CAVING IN TO HIS SEDUCTION

Chapter Five

AARON

I stormed out of the university in a whirlwind of emotions, driven by rage, frustration, and hurt. What Professor Campbell had said stuck a nerve in me. All these while I had thought I was granted pardon for my misdeeds, not knowing what my sister had done. I marched straight to the family company, my steps echoing my determination to confront my sister, Elma, who had been manipulating situations behind my back.

Bursting into the conference room where Elma was at a meeting, I ignored the eyes that turned towards me or the significance of the ongoing discussions. I demanded her attention immediately, my voice seething with intensity.

“Elma, I need to talk to you now!” I barked, causing a stir among the board of directors.

“You should have some manners, Aaron. You can see that I am in a meeting and you are interrupting,” Elma responded without raising her head.

“Now, Elma!” I yelled again.

Sensing the urgency, she excused herself from the board and stepped out pulling me with her, hoping to diffuse the situation away from prying eyes. A moment later, we were alone in the confines of her office and immediately, our conversations erupted into a heated exchange of words.

“Why do you keep meddling in my business? Stay out of my affairs and stop using your f*****g influence to cover up my mistakes,” I lashed out.

Elma chuckled, maintaining her composure, and responded coldly. “I do what is necessary to protect the family’s name. You’re always reckless and I won’t let your behavior tarnish this family’s legacy.”

“Is this really about the family’s image or your image? Everything you do is for yourself, you selfish b***h! You never cared about our parents while they were alive so what is there to protect,” I snapped, my frustration palpable.

“Don’t you dare accuse me of not caring!! Do you know what I’ve had to deal with, all you’ve done since their death is cause trouble. You’ve been the selfish one, causing ruin wherever you went. All I’ve ever done is clear your f*****g mess, Aaron,” she snapped.

“Cut the crap, Elma. I know you too well and I warn you today. Stay away from my affairs, I don’t need you,” I bellowed.

“You do need me, Aaron,” she said coldly, “You wouldn’t be in that university if I hadn’t stepped in and you would have been locked up for constituting a nuisance abroad if I hadn’t used my influence to get you out. So you see, Aaron, you need me. And I won’t allow your recklessness to bring our family’s name to ruin.”

I couldn’t understand her motives; I despised her controlling nature and resented her attempts to mold my life according to her vision. Frustrated, I stormed out of the company, cursing under my breath as I made my way back to the university.

I had to explain things to Professor Campbell, to make her understand that I wasn’t the troublemaker she thought me to be. I arrived at her office and realized that she was gone.

Confused by my actions, I wrestled with unfamiliar emotions. I wasn’t the type that cared about what others thought of me. Yet, here I was, deeply concerned about what she thought of me. There was something about Professor Campbell's perception that pricked my conscience, I couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to be on her good side, despite my usual disregard for people’s opinions.

Early the next morning, I stood at her office, waiting for her, my heart racing with determination. As she arrived, I noticed the sense of displeasure from the frown on her face. She opened her mouth to speak but I quickly interrupted her, feeling the rush of urgency to express myself.

“Professor Campbell, I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. I know I’ve been too careless, too nonchalant but that ends now. I’m really sorry,” I blurted out, hoping she would listen.

Without saying a word, she walked past me and into her office like my words meant nothing. I felt a pang of disappointment but I wasn’t going to give up, not yet.

Throughout that day, I stalked her around school premises, hoping for a moment to make amends I knew I had to do something to get through her. She was in the library, engrossed in her work and I cleared my throat to get her attention.

“Professor, can we talk for a moment?” I asked, keeping my tone calm and composed the best way I could.

She glanced at me for a moment before returning them to the book she was reading. “I’m busy as you can see, Mr. Peterson. I don’t have time for distractions,” she replied curtly.

“I know that, but I just wanted to apologize again for my behavior,” I persisted, hoping to get a chance.

“Apology noted. You may leave,” she responded in a firm tone, her eyes still fixed on the book.

Not discouraged, I continued to seek more opportunities to reach out to her. It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be, chasing women had never been a problem for me. But with Professor Campbell, it was a very tough one. Nothing I said or did worked, she was firm on her decision to have nothing to do with me. There was no doubt that she was way older than me, probably the same age as my sister, Elma, and also a professor in this school, but that didn’t change anything for me. Age is nothing but a number when attraction is involved and I was attracted to her. Seeing her at that restaurant that night triggered something in me, the urge to be by her side, to comfort her was something I couldn’t fathom and I wasn’t going to stop until I got close to her.

The next day, I spotted her walking toward the coffee shop on campus so I quickly rushed ahead and purchased her favorite coffee, instructing the barista to give it to her with a little note I had left, expressing my regret. However, she bypassed the coffee shop entirely, leaving my attempts futile. It was as though she knew of my plans, cause she had always stopped by at this shop to get her coffee every morning.

Days had passed since then and I couldn’t shake off the desire to make amends. I found myself seeking her out whenever possible, hoping for a chance to explain myself better. After the class one afternoon, I walked up to her again, feeling a knot of nervousness tighten my stomach.

“Professor Campbell, I’ve signed up for extra classes. Maybe you can teach me a few things, and I could show you that I’m not who you think I am,” I proposed, hoping for a positive remark.

“I appreciate the effort, Peterson, but I prefer to keep our interactions strictly professional. I don’t think extra classes are necessary,” she responded, her tone resolute.

I felt a pang of disappointment when I realized that my attempts had fallen on deaf ears. Despite her continuous refusal, I refused to give up. I knew deep down that I had to find a way to break that wall she had erected, even if it meant finding a different approach to reach her.