Chapter 22 Bits and Pieces of Arden's Past
Lana's POV
Class was dismissed but I wanted to get back to my apartment as soon as possible. I didn't even write anything down in my notebook. I packed up my things and then I got up as the other students walked out of the class. Cynthia was packing up her things. I slung my satchel over my shoulder.
As I walked down the steps, Professor Stringer was by Arden's desk again, but he was busy packing up his things too. He looked at her and then to me, he was expressionless. I didn't like the fact that she was showing up more in his classroom, and what I had heard earlier about them, didn't help. I walked out of the class as Cynthia trailed behind me.
"Look, Lana. I'm sorry," Cynthia said as she walked in step with me.
"I forgave you a long time ago," I replied, but I just didn't have time for anything. I needed to get to my apartment and take my pill.
"I thought about what you said and you were right. I was a shitty friend and I hope that we can hangout sometime," she said as we walked towards my car. My phone vibrated in my satchel.
"I will hangout when I'm ready," I said as I took my phone out. It was a text from Arden.
Arden: Please go straight to my apartment. I will see you soon.
"Can I drive with you please?" she asked and I placed my phone back inside of my satchel.
"Fine," I said, and then we got inside of my car.
"How are you feeling after Brady?" she asked, which took me aback as we drove away from campus.
"I feel like a weight had been lifted. Professor Moses was very helpful because he knows what to do in these kinds of situations. He helped me to get through it, and my dad has helped too." I shrugged.
"I can see that there is something between you and Professor Moses. I won't tell anyone, you know," she said.
"There is nothing going on." I lied.
"Really? He always looks at you and when something is going on, he is always close to you. He tries to pretend that there is nothing going on." she replied.
"Cynthia, you are seeing things."
"Just know that if there is anything then your secret is safe with me," she said.
"Whatever you say," I continued to look at the road ahead.
"I think that Professor Moses and Professor Stringer had something going on or they are having something going on between. I have heard some students talk about it."
"I heard that someone caught them last year," I said. I don't want to think about this. "I have some place that I have to be. So if I'm not at my apartment tonight, then you know."
"Where are you off to though?" she asked.
"None of your concern," I stated.
"Is it a boyfriend?" she asked and I could see that she looked at me from my peripheral view.
I shrugged, "Maybe," I said.
"You do have a boyfriend," she beamed.
"So what? You won't be seeing him anytime soon," I said. Arden and I aren't even at that stage yet, or are we?
"Soon I will meet him," she stated.
We pulled up in my driveway, Cynthia was back to herself again. "I will see you around," I said as we got out of my car.
"I hope that your boyfriend is Professor Moses," she winked at me as she walked backwards and then she turned around to cross the street.
I unlocked my front door and I walked inside. I go to my bedroom to take the birth control pills from the bedside table. I placed my satchel on my bed and I went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. I took the pill. I shouldn't forget to take these, even if I have to keep them on me every day.
I am too young to fall pregnant and I'm not ready to have kids anytime soon. I grabbed my things and my satchel and then I went to Arden. I wonder why he sent me the text to go to him so soon today. I was curious but maybe he just wanted me to be there.
I knocked on Arden's apartment door and then he opened it moments after. He was in this white dress shirt that was tucked inside of his dark gray dress pants. He smiled at me and then he opened the door wider for me to walk inside.
"Are you okay?" he asked me as he closed the door behind me. I moved further inside of the lounge and I placed my satchel on the sofa. I was just turned on when I looked at him wearing his suits, even if the jacket was off.
"Yes," I said as he walked towards me, he held me and he leaned down to place a kiss on my lips, but I kissed him back. I deepened the kiss. Moving my hands towards his chest.
"Someone wants s^x," he said between our kisses.
"You turn me on," I replied.
"Not tonight," he said as I kissed him again. He pulled inches away as I felt disappointed.
His eyes are hooded with want, "Are you refusing to have s^x with me? Am I that bad in bed?" I asked as I pulled away completely.
"No, I want to have s^x with you and you are incredible, but we can't tonight. I'm invited to a staff meeting, which isn't much of a meeting but more of an annual thing that we do, like mingling with each other and discussing more things. It's a few from the board and professors," he said with disappointment.
"I see." I am the one who feels disappointed.
"If you wish to stay for the night, then I will be back very late. I will try to be back earlier," he said.
"No, I will go back to my apartment and do some studying," I let out a breath.
He chuckled, "We both know that you will fail, but I will help you."
My mind drifts off to Professor Stringer and my jealousy is back. "Will Professor Stringer be there?" I asked.
"Yes, she will be."
"Is that why she was in class?" I asked, my heart began to beat at a rapid pace.
"Yes," he said.
"Did you both have something going on?" I asked.
"Why the question and where have you heard this from?" he asked, his brows were furrowed.
"Answer the question," I raised my voice a little.
"Yes, we did. That was last year. It was the middle of last year."
"So you f^cked," I was now trembling with anger.
"Yes, we f^cked."
"Tell me about it," I demanded.
"It is in the past and I would like to leave it there." he said, his jaw clenching.
"I won't stop asking until you tell me everything. You are working with a woman that you f^cked." I said.
He lets out a frustrated breath. "It was a bad time in my life, as you know, I f^cked when I was in business. She was interested in me and she wouldn't back down every time that I made an excuse. She just didn't take the hint, but I thought that if I f^cked her once, then she would leave me alone. I f^cked her and then I f^cked her again. The first time was on my desk in class. The second time was in my bedroom," he clenched his jaw. "I was cold and ignored her after that. I didn't have a serious relationship with those I f^cked. That is all," he said as he walked towards the kitchen.
"So what are we?" I asked. He stood behind the kitchen counter now.
"You are my girlfriend," he said.
"So-"
"It means that what we have is more than s^x. I have feelings for you and that won't change," he said with a stern look.
"Is Professor Stringer still trying to be f^cked by you?" I asked.
"Sometimes she tries her luck, but like I said, I ignore her. She has gotten nothing from me since last year. That was the last time. I am not f^cking anyone else when I am in a relationship. I am loyal to one woman that I commit to," he said.
I nodded. "What would you do if I fell pregnant?" I asked, the question just came out.
"I don't know. Just make sure that you don't," he said.
I nodded and that didn't sit right with me, contraceptives aren't one hundred percent effective, especially since I might forget to take them. I was afraid of that happening.
"Have you gotten anyone else pregnant through contraceptives?" I asked, his expression turned to anger.
"Yes, why all of these questions?"
"I need to know," I stated. My mind was focused on his answer, "So you got someone pregnant?"
"Yes."
"What happened-"
"To the baby? It's none of your concern, now if you will excuse me, I would like to get ready for tonight." he said, and then he walked down the hall.
That punched me in the gut, there is someone bigger going on and this is his past. He doesn't want kids and it has to do with that. With a heavy heart, I walked out of his apartment. I feel as if I'm suffocating because tonight was a bit much for me.