Shadows of Us

Willow stared at the photo on her phone.

With his eyes closed and shirt collar undone, Roy’s relaxed posture belied the underlying intensity and revealed the sensuality of a man accustomed to the finer things in life. In the same photo, Sierra was snuggling up to his chest, smiling smugly at the camera.

A new photo, though slightly blurred, jumped out, showing the man leaning in to kiss the woman. The fluster and joy in the woman’s eyes were so real.

Six months ago, Willow would be hurt and upset to tears by the photo. Now, her gaze lingered on Roy’s aroused face before she deleted the photos with a tap.

Over the past few days, Sierra had been sending photos and text messages to get a rise out of her. Willow had yet to block Sierra to keep tabs on Roy. She had unfinished business to deal with, and the last thing she needed was for Roy to ruin things for her.

Men had fragile egos, and when she walked out on him, Roy’s response left a lingering doubt that things were far from over.

The next day, Willow went to her advisor’s office.

“When can I expect the recommendation letter for my PhD studies abroad, professor? Next week is the deadline.”

The advisor remained silent. The swelling on his face had subsided.

Willow gritted her teeth and flipped over her bang, dropping all its contents out to prove she did not have him on tape.

“I can understand that you’ve changed your mind about writing me a recommendation letter, but why did you have to stop Professor Anderson from writing me one too?”

The advisor pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose and replied, “We’ve received an anonymous complaint, calling your personal conduct in question. You have a history of promiscuous behavior.”

“Is there a rule against dating while enrolled in the school?”

“Ha… Are you saying that you were dating the young heir of the Chesters? What a fancy way of putting it.” The middle-aged man mocked, “He should have no problem sorting your recommendation letter out if he was your boyfriend. You won’t have to grovel at my feet.”

“That’s my business. I’m earning my way to study abroad. If it weren’t for your abuse of power and your vendetta against me, I wouldn’t be wasting my time here.”

With a scowl, the advisor jolted to his feet and lunged closer. “Do you think I don’t know Mr. Chester got sick of you and dumped you? You better drop your attitude now that you don’t have a sugar daddy to back you up.”

He was utterly humiliated when Roy beat him up. Now, consumed by rage, the advisor grabbed Willow by the hair.

“Why don’t you get down on your knees and beg?” He leaned close, his breath hot against her ear. “Show me how you got all over the Chesters’ heir. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll write you that recommendation letter.”

Forced to look up, Willow could feel the outline of his junk against her skin. With a blank face, she snapped up a pot of boiling tea near her and threw it at him.

The man let out an excruciating scream. Then, with a smack, Willow took a hit to the face and fell to the ground.

She grabbed her things on the floor and scurried out of the office without another word.

“Willow…”

Sierra caught up to Willow in the corridor.

Taking a good look at Willow’s face, she said with a smile, “What happened to your face?”

Willow looked at her. “You were the one who went and told the school, didn’t you?”

Since Willow kept her academic life separate from Roy’s world, her advisor would not have found out unless someone leaked the information.

Sierra beamed. “I was only telling the truth. Did it upset you, Willow?”