arm, and yanked it so he could face her. She confronted him about something, sliding an arm towards his shirt front, a gesture to calm him down, she whispered some other worldly bizarre things to which he flipped on his Ultra hulk mode, as he tugged his arm away from her grasp, cursed and pounded the poor garbage bin down with a loud thud. The woman automatically took a few steps back, not trying to have any physical contact this time.
"We should get the hell out of here now and fast." Nina whispered on cue, I kept myself in check the minute his malice rimmed eyes leveled with mine. I was more than positive Nina had fled in the opposite direction, but surprisingly she was glued to my side playing the mannequin.
The woman spun to face me, and I always knew a bitch the moment I saw one. Her eyes bore into mine; a nervous smile tugged her lips as she pushed the strap of her heavy designer looking handbag over her shoulders and left the disturbed Mr. Masters to fend for himself. He walked further into the darkness, only he wasn't following her.
"What do we make of this?" Nina's voice cut through my thoughts.
"I need a favor."
She arched her brow.
"I'm gonna go check on him." Her eyes went wide, "can you walk to the dorms by yourself?"
"I'll come with you." She offered, though I was sure as hell she didn't want anything do with people whose name started with an R and ended with an N. She had asked me out of plain formality.
"There's a likely possibility he wouldn't talk if it's the two of us, so do me a favorâgo back to the dorms and cover for me in case Chez or anyone else shows up."
"Okay, but be careful."
I started to walk, halted and turned to face her, "why would you say that?"
She shrugged, "I don't know, Alana. Something doesn't seem right about him."
I just laughed about it, thinking what could be wrong about the demonic Greek god? If only I knew how right she was from the beginning.
By the time I had turned to follow, the professor had already disappeared into the darkness; I navigated my way through the damp cold street, assuming he'd also taken the same route. The night sky had turned the shade of a dark navy blue, mixed with a few hues of dark crimson from the sun set. It looked like the twin copy of the large painting, still hanging in my living area back in my parents' home.
I realized I had walked a long way and there was still no sign of the professor. The feeling of paranoia began to settle in slowly, the thought of finding my way back to the dorm was like trying to find your way out of a never- ending maze.
I came to a halt near a clearing, the street light beamed at me. I scanned around, and there was no sign of a single soul. As I walked towards a rundown, poorly maintained old building, my eyes spotted a strong lean figure hunched on the pavement, seeming like a lost child disappointed over candy.
Should I just let him sulk? Or should I ask him what's wrong? I was the kind of girl who never said no to challenges, mostly those which included sulking gorgeous men all alone on a creepy street. Considering the madness that coursed through my veins, I choose to do the latter.
"Mr. Masters." I approached him cautiously. He didn't respond.
I tried again, "sir."
He glanced up; his eyes were that of a predator's, furious and dangerous looking. Whatever that woman had said, must be real bad from the looks of it. Was I invading his privacy by doing this?
I just needed to know if he was okay, it was completely and solely on humanitarian basis that I need to do this. I was assuring myself that I didn't feel an ounce of strong attraction towards this man though the words left a bitter taste on my tongue.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was hoarse and screamed 'hostility.
"I was in the café just a few minutes ago and I saw what happened there..." I wasn't sure what I was supposed to call that woman. "I wanted to make sure you were fine."
"I see." Is all he said with a little too much conviction and edginess.
I touched his arm only out of worry, but as soon as I did, I was welcomed by a static jolt of electricity with just that little physical contact, it reverberated through every nerve. Not something I'd ever experienced.
He didn't yank it away like he'd done to that woman.
"Who was that woman?" I asked.
I had to stop poking my nose where it didn't belong, but curiosity was a bitch from the very start.
Normally, he would have sent me packing with questions like these being thrown at him without a warning; I was expecting to hear something like 'mind your own business. You're my studentâknow your place.' But all he said was, "an ex-girlfriend."
So you see, prying can do wonders sometimes, only when you have a sack full of luck on you.
Don't try this at home.
He tried to calm his erratic breathing; I noticed his breathing was a fast rise and fall rhythm, he ran his hand through his ruffled hair in frustration. Rummaged in his pockets for something, and pulled out a bunch of keys.
"It's not safe for you to be wandering alone in a place like this. Are you heading back to your dorm?" he was back to being the usual cold self. I found solace in the fact that he cared.
"Yes, sir."
"I'll drop you, it's on the way."
"Sylvia told me about some old course guides that you lend to your students. I could really use some help."
He seemed confused for a minute and nodded. "We'll stop by my apartment if you don't mind."
Low blow, Alana, you practically plotted through this to get to his apartment. That's a one dangerous step ahead.
He started walking across the road without waiting for a response which clearly meant he wanted me to follow, no questions asked.
I heard a silent car unlock as he pressed the automatic key, there were a lot of cars lined up on the street, with no particular space available for even a single bike to fit in. He came to a halt in front of a sleek black Hummer; I'd be kidding if I said I wasn't impressed.
He half-smiled at my reaction. Whatever was he doing, teaching at a university? This car costs more than your entire years' worth of college salary, double that and you still wouldn't get any closer unless of course he was paying it in installments and skipping most of his meals.
He took over behind the wheel, and I followed, taking over the passenger side, the unfamiliar fragrance of the leather seats engulfed me as I clicked the seat belt into place. The engine roared to life as he turned the key into ignition and revived smoothly backing the car on the street and on our way. I watched him closely, his fingers drummed on the steering wheel along the song that played, not very conscious of his actions or aware of the existing species sitting right next to him. I took a full advantage of the situation trying to figure out his mind.
The car was headed towards the general direction of our university, and I knew for a fact that he stayed nearby just across the street from it. I had planned on stalking him back to his place one day with some dumbass excuse about some equally dumbass doubts, but I guess I would have to put a pause to my devilish scheming, considering he offered himself to fall prey to my pre-planned fantasies.
The awkward silence throughout the drive was killing me. The voice of Amy Lee was the only sound that filled the void between us. To my utter sheer relief he drove us down a garage parking of a building. He turned off the engine and climbed out. I followed his lead.
Since he wasn't a great conversationalist, I decided to talk.
"Do you live here?"
To that, he nodded. It doesn't get old, does it?
The building elevator took us to the fifth floor, and he halted in front of an apartment door, I tensed. I wasn't sure who to expect since I knew practically nothing about his family other than his niece.
A pretty teenage girl opened the door; her honey colored hair was tossed in a round bun. She wore a black t-shirt, some band name printed on it. The shorts were too damn short even for her. "Hey. You're back."
She beamed at him and her face fell when her eyes traveled to me. Damn. Why am I having that kind of effect on people?
"No trouble, right?" Mr. Masters asked.
"Nope." She batted her Kohl rimmed eyes, "we've been watching Barbie movies all evening, right, Minnie?"
Minnie appeared to be sprawled on the floor, playing her girly kitchen set, talking to herself. We'd barged into her tea-party. She glanced up and grinned at Mr. Masters, showcasing two bright white teeth, "Daddy!"
"Look who's here with me."
She inclined her head to find me standing in the foyer; she made a run towards me. "Come to pay?"
"Yes. I've come to play."
She flashed me a grin; she could hardly keep her happiness bay as she dragged me towards her set of toys where Mr. Teddy and Mrs. Strawberry had already enjoyed their cup of tea. Minnie handed me a plastic toy cup and a saucer.
She mouthed, "Drink."
I pretended to drink invisible tea from the cup. She started at me doe eyed, I realized she was waiting for my verdict, "It tastes good."
Ten points for my shitty acting. "I might have to stop by again for your tea."
That's all it took for her to launch into a full imaginary explanation over how she made the tea.
Mr. Masters had an unusual smile on his face, one that I had failed to notice during classes. His mocha eyes were almost laughing; he was amused to see me get along with his niece. The babysitter standing beside him, glared at me with what I could only assume was envy. Clearly, she saw me nothing but a threat to her part time job. I wanted to tell her to cool her jets.
"I better get going." She reluctantly peeled her eyes away from me.
"Thank you, Cary."
"sure." she mumbled, grabbing for her bag. "Bye, Min."
Minnie waved at her as Mr. Masters shut the door behind him, threw the car keys on the messy coffee table and disappeared to one of the rooms adjacent to the living area. I scanned the surroundings; the apartment was large and impressive with the finest décor I had seen. The heavy drapes matched the stark black leather couch and the plush carpet.
Exquisite, but a lot of work in the cleaning department.
Ignoring the heap of toys sprawled on the floor; I couldn't bring myself to turn a blind eye to the mess that had been made out of the living area. Books and binders in a corner, the coffee table congested with papers and books of all shapes and sizes, and if that wasn't enough, a heap of freshly ironed clothes were waiting to be put away.
This is exactly how a house looks like when having sans woman.
My eyes traveled towards floor to ceiling glass sliding doors opening into a mini balcony turned into a garden which overlooked an equally impressive view. I wondered if the sunset was something he enjoyed watching on a daily basis.
I snapped out from my thoughts when I heard a tray clank on the coffee table. He had brought in a tall glass of flavored milk and raisin cookies. I hated raisin cookies, but guests can't be choosers just how beggars can't be. Minnie picked a cookie and began nibbling it; I took a bite of my own.
"Sorry about the mess. The cleaning lady comes in twice a week."
He walked to the dark four sitter dining table, shuffled a bunch of papers and a thick paperback and walked back to where I sat, "here."
"What's this?"
He passed me a perplexed look. "You said you needed the study guide."
"Oh. Yes." I took it from him feeling stupid. "Thank you, sir."
"And those are last year question papers," a pause later he continued, "most of the mid-term examinations get similar questions only framed in complicated ways. Look through; it'll be helpful in near future."
"Why don't you stay with us for dinner?" he sounded hopeful. "y'know we could use some company for a change. It's late anyway."
"Is it really fine?" I asked, "I mean. I wouldn't want to trouble you."
He chuckled. "I insist. Please join us."
"But what about the answers I was supposed to show you tomorrow?"
"Oh, uh...about that..." he shrugged, "you can show it to me the day after."
Jackpot! I wanted to throw a fist in the air. So much, for getting my charms worked on the professor.
"Really?" he seemed taken aback by my enthusiasm, he nodded once more "thank you so very much."
I retrieved the phone out of my pocket and texted Nina about the change, who texted me back within a nano second.
What the hell are you up to WOMAN? You're not already warming the professor's bed, are you? ;P
I almost laughed at the text. I typed and hit send.
Bitch please. Did Chez call?
Nope.
Good. I won't be long x.
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything. Please make yourself comfortable." Mr. Masters called out to me.
"Can I help you with anything?"
"No." He replied, waving his hand, "you can keep Minnie company."
Minnie switched the Tv on and insisted I put on a cartoon channel and while she was busy staring at the screen, I decided to save my professor some work, and help him with a few house chores. I picked all the books, papers and files and stacked them carefully in a convenient order. Got rid of the old papers by putting them beneath the coffee table, and within a few minutes the place looked sparkly. Not unorganized, just overloaded with work.
A good twenty minutes later, Mr. Masters sauntered out from the kitchen carrying plates and a casserole. He set them on the table and froze when he noticed changes I had made. I was expecting to get burned in dragon lair, but instead he blushed slightly.
"Is it really so hard for you to obey my instructions?"
"I wanted to help."
"Well, next time you disobey, there'll be consequences." He teased.
I grinned from ear to ear, whatever that punishment was gonna be, it was melting my heart. "I'll look forward to it."
I helped him set two other dishes, and we settled on the table for the meal, my stomach growled with the amazing aroma that entered my nostrils. I never realized I was hungry. My plate looked delicious and ready to get gobbled up; he'd even prepared a salad as a side dish. I took a bite of the macaroni, the texture was so smooth, it melted in my mouth right away, and remembered how I used to force my mother into making me something out of cook books, that's an entirely different prospect that she didn't care at the least, eventually I'd learned how to cook a few things on my own.
"You like mac and cheese, right?"
"I do." I said with a mouthful, "tell you what, yours is the best I've eaten so far."
"Better than your mom's?"
To that I remained silent; he grimaced taking a hint, "sorry, that's a soft spot, huh?"
I nodded, not taking my eyes off the dish, the last thing I asked for, was sympathy.
Minnie on the other hand was indulged in her food, forking some into her mouth and feeding the rest to the floor.
"Alana, I'd like to ask you something, if you don't mind."
My heart did the oh-so-not-familiar-somersaults with the sudden flight of butterflies.
"Yes, sir?" I tried playing the very cool gal.
He shrugged. Scratch that. He seemed beyond nervous, probably because he was mentally preparing himself to whatever plagued his mind, but the thought of my negative reaction pained him.
Please don't take my theories seriously; I tend to imagine things in an excessive overdrive.
"Don't take it the wrong way," he strutted, swirled the fork in the plate and took a bite, "...or maybe I want you to take it the wrong way."
Yeah, I definitely had an effect on him. I decided to nod again.
"Are you seeing someone?"
SCRATCH THAT. My stomach felt like a freakin' plane runway.
"No." I replied truthfully, trying really hard to keep a straight face.
"So, like.." he took a deep breath, gave me a totally sexy Mister Vogue cover smile, the one he'd given me the day I first met him."I was wondering if you'd like to go out somewhere with me during the end of...uh..the week? If you're free, that is."
Was he asking me out? On a DATE?
Whatever good deeds had I done in my pre-lifetime to deserve being asked out by him?
This time I maintained eye contact, he wasn't amused nor was he giving me the impression that he was taking advantage of the new student.
My cheeks took the color of the beet root, "yeah, I'd like that, sir"
"I'm glad." He gave a sigh of relief, he had been nervous, "one more thing, Uhâplease don't talk about it to your friends in college."
"Yes, sir."
"And one more thing," it was the second one more thing, "you can call me Rowan."
"Okay." I smiled.
Bravo. I had been promoted exclusively to first name basis, what a grand step ahead. I heard a thousand applaud in my head.
"Though, you may continue acknowledging me as your teacher in college." he added, forcing me to wipe that silly grin off my face in an instant.
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A.N: Hope y'all enjoyed reading, please don't forget to Vote and Comment telling me what you think :)