CAVING IN TO HIS SEDUCTION

Chapter Seven

SUSAN

Days had gone by and I couldn’t help but notice a change in David’s behavior. He seemed to keep his distance from me, no longer hovering over me or trying to intrude in my space. Initially, his absence had surprised me, almost leaving me with an unsettling feeling but soon I found myself relieved. His distance brought a sense of calmness, giving me the space I had always yearned for in a while.

Nevertheless, despite the relief I felt, a nagging concern lingered at the back of my mind. I noticed that Aaron wasn’t as frequent in class as he used to be. Whenever he did attend, he seemed detached, he showed no interest in the lectures and never sought my attention like before. I tried to brush it off but I couldn’t shake off the unease.

I wondered why his recent behavior bothered me this much. Had I allowed him to grow on me? Had I grown attached to him without knowing it? I was puzzled by the unexpected concern I felt for a student. It didn’t make sense to me; I shouldn’t be bothered by his actions, yet a part of me was.

However, I was grateful for the return to the routine in my professional life. Teaching occupied my days, giving me a sense of purpose and a distraction from my personal issues.

As for my boyfriend, Henry, our relationship remained in an uncertain state. Though we communicated regularly, the bond that once felt unbreakable was now a fragile one. The calls and sporadic text messages were a mere facsimile of the connection we once shared.

Despite my efforts to bury the doubts and discontentment, they lingered, casting a shadow over what used to be a stable relationship. It was a situation I couldn’t ignore, yet one I wasn’t ready to confront.

The next few days at school were a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I found myself mulling over Aaron’s absence, despite my attempts to dismiss him as inconsequential.

One morning, as I was organizing notes in my faculty lounge, Lisa, my colleague, noticed my preoccupation. “Susan, you seem a little bit off lately. Is everything okay?” she asked, her concern very evident.

“I am. Just caught up in work, Lisa. Nothing major,” I responded, trying to cover the unease in my voice.

“You’re sure? You haven’t mentioned Aaron in a while. He used to be all over your business, right?” Lisa nudged suspiciously.

“Oh yeah, he has been keeping his distance lately,” I replied nonchalantly, trying to steer the conversation away from Aaron.

Lisa shrugged, understanding my reluctance to have a discussion further. “Alright, I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything, you know where to find me,” she said before returning to her task.

I tried to brush off the conversation, Lisa’s words lingered in my mind but it was to no avail. Aaron’s disappearance had drawn attention and I found myself struggling with questions I didn’t have answers to.

Later that week, I was at the university cafeteria during a break, lost in thoughts. His absence had become a constant irritation at the back of my mind. I noticed a group of students chatting amongst themselves. Among them was Aaron, but he seemed so lost in thought, unlike the usual jovial self. He was lost in his own world.

Cautiously, I approached him, “Aaron, may I have a word?” I asked, hoping for an opportunity to address the recent change in his attitude.

“Sure, Professor Campbell,” he said, turning to face me, his expression guarded. His voice was polite but distant.

“Aaron, I-”

“Are we now on first names,” he said sarcastically.

Ignoring his sarcasm, I continued. “I’ve noticed you’ve been absent from class for a while. Everything alright?” I inquired, trying to sound casual.

“I’ve just had a few things to sort out, Professor Campbell. I’ll be back,” he responded cryptically, avoiding any form of eye contact.

“Alright, just make sure to catch up on any classes you’ve missed. You’re way behind other folks,” I said before stepping away with mixed feelings of concern and confusion.

As days went by, my life settled into a semblance of normalcy. I continued with my activities, focusing on my other students while the unresolved situations in my personal life simmered in the background. Engaging with my students gave me solace, their enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge always rekindled a sense of purpose within me.

One afternoon, as I wrapped up my lecture for the day, a student lingered behind, seeking advice about an ongoing project. As I offered guidance, my thoughts drifted to Aaron’s recent behavior and it kept gnawing at me.

“Professor Campbell, are you alright?” the student interrupted my thoughts.

“Yeah, I was just lost in thought for a moment,” I replied, flashing a reassuring smile. The student simply nodded and left, leaving me to ponder my own thoughts again.

As I returned to my desk, Henry’s name flashed across my phone screen. I hesitated to answer at first, unsure of what the conversation might unfold.

“Hey,” I finally said.

“Hey, my love. Sorry, I’ve been a bit preoccupied lately. How are you doing?” Henry said, his voice carrying an unapologetic tone.

“I’m doing alright, Henry. I’ve been busy with work as well so you don’t need to apologize,” I replied nonchalantly.

“We should catch up soon. Just the two of us. I miss you a lot babe,” he said, his voice laced with a sense of longing. It felt too good to be true and I knew it.

“I’d like that,” I replied, my heart fluttering at the thought of meeting with him again.

“I’ll text you the address. I promise it’s not going to be like last time, I’ll definitely show up,” Henry said.

“I’ll take your word for it,” I replied.

“I love you. Bye.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say it back. “Yeah, bye,” I said instead.

As the call ended, an unsettling wave of doubt washed over my being. The longing to reconnect with him clashed with the uncertainty that clouded our relationship. I wondered if things would ever go back to the way they were before.

While I was grading papers that evening, I became so lost in contemplation. Aaron’s attitude had weighed so heavily on me, causing me to compare his previous persistence to his recent withdrawal. It was a contradiction that I couldn’t solve, it left me grappling with unspoken feelings.