Chapter 4: The Test
2043words
Not so much hon'ring thee As giving it a hope that there
It could not withered be;
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Sinclair
Nothing and no one could change her good mood today. Not even those wannabe spice girls.
The extra money from last night made her fill her cupboards. It had been a while since she had indulged in grocery shopping. And the breakfast delivered anonymously, obviously from a top-notched restaurant, filled her tummy to the brim.
Having extra shillings had enticed her to buy her favorite lip gloss. Of course, it was cheap but it did wonderful things to her lips. Boosting her confidence and making her feel lovely.
She had a few bucks left, the money was budgeted until payday.
In high spirits and about to reach her locker, her happy steps faltered. From the corner of her eye, she saw Sandy from her class walking a bit too close to...Professor Stafford. Cozy. Sinclair thought bitterly. They came out of the teacher's lounge at this early hour. When most likely no one was about. The girl was smiling at him enticingly while he glanced down and moved closer to whisper something in her ear.
Oh. I see. Looking away was the best option.
She didn't need a degree to decipher their type of body language. Even a blind person could see it.
The problem was, she had regarded him in such high esteem. Or maybe she wanted him for herself.
Yes, she did. And she was jealous.
Disappointed. Dejected. She turned away. She should have known better.
She guessed SOMEONE had the power to burst her happy bubble after all, stupidly gave him that power without even knowing.
Six more weeks, Sin. Hold on tight.
***
She was so fucking glad she was almost done for the day, anticipating the peaceful ambiance in the library. There she could fucking finally concentrate.
You have been swearing all day, Sin.
Yeah. Like she fucking cared. Done with the exam, her fingers typed furiously on her laptop. Poor baby. Just had this beauty and she was overworking him.
Frustration was the least of what she was feeling the whole day. The scene she had witnessed earlier kept playing in mind.
Envious of something she could never have.
No. Impossible. She didn't have the right. The fault could only be laid at her feet. She cared too much too easily.
Clenching her jaw, she stopped, going over her notes. Several more minutes to go and she would be out of there.
There. Almost done.
"Ms. Yuan, please stay after class. We have to discuss your thesis." Fucking great! She had to endure the great professor a bit longer.
Answer him, damn it! "Yes, sir."
Why couldn't she just tell him to shove it...
Sinclair! He did you no wrong.
Professor Stafford waited until everyone left before he approached her in his customary graceful strides. He had a different expensive suit on. This time it was all in black, a contrast to his starch white dress shirt.
Not wanting to be towered over, she stood up shakily. At least it would lessen the effect of being intimidated.
"Are you okay, Sinclair?" Don't make me shiver. Don't.
Suppressing it as much as she could, she looked beyond his shoulder and nodded. Hopeless. His voice did things to her body.
"I'm great, sir." Her eyes were anywhere but on him.
"You seem distracted today. Is everything okay at home?" He was closer to her now. Only two feet apart. When did he move?
"Everything is fine, sir." Good job, Sin. Keep it monotone.
However, when he tipped her chin with his two fingers so he could look directly into her eyes, she hissed and trembled from his touch.
What was he doing to her? His eyes...there was something in the way he looked at her that raised goosebumps over her skin.
"You are angry, Sin. Why?" Did he give her a nickname?
She shook her head, dislodging his fingers from her chin. She tried to step back and create distance but the chair behind her prevented her escape.
What he did next, made her inhale sharply from his warm touch.
He cupped her face with one hand and pulled her closer with his other hand on her waist. It was a blatant warning to let her know he wouldn't let go until she answered him honestly.
"Professor," Breathe, Sin. Breathe.
He sighed deeply, his warm breath caressing her black hair. Since she was petite at only 5'2", he had to bend a bit towards her, which only brought their bodies closer still.
"What you saw earlier, Sin..."
"Is none of my business, professor. I won't tell anyone." Her heart clenched at the memory. She said that a bit harshly, making her wince.
So, he made her stay to make sure she didn't say anything to anyone. He thought she would rat him out. And set out to seduce her to shut her up? She was deaf, not gullible.
"I want to make it your business, Sinclair." His voice was so intense when he said that. One finger grazed her cheek slowly and she shivered at his simple touch.
She met his gaze. She couldn't believe this was happening.
"Professor, I...I think...God! You can't." Fear suddenly engulfed her. She couldn't be close to anyone. And she was not Sandy.
"I can and I will. It's only a matter of time. Soon, sweet Sinclair." The professor sealed his promise with a kiss on her forehead. "Remember this, I only want you. Go now, sweet. Before I lose control."
She couldn't run from the room fast enough. No! She wouldn't allow it.
Never.
***
What Professor Stafford said earlier, she couldn't get out of her head.
What did he mean? Why say those words to her? She was not attractive and she knew she was far from the experienced girls flocking to him.
Though to be fair, aside from that one scene with Sandy, Professor Stafford had always distanced himself from his students, male or female, he treated everyone equally.
Well, except her.
His words kept repeating in her mind. Seducing. Making her think of possibilities. Studying had become useless. She couldn't find peace even at this hour.
It was past midnight. There were a few patrons about. Tomorrow, she will be at the laundry shop. They pay decently, so she couldn't afford to let her third job go.
Oh. Those expensive five cars were parked outside again. This time in different models. Who could they be?
Didn't have any idea. Rich folks don't usually frequent Rose Hill.
She noticed one of the doors open again.
This time, a man with black hair and green eyes entered the diner. He pinned her with his sharp gaze.
"Hey, babe. How's it going?" His friendly greeting was followed by a sexy smirk.
Uh-huh. Not falling for that. I've seen hotter.
"Good, sir. What can I get you?" She smiled politely but her tone was strict.
He seemed amused. They must be a bunch of handsome men.
"Five black coffee. Two sugars each and I'll have donuts. Have to sweeten our night." The Irish brogue in his voice was adorable.
She nodded. Smiling faintly again.
"Glad I made you smile, babe." With her back to him, she rolled her eyes. Flirt. "You are making my day interesting. "
"I doubt it. You gentlemen must be the most interesting sight Rose Hill has seen." She answered dryly, nodding at the posh cars outside.
He chuckled. "I beg to differ." He scanned her small frame from head to foot. "Hmmm, interesting indeed." Murmuring almost to himself.
Shaking her head, she handed him the takeaways neatly and thanked him politely while he passed her a 500 note. Huh? Surely...
"Sir," she narrowed her eyes. He grinned.
"Keep it, babe. Buy something nice, yeah?" He tipped his head then left.
Rich people. They hand out money left and right.
She guessed it was another lucky night for her.
This was getting weirder. But money was money. And she needed every penny to finish her studies. She had made it without student loans so far.
Sighing, she pocketed her huge tip. However, her curious gaze went back to the small parking area.
Just like the other night, she could feel someone staring at her from one of the cars.
Sinclair shuddered.
***
A knock on her door interrupted her much-needed sleep. She got home at 5 AM again. It was only what? 7? Damn!
Today was Tuesday and she had World History and Literature, she would have plenty of time to sleep before school.
Groaning tiredly, she got up from her bed.
This asshole at her door...
Another delivery?
It was a life-size pink teddy bear -the first one was brown- dressed in a white silk wedding dress.
Another expensive bouquet of perfect pink roses and a small box he held before him.
This couldn't be.
"You don't know who sent these?" She eyed the delivery guy hopefully. She may need to return these gifts.
"Nope. Just the delivery guy." Placing the boxes in her arms, he saluted her before he left.
Inside the box was a very expensive cellphone. One rich folk pre-ordered before it was even out of the market. Nope. She would not be accepting this.
Could it be...
No. He didn't know where she lived. Or maybe he did.
Talk to him today.
She needed to. If he did this then she would return all of these to him. Well, not the chocolates. She ate those already. Same with the breakfast-to-go left at her doorstep when she reached home earlier.
Jesus! She was not a charity case.
***
Sinclair approached him this time. Waited until it was just the two of them left in the room.
He looked up. His beautiful dark brown eyes were steady and...amused?
"Umm, Professor... Can I ask you something?" She tried so hard not to fidget where she stood.
"Anything, sweet. But come closer." She did timidly until her legs hit the edge of his desk. She gasped when he gently clasped her hand, entwining their fingers. "Call me Nicholas." He urged.
Nope. Not happening.
"I...ah...sir. It's not that I am implying that you are doing it...and..." She licked her lips nervously.
He was smiling at her and he remained seated.
"Just say it, my sweet." How could she concentrate? He kept toying with her hand.
"Did you send those..." God! What if he didn't? "Gifts."
"Hmmm, what gifts?" He murmured, his concentration on her trembling hand, rough thumb rubbing her wrist, feeling her pulse.
She cleared her throat. "The gifts." Her voice came out in a husky whisper.
When he looked up to meet her gaze, his dark eyes were filled with hunger.
"What will you do with them, sweet?"
" I...I will return them." His eyes hardened. Without releasing her gaze, he kissed her knuckles, soft lips ran on her ruddy skin. Tingles coursed through her body.
She tried to suppress her moan, but he heard it nonetheless.
"If you ever return them or give them away, I will spank your cute behind until you can't sit on a chair for several days without wincing, my sweet. I promise you. Understand?" She should fear him. She shivered in anticipation instead. She nodded. Dumbfounded.
"Words, my sweet." He kissed the inner face of her wrist then licked it. Oh, God! His tongue was hot. She squirmed. This was the first time she experienced something intimate.
"Yes...yes, sir." That made him smile.
"Good girl. Come, let me escort you out. This will happen here next time. I promise, sweet." What will happen here?
He ignored her protest, taking her books and laptop in one hand, the other wrapped around her tiny waist, he escorted her until they reached her locker.
People milling about were looking at them in shock.
To give them something to gawk at, he leaned in to kiss her forehead and her flushed cheek. Fuck! She wanted to crawl under a rock. He had no care for such proprieties and he was ignoring the professor and student taboo. Why?
"Later, sweet." He bowed before leaving her speechless.
That did not just happen.
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