11

The car rolled up to the front gate-- white, huge walls and a black, spiky, fence-type gate that slides open.

You can see through the gate of course, but now, I can see everything clearer as we're inside.

The sight was something I never saw before. My jaw dropped, letting out a soft gasp as I look out the window. The house was painted in a soft grey and white color, giving it a very modern look.

Even the front yard looked fancy, with a path leading up to the garage, separating to another path that goes to the front door.

Professor drove inside and parked her car in front of the garage. She unlocked the doors and quickly, I climb out, grabbing my stuff.

I walked to the front of the car, on my way towards her. "Lecturers earn this much?" I mumble to myself, truly shocked.

Professor grinned, "Only ones with their PhD's."

That must mean she's Dr. Garcia like my mom was.

That's the first thing she said to me since the ride.

I follow behind her like a lost puppy as she leads me to her front door. She fiddled in her pockets for her keys before a whine from inside caught our attention.

It was a high-pitched yelped.

Concerned, I stare at her, debating whether I should be here or if she kidnapped someone and I'm next.

She then sighs.

She got out her keys, shaking her head. "Looks like someone escaped again." She mumbles.

"What." I gulp.

The second she placed the key in the keyhole, turning it, there was scratching noises against the door.

Once she pushed the door open very slowly and gently, a puppy made itself known.

My heart melted once I saw those small legs running towards me, its tail wagging all over the place.

Kneeling down, I let go of an 'Aww.'

The fluffy puppy, surprisingly strong, jumped all over me, attacking me with kisses that caused me to stumble back on my butt.

My bag fell to the ground.

Giggles escaped my lips, trying to grab a hold of the puppy, but it kept moving too fast all over my body.

Finally getting a grip, I bring the puppy to my chest to see the brown collar around its neck.

His name is Ziki.

Cute

Smiling softly, I tilt my head up and met green eyes looking down to me.

Professor sent me an amused, soft smirk on her lips.

Embarrassed, and flushing red, I look down again and clear my throat.

Using my strength in my knees, I push myself up whilst holding Ziki. Professor reached down besides me and took my bag.

She said softly, "He likes you."

"What can I say, I have a special connection with animals." I tease, smirking.

Professor chuckles lowly before nodding inside the house, gesturing for me to walk in first.

I walk inside, holding the puppy like a baby.

"Ziki, hm? It's an interesting name, cute, but interesting." I said, scanning over the living room as I enter.

She replied, locking the door behind us, "Reason why my sister never should have children."

I let out a tiny chuckle and crouch down, gently placing him down on the floor.

Though, Ziki kept running around in between us as I followed professor around her house.

It's mostly modern; a beautiful huge kitchen with black-gray, marble countertops and the cabinets a light gray color.

This house is so big, even the corners are wide and spaced out.

It's not like those houses where you have a movie theatre inside. There's actually just 2 bedrooms. Professor's, and apparently when her sister comes, she sleeps in the second room. She says nobody may ever touch Luka's bed, even if she's not in the country. She will find out if someone slept there.

We enter her bedroom, and she places my bag besides the king-sized bed.

"You can take my room, I'll sleep on the couch." She offers.

I spin around, taking in the room-- a bathroom in the corner. I turn back to her.

"Your sister really doesn't want anyone sleeping in 'her' room?" I ask, making air quotation marks, "It's your house though."

"She get what she wants. It's hers. She chose it virtually over the phone when I showed her the house."

Load of shit.

"Well in that case, I don't want to take what's yours. I'll sleep on the couch." I said.

"You're my guest. I want my guests to be comfortable, so please." She says, placing her laptop bag down on the desk, "I have some work to catch up on. I'll be downstairs at the living room if you need me, so get settled down, then we'll order some food."

"I-" I sigh, "Okay..."

She sends me a glare one more time before, with her laptop in her arms, turning around to the door.

I watched as her shoulders spiked up as she took a deep breath in before leaving the room.

Ziki followed behind her.

I collapsed on her bed, bouncing up and down before recoil died down.

My eyes were glued to the floor, wider than ever.

This was probably the most dumbest idea I've ever had. To think I'm sitting, well, actually sleeping, in this room tonight is crazy.

What would happen if she kidnaps me, will my dad even come looking for me?

Despite all the missed calls and texts I got from him.

My gut sucked down and I clutched my stomach, feeling the need to puke. But, I held it together and gulped.

"Okay, no problem. Everything's alright. I got this." I mutter to myself, standing up again.

The day prior, I packed in some extra clothes and everything I need, because I really was going to stay the night at Iris'.

So, I packed out the remaining stuff I had left on her desk, like my hairbrush and toothbrush, but kept my clothes in my bag.

After exploring her room for a bit, I went downstairs.

Despite getting lost, I eventually found my way at the living room.

The first thing I notice was the blue fluffy bed at Daniela's feet.

Ziki was busy lying down, sunk inside the fluffy bed, chewing on a bone- shaped-chew-toy that was too big for him.

"American Akita."

I grabbed her attention making my way towards the couch were she's sitting.

"An American-- what now?" She closed her laptop, looking up at me.

"Oh, uh-- Ziki. He's an American Akita. You know, the dog breed?"

Amused, she tilts her head to the side. "I didn't know that."

My lips turn paper thin, sitting down at the opposite side of the couch from her. A coffee table separating us.

Our eyes met, which made me gulp at the tension. The silent tension.

"Um, thank you for all of this, professor. It means a lot."

"We're not on campus anymore, you may call me Daniela." She said.

"Well then, thank you, Daniela."

She stays quiet, staring at me before she sighs. "Listen..." She takes her laptop and places it on the coffee table, "I should take you back to your house, or maybe a cousin or other friend."

"What? No, no. I don't want to go back to my dad... or anywhere else."

"You can't ignore him forever, Victoria."

I stay quiet.

"You don't look comfortable here. Let me take you home."

"I am comfortable." I reply quietly.

"You forgot I studied Psychology."

I bite down onto my back teeth, slowly nodding my head.

It only makes matters worse.

I can't hide anything from here. Just like I couldn't hide anything from my mom.

I take a deep breath in, "I don't want to go. At least not now... not to my dad." I said softly.

Ziki ran from the bed towards me with the toy in his jaw. A tiny smile spread across my lips as I lean down to tug on the toy, playing with him.

"Just give me a few minutes, then I'll be settled." I said, play fighting with Ziki.

Looking up, I catch her gaze in mine. She nods her head, "Will pizza and something to drink make the process faster then?"

I smile, "Hot chocolate sounds nice if you have any?"

We got to a point where there was an empty pizza box and mugs on the table in front of us-- our feet kicked up.

Somehow, I persuaded Daniela with my technique, called 'begging,' to watch Mean girls.

She just agreed to it because she wants me relaxed-- which is working.

The movie's going great so far, at least for me. Daniela on the other hand is trying to collect all her bearings and watch the movie, but she just finds it cringy and weird.

The fluffy blanket she gave me made it even more cozy for me. She even allowed Ziki on the couch to keep me warm and company as a joke since Daniela's sitting on the other side of the couch.

Suddenly, the dark room lit up for a split second. My eyes immediately dart to Daniela who slowly looks back at me. I sit up, on the edge. My heart skipped a beat as we heard the sound of thunder nearby. Ziki's tiny, fluffy ears pulling the shortest length up.

Professor, or shall I say, Daniela, got up from the couch and went to the window, looking behind the curtains as an excuse to leave the movie.

"It's quite a storm out here." Her voice was low.

I quickly pause the movie, now finally hearing the strong wind and rain falling down on the roof.

Ziki climbed on my lap, hiding himself as he dug his face between my arms.

Me too, bud, me too.

Daniela turned around and sat down again, checking her phone. "When's your bed time?"

Blankly, I stare at her. "You're joking, right?"

She shrugs, not really knowing if she's kidding or not. "I don't want a grumpy child tomorrow."

"Seriously? I'm a grown woman."

"Yet acts like a child. Come on, thunder, really?" She raise an eyebrow. "It scares you?"

Dang, I really can't hide anything around her.

I gesture to Ziki, "In my defense, I'm not the only one."

Professor has a tiny smirk plastered on her lips, intrigued. She then stands up again, "You should get some rest."

I sighed before gently scooping Ziki up in my hand whilst I stand up-- the blanket falling down, but quickly throwing it over my shoulder again.

It's a comfy blanket, what can I say.

Without speaking, just staring at her, she folds her arms, clearly waiting for me to say something.

I gulp, "Well, goodnight. I guess." I turn around with Ziki still in my hands.

"Not so fast."

Relieved, I spin around to her again.

"Leave it."

Confused, I tilt my head before nodding. I wiggle the blanket off my shoulders and onto the couch. She's right, she has a comfy blanket on her bed already. No need for an extra one.

I turn around again.

"Not that."

I turn around to her.

"The dog."

"Oh, right." I mumble before crouching down and placing him down.

He ran to his bed.

Daniela sighed before staring at me softly. "Goodnight."

"Night."

That was all I said before I went to her room again.