CAVING IN TO HIS SEDUCTION

Chapter Six

SUSAN

I woke up to the shrill sound of my alarm, I groggily silenced it and prepared myself for another long day. The rays of dawn filtered through my curtains, casting its glow into my bedroom. It was time to start the day.

The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions for me. I and Henry were trying to patch things up and I was hopeful that soon we would return to our familiar routine. But with his new business ventures and constant meetings, it was still impossible to have a physical meeting with him. He made sure he called everyday, our conversations stretching into the night. Yet, somehow, it felt like something was missing.

My thoughts drifted to Aaron, my persistent student. Ever since his attempts to apologize for his silly behaviour failed, he had been hovering around me, as if trying to repent. At first, I brushed it off, maintaining my distance from him, but he didn’t seem to get the message.

He gave me extra attention, popping up whenever I least expected it. His constant presence made me nervous and I tried everything to avoid him but it was as though he was everywhere I turned.

I arrived at the campus one morning only to be greeted by his presence. As I stepped out of my car, a cup of coffee was handed to me. “Good morning,

Professor Campbell,” he greeted with a smile. The coffee was freshly brewed just the way I liked it, but I shoved him off. It was his way of intruding into my day, and it worked.

As days passed, his persistence grew the more. He went as far as requesting for extra classes with me, citing an eagerness to improve in his studies. I turned him down, not because I didn’t want to, but because I couldn’t ignore the unease he stirred inside me. There was something about Aaron, something puzzling that made me feel a way I wasn’t ready to feel.

The sound from the oven brought me out of my reverie. I had been engrossed in my thought that I lost track of time. I quickly had my bath and in a few minutes, I was ready to go.

At work, the incessant ringing of my phone interrupted my work at hand. It was Henry. I answered with a mix of relief and hesitation, our conversations now a routine that lost its spark. All we did was talk about mundane things, his work endeavours, but there was a life in our conversations. The fire was dimmed.

“Sorry I couldn’t call last night, babe. The meeting ran late,” Henry’s voice came through the phone. “Remember the project I told you about. If rthings work out the way I plan, I’ll make a massive income and we could go on a vacation like we’ve always talked about.”

“It’s okay, Henry. I understand,” I replied, my tone sounding less genuine. I knew those were mere words spoken by him. We’ve being at this discussion about our vacation for years and we never got to go for once.

As we chat, I caught a glimpse of Aaron through the window odf my office. He was lingering outside, pretending to read a book but I caught him stealing glances in my direction. The distraction shackled my focus, making me aware of his presence.

“i’ll call you later, Susan. Love you,” henry said before hanging up.

“Love you too,” I responded, the words feeling hollow.

Aaron’s effort to infiltrate my life created conflicting emotions. I tried to ignore his presence by concentrating on grading papers, but my mind kept wandering back to his relentless pursuit.

Frustrated, I made my way to the campus cafe for a break. As I approached the cafe, I spotted Aaron talking to the barista, his eyes searching the room. Our eyes met and a jolt of something unfamiliar rushed through me. I turned my gaze away, trying to shake off whatever connection I felt. I passed the coffee shop without stopping to avoid having another conversation with him.

At noon, I found myself in the hallway, papers clutched in my hand, when Aaron appeared out of nowhere. “Professor, can I talk to you for a moment?” Aaron asked in a calm tone which came as a surprise to me.

“I’m quite busy, Mr. Peterson,” I responded, trying to keep my composure.

“I know, but I just wanted to apologize again and also let you know that I’m still interested in the extra classes,” he said, a hint of sincerity in his eyes.

“I’ve heard your apologies, Mr Peterson. I have work to do now, so please excuse me,” I responded firmly, brushing past him.

But Aaron wasn’t giving up yet. “I don’t mean to pry but I just want a chance to make things right with you,” he said, his voice laced with desperation.

“Making things right doesn’t involve constantly interfering with my life, Mr. Peterson. I am your lecturer and you will accord me with that respect,” I retorted, my patience wearing thin.

He took a step back and nodded, seemingly understanding. “I’ll respect your space, Professor Campbell.” With that he walked away.

I couldn’t help but feel conflicted. Aaron’s words lingered in my mind and I found myself grappling with the unexpected effect he had on me.

That evening at home, I found myself lost in conflicting thoughts. Henry’s absence, coupled with Aaron’s relentless pursuit, leaving me with a feeling of unsettlement than ever before. I was unsure of what the future held and struggled to come to terms with the unexpected turmoil Aaron had stirred within me.

As the night fell, I found solace in the quietness of my thoughts, wrestling with the difficulties of my feelings and the path ahead. Aaron’s persistence and Henry’s distance presented a weave of tangled web around my heart leaving me in a state of confusion.

There was an undeniable force of attraction with Aaron, an unexplained connection that I couldn’t shake off. Yet, I knew I needed to keep my distance from him.