Chapitre 4

“We used one of the studies that studied both ethnology and ethnography, we found some pieces of evidence relating to religion, those, that are not included in their previous research but can be considered and proven, those all occurred in European countries,” I answered him briefly about the topic we chose. “That’s why you’re going to do it early” he asserted.

“Well, yes, since it won’t be an easy task, proving that there is more to that study is harder than making another one, but seemed to be easy as well,” I told him. He nodded, pondering about the study we are proposing to him. “I know a library that can help you with this, you won’t mind if I accompany you, right?” he muttered, more silent this time.

I frowned at him and took glances at other students who are on the second floor as well. “You know that teacher-student relationship is banned and we can be both expelled, well me, and you can lose your job, you accompanying me to that library is basically helping us as well in our research, that would be unfair for the other students,” “and you’re one ‘famous’ professor, if rumors stirred around that we are seen that would spread fast” I muttered back at him.

Xian chuckled, completely amused at my reply. We used to be entangled with each other. Well, he was a mutual of mine back then but never got into an actual relationship with him since we are busy being achievers back then. Both of us are obsessed with studying and we only had study ‘dates’ and nothing outside of the normal dates people do. “Am I supposed to wait another year? I’ve been waiting” he whispered, typing on his laptop.

I frown at him, “we knew that what we had was only to that extent, and besides, weren’t you the one who told me that we shouldn’t continue anymore” I reasoned out. “I hope you realize the very reason why I’m still at this university instead of accepting offers from big companies and universities and living my life, but instead, I’m stuck teaching here” he leaned on his seat, crossing his legs.

I rolled my eyes. “Can’t we try again?” he whispered this time. I looked at him. Definitely hesitating whether I should say yes or no to his proposition. No, I am not hesitating but I’ve already made an answer after inviting me to that stupid library. I am risking my name, his name, his profession, my achievements, and my everything, to what? To a relationship that we knew we should’ve made things clear in the first place.

‘How did things escalate like this? I was only doing my part as a student, and remained to be one until he showed up at that café and decided to fuck with my brain’

“Seriously, fuck you, is that some kink of yours?” I whispered back, rolling my eyes and situating my eyes at my tab, not sparing him anything. I hear him laugh softly, and I feel my frown disappear. “Is that how you talk to your professor?” he smirked and looked at him nonchalantly. “Well, I guess that depends Sir” I raised a brow. Xian chuckles at me, “Sunday, sunset, at the usual spot, I’d like to see you there, the place would look better if we go at night” he smiled before taking his things and standing up from his seat, leaving me alone.

I followed soon, striding down the stairs and spotting James and Ciara together this time. My eyes widened when they approached me, I had never seen someone walk fast like that as if it wasn’t walking but floating and transporting fast.

“What was that? Why are you with Mr. Lee?” Ciara pressed, her hands clasping on my arm. “Yeah, I thought you don’t like him as well, in your own words, he looks so high of himself” James added, Ciara nods like a maniac. “What the fuck is with you guys? People stare at us as if we are dating, because no, we aren’t. I stick with my words, and he asked about our proposal, who knows maybe I asked for an extension or thinking about an extension but if you press more about this, I might not ask him for one” I raised a brow at them, making Ciara pout.

“I told you that they were only talking about the proposal, why do you have to pull me with your dramas” James grumbled at Ciara, and I watched both of them bicker.

I waved at them after reaching the corridor of my next class. I dragged myself toward the door and opened it quietly where Mr. Lee was already leaving everyone notes and discussing deadlines for the proposal. The few students in the class were already scribbling down his reminders. I sat at the far back and he faces the class, his eyes darting at me, before continuing.

After all the discussions, he sat down in his seat in front of the class, and it all went quiet, only the sound of the clacking of keyboards echoed the room.

I did what I had to do as well. I scribbled down notations and reminders that I needed to do for the hours allotted for the class. Then a message popped out of my notification bar. Late Ms. Choi? I hope this won’t happen again or else you’ll have to work extra hours. You know I’m strict with punctuality. One of my brows raised unconsciously and my eyes shifted to him. He looked at me through his glasses, raising a brow at me before turning his gaze down back to his laptop.

The time paced excruciatingly slow. All the clacking of the keyboards almost got me deaf and crazy. As if time was mocking me, and as if it was really trying to be slower than it already was. And all that time, I only felt as if I was swirling in an infinite space. I could’ve fallen asleep but I can’t. Then, Mr. Lee stood up from his seat, dismissing everyone. Students flew off their seats and went out of the room. I did too. I got my bag, my things in my hand, and turn to the door near me to get out.

For the last class of the day, we had to meet the new professor for the new class. The stupid History class. I strutted past the other rooms. It was on the same floor that I am on and a few rooms more. It was the one at the end of the corridor on the left. I took a peek inside before twisting the knob and entering the room.