Chapter 1

“In Clinical Chemistry, fats are called lipids. There are two types of lipids based on content; these are the good and bad lipids. Anyone here who can give examples of good and bad lipids?” Professor Ellis asked his class.

Dr. Justin Ellis, 43, single, was nicknamed “CC Terror” because of his ability to reduce his students into bumbling idiots during his lectures. His gelled black hair, arched eyebrow, piercing eyes, and thin, determined lips further enhanced his undesirable image.

A few students raised their hands, but Justin deliberately ignored them. “Miss Stuart,” he bellowed.

Brenda Stuart bolted from her chair with a start. She was petite but properly proportioned; small upright breasts, shapely legs and firm rumps. Her shoulder-length brown hair, alluring lips, sharp nose and soulful, black eyes enhanced her exotic beauty.

“Examples of good lipids are vegetable and fruit oils, while bad lipids are meat fat,” Brenda confidently answered.

“Correct,” Justin acknowledged, “those delicious cheese burgers and pork chops you voraciously eat every day are rich in bad fats. When bad fats are in excess in your bloodstream, this will increase your risk of developing heart diseases,” he pointed to one plump student. The student cringed.“These bad fats can come in the form of triglyceride and cholesterol that have the chemical structures...”

He turned his back to write the chemical formula on the white board. His back was broad and he had perfectly sculptured shoulders that extended to brawny arms and long, sturdy legs. These were evident underneath his immaculate, grey suit.

The whole class fell into strained silence as he whisked through the formula without difficulty. His mastery of the subject matter was a well-known fact in the university, so no one dared to question his stringent teaching style. He was good looking too and students had fallen for him countless of times despite his stern persona. But Justin had remained indifferent to them all.

His dedication to his craft and his patience to extend his working hours to tutor students patiently were also legendary. Throughout all the years, he remained single. This prompted some rumors that he was gay.

The bell rang and the students bade goodbye as they left the room.

But Brenda stayed rooted to her chair.

“What’s the matter, Miss Stuart? Do you have something to say?” Justin threw her a menacing squint.

Brenda approached him, her steps unfaltering. “Sir... may I ask something?” Brenda’s voice rang loud and clear. “Why do you always pick on me?”

Justin’s face turned cloudy and his eyes widened. “And why do you say so, Miss Stuart?” He bristled.

“It’s obvious, there’s not a day in class that you don’t ask me a question,” Brenda declared. She felt she was being wronged.

“Do you know that every time you recite, you’d be awarded points?” Justin asked her, his thick eyebrows up in consternation. “I’m giving you a chance to graduate with honors,” he continued.

“But ...” Brenda protested.

“Your lowest grade is CC, and I’m insulted that you don’t learn enough from me,” he revealed, exasperated.

“Well, it’s because I find it hard to memorize chemical structures and reactions. Chemistry was never my favorite subject.”

Justin’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “You don’t really memorize, Miss Stuart. You have to understand first before you can write down those formulas,” he quipped.

“Okay, can I see you tomorrow then for tutoring?” Brenda queried expectantly.

Justin hesitated for a full minute before replying. “Do you really need tutoring? Or do you merely want to annoy me?”

“Sir, didn’t you say CC is my lowest grade? I want to improve my grade in the finals,” Brenda explained.

After classes, the following day, Brenda occupied one of the small discussion rooms in the school library. Justin arrived 10 minutes later, carrying a few books with him.

After some brief words of greetings, they sat down and the one-on-one tutoring started.

“When you think about chemical structures, think about an important person you care about,” Justin eyed her under his dark lashes.

“Sir?” Brenda stared at him, not being able to comprehend. “Like a boyfriend?” she blurted out. He’s so handsome, she thought. Is he really gay? She wanted to know.

“Yes, what are his significant qualities that you love about him?”

“But I don’t have a boyfriend; I’m still trying to find one,” her shyness was slowly receding in the background. “If you can find me one, I would appreciate it.”

Justin seemed not to hear her statement. But lines started to appear on his forehead. “Let’s say you have one, what are the qualities that you would most likely remember?”

“I would remember if he is kind, witty and a good lover.”Was he flirting with her? Brenda wasn’t sure.

“So, those traits will help you understand him. The same is true with substances. They have also specific characteristics that make them different. These properties will help you remember their chemical structures,” Justin wrote on the pad before him as he spoke. Brenda was staring at his beautiful hands, mesmerized by how long and lean his fingers were. How would it feel to have those slender fingers touch my face? Her heart raced.

“Hello,” he snapped his fingers before her face. “Are you paying attention? Or shall we end this session?” Justin was visibly angry.

“Sir, I’m sorry,” Brenda touched Justin’s hands with a slight caress.

Justin abruptly stood up. “I think we’ll end here,” he snarled and gathered his things before storming out of the room.

Brenda watched him with amusement in her eyes. The professor is definitely human; he reacted to my touch, she thought. Perhaps this is her chance to score a higher mark in the finals.

During the days that followed, Brenda was bent on achieving her goal. She listened carefully and jotted essential information during Justin’s lectures and in the evenings, she studied diligently. However, she still encountered difficulty in writing down chemical structures and in solving laboratory math problems.

“Sir, kindly tutor me for a week,” she pleaded. “I have to earn a higher grade in your subject.”

Justin was shaking his head eyeing her cautiously.

“Please, sir.”

He gritted his teeth and said, “Okay, but be serious this time. Come tomorrow after classes at the same venue.”