CHAPTER6
1260 Words
Sarah Pov
My heart thudded in my chest as I stood outside Xavier’s office. The polished wood door felt like a barrier between my world and his between the girl I thought I was and the man who’d turned everything upside down. I could still feel the warmth of his touch from that night, the way his eyes seemed to see straight into me.
But now? Now, I had to face him, not as the man who’d made me feel alive, but as my professor.
I raised my hand to knock, but my knuckles hovered, trembling. What if this ruins everything?
“Come in,” his deep, steady voice called from inside, making my breath catch.
I pushed the door open, stepping into a room that was all sleek, powerful, and intimidating. The walls were lined with shelves full of books that looked barely touched, and the scent of leather and cedar filled the air.
Xavier sat behind his massive desk, his sharp grey eyes locked onto mine the moment I walked in. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing forearms that made my pulse race. He was calm, collected, as if the world outside couldn’t touch him.
“Sarah,” he said, his voice smooth. “Close the door.”
I obeyed, my hand shaking slightly as I shut the door behind me. The silence that followed was thick, almost suffocating. I felt every second stretch out, every heartbeat louder in my ears.
“Take a seat,” he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
I sank into the chair, gripping the folder I brought as if it could somehow shield me from the tension crackling between us.
“I know you’re nervous,” he said, leaning forward slightly, his eyes never leaving mine. “But let me make this clear: what happened between us doesn’t change anything unless you want it to.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My cheeks burned, and I looked away, my thoughts a jumbled mess. “I… I just want to do the job,” I said softly, my voice barely steady.
“Good,” he said, his tone lighter. He slid a folder across the desk. “Here’s everything you’ll need as my teaching assistant. You’ll be helping with the finance competition. I trust you can handle it.”
I nodded, reaching for the folder. But as our fingers brushed, a spark shot through me. I glanced up to find him watching me, his expression unreadable.
“Anything else?” I asked, my voice tight.
He leaned back, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “No. Unless you change your mind about keeping things professional.”
I stood quickly, clutching the folder to my chest. “Thank you, Professor Steele,” I said, my voice firmer now.
As I turned to leave, I felt his gaze on me, heavy and lingering
The hallway outside his office felt colder, quieter. I let out a shaky breath, my nerves still rattled. Every step echoed too loudly, each one taking me farther from him, but not from the storm inside my head.
That’s when I saw Chelsea, Mira’s shadow. She was leaning against the wall near the corner, her phone held casually in one hand. Her lips curled into a smirk as I approached.
“Well, well,” she drawled, her voice thick with sarcasm. “Sarah Haver, coming out of Professor Steele’s office. How scandalous.”
I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart dropping to my stomach. “What do you want, Chelsea?” I asked, my voice low and firm.
She shrugged, her grin widening. “Oh, nothing. Just making sure the campus knows the truth. People love a good story, you know.” She held up her phone, flashing the screen at me. There, clear as day, were photos of me walking into and out of Xavier’s office.
“Delete those,” I snapped, my voice shaking with anger.
Chelsea chuckled, tucking her phone into her pocket. “Relax, Sarah. I’m just having a little fun. But Mira will love this.”
She sauntered off, her laughter echoing down the hallway. I stood frozen, my mind racing. This wasn’t just gossip. This was war.
That evening, I buried myself in work, trying to distract myself from the sinking feeling in my gut. Xavier’s assignments were detailed and demanding, a reflection of the man himself.
The more I read, the more I understood why he was revered. Xavier Steele wasn’t just a professor; he was a legend. His name was on every major financial report, his strategies studied in top universities around the world.
But beyond the power and prestige, there was something else. The way he carried himself, the way his eyes softened just slightly when he looked at me, it hinted at a man who carried his own burdens.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d looked at me today, like he saw right through my defences. Like he knew exactly what I was feeling, even before I did.
And I hated that a part of me wanted him to see me.
The library was quiet, save for the soft hum of the fluorescent lights above. I sat at a corner table, my laptop open and papers scattered around me. The finance competition was my only shot at proving myself, and I wouldn’t let Mira or Chelsea take that away from me.
But as I worked, my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.
Stay away from him.
My breath hitched. I stared at the screen, my hands trembling. Another buzz.
If you know what’s good for you.
My heart pounded as I looked around, the shadows in the library suddenly feeling darker, more oppressive. Who was watching me?
I quickly typed back. Who is this?
No response. The silence was deafening, each second stretching into an eternity.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the quiet. “Sarah?”
I nearly jumped out of my seat, my head snapping up. Xavier stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes scanning my face.
I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “Yeah, just… working late.”
He frowned, stepping closer. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know.”
The sincerity in his voice made my throat tighten. For a moment, I wanted to tell him everything to let him protect me. But the warning texts flashed in my mind, and I swallowed hard.
“I’ll be fine,” I said, forcing steadiness into my voice.
Xavier studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
As he walked away, the weight of the threats and the secrets felt heavier than ever.
Back in my dorm, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, my heart still racing. The texts had shaken me more than I wanted to admit. Someone was watching, waiting for me to slip up.
I sat on my bed, staring at my phone, willing it to stay silent. But, of course, it didn’t.
Another text.
You’ve been warned.Fear tightened around my chest like a vise. Whoever this was, they weren’t playing games.
I clutched the phone, my hands shaking. I had no choice. I needed to figure out who was behind this before they destroyed everything I’d worked for.
But as I stared at the screen, one thing was clear: this was far from over.
- Writer
