Chapter 4 : Counseling Session

Giselle's POV

At Night.

The house was eerily silent as usual. I was the only one in this whole mansion, though the maids and bodyguards are around. But it still lacked the happy vibe I was yearning for.

I was seated in the dining room, just done with my dinner but I was still seated, lost in my thoughts.

The chocolate that was given to me by Bryan was beside my plate. I wanna shake off what my instincts have been telling me about him.

'Does he like me?’ I thought.

It's quite unusual for a student to always act clingy around his female lecturer. I have been trying to avoid him for the past few days,but my softer side got the best of me.

I noticed that he was in a daze when I was lecturing, earlier this morning. I only wanted to know what was wrong with him, and I was amazed by the way he answered my question.

He looked confident and I liked that. I didn't know that asking him a question and complimenting him with the way he answered my question would prompt chocolate out of the little interaction.

I have to avoid him. That will be the very best, not even when I am married and he is my student. I picked up the chocolate and tore the wrapper.

I cut out a small size and put it into my mouth. It was yummy as always. I stood up and the maid, who had been waiting for me to finish, picked up my plates and wished me a good night's rest.

I nodded in response and went up to my room. I was almost done with the chocolate and I was somehow yearning for more.

After I was done eating it, I went to the bathroom and bathroom to brush my teeth. I laid on the bed when I was done, something was ringing in my mind.

I have to avoid them.

The Next Few Days.

I succeeded in avoiding him for the past few days and I am sure that he had noticed it. I was happy that he didn't push his luck too much.

That would have been awkward for the both of us. Presently, I was heading to his class for a morning lecture. I was greeted immediately as I stepped foot into his class.

I was surprised that he wasn't on his regular seat. I looked around for him but he wasn't around. I smiled reassuringly to the class, to cover up for my stupefied expression.

“Morning class,” I greeted them and they responded.

I sighted the girl that I have always been seeing around Bryan, she was glaring at me before changing it into a stiff smile.

I didn't bother with her and went on with the class. I tried to calm my racing heart, different thoughts were running through my mind. I can't deny it, I was really worried about him.

“Uhm, today's class will be on….” My voice trailed off as I skimmed through my lesson notes.

“... Sustainable Energy Solutions In Transportation Engineering,” I said to them and they brought out their notebooks.

“The topic explores strategies and technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting energy efficiency within transportation systems. This includes….” I was interrupted when Bryan badged into my class.

“Good morning, Mrs. Albert,” he greeted me flatly and a knot tied up in my stomach. He walked to his seat and sat down on it, pulling out his phone.

“I didn't ask you to sit, Mr. Lopez. Last I checked, whenever a student was late for a class. S/he will have to stay at the door until I permit s/he to enter the class,” I scolded in a raised voice.

“I'm sorry,” his apology sounded dry and rude. 

The class was murmuring at what was happening. I clenched my fist and swallowed my words.

“I will let this slide, only because you haven't done this before,” I said and I was shocked that he wasn't behaving as if I was talking to him.

“Mr. Lopez!” I screamed out loud, I was pissed off at his rudeness.

“Yes ma'am,” he answered with a lower tone and innocent face.

We both held our gaze for a few seconds before I looked away.

“If you aren't ready for this class. Just leave now, I won't tolerate…” he interrupted me.

“Yes, ma'am. I hear you,” he said dismissively and that was making me feel uneasy.

'What is wrong with him?’ I thought.

I sighed and faced the class, “All right class. I am sorry about the rude interruption. Can we carry on?” I asked and they all gave their response.

“Good. So, open to chapter five of your manual,” they all followed my instructions and my eyes kept darting at Bryan's direction.

He was pressing his phone without a care in the world. This got me distracted and I had to look away from him.

“As I had said earlier, it's about exploring…” I was interrupted by the creak sound of a chair.

The sound was coming from Bryan, he hastily packed his things and was about to walk out of the class.

'What in the hell is wrong with him?!’

“Mr. Lopez! What's the meaning of this?! I am starting to see that you are doing this intentionally. If you understand this topic already, there is no reason for you to come to class and distract others,” I snapped at him with a glare.

“Yes, ma'am,” he acted innocent and nodded his head. He was about to leave the class when I stopped him.

“See me in my office after this class,” I told him and I missed the mischievous grin that played on his lips before he walked out of the class.

I recalled what he said to me some weeks ago, when he was oozing out in my class. I guess this is also part of the personal stuff he was talking about.

He wasn't like this before. He has been one of my active students in class. I was feeling myself anymore so I rounded up the class with an excuse of having an important business to deal with.

I left the class and went to my office. I placed my head on the desk and heaved a deep sigh.

'Why is he distracting me?’ I thought, different thoughts were running through my mind.

I waited for him for more than two hours but he didn't show up. It was getting up to four hours and I was getting really anxious.

Soon, I heard a knock on my door. Thinking that it must be some of the random lecturers that have been disturbing me, I permitted the person to enter.

“Come in,” I was packing my books to pretend as if I was heading to a class. 

The familiar cologne hitted my nose and I looked up to see Bryan, he was in another outfit and this got me really worried.

“Good afternoon, ma'am,” he greeted with a stiff smile.

“Hi, you changed your clothes?” It was a question and I nodded.

“Oh, please sit,” I gestured my hand to the chair in front of me. He thanked me before sitting on it.

“Is something wrong with you?” I asked and a frown lines formed on his forehead. I realized that I didn't structure my words well.

“I mean, is there something that is distracting you? Like family, girlfriend, personal stuff… anything,” I listed out.

“Uhmm, yeah. I don't have a girlfriend, I am single,” he responded and my eyes widened.

“You are single? Why did I find it hard to believe?” I asked, trying to lighten up the air.

“Yeah, people don't believe me if I tell them though. I guess you ain't excluded,” he explained and I felt embarrassed.

“Oh, I'm sorry about that. So tell me, is there something bothering you?” I asked and he nodded.

“You,” he pointed at me and my mouth went agape.

“Huh?” That was the sound that came out of my mouth.

He chuckled slightly, “I was just kidding,” he said and I heaved a sigh of relief.

“You got me,” I smiled and he returned it.

“Actually, it's some personal stuff like you have guessed,”

“Personal stuff that you can't say?” I asked and he nodded.

“Everyone has one or two things that are bothering them. I also have some personal stuff that is making me worry a lot,” I said, having my mother-in-law in mind.

And my husband's behavior whenever she was insulting me, he will always be mute and doesn't stop his Mum at all.

“Really?” He asked and I nodded.

“Yeah, but I don't let that wgt through me. I carry on with my life,”

“It depends on the gravity of what you are bothering about,” he explained and I was tongue-tied.

“Maybe. Are you hungry? I have some to share,” I offered.

“I am sorry, ma'am. But I will have to decline,” he rejected politely but I was still disappointed.

“Oh, that's cool then,” I said in a sad tone, thinking that he would notice that and apologize. But it never happened.

I noticed that his hair wasn't looking well packed like normal. He has a black curly hair that seems to sparkle under the sunlight. But now, it looks rough and unkempt.

He kind of looked lean as well and my concern grew tenfold. I didn't know what to say and he didn't look like someone that was ready to speak unless he was being asked a question.

“I can see that whatever that is making you sad is taking a toll on you already,” I commented after a long silence.

“Do you live with your parents?” I asked and he shook his head.

“Huh? You stay alone? How old are you?” I asked, eagerness was laced in my voice.

“I am 19,” he responded. I am 8 years older than him.

“Aren't you too young to stay alone?”

“I love my privacy,”

“Hmm, I like the sound of that,” I said with amusement.

“I know a bit of psychology. Will you be free for counseling after school? How to manage your personal issues without it affecting your daily activities,” I asked and admiration shone in his eyes.

“Ma'am, a-are you being serious right now?” He stuttered and I chuckled.

“Yes, I am Mr. Lopez. It's a way of helping my ‘favorite student',” I quoted the words in the air.

“Wow, thank you so much. I would really appreciate….” His voice trailed off and his smiling face disappeared.

“A-And what is it?” I asked him warily.

“Am I your student you will be counseling? A guy to be precise?” He asked me and I knew what he meant by that.

“I have done that to many students from the school I came from. But you are the first student in this school,” I explained and he nodded before smiling.

“I am honored,” he said with gratitude.

“It's fine,” we concluded and he stood up to leave my office. He paused when he got to the door, I smiled when his gaze met mine.

“Can I get a hug please?” He asked me politely and I was flushed at his words. I stood up from my seat and went to hug him.

“Thanks ma'am. It means a lot to me,” his deep voice pierced into my ear and I felt my heart flutter in my chest.