Willow
I wake up after a much deserved rest, and I head to Professor Malino’s office to ask her if I could see Asclepius. The poor wolf probably thinks that I abandoned him.
“You can’t go in there. There are students in the zoology lab, and only a few people know about the garden lab behind it. We can’t open the doors in front of those students.”
I nod in agreement. “I just miss him. I’m sorry.”
“You can come according to the schedule that we have been following, come back later.” She says authoritatively.
“Thank you, professor. I’m grateful that you have kept him safe.” I get up from the seat and I prepare to leave.
“It’s my pleasure. Are you okay? I mean you are back from scattering your brother’s ashes.”
“I’m fine.” I force a smile.
“Did you think about my proposal?”
“I did.”
“And?” She raises her eyebrows.
“I’m not going to get myself involved with that.” I say while still holding on to the doorknob.
“But it’s your research. Are you pulling yourself out of your research?”
“I thought about it, and I almost pulled myself out of the research, I even put my memory stick in a blender.”
She gasps, then she utters a bone-chilling cackle that I’ve never heard before in my life. I wished she was my mother a few days ago, but right now, my mom’s past behaviour makes her a saint compared to her. “You know we already have the info on our database,” she says casually.
“I know,” I sigh. I finally let go of the doorknob and I turn around to fully face her, with my back against the door.
“So, what are you going to do if you don’t get funding?”
“What happens if I get funding? Are you trying to sabotage my chances of getting funded so that you can get yourself involved in this research project?”
She breaks eye contact for a second. “Are you implying that I have power over the whole science committee?” She smirks.
“Yeah, isn’t it obvious?”
“No, of course not. I could never have that much power, but we need to explore all options.”
“If that’s the case, I have a third option.” I fold my arms defiantly while waiting for her reaction.
“Is someone else also offering? I am willing to offer you more money.”
“No, my brother left me enough money. I told you he was an international model. Right?”
“So, it’s not about money?” Her shoulders sag, and her face falls, defeat written all over it.
“This isn’t about more money, this is about doing things the right way.”
“If you were also in my shoes, you would be speeding up the process.” I notice her eyes getting teary.
“No!” I snap.
“Will you stop with this self righteous behaviour of yours? We both know you would if you had to bend a few rules for your brother.”
“What does my brother have to do with this?”
“Because this is for someone...” She trails off. “This is for someone very close to me.”
“I’m, I’m so sorry.” I walk over to her and I give her a hug.
“I don’t want to do this, Willow, and I know it could get you into trouble, but it’s for someone important to me.”
“I know how you feel. I will come back later, so that we can discuss this. I need to go to class.”
My walk to class gets filled with conflicted emotions and unending questions. If she is telling the truth, why would I try to stop her from doing what I would’ve done for Marcel? But what about those people who might get sick while we experiment on them?
My phone buzzes, and I stare at the text from Liam.
*Things are hectic at my dad’s company. I will tell you when I come back.*
I reply with a heart emoji but it suddenly dawns on me that I don’t know much about my boyfriend, except that he is rich and in an arranged marriage that he wants to get out of, but that’s it. We always just talk about academics and my family but never his.
*We need to talk when you come back, I have a few questions.* I send him the text, and he sends me an emoji of someone who is running away.
I arrive 5 minutes before class. I find Leo sitting in class already and typing on his laptop.
“Miss Gordon, you have finally decided to come to class, your highness.” He says without looking away from his laptop.
I look at him in confusion. He knows why I couldn’t attend classes, he left me in Minnesota, or does he have a twin? “Leo, I don’t have time for…”
“No, not Leo, Professor Brown.” He interjects.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I just want to maintain boundaries. I feel like we’ve blurred the lines between us.
“Yeah, yeah, you have told me that a thousand times.” I groan. “But you are the one who blurred the lines.”
“I agree, and I’m drawing them again. Let’s respect each other.”
“I don’t have time for this. I’m just here for the lesson, just like any other student.” I turn and start walking away.
“I told you not to come. Why didn’t you take my calls or at least respond to my texts?”
“To maintain the boundaries.” I walk back to his desk .
“Why are you so stubborn?” He shakes his head.
“Don’t worry, I will maintain my distance. So, stop texting me or calling me, and why didn’t you email me the material for freshmen classes? I'm supposed to be your assistant.”
“Because I told you not to come.”
“Is this because my sister is visiting you? I wasn’t going to come to your apartment, anyway.”
“What are you talking about?” He knits his eyebrows.
Other students start walking in, and I walk to the backseat. I stare at him as he teaches, while wondering what is wrong with him. He looks exhausted, his hair is dishevelled, and his eyes are puffy.
“Miss Gordon?” A deep voice brings me out if my trance.
“Huh?” I glower at him for putting me on the spot and I hear a few giggles.
“Will you please tell me what the answer is?” He gives me a dampened smile.
I glare at him. “I don’t know the answer, Professor Brown.”
“That’s okay. Then I suggest you pay attention.”
I roll my eyes.
“I think there’s trouble in paradise,” Paris whispers to someone next to her, and they laugh.
After class, it takes everything in me to stop myself from running to his desk to strangle him. I try to remain calm while I wait for other students to leave.
He stays in class, and when two last students approach the door, he picks up his bag and takes long strides towards the door. A chuckle escapes my lips, because he is so tall, muscular and usually authoritative, but he is running away from me.
“You know that there was no need for you to do that.” I say as I run towards the front of the class. “How could you embarrass me like that?”
The last two students finally leave, and he glances at me.
“Leo, sorry, I mean, Professor Brown. Are you really that childish?”
“Are you calling your professor childish?” He tries to hide a smile.
“I have to, if my professor is...” I stop and I look at his face. “Why do you have dark circles under your eyes, and why do you have acne? Your skin is usually perfect.”
“Wow! I never got a compliment from you before.”
I chuckle. “Don’t get used to it. Are you going to answer me then? Are you stressed about something?"
“I will talk to my girlfriend about what is stressing me.” He breaks eye contact.
I roll my eyes.
“I mean it, Willow. Being around me can put your life at risk. I want you to stay as far away from me as possible.”
“But you are not telling me why.”
“I have just told you, it’s dangerous.” His jaw tightens.
“No! Your real reason is my sister. She told you to not talk to me. Didn’t she?”
“Fine, you saw right through me. She did. So, I’m going to listen to her. I don’t want you around me anymore, and I mean it.”
“But...”
“Get it through your thick skull and stop acting so desperate. You have a boyfriend.”
I open my mouth to try to say something, but the lump in my throat warns me that my voice might be a little shaky. I decide to storm out and to go to the zoology lab to work.