CARTER.

I didn't know it was definitely hard for young boys to stay put these days. I gave the kid just one instruction. To stay in the fucking car.

The look on his face at the firm told me he had seen everything.

The entire ride was silent except for the mutter of apology he uttered.

I felt strange after that. I didn't feel as angry as I was supposed to. One apology. That was what it took me to soften up.

No it can't be.

What the fuck was this boy doing to me? I dropped him off at his apartment but I still had to maintain my cool so I slowly told him to get out.

He seemed hurt and I could genuinely tell he was sorry. It took every will in me not to call him back and ask why he didn't just listen.

I wasn't sure I wanted to expose Eli to such. I wasn't proud of many things and I don’t think he would be either.

I got home and picked up a bottle of scotch. I needed that after the whole day.

Brandon was always pushing my buttons and today I could say he got what he deserved.

Good thing Dante handled him before I did. I was sick and tired of having to be his way out of every mischief. He was just like his father, cocky and arrogant. I was done with their bullshit.

I was already preparing for bed when I heard a ding from my phone.

I assumed it was Dante, giving me update but when I checked it was Eli.

He had never texted me before, we only saw at school.

I opened the message to see a whole apology paragraph. I wasn't expecting that.

My chest started hurting slightly and I get bad for lashing out on him earlier. I wanted to reply but I didn't. I didn't was to give any silly clues.

***

The next day was as boring as usual. I had a few classes to take in the morning but something lighted up my mood, knowing that I had Eli’s class later in the day.

During the class, I could tell Eli was avoiding eye contact with me because he was face down in his notepad the entire time. I decided to do him a favour and not call him to answer any questions

When the class was over. I called out to him.

“Rivera”

He looked up and I could sense a bit of fear. His lady friend, Miss Adeniran smirked a bit and I wondered what she was smirking about. It better not be what I thought it was.

“I got your message” I said when he came over to my desk.

He nodded, “I should have listened to you”

“Well you should”

“I apologise”

“You already did that”

I could see his shoulders tense up but I wasn't going to stop.

“You’re definitely not going Scot free, Rivera”

He looked at me and his eyes widened.

“Here, take these” I bring out a folder from my briefcase.

“What's that?”

“Domt question me.” I shot back. “They’re test papers from first-year students. I graded a few of them before I remembered you could do them.”

He ran his fingers through the papers and examined them. “But….I…”

“I need it on my desk by tomorrow morning”

“Tomorrow???… They’re all essays. I can't read and grade them all before tomorrow”

“Figure it out.. It’ll teach you a little bit of discipline”

“I apologized though”

I let out a small laugh, “Actions don't go unpunished. You should have thought of that.”

“Can I have an extension, please” the way he begged flipped something in me and I hoped that it wasn't the cause of my pants feeling tighter.

“No”

He looked defeated. Just what I wanted to see.

“I’ll have it here tomorrow” he muttered.

“Good, now go home, the earlier the better”

As he walked out of the room, I couldn't help but notice the way he walked. How his legs moved one after the other in a unique form. I quickly shut out any ideas that may be forming in my head and packed up my briefcase.

ELI

When I got home, I was beyond exhausted. I missed the bus and had to walk all the way home. Carter had to give me freaking essay papers to grade.

I was sulking but I remembered that I put myself in this situation and I owed Carter my obedience.

I quickly made myself some food and got to work.

I had graded almost half of the papers when I checked the time, it was past midnight. I needed some sleep. I figured I would get some rest and wake up early in the morning and finish up.

My alarm rang loudly in my ears. I twisted and turned on my bed and my head ached like I hadn't slept for long. I turned and a ruffle of papers jolted me up. They were the papers I hadn't finished grading. I quickly finished them up and headed straight to campus. I hoped I wasn't too late, it was already a few minutes past ten when I got to school.

I headed over to where Carter’s office was and knocked lightly.

“Come in” his voice was loud and clear.

I walked into his office and slowly and shut the door behind me.

“Oh it's you” he said. “I was expecting you by the way”

How ironic.

He was seated behind his large desk in a black dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up, leaving his tattoos in plain sight. I quickly brought out the papers from my bag and held them towards him.

“Here, I read and graded them all”

“You finished it?” he sounded surprised.

“Yes. I was up all night”

“Here” he said, tapping a corner of the table to indicate that I should drop it there.

I stood there for a minute, wondering whether I had been dismissed.

“Sit” he ordered before I could turn around to leave.

I obeyed, and I took my seat on one of the chairs on the opposite side of his desk.

“You see, being obedient isn't so hard. Is it?” I nodded.

“You need to use your words”

“Yes sir” my palms were starting to sweat and I wasn't sure why I was getting uncomfortable around Carter. I looked uneasy and I could tell he could see that too.

“What?, You're uncomfortable already?” I didn't respond.

“You can leave, I have to take your class later in the day anyway”.

Without wasting any more time, I stood up from the seat and walked out of his office as fast as I could.

Since I had a few hours till my next class, I decided I would just hang around school till then.

I texted Maya to find out what she was up to and she replied that she was at the bleachers.

What the hell was she doing there?

I headed over to the bleachers to see what Maya was up to since I didn't have many friends and I found her sitting alone watching the football guys play.

“You watch football now?” I asked as I took a seat beside her.

She didn't say anything, instead, she stared at me. I knew what that stare meant.

“Hope it's not what I think it is” I said and that earned me a slap in my arm. “Maya, you have a crush on one of them”

She shrugged.

“Come on this is like your fifth crush this month”

“Fourth” she corrected

“Whatever. Same thing”

“It's not the same thing Eli” she rolled her eyes and I couldn't help but laugh.

“Who is it this time?”

She looked at me and smiled a sly smile. She was making me worry and anticipate at the same time.

“Number 7” she whispered.

“Who’s number seven?” I asked confused. They were all wearing face guards so I couldn't make out who they were individually.

“Figure it out”

“Ugghhh” I groaned “Just tell me”

“Theo”

My eyes widened, “Theo? As in, Theo Walsh?”

She nodded with a big grin.

“What made you…. That guy is a nasty jock. I wonder if he’ll get to law school”

“He isn't nasty though”

“He helped me last night while you ran off with your hot professor boyfriend”

“Shh shh. Keep it down” I tried to hush her. I couldn't risk people getting the wrong information.

“What? Do you think I don't know you may have a crush on him?”

“Stop talking” I whisper yell.

“Okay” Maya said, finally getting the memo. “It's not like anybody is listening to us anyway”

“Just shut up. I do not have a crush on Mr Vale. Indknt when think he's gay”

“He’s not?” Maya raised an eyebrow.

“Uhm well, I can't be too sure. I mean….”

“I could have sworn he was gay if you ask me”

“Maya” I put my hands over my face. “Can we go inside, at least get some food. I'm starving”

She rolled her eyes, “No I can't. I have to wait for the game to be over before I can see Marcus”

“Really?”

“Yes now shoo”

“Oh well, will you at least be at our next class” I lazily picked up my bag that I had dropped and swung it over my shoulder.

“Of course I will, never missing a chance to watch you shiver around Professor Vale”

I straightened my back and looked around to confirm if anyone had heard her. Thankfully no one did. But from the corner of my eyes I could see a pair of eyes staring at me.

CARTER

“Anyone else?” I folded my arms and sat on the edge of my desk.

I decided to keep today's class short and interesting. Engaging the students has always been a top priority. I also wanted a chance to torment Eli. It was amusing. The way his head was always bent low throughout lectures and how he fidgets with his pen, hoping I wouldn't call him whenever a question was asked.

“Rhodes” I called “you wanna try?”

He looked around to be sure it was him. “Yes, you” silly boyMost students buckled under pressure but Eli didn’t. He stumbled, yes, but then he pushed through, in a way I hadn’t expected. I knew he was a smart kid. He used to date Liam so I was very well aware. I wasn't just aware of his level of intelligence.

Fuck why did I care?

When Eli finished, I remained silent. I wanted to see if he was confident or if he would shrink back into himself.

“Not bad. Better than I expected” I said at last. I would not be the professor to fill my students' heads. He was great, but I wouldn't let him know that. Not yet.

I dismissed the class soon after and the room emptied slowly with chattering and the rushing of footsteps.

“Impressive” I hear a sweet voice say, with single, loud claps.

I turned to see who it was and I was shocked to see a model-like woman leaning against the door frame. As she walked towards me, I could see her hips swing as a result of the fitted knee-length dress she wore.

“Good day. You are?”

“Vanessa. Vanessa Cross” she extended her hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you Miss Cross. Rhodes” I say returning the handshake.

“Oh I know you” she chuckled and I raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, have we met?”

“No. Uhm. I just got back from a sabbatical”

“Oh” I was amazed. “So you're a professor huh. I should have definitely come across you at the last distinguished professors meeting”

Her smile twitched a bit, “I’m an associate professor”

That made sense because I knew all the professors of higher ranking here.

“So uh. Is there a reason you're here Miss Ross” I asked. I was done packing my briefcase now and I was ready to leave.

“I just wanted to get myself affiliated with the new professor” she chuckled. “I’ve heard so much about you”

“I see”

“You can let me know if I can be of help with anything.”

“I will make sure to do that” I said and gave her a small wave.

She was weird but I guess it was just a nice co-worker gesture.

“Carter” My heart froze for a second. There was only one person who boldly called me that in the school premises. I turned around expressionless.

“Carter. Wait up”

“What Liam. What do you want this time”

“Chill out. I'm not asking too much” he quickly reacted, noticing my expression.

“So what is it?”

“Can you help me cover up for dinner tomorrow night?” Right. I had forgotten that I had dinner with my family. We planned occasional dinners so we could have some time together despite all our busy schedules.

“Why am I supposed to do that?”

“I wouldn't be able to make it”

“Why wouldn't you?” I shot back. We always made time for dinner, it was something we always did. Knowing Liam, he didn't have anything doing aside from school.

“I uhm.. I planned a road trip with Zara”

“So?”

“It's tomorrow”

“Cancel it then”

“I can't. I have to make it up to Zara”

“This is really not my business. Have her come over for dinner then” I attempted to walk away.

“Please Carter. I’ll owe you” I would have turned deaf ears to Liam but knowing he was on a thin line with my parents, I decided to hear him out. Any wrong slip from him at any moment from now could have him cut off from the family resources, including his access to education.

“Fine. What should I say”

“I already hinted to Dad that I was going to be at a conference. So I’m just going to say the conference got extended”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. Just cover for me, you're a professor, you

know about conferences and all”

I nodded in response to him.

“Thanks. I owe you one”

“You sure do”.

The parking lot was nearly empty, the sun was setting, and over in the corner, I could see a familiar figure being towered over by another man.

I observed from a distance and it seemed the larger man was intimidating. It took a few seconds before I realized that was Eli. The same Eli who had left my class a few minutes ago.

I walked over to where they were, the two hadn't noticed me.

“What is going on here?” My voice was cold and it seemed to startle them both because they both jumped.

Taking a closer look at the bigger man, I wouldn't say I was surprised to see who it was.