His office, my rules

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.