Chapter 3

Thalia

“I am sorry sir,”

I said, bowing my head. The last thing I want right now is to be in my new professor’s bad book.

“See me in my office after class, Miss Thalia. Sit down.”

“But sir,”

I stopped whatever I was about to say and took my seat. Bloody hell, it wasn’t looking good for me. Maybe I should have stayed at home today.

I made a mistake already and it was just the first day of the school year.

I really can’t afford to be on a lecturer’s bad side. I don’t want a bad grade because of spite. I let out another sigh and listened as he introduced the course outline for the semester.

Each time I look in his direction, I always catch him looking at me.

“Maybe you are just paranoid.”

The tiny voice in my head whispered. Maybe I was seeing things that weren't there. He might not even remember me.

The thought of him not remembering me kind of made me feel sad but if he doesn’t remember me then why did he single me out? He didn't ask any other students to introduce themselves.

I couldn’t focus throughout the class and when it was finally over, I held my breath as he packed his stuff. I felt his eyes on me and looked up to see him watching me.

Steve chose that moment to tap me. I turned to him and smiled. Grateful for the distraction.

“Thalia!”

My eyes whipped in his direction when I heard him call my name so loudly. He had his eyes narrowed on me. No, not on me. On my shoulder where Steve was currently touching.

I shook off Steve’s hand. I didn’t even notice he touched me. I swallowed and looked at Professor Lucas. He looked from me to Steve and then back to me.

“See me once you are free, Thalia, I will be waiting for you.”

He said it so casually but I felt like it had some undertone but I couldn’t tell what it was. I could be in big trouble but at the same time, it might not be a big deal and he might just tell me to forget what happened between us. But then, why did he yell my name like that and why did he look jealous?

“You are paranoid.”

My inner voice judged. Yeah, maybe I was. For all I know, he just wanted to get my attention and he might just want me to forget our steamy night.

“You don’t want that.”

No, I don’t. I don’t want it but there’s nothing I can do about it. It's a school rule and dating the professor was a big no and could get me banned from the school.

“What was that all about?”

I turned to Emily and pretended not to be aware of what she was on about.

“Nothing, see you later.”

I told her. She looked at me weirdly, gathered her books, and waved me goodbye. I let out a sigh after she left. My eyes met with Steve’s and he smiled. I had to return the smile.

I looked around, wishing I could just call it a day and go home but as much as I wanted to skip the rest of the day, I couldn’t because one, I don’t like missing classes, and two, all four classes I had today were major courses so I need all the extra points I can get so that the pressure won’t be much when exams finally come around.

“Are you okay? You look pale.”

Steve commented. I don’t like how attentive he has become. He almost got me in trouble with my lover. No, my professor. Fucking hell. How did I get to this point? My lover is my professor. Who would have thought?

“I am okay,”

I told him and looked away from him. I should never have smiled at him. It might have put ideas in his head. I made up my mind to tell him I can’t be with him. My thoughts got distracted when someone spoke.

“Good day, class.”

That voice. I knew that voice. I looked up and for the second time today, the air left my throat. My mouth fell open. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“No way,”

I whispered to myself as my eyes locked on his.

“Bloody hell.”

I let out a little too loudly and covered my mouth with my mouth. No way. It couldn’t be.

“This can’t be.”

I whispered with my hands still covering my mouth. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Him? No way. This has to be some kind of sick dream because there’s no way two men who I slept with last week suddenly now work at my university. It was simply impossible.

“Hello, my name is Cross Owens and I am assigned to your class. It’s not my class yet but I just came to say and get to know you guys.”

His voice. I felt lost. I could only stare. His name. I finally knew his name. I finally knew both of their names but now, they are both off-limits. Cross, my first lover from that night a week ago, and Lucas, my other lover. I wanted so much to meet them again but I never thought that it would be like this.