I wondered how he even knew I had one.
“Or perhaps Isaac Thompson bothered you again?”
I shook my head embarrassed.
He sighed as his eyes didn’t leave me but I could barely look at him. He seemed so gentle… caring. It felt foreign. I felt like this complete stranger, my professor, cared for my wellbeing.
My boyfriend’s hoodie fit him too small but he looked so casual and chill in this kind of attire. In another life we could have even been… friends.
“I am so sorry about your shirt.”
“Don’t worry,” he smiled. “I had to buy new ones anyway.”
I chuckled.
“But I will be here for you if you keep it appropriate.”
That was going to be impossible but I didn’t want to annoy him again.
I smiled at him with a broken smile. “Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.”
When he accompanied me back to my dorm, he put his hand on my back and my heart skipped a beat.
I realized I didn’t feel only lust anymore… but that I was starting to like him.
The next day was horrible. It was Saturday and I felt like shit. I sadly could recall everything from last night and the truth of my crush.
It didn’t help that I had to go to my parents’ home. I really didn’t want to see them but they paid for everything and I had no choice. A small part of me worried Mr. Reynolds told on me.
I was staying over only until late Sunday but I had to prepare my baggage. We had a family dinner tonight with my mom’s best friend from her college days. I didn’t know that woman and I didn’t know why I had to be present at the dinner.
Penelope didn’t come back yet so I just left her a message letting her know I won’t be back today. When I left the dorm, she always brought over a guy.
I haven’t talked to Sebastian since I gave him a blowjob. He’s been distant with me lately since I rejected his communication. But I know it’s entirely my fault.
He knew I was going to my parents anyway. It didn’t take me long to get home.
I rang the bell. No one responded until ten minutes in. The housekeeper opened the door and I greeted her. Matilda was very nice but she didn’t speak much. Hell, no one spoke much with my father at home.
The only one I was mildly happy to see was my sister, Hannah. She was just sixteen years old. Many times, I wished I could save her from this household.
My mother interrupted my thoughts. “What a horrible dress you’re wearing. The guests will arrive at 7 pm.”
I nodded and tried to walk past her but she snatched my arm and stopped me. Yes, my father was the evil one but my mother didn’t choose him for nothing.
“They are important friends of mine. I expect you to behave nicely. My best friend, Grace, just got married to her husband. I also have a small surprise for you.”
I didn’t even care to find out.
I went upstairs, showered, put makeup on and got dressed in a better dress picked by my mother. A black tight dress up to my knees that showed no cleavage. I looked much older and the hair in an elegant bun helped too.
I heard voices downstairs and I walked out too. We could never be late to anything. On the hallway I met my sister, she was wearing a dark blue dress matching her eyes. It was even more modest than mine.
I hugged her tightly and she seemed hesitant. I couldn’t imagine what she had to endure with my father.
We had everything and nothing at the same time.
Soon I met my father near the dining room. He barely spoke a word to me and it was in his usual distant way. I wondered what a daughter would have to do to get his attention and love.
I was still the black sheep in the family. My older brother ended up becoming a very important man in diplomatic business just like my father.
First, I saw my mom’s best friend.
She held out her hand, a big smile appeared on her face. I wonder what she even saw in my mother. “Pleased to meet you, Nadia. I’m Grace.”
We sat down at the table and the maid served us all with drinks. After last night I could barely have some juice.
Mom interrupted my sister’s chatting. “You know we placed you in the best history class… Grace’s husband is your professor, Gabriel Reynolds,” my mom said and I almost spat out my drink.
No. f**king. Way.
My eyes widened as the door opened and I saw my professor. He seemed just as shocked as I was. Maybe I was more.
Why would my parents do this?
He had the maid put away his coat and sat near his beautiful, gorgeous wife but his eyes didn’t leave mine.
“I know you two meet already but be more cordial,” my mom whispered in my ears. My father was already going to murder me just for not greeting the professor.
“I am glad to see both of you.” My mom kicked my foot and I got startled. “I am really looking forward to your history class, Mr. Reynolds.”
I was still in shock. I looked at my sister and she was eyeing me suspiciously. That little devil always read me like a book.
“When I heard Grace got married to a very known history professor from London, I couldn’t miss the chance to place my daughter, Nadia, in his class,” my father said with a pride he never held when he spoke only to me.
“Nadia is a very attentive student,” my professor lied. That was nice of him.
My father sounded surprised and he chuckled with sarcasm. “Sure she is. We had to give her a lot of meditations. Poor girl couldn’t understand basic things.”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment; my parents always belittled me. Sometimes their words cut more than their slaps. Even our guests seemed uncomfortable.
“We are delighted to have her. You have a beautiful family,” Grace said.
“Oh, you do too. I am sorry Franklin left you, but it seems you found yourself a better fit for yourself and your daughter,” my mother said and Grace stiffened up. She clearly didn’t want to talk about whoever Franklin was.
“Does it feel weird to take care of a daughter of age six who met you 2 years ago and had another father before you?” my father asked.
My parents loved to think they were elegant but lacked all tact when they needed to prove it.
Gabriel- my professor, seemed annoyed at the question.
“No, in fact, I love Mia like my own daughter.” And it was true, his eyes brightened up when he spoke about his little girl. I felt a pang of jealousy when Grace held his hand. I hated this. I had a crush on a happily married man.
“Excuse me,” I said as I stood up but I wasn’t careful and I moved the tabled, making all the drinks fall. The worst was that it fell on my father’s expensive pants.
I stopped, the air in my lungs dissipating as my father’s eyes changed. He was ready to yell at me but he had to contain himself. I couldn’t move. No one said a word. The tension was too much. If I left now, I knew what was going to happen and that terrified me.
“I am so sorry,” I blurted out. Apologies meant nothing to my father. Even my sister was worried for me. She knew what was coming.
“It’s ok,” Grace said. “We will help you clean.”
She was so nice. It hurt.
Gabriel, my professor, seemed worried for me too.
My father finally spoke. “Come with me a second.” My hands were trembling but I followed him to the far hallway. He took me far away from the guests’ ears.
When I was about to open my mouth and apologize, he slapped me with all his fury. I fell backwards and reached to steady myself with the help of the table.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.