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.

ARIA

I have no idea why the professor behaved like that at the office.

Maybe he was in a fowl mood.

I brushed the thought off and went for my remaining classes.

When the school day was over i met up with Laura again and we went to my place together.

She prefers staying with me than at her dorm. She said the students there were crappy.

I would invite her to live with me but she already paid for the dorm until she graduated.

"Ugh, our first semester exams is in 2 weeks" she said as she flopped on my bed.

"Yeah, after this semester we have one last semester before we graduate" i said.

"Fucking finally, i'm so tired of this darn school" she groaned.

"Aren't we all" i rolled my eyes.

"There's a party next weekend..."

"Laura please tell me you're not thinking of going to that party, we need to prepare for our upcoming exams" i said turning to face her after removing my hoodie.

"It's a school party. Besides the school wouldn't host it if they thought it would be of any harm to the students"

"Laura..."

"Pretty please" she said giving me the puppy dog eyes.

"You're such a party freak Laura"

"And you love me anyway" she smiled as she rolled on the bed.

"Whatever" i muttered and climbed onto be with her.

"Your boobs are so perky" she said touching them.

I slapped her hands off.

"Don't make me think you're a lesbian now" i said eying her.

We spent the remaining day ordering takeout and watching TV until Laura was fast asleep.

I checked the time and it was 11pm, and i was still wide awake.

Thinking about the professor.

He seemed so mysterious though. Nobody knew his background.

Like what was his previous job?

Is he married?

If he was, he'd be wearing a ring.

Does he have a girlfriend?

Why does he look so sexy and young?

Laura googled him before, but nothing came up.

No social media, no university press, no LinkedIn, nothing but a mare Westbridge staff profile account... which had no photo and only said "Visiting Professor, Department of Literature."

That's it?

Who the hell has zero online presence in 2025?

Unless... he was hiding something.

Or someone.

Now i was curious and wide awake.

They say he's 38 but i hardly believe it. Maybe I do, i just didn't want to accept it.

'God why did you decide to punish me like this'

I shouldn't be thinking about my professor. That man wants nothing to do with me, at least he made that clear. But that only annoyed me.

I picked up my phone and googled: how to seduce older men.

"God i'm so stupid'

I scrolled and clicked on the first link.

#1. Be confident.

Right. That was already a disaster.

I could barely walk into his class without tripping over my own anxiety. I literally used a textbook to hide my face like a 12-year-old at confession.

#2. Make eye contact. Hold it. Let it linger.

Have they met Professor Carter?

His eyes could swallow me whole. One glance and my brain short-circuits. I'd rather eat chalk than hold his gaze longer than five seconds.

#3. Dress mature, but alluring.

Does hoodies and jeans stained with coffee count?

I sighed, dropping my phone onto the bed beside me. Laura was snoring gently on the other side, her face half-buried in a pillow, legs tangled in the sheets like she'd gone twelve rounds in her sleep.

Must be nice... being carefree.

Me? I was wide awake and spiraling over a man who clearly didn't even like me.

Worse? He looked through me. Like I wasn't even there.

Except in that office.

The way his fingers brushed mine when he handed my textbook back to me. It was brief, probably nothing.

But i swear i felt something electric. Or maybe that was just my blood pressure reacting to his cologne.

I reached for my phone again, flicking the screen back on.

"God, I'm really stupid," i whispered to myself, but still, i clicked on the next link that read:

"Older Men Crave Power: How to Seduce Without Trying Too Hard."

I blinked.

Power?

I kept reading.

"Many older men, especially those in positions of authority, are drawn to women who make them feel powerful and needed. It's not about being weak... it's about knowing when to step back and let him take the lead. Men love mystery, softness, and subtle submission in a relationship."

I reread that part.

Subtle submission?

My face flushed instantly, and i dropped my phone on my chest.

Why was my heart suddenly racing?

I wasn't some fragile, submissive girl who needed a man to lead her. But then again... when i pictured his sharp green eyes, his cool commanding voice, his intense presence and his touch that burns.

I couldn't help but wonder what it'd feel like to just... let go.

Let him lead.

Ugh. What was wrong with me?

I sighed.

"Nope," I whispered. "Not going there."

Still, I picked up my phone again.

And kept reading.

*****

I tried to concentrate, I swear.

But the more Professor Carter talked about Romantic literature, the more my thoughts drifted... not to the syllabus, but to the man standing at the front of the room.

Why was he so... composed? Why did he never smile?

Laura was beside me, jotting down notes like her life depended on it. James sat on my other side, and every now and then, he leaned in to whisper a sarcastic comment about the reading.

I laughed quietly but Professor Carter looked up at that exact moment.

Our eyes locked. Just for a second.

Long enough for me to forget how to breathe.

"Miss Giovanni," he said, "if there's something humorous about Frankenstein, please, do share with the class."

Heat rose to my face like a fire alarm had gone off in my bloodstream.

I lowered my gaze.

"I'm sorry, sir." i muttered.

He didn't reply. Just turned back to the board and continued with the lecture like i didn't exist.

I hated that. I hated how invisible he made me feel and how badly i wanted him to look at me again.

God help me.

I tried writing something down, but I realized all i had scribbled was his name.

Pathetic.

James leaned in again. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," i whispered. I wasn't.

"Before we end today's session," he said, placing the marker down and turning fully to face the class, "I have an announcement."

DAMON

Everyone stilled.

My tone changed, more formal, more sharp.

"By friday, I'll be selecting a student to serve as my class assistant. This role will include helping with grading, compiling student presentations, and organizing notes for the upcoming exams."

Murmurs rippled across the room.

"A notice will be posted by that Friday, stating who it will be," i added, scanning the room.

My eyes flicked past everyone... then rested on her.

Barely a second.

"I expect punctuality, responsibility... and silence during lectures."

I didn't say her name, but the emphasis was clear.

When the bell rang, everyone started packing up.

I packed my things and went straight to my office.

Aria.

She looked different today.

She wasn't in her usual Jeans and top, but she was wearing a long dress that clinched to her body.

She's been coming late to class. It's becoming a habit.

Is it because my class was her first class in the morning?

What was she staying up late for, is she partying out with boys?

I felt like punishing her, like removing her from my class.

But if my wife were here, she'd tell me to forgive the younglings.

"We're supposed to teach them, not yell at them" she'd say.

Rose.

My dear Rose.

"There was an accident on the main bridge"

"You wife... was in the accident, her car went through the bridge and into the water"

I was in my office that day, an important board meeting, and as the CEO and owner of Carter & co legal group, i had to be there.

She had told me to drive her, but i couldn't. I was too busy at the office.

"It seemed like it was planned" Will had said.

I had enemies everywhere, but at the time i had just one person who had threatened me.

My old partner.

It was my fault she died. It was all my fault.

I miss my wife.

I can't keep fantasizing about a kid.

It had been 5 years and i still wasn't wasn't over my wife.

I can't even bring myself to go to her grave.

I was deep in thoughts when a knock came through my door.

I leaned back in my chair and breathed before saying "come in".

The door swung open and Will came inside.

Williams Caviar.

My right hand man. My best friend. Rose's Brother.

"Hey professor" he said with a sly smug on his face.

"Will, what brings you here?" i asked.

"Can't a friend come visit" he said seating down on the chair opposite mine.

"What are you really doing here William" I asked, my voice stiff. I rarely use his full name.

"The company is drowning" he said with a serious look.

"And?" i asked uninterested.

"What do you mean "And"?. Do you know what it took to build up your company worth billions?" he said.

I had nothing to say, i just fiddled with the pen in my hand.

"Look Damon, i get it, you're still grieving your wife, she's my sister too"

I gave a half laugh, half scoff.

"She wouldn't want you to waste your life, seeking after revenge like this" he continued.

"Well, she's not here to tell me that" i said dryly.

"You have to come back to work. You spent 4 years oversees, drowning in self pity, looking for an invisible man" he said with... pity.

"Then you came back, i thought you were done mourning. Just for you to come to this school" he said gesturing his hands around my office.

"Did you come here to sweet talk me into going back to the company, Will? Because if so, i wont."

"Oh, how the mighty has fallen" he said, his voice sharp.

"Look..." i tried to say.

"The investors are withdrawing, we lost 15 million last month and another 10 million last week. The boards are worried" he countered.

I sighed, readjusted the tie on my neck which suddenly felt too tight.

Pressure.

So much pressure.

"If you have nothing else to say, you can leave Will" i said turning my face away from his.

"I will leave, but i'll be back"

He stood up and turned toward the door to leave. But as his hands touched the door knob, he paused and looked over his shoulder, then he spoke again. Words that seemed like venom.

"Have you even visited her grave?"

As he got no reply from me, he shook his head in disappointment.

"I thought so. Coward"

Then he opened the door and left.

Coward.

I wasn't used to being called such things. Maybe i had indeed been a coward.

'oh, how the mighty has fallen' his razor sharp words rang in my head.

I dragged my chair backwards and stood up. Took my suit jacket and wore it.

I took my office bag. And then i left the office.

I walked through the hallway of the school, heading towards the car lot.

When i made a turn, i saw Aria.

She looked at me but i dragged my gaze away from her and walked past her like she didn't exist.

I didn't have the time to fawn over her. I had other important things, other important people.

I got to my car and drove straight to my mansion.

The moment i got into the house... the house i hadn't been in... in days because it reminded me of her.

The interior design, the couch style, the painting.

Everything was her idea.

I gave her everything she wanted, and yet, i took everything away from her, her life.

I dragged my feet up the stairs as i traced my hands through the stair's wooden railing.

The one she had picked.

I stopped at the top of the stair and looked at her... her picture, it was as if i was staring right at her.

Finally i got to the bedroom. The bed, the curtains, her vanity set was still there, her wardrobe. I hadn't touched it or removed it. I didn't let the maids touch it too.

I didn't have the heart to remove her things from the room... our room.

I couldn't.