Chapter Forty Four

Thursday;

Lea and I sat in Montgomery's classroom, the room buzzing with idle chatter as we waited for her to arrive. Lea was slouched in her seat, her arms crossed and eyes half-closed, looking like she'd rather be anywhere but here. Honestly, I couldn't blame her. The tension was thick, and I wasn't thrilled about being here either.

The door swung open, and Montgomery strolled in, her usual commanding presence filling the room. Without a word, she tossed her handbag onto her chair, the sound punctuating the dull hum of the room. As expected, there were no greetings—Montgomery was never one for formalities. Instead, she headed straight to the desk, pulling out a stack of papers from the drawer.

She moved around the room, handing the papers to each student in silence, her heels clicking softly against the floor. When she reached me, her gaze didn't meet mine—her expression remained as cool and detached as ever. But then, as she passed by the row behind us, I felt a sudden, deliberate brush of her hand. Her fingers slid lightly from one of my shoulders to the other, a touch so faint yet unmistakable. It sent a jolt through me, heat rushing to my face.

I froze, my cheeks burning as I tried to focus on the paper in front of me. But all I could think about was the subtle, electric sensation of her fingers against my skin. Did anyone else notice? I dared a quick glance at Lea, but she seemed just as disinterested as before, completely unaware.

Montgomery continued on, as if nothing had happened, her attention fixed on the next student. But that touch—so casual, yet so charged—lingered with me long after she had moved away.

As soon as Montgomery reached her desk, I flipped the paper over and began working on the quiz. Relief washed over me, yesterday's library session had paid off, and I could actually answer the questions with confidence.

Lea leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper, "Dude, Montgomery looks hot today." I shot her a quick side-eye, trying not to engage, but curiosity got the better of me. My eyes flicked to the front of the room where Montgomery sat at her desk, absorbed in whatever was on her phone.

I pursed my lips and forced myself to look back down at the quiz. The last thing I needed was for her to catch me ogling her like some creep. But before I could refocus, Lea nudged me again, whispering, "Did you even see what she's wearing?"

Before I could respond or even pretend I hadn't heard her, Montgomery's sharp, irritated voice sliced through the quiet. "Ms. Grayson," she called out, her tone icy, "Care to share your conversation with the rest of us?" Her eyes flicked up from her phone, pinning Lea with a look that could cut glass.

Lea froze, the color draining from her face as Montgomery's cold gaze zeroed in on her. I could feel the tension thickening in the room, and I silently prayed Lea would think of something to say—anything to avoid making this situation worse.

"Uh..." Lea finally stammered, "Did you hear about Pluto? That's messed up, right?"

I blinked, my pen slipping from my fingers as I stared at her, completely dumbfounded. Out of all the things she could have said, that was what she chose? The confusion rippled through the room, students exchanging bewildered glances. I could feel every set of eyes on us, but I was too stunned to even care.

I snuck a glance at Montgomery, whose expression had shifted from irritation to a mixture of disbelief and confusion. Her brows were furrowed, mouth slightly ajar as if she couldn't quite comprehend what had just happened.

For a moment, the entire room seemed to hang in a state of suspended awkwardness. Then, with a shake of her head, Montgomery dismissed it. She turned her attention back to her phone, clearly deciding this wasn't worth her time, and the students returned to their quizzes.

I let out a small breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and glanced at Lea, raising my eyebrows in a silent what was that? She shrugged, her expression cool and unfazed, before picking up her pen as if nothing had happened.

As the clock ticked down, Montgomery moved through the rows, collecting the quizzes with her usual efficiency. When she reached me, her fingers brushed lightly against mine as she took the paper from my hand. The touch was brief but sent a jolt up my arm. I watched as her eyes skimmed over my answers, her gaze lingering a second longer than usual. Then, just as she was about to move on, her lips curved into the faintest of smiles. Barely noticeable, but there.

I felt a small wave of relief wash over me—maybe I hadn't completely messed up that quiz after all.

But then my eyes betrayed me, drifting downward as she walked back toward her desk. Her red pencil skirt hugged her hips, accentuating every curve. And those heels—damn. The way they elongated her legs, making her calves look more defined, didn't help my concentration at all.

I shook my head, mentally scolding myself. Still, I couldn't deny what Lea had said earlier—Montgomery did look incredible today. It was like she'd stepped right out of a fashion magazine, effortlessly pulling off a look that radiated power and confidence. I couldn't help but envy her wardrobe, imagining what it would be like to feel that bold in clothes like that.

The lecture felt like it dragged on for an eternity, but eventually, it ended, and Lea and I began packing up our things, ready to make our escape. As usual, Lea was moving at a glacial pace, shoving her belongings into her bag with no sense of urgency. By the time she finally slung her bag over her shoulder, the room had emptied out, leaving just the two of us and Montgomery.

We made our way down the steps, me trailing behind Lea. Just as I reached the bottom, Montgomery stepped directly in front of me, blocking my path. Her presence was imposing, as always. "Ms. Wilson," she said, her voice firm but not unkind, "I'd like to speak with you for a minute."

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could get a word out, Lea glanced over her shoulder, giving me a look that told me to just go with it. Without a word, she walked out of the room, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving me alone with Montgomery.

I sighed softly, turning my attention back to Montgomery. She stood before me with her arms crossed, a faint glint of irritation flashing in her eyes. Her posture radiated authority, like she was used to being obeyed, and the small frown on her face deepened as she regarded me.

"Honestly, Ms. Wilson," she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration, "I'm getting rather tired of chasing after you like some damn dog."

Something inside me snapped. "Then stop chasing after me," I shot back, my voice louder than I intended. My hand instinctively gripped the strap of my bag tighter, as if holding onto it could keep me steady.

Montgomery's expression shifted in an instant. She stepped closer, closing the space between us, her presence overwhelming. Before I could react, she lifted her hand and gently rested it against my cheek. My heart pounded in my chest, thundering in my ears as her fingers trailed down my skin, slow and deliberate.

But then, her grip shifted. Her fingers tightened around my chin, yanking me toward her with sudden force. A sharp hiss escaped my lips, half in surprise, half in pain. Her face was inches from mine now, her breath warm against my skin. "Don't raise your voice at me," she hissed, her voice low and threatening, her fingers digging into my jaw just enough to send a warning.

Montgomery let out a soft sigh, the weight of it heavy in the air between us, before her hand dropped back to her side. She took a small step away, as if distancing herself from her own frustration. "Why can't you just let me talk to you?" she asked, her voice quieter now, almost pleading.

I crossed my arms, refusing to meet her gaze. "You lost that right when you tried to control who I date," I scoffed, my words sharp. My eyes darted everywhere but at her, refusing to show just how much her words and actions had affected me.

"Valentina," she groaned, sounding almost desperate, "Why can't you just—"

She was cut off by the creak of the lecture hall door opening. Instinctively, she took a step back, quickly masking her emotions. "Yeah, I'll need that assignment by the end of tomorrow," she said abruptly, her tone clipped and professional, pretending as if nothing had just happened between us.

I forced a tight-lipped smile, feeling the tension still buzzing in the air. "Okay," I replied, my voice hollow. I walked past her, heading for the door, and as I stepped out, I glanced briefly at the professor entering. He seemed completely oblivious to the thick tension that had just filled the room moments before.

✿

I had just wrapped up my last lecture of the day with Professor Vargas, and all I could think about was getting to Midnight Mocha, where Lea said she'd be waiting for me. The idea of sinking into a slice of cheesecake was keeping me going.

When I pulled into the café's parking lot, I parked in the first empty spot I could find, not even bothering to look for a closer one. Stepping out of the car, I stretched my arms over my head and sighed. I really needed that cheesecake.

Inside, the cozy café was buzzing with the soft hum of conversations and the whirr of the espresso machine. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods hit me instantly, soothing my senses. I spotted Lea sitting near the window, her head bent as she scrolled through her phone. On the table in front of her was a slice of cheesecake and an iced coffee waiting for me, just as promised.

I plopped down beside her without hesitation, taking a long sip from the iced coffee. The cold sweetness was exactly what I needed. "Thank you," I muttered between sips, already feeling the caffeine jolt through me.

Lea switched off her phone and flashed me a grin before digging into her own chocolate cake. She chewed thoughtfully, her eyes wandering lazily over the other customers in the café, clearly half-listening as she savored her treat.

Just as I was about to take my first bite of cheesecake, the familiar chime of the café door opening caught my attention. Without thinking, I glanced up toward the door, and there she was—Prof. Vargas, her entrance casual yet commanding in the relaxed setting.

Lea's gaze flicked to me as if she could sense my interest. With a raised eyebrow, she leaned in slightly and muttered, "I don't see what Montgomery sees in her."

I snapped my head toward Lea, completely dumbfounded. "Bro, Vargas is smoking hot," I scoffed, my voice laced with disbelief. "I definitely see what Montgomery sees in her."

Lea rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Yeah, sure, but let's be real here, I don't think their relationship is going all that great."

I turned my attention back to Vargas, watching as she picked up two cups of coffee from the barista. Her face lit up with that infectious smile as she thanked the woman, then casually strolled out of the café, her confidence evident in the way she moved. "I'd say it's going just fine," I muttered, finally giving in to the cheesecake temptation and scooping up a big bite.

Lea let out a small huff, clearly not convinced, her lips pressed into a thin line. "If you say so," she replied, though her tone dripped with skepticism. After a moment, she broke the silence, shifting gears. "So, what're you doing this weekend?" she asked, sipping her coffee.

"Die," I replied dryly, shrugging, "of boredom."

Lea chuckled, shaking her head. "Why don't you come over for a sleepover?" she suggested with a grin. "My parents would love to meet you."

I raised an eyebrow, mid-chew, pleasantly surprised that I'd finally get to meet her parents. Lea always spoke so highly of them, and I was curious to see what they were like.

"I'm down," I said with a smile, washing down the cheesecake with a sip of iced coffee. "When though? Friday or Saturday?"

Lea tapped her chin, thinking it over for a second. "Friday," she decided with a nod.

I nodded back, but a thought hit me, and I frowned slightly. "Oh, wait. I'm volunteering on Saturday," I said, letting out a small sigh. It wasn't that I didn't want to go, I just didn't want to bail on our sleepover plans too early.

Lea just shrugged it off, flashing me a reassuring smile. "That's fine! I'll come with and help out."

My eyes lit up, not expecting that at all. "Really?" I asked, leaning forward, surprised but excited.

"Of course," she nodded, her expression earnest. "I'd love to see what you do."

Excitement bubbled up inside me. The idea of Lea tagging along to the hospital had me grinning. Maybe she'd even enjoy it enough to want to keep helping out. But then I reconsidered and chuckled to myself—nah, Lea wasn't the type to put in extra energy for work like that. Still, the thought of her joining me, even for just one day, was enough to make me look forward to the weekend.

After we finished our coffee and cake, Lea and I hugged goodbye, parting ways with promises to text about our weekend plans. I climbed into my car, ready to head home, but at the last minute, I made a snap decision to drive to the park instead.

I'd been avoiding the park lately, mainly because I didn't want to risk running into Montgomery. But I couldn't keep letting her control my choices like that. It was my place too, and I missed the peace I felt there.

A short drive later, I pulled into the small parking lot, the gravel crunching under my tires. The clock on my dashboard blinked just before 16:00, and the late afternoon sun still hung brightly in the sky, casting long shadows across the path as I made my way to my usual bench.

Settling down with a heavy sigh, I stretched out, letting the cool breeze ruffle my hair. Despite the mess swirling in my head, I couldn't help but feel excited about the weekend. Lea might not fully know what she's getting herself into with the volunteering, but the thought of her having to clean up someone's puke was honestly hilarious.

Still, I'd need to give her a heads-up. The patients could be brutally rude, and knowing Lea, she wouldn't just take it quietly. The mental image of her snapping back, or worse, threatening to yank out someone's IV, made me snicker to myself. Yeah, this weekend was going to be interesting.

The tranquility of the park was abruptly interrupted as a shadow loomed over me. My heart sank when I turned to see Montgomery standing right beside the bench, her loyal dog Tuna at her feet, wagging its tail lazily. Her eyes locked on me, a familiar glint of authority in them. "I haven't seen you around here in a while," she remarked, glancing down at me with an almost casual curiosity.

I shrugged, trying to sound indifferent. "That's because I've been avoiding you." I couldn't hide the bite in my tone. Montgomery's lips pressed into a thin, unimpressed line, and she nodded slightly, as if to acknowledge my bluntness. "I've noticed," she said flatly.

The tension between us was thick, and I wasn't about to let her ruin my moment of peace. Without a second thought, I stood up from the bench, fully intending to head home. But before I could take a step, her firm hand gripped my shoulder. The strength of her hold made my heart jump, and before I could react, she shoved me back onto the bench. "Sit back down," she ordered, her voice low but unmistakably commanding. The force behind her words left little room for argument.

I opened my mouth to protest, to say something—anything—but she cut me off before I could utter a word. "And shut that damn mouth of yours," she snapped, stepping directly in front of me, her gaze locking me in place. Her towering presence felt almost suffocating as she loomed over me, her posture rigid with control. "I need you back in my office tomorrow. There are quizzes that need to be marked," she said, her voice dripping with authority, leaving no space for refusal.

The nerve of her made my blood simmer with anger, but the confidence behind her stare made my defiance waver. Did she have some sort of memory lapse? I was pretty sure I'd quit that TA position.

"I quit," I scoffed, crossing my arms defensively. "Do you not remember?"

Montgomery gave me a tight, mocking smile, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You actually didn't," she said, her voice smug and dripping with superiority. "You need to fill out a form, and you didn't."

A form? That's what this was all about? Why hadn't she mentioned this ridiculous detail sooner? I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my cool. "Fine," I spat back, giving her a sarcastic grin of my own. "I'll fill out that form tomorrow."

Her expression darkened, eyes narrowing as she leaned in closer, her presence looming over me. She rested her hand on the armrest beside me, her face now inches from mine. The space between us felt suffocating. "You're not filling out that form," she whispered, her voice low and dangerous, her gaze locking onto mine like a predator sizing up its prey. "If you even think of quitting on me, I'll fail you."

I swallowed hard, my bravado suddenly slipping. "You can't do that," I whispered, though my voice was barely audible. My heart raced in my chest, each beat hammering in my ears. She was so close that I could feel the warmth of her breath against my skin, and it was making it impossible to keep my thoughts straight.

"Sweetheart," she murmured, her voice soft but laced with menace. Her eyes flickered down to my lips for a moment, sending a shiver down my spine before she met my gaze again, her expression unreadable. "Don't test me."

She straightened up, her posture regal, as her piercing gaze remained locked on me. With a slow, deliberate motion, she stepped back, tugging lightly on Tuna's leash, signalling that it was time to go.

"I look forward to seeing you tomorrow in my office," she said, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips, a mixture of challenge and amusement dancing in her eyes. The smirk transformed her otherwise serious demeanor, making my heart race with frustration.

With that, she pivoted on her heel, and strode away, her confident footsteps muffled on the grass. I remained on the bench, feeling the weight of her words hang in the air like a thick fog, trying to grasp what had just happened.

She can't possibly fail me just because I want to quit the TA job! I scoffed to myself, the thought igniting a spark of indignation within me. It was clear she thought she could wield that kind of power, and that arrogance infuriated me to no end.

Someone needs to put that woman in her place, and soon—before I snapped and actually punched her or something. The image of me confronting her, fists clenched and heart racing, flitted through my mind.

I couldn't believe I had to return to her office again. What a nightmare. I just hoped our next meeting wouldn't be a minefield of awkward pauses and suffocating silence, where every word felt like a chore to say.

I hope I'm ready for this...