Bite me NOT

Chapter 5: To walk in the dark

The door opened even when Vladimir didn’t say that whoever my ‘savior’ is to come in. And Vladimir’s eyes darkened that I have to stand up without looking at him and just focused on who’s his visitor.

“Vladimir?” A gentle voice called and I saw how Vladimir’s jaw clenched.

“Vladimir?”

I think I know that voice.

And my lips parted when I saw who is his visitor.

Wow-what is she doing here?

“Ms. Moretti?”

“Professor Lainez?” I awkwardly smile as she gave me a confused look.

Maybe she is wondering why I am here.

Professor Lainez is the youngest female professor on campus. Aside from being young, she is famous because of her beauty. She doesn’t actually look like a professor, she can definitely pass as a model or even a beauty queen. From her height to her beautiful face and down to her good figure, I bet, she was scouted before especially in her younger years. 

And she’s actually one of my favorite professors because she’s witty and really good at her craft!

“What are you doing here?” she asked sweetly then her eyes transferred to where Vladimir is. And I swear, I saw how her eyes sparkled.

Ohhh..she likes him!

Is there something going on with the two of them? Are they dating?

“Ohh..I.. I just-“

“I asked her to come here for her syllabus discussion Madeline.” Vladimir cut me off and I am thankful because I don't really know what reason to say!

I pursed my lips. 

I just noticed that they are on a first-name basis..are they close? Maybe they are really dating?!

Whatever, it is none of my business.

Ms. Lianez nodded then she smiled brightly, and her cheeks looks flushed.

I think it is my time to escape. I mean to exit.

“Professor, thank you for your time. I will be going now, my class is about to start.” I said to Vladimir with a mischievous smile on my lips and he actually glared at me! Good thing Ms. Lainez is not looking at him!

“Ms. Lianez..” I turned to her and gave her a smile..

“Okay Ms. Morretti, see you tomorrow.” She said happily.

I think she’s happy because I am leaving now and she has her time to be finally alone with Vladimir.

I nodded at them then I hurriedly went out of Vladimir’s office. I feel so relieved! Thanks to Ms. Lianez, I was able to escape from Vladimir. I hope she will take her time and attention so he will stop annoying me!

My day went by so fast. From one class to another, I decided to go to the library after, to check out some books that I wanted to read and I wasn’t able to notice the time. It was already eight in the evening when the librarian told me that they will close in thirty minutes that I decided to finally go home. The campus is already deserted at this time, no one really hangs out on the campus at night because this campus is really far from the City, and almost half of the students live in the city. This University just happened to be a good public school that produces a lot of successful graduates. On the other hand, I live in this town, so my house is not really far away from here, it is just a few streets away so I would usually just walk and leave my car at home, not unless I feel lazy in the morning then I’ll bring my car. And since I am feeling super energetic this morning, I decided to walk which I am regretting now since I have to walk home at this late hour.

What I like about our town is how peaceful it is. The population is small that you almost know everyone in your neighborhood. You watch every kid grow up and have kids of their own..and see how they live their lives and even see who will leave that town and who will stay. What I don’t like about it? Well, it is the fact that houses are far away from each other. And there are no houses near the campus, just small establishments like a few small diners and small convenient stores.. so now I had to walk alone in the cold street with few people around, and it is okay, since I know most people here, if not by name then by face.

But then.. these past few days have been really weird for me.

I mean I feel like someone is watching me. Someone is following me.

I don’t know if I am just being paranoid because of my nightmares or, I am really being watched.

And I wanted to pull my hair now because I haven’t thought of that when I decided to stay late on the campus! 

Now I have to suffer.

I walked as fast as I can and tried to look at my back every now and then.

There’s no one on the second street that made me scared, but I have to go on because I have no choice! It is not as if there’s a taxi here! And my heart started to beat fast when I heard a whooshing sound as if someone is running very fast! I looked around and found nothing. So I just walked faster.

Then I heard a snapped of a branch at my back that made me stopped and look back. Again, I found no one..just..nothing really.

When I look in front of me and ready to walk again I jump in surprised and screamed when I hit my head on a hard chest that made me sit on the ground.

I almost had a heart attack!

“Hey, are you alright?” a worried voice said and I opened my eyes to look up and see who it is.

Because it is dark, I can’t recognize to whom did I bumped into.

The guy kneeled down and helped me up, giving me a chance to look at him closer.

“Aldous?” he was the guy whom I met this morning.

What is he doing here and where did he come from? 

I bet he can see how confused I look that’s why he decided to speak.

“Hey.. I am just looking around the area and will go back to the campus to get my car.”

“Oh..” I said then I started to remove the leaves on my skirt.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I said without looking at him.

I don’t know why but I can’t look at his hazel eyes, I feel so uncomfortable, it feels like..he can see through me.

“Are you going home now?”

“Yeah..”

“Do you want me to drop you home? I will just get my car and drop you home?” his voice sounded so serious, he really seems like someone who’s really a no b*llshit guy.

“No, thank you..my house is just in the next street.” I said, even when I am close to accepting his offer because I feel scared at walking in the dark.

“But it is already dark, it might be dangerous..”

“No, the town is safe.” I’m not sure if I am convincing him or myself.

But what I have said is true, our town has the lowest record of crimes for the past decades.. but I just feel scared, because of my dreams.

“Then, let me walk you home at least.” He doesn’t sound as if asking for my permission, he sounded like he is decided to walk me home, whether I like it or not.

I sighed.

Do I even have a choice? Like can I say no?

I doubt.

“Okay..”

So we walked in silence and surprisingly, I suddenly feel calm.

Maybe because of the fact that I feel safer now that I am with someone while walking in the dark.

But he is a stranger! Says the voice inside of me.

And yes, he is a stranger, but I feel like he is a good person.

I know he is a good person.

Not because he is handsome and I am being biased, but I can really feel it. Despite of his blank and cold face, I can feel his good aura.

That’s his difference with Vladimir. Because Vladimir also sports a cold and blank face, but his aura is dark.

Almost scary.

“Is that your house, or the next one at the end of the street?” 

I snapped back to the present when I heard Aldous’s voice.

I looked in front of me and I got surprised to see that we are already in front of my house.

“Ohhh, this is my house,” I said.

“Okay.” he nodded.

“Thank you for accompanying me.”

“No problem.”

I nodded and smiled at him.

“Go now, I will leave once you are inside.”

“Okay, thank you again, and drive safely,” I said and waved at him.