ARIA

Tears stung my eyes as I closed the door behind me.

Was this man serious? He called me to his office to ask me if i've slept with other professors?

The nerve of that man.

"Are you okay?" Laura asked as she walked up to me, she had been waiting for me.

"Yes" i fake smiled, masking the anger rising up in my chest.

"What did he want?"

"He just uh... wanted to praise me for being a top student. Said I should keep my grades in check"

"Weird, that was why he summoned you to his office?"

"Unfortunately"

It was really unfortunately for me. How dare he pretend like nothing happened between us. How could he assume that that's the kinds of things i usually do with my other professors to keep my grades up.

God. I wish I could have punched him in the face.

Thinking about him only infuriated me and it was becoming hard to hide the emotions on my face. I needed to distract myself.

"Hey it's the weekend, want to come over? We could work on our assignment together" I said glancing over to Laura.

"Uhm..."

"What? You have other plans?"

"Yes, Diego invited me to his place tonight."

"Who is Diego" i asked with sheer curiosity.

"The guy i met at the club, remember?"

"Right. So are you two like a thing now?"

"Not exactly, we're just taking it slow for now"

"So you're going to abandon your best friend for dick"

"C'mon, it's not like that Aria" she said nudging me and I only eyed her.

Great. I was going to be alone all weekend.

"Tell you what... i'll come see you sunday evening, we could have dinner together"

"Fine." I sighed.

We held hands as we walked out of school together.

*****

Sunday rolled in quickly.

I returned to bed after a long day of studying and assignments. Tired and hungry. I needed a warm shower and some good food.

Being in college has a way of testing my patience. Thank God it's my last year.

It's nothing but torture being in school. Day in, day out. Now i was being tortured by something far worse than school and it's in the form of my professor.

Laura walked in to my room without knocking... only she could do that of course.

"Hey girl" she beamed.

"Back from dickland?" I asked feigning annoyance.

"Don't tell me you're still mad at me"

"I'm not, so just spill the beans. What happened between the both of you?"

"Oh my gosh, first of all we're a couple now" she said giggling.

"What? I thought you said you were taking it slow?" I asked concerned.

"I mean yes but..."

"Oh my God Laura, you should be careful"

"I am. Change of subject, are you hungry?"

"Yes, i was just about to take a shower and go out for dinner"

"Great. Wear something classy, let's go to a fancy restaurant" she said excitedly and i rolled my eyes.

Of course she wants to go to a fancy restaurant when I'm the one paying all the bills. Well thank God my father is a billionaire.

I came out of the bathroom after a while and dolled up.

"What restaurant do you want to go to?" I asked.

"Now you're talking, i'm so lucky to have a best friend like you"

"You've been saying that since freshman year"

"Because it's true"

We both left in my car to a five star restaurant. The restaurant beamed with life.

The place screamed expensive and luxurious. It was perfect for billionaires and rich public figures, i was glad Laura wore something decent.

Left for her, she would rather wear sleeveless tops and a bum short.

My mouth watered when the waitress brought our cart of food. She set it aside and poured us some wine. It was tasty and fruity.

She smiled and served our food on the table.

"Thank you" i said and she nodded before walking away.

Laura was so excited. She was taking pictures of the food instead of eating. I was mostly eating.

"This is delicious" Laura said after trying out the steak.

"You should try the rest" i said pointing to the other foods with my fork.

She started eating and she was making all kinds of sounds that sounded like moaning as she ate the food.

"So have you completed your assignment?" She asked.

"What assignment?"

"Literature. Professor Carter"

I almost chocked on my mashed potatoes as she spoke his name.

"Uhm...yeah, i have. What about you" I said clearing my throat.

"I have too. I just don't know if he'll pass me"

"I'm sure he will, when we get home, let me take a look for you"

"Thank you girl"

We finished eating and paid the chunk of bills with my black card.

Laura suggested we get takeout or pizza or Chinese food. Just something else. The food at the restaurant might have been delicious but it wasn't very filling.

We started walking towards the door and i caught something at the corner of my eye, then i turned to look.

It was professor Carter.

My heart almost jumped out of my chest.

He was in the restaurant with some woman. Blonde, slim, doll face, and definitely in his age range.

Maybe that's the kind of woman he's interested in.

Maybe that's his wife.

The food in my stomach suddenly became sour, i wanted to throw up.

My heart ached at their appearance and the thought of them together.

Wait. Why would i care, it was just a one night thing i had with him. And he didn't even fuck me.

Did he not like me? I think I'm just over reacting.

The blondie is more his type anyways, so why should i care who he brings to the restaurant or where they go after here.

"Are you okay?" Laura asked after noticing what i was staring at.

"Yes, i am"

"Is that professor Carter? Oh my gosh I think we should say hi"

"What? No. Absolutely not"

"C'mon, it wouldn't cost you anything"

Before I could say anything further she already had my hand, dragging me along with her to their table.

God. God. God. My heart wouldn't stop pounding in my chest.

Although i loved Laura for her indifference towards things. But i think she is going too far right now.

"Hi professor Carter" she said waving with a full smirk on her face as she turned to me.

His gaze met mine, and his eyes took in my appearance.

My cheeks got flushed at the thought of what he could be thinking of me, my dress, my body.

Gosh Aria, get a hold of your self.

"Good evening professor Carter" I said after composing myself.

"Fancy meeting you here" his deep voice came to life and all the anger i was feeling at the moment melted away.

"Same professor" Laura smiled. "This must be your wife"

"Oh no. Just an associate of mine, Sophie" he said.

Oh, an associate. Not his wife. Got it.

The pretty lady greeted and we responded back. My heart had somehow stopped racing and I was more calm.

"I hope you girls have worked on your assignments, it wouldn't be wise to party all weekend and fail academically"

"We have" Laura said.

I really couldn't say much, i was more focused on his... 'associate'

She didn't dress like they were having a meeting and she definitely seemed uncomfortable when he called her an associate. I was feeling so uneasy.

I nudged Laura and whispered that it was time to go.

Thank God she listened to me and we both headed out.

When we got to the car she eyed me.

"Are you okay Aria?"

"Yes, why?"

"You look pale. Are you still crushing on our professor?" She asked, teasing me.

"What? No." I said in haste.

"Why is your face flushed?"

"God Laura. Shut up!!!"

ARIA

I overslept... thanks to the leftover beer Laura brought after dinner yesterday.

We ended up drinking while eating pizza and binge-watching Pretty Little Liars until i passed out on her couch.

Now, we're running late for our first class... Literature. The same class where I was supposed to hand in that damn assignment... and see him again.

Laura and i rushed out of her dorm like maniacs, barely dressed, hair still wet. By the time we got to the building, we were ten minutes late.

"Crap," i muttered, my heart pounding in my chest.

Laura rushed in first. She was also in a hurry that she didn't even notice she had left me standing outside the classroom, alone... with my stomach in knots and fingers white from gripping my literature textbook like it was a stress ball.

I couldn't move. I just stood there, frozen.

He's in there.

I couldn't stop thinking about the way he looked at me last night.

I was too nervous to go inside the classroom after seeing him yesterday.

"Aria Giovanni" a voice said coolly.

I almost jumped out of my skin when i heard my name. I turned back to look at who it was.

I blinked at the guy standing a few feet away from me.

Taller than I remembered. Tousled dark hair. Clear, amused eyes. With an easy, effortless smile.

"James. You scared me" i said with a half smile.

"Oops sorry, i didn't mean to sneak up on you" he said rubbing the back of his neck.

"What are you doing here?" I asked curious but still a little bit shaken.

Hoping he wasn't a freak that followed me to class.

"Oh, i'm also in this class" he smiled.

"Really how come? Didn't you say you were a law major?"

"Oh yes, but i opted for this class for my pre-law program. Literature can help develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing skills, which are valuable for legal studies." He rambled on.

"Right" i mumbled.

"So what are you doing outside?"

"Too nervous to step in"

"Let's go in together"

Before i could even object to what he just said, he was already taking me inside.

When we got in, the class

went silent and i brought my head down and used my textbook to cover my face.

"Look, there's free seats at the front row" James said.

He took me straight to the front seat.

Great. Right under the professor's gaze.

Laura gave me an apologetic smile from the second row. I shot her a death glare.

Traitor.

This was the second time professor Carter has seen me late to class. He must think i was slacking off.

I found the seat and sat down next James, trying to disappear in my oversized hoodie.

I dropped my textbook on the desk and i slowly lifted my eyes.

Professor Carter was leaning against his desk. Arms crossed. Jaw tight.

His dark eyes weren't just watching me they were drilling a hole straight through James's skull.

His gaze was dark and cold. Nothing like what i had experienced in the hotel.

But I knew better.

"Nice of you to join us, Miss Giovanni. Mr...?" Professor Carter's sharp voice finally broke the silence again.

"James Thatcher," James replied confidently, extending a hand toward him.

Professor Carter didn't take it.

"Let me remind the class," he said coldly, turning away. "That your assignments were due today. I hope no one's tardiness affects the quality of your submission."

His words weren't directed at the class. They were directed at me.

Every syllable was like a slap to my face.

I swallowed hard and stared at the floor.

"Well, he's a ray of sunshine." James leaned over and whispered to me.

I didn't answer. I couldn't.

Because I knew something James didn't.

That man wasn't just a random professor.

He was the stranger i kissed. The one who touched me like i was the only girl in the world.

And now, he was glaring at the guy sitting next to me like he'd already claimed me.

Like i belonged to him.

"Let's continue." he said.

I exhaled quietly and opened my notebook with shaking fingers, pretending to pay attention.

Professor Carter continued with the lecture, but i wasn't very focused.

Something about postmodern themes and intertextuality. Maybe Virginia Woolf. Maybe not. I couldn't hear anything over the pulse pounding in my ears.

James kept stealing glances at me. I could feel that too. His smile was boyish and innocent.

But his thigh brushed against mine under the desk, and I couldn't tell if it was an accident or not.

Then... finally... the class ended.

Students shifted in their seats, slamming their notebooks shut and gathering their bags.

Laura stood up quickly, stretching, saying something about coffee. I nodded vaguely.

"Before you go," Professor Carter said suddenly, making everyone stop in their tracks.

"Please leave your assignments on my desk. All of you."

Everyone started moving towards the front desk with their assignments.

I stood up too, gripping my folder, ready to add mine to the stack of folders already piled up.

But his eyes locked on mine. And he spoke again, but this time he was speaking to me.

"Except you, Miss Giovanni." His velvet voice was calm.

I froze.

"Sir?" i managed to say.

"You'll bring them to my office," he said, "since you arrived late... again... consider it a... personal penalty. You do remember where it is, yes?"

A few students looked back at me, muttering quietly. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Yes, sir," I said quietly.

"That's kind of extra, isn't it?" James said.

I didn't answer again. It felt like James was making my problems worse.

I avoided the professor's eyes and nodded, sliding my assignment back into my bag.

"See you outside?" James asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Yeah," I lied.

Laura shot me a good luck look before she and James left the room together.

The classroom was empty.

The professor also packed his things and headed out of the classroom.

I took a breath and slowly walked forward, taking the neat stack of papers and i followed him back to his office.

We got to his office and i put the files on his table.

"Here," I said softly, "all the assignments... and mine."

"Good." He finally looked up.

"You've made a habit of being late, Aria."

DAMON

"I didn't mean to," she murmured. "It's just..."

"You don't need to explain," i said, standing up.

Suddenly, the space between us felt much smaller than it was.

I stepped around my desk, closing the gap between us.

"I saw you walk in with him."

"James?" she blinked.

"You seem comfortable around him."

She didn't answer. Because it wasn't a question. It was a statement.

Then, my hand brushed a strand of hair from her face, soft and slow.

"You have no idea what kind of attention you're pulling, do you?"

"From James?" she asked innocently.

I leaned down slightly, voice dropping.

"From me."

Her cheeks flushed immediately.

She was driving me insane.

"But you already knew that, didn't you?" i added.

She opened her mouth to speak... maybe argue, maybe run... but i stepped back before she could do either of those.

"Close the door behind you, Aria," i said, my voice back to normal. Cold. Professional.

She stood there a moment longer, stunned, flushed, shaken.

Then she turned and walked out.

My back was still turned to her when i heard her shut the door behind her softly.

I let out of breath of relief.

I brought out my gripped hands from my pocket.

I keep wondering what i see in her that attracts me to her so much.

Was it her intelligence?

Her eyes that looked like the sunset?

Her slim curvy figure?

I have seen and been with much of those like her. So why?

I looked at her file of assignment from the top of the pile of files.

Her name was boldly written at the top.

Aria Giovanni.

Giovanni.

I would never forget that name.

'I can't forget why i'm here' 'i need to stay focused'

I walked to the window in my office for some fresh air.

But she was down there, standing with that... James.

She laughed at something he said. He was smiling back at her like he had the right to.

If only my wife were still alive.

If she were here, i wouldn't be pretending to be a professor, someone i'm not.

I got the position of the literature professor by killing the previous professor and bribing the others.

Anyone who found my abrupt position as Professor a problem, would find their selves six feet under that very day.

I sat down back on my desk and started reviewing their assignments... only hers, I would just pass the rest.

I was only interested in Aria.

Then a knock came to my office door. The door flew open and professor Mary was standing there, smiling at me weirdly.

Since i came to this school, females threw their selves at me, not just the students but also the professors.

"What can i help you with professor Mary?" I asked uninterested.

I already knew why she was here.

"I just saw that student leave, is she bothering you? Because if she is i can talk..." she was saying but i cut her short.

"I can handle my own students professor Mary. But thank you. If you have nothing else to say, you can leave" I said and gave a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

She didn't leave, instead she moved closer and leaned on my desk.

Her sleeves were rolled up and the two top button on her shirt was undone. I could smell her perfume from a mile away.

"Oh c'mon professor Carter" she smiled seductively, "let's not pretend you don't want this"

"I don't" i said flatly.

"I see the way you look at me" she continued, showcasing her big breasts.

I lifted my head from her breasts to her face. Too much make up.

I didn't look at her any way. I always preferred the slim types.

I wasn't interested in any student or lecturer in this school or even outside of school, well... except for Aria.

She moved to the other side of my desk and sat on it, facing me.

"Professor Mary..."

"Call me Mary"

"Professor Mary, it wouldn't be wise if you keep coming to my office like this" i said.

She was married for God's sake. And if we weren't at school, i would have shot her dead by now.

"Maybe we could take this somewhere else instead" she smiled yet again.

"Maybe i would inform the school board about it. You don't seem to like your job very well"

Her lips twitched but she didn't falter.

"Wouldn't you be implicating us both?"

"What if i tell your husband to put a leash on his wife?" i growled.

Her face went pale, and then red with anger.

She muttered a few things i wasn't interested in and then walked out of my office, slamming the door behind her.

I heard her yell outside but i didn't pay it much heed.

Until i heard another knock on my door and it opened again.

"Get out!!" i shouted.

When i looked up to see the intruder, it was Aria.

Shit.

I thought it was professor Mary coming back with her scandalous reproach.

Aria looked pale and scared.

I felt horrible.

"Aria, please come in" i said shamefully.

She hesitated before walking in.

"I'm sorry sir, i didn't mean to be of inconvenience" she said with a shaky voice.

"You're not. I didn't mean to yell either" i said with an apologetic look.

"I just forgot my literature textbook here, that's why i came back. I'll just take it and leave"

I was so invested in alot of things and distracted by professor Mary, that i didn't even notice an extra textbook on my desk that wasn't mine.

I took the textbook and handed it to her.

She hesitated again, skeptical if she should come forward and take her book.

When she finally collected the textbook from me, she breezed out of my office immediately.

I wanted to apologize for yelling, it was unprofessional. If only professor Mary didn't spoil my mood...

Fuck.

She must think that i'm a monster.