The Birthday Present

~Bonnie

"Happy 21st birthday, Bon Bon!" Mum screamed happily, balancing a cake in her hands as I stepped out of my room, already dressed for school.

I'd completely forgotten it was my birthday.

I blew out the candle, leaned in, and kissed her cheek. "Thanks so much, Mum. I'll see you later, I'm late for school." I turned toward the door.

"Just like that? You're not going to cut the cake or show a little excitement? It's your birthday!" Her voice caught, half teasing, half hurt.

"And I've got you a gift. Wait right here." She dashed upstairs and returned with a big wrapped box, eyes bright.

I stopped, chest tight. "I'm sorry, Mum, but I'm not taking any gift from you right now. If there's any gift I want, it's for you to get a husband. I hate seeing you alone. You act like you're okay, like you can handle everything, but you can't."

The words tumbled out harsher than I meant. Her face crumpled,sadness flashing before she masked it.

"Mum, I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

"No, it's okay." She wiped the tears sliding down her cheeks. "You're right anyway. It's been ten years since your dad left us. Guess it's high time I move on."

I crossed the room, pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Mum."

Then I left, the weight of her quiet sob following me out.

Getting to school early had never been my thing. That changed the moment Professor Marcellus took over our elective, Desire and the Body: Reproduction, Sexuality, and Power in Literature.

I used to drag my feet to lectures, but now? I’m always there on time, notebook open, pen ready. Too attentive, maybe. But how could I not be?

I’m a 21 year old medical student, grinding through pre clinicals, dreaming of becoming a nurse who actually saves lives, the way I fantasized about since I was small, watching my mum struggle alone, wishing I could fix everything.

Reproduction, sexuality, the raw mechanics of bodies, it’s all part of the job I want.

One day I’ll be the one explaining fertility options to scared patients, or holding hands through STI diagnoses, or guiding someone through postpartum hell.

So yeah, the course matters.

But Professor Marcellus? He’s nothing like the professors I’ve heard stories about, the old ones, wrinkled from too many books or too many years, droning on like they’ve forgotten what sunlight feels like.

Marcellus is 41 and built like he hits the gym before dawn everyday. Rich looking without trying, tailored shirts, quiet confidence, that subtle neck tattoo peeking when his collar shifts. Hot in a way that feels unfair for a professor.

The kind of man who makes you question why academia gets to keep him.

I catch myself staring sometimes. Not just at the board, but at him, the way he paces while quoting Ovid on transformation and desire, or how his voice drops low when he talks about power imbalances in ancient texts.

It’s clinical, I tell myself. Academic interest. But my pulse says otherwise.

The class is small, intimate. We talk openly about the sexual mechanics of reproduction, ovulation cycles in poetry, phallic symbols in myth, the politics of contraception in modern narratives.

No one blushes anymore, we’re med students, we’ve dissected cadavers.

But when he looks around the room, his eyes linger on me just a second longer than the others. Or maybe I’m imagining it.

Either way, I’m hooked.

Today’s class wasn’t different. I stared at him the whole time, completely lost in the way he moved, the way his voice wrapped around every word like it was meant only for me.

I barely blinked until the lecture ended.

As soon as the last student started packing, he turned toward the front row, eyes scanning until they landed on me.

“Bonnie,” he said, voice calm. “How do we arrive at a baby foetus?”

I stood up, heart thudding. Everyone watched.

“Umm… the male ejaculates sperm into the female, and the female egg fertilizes it to form a zygote. Then it develops into an embryo, and eventually a foetus.”

The class clapped, like I’d just recited something impressive instead of basic reproductive biology. I felt my cheeks heat.

But when I looked at Professor Marcellus, his expression wasn’t pleased. There was something tight around his mouth, a flicker in his eyes I couldn’t place. Not anger, exactly.

Disappointment? Irritation? It unsettled me more than the applause did.

He cleared his throat, addressing the room.

“As I mentioned last week, I’ll be choosing the class head for the remainder of the semester. The role involves organizing notes, coordinating group discussions, and assisting with research materials.” He paused, gaze sliding back to me. “I’m happy to announce that Bonnie has won the spot.”

A ripple of murmurs went through the class. Someone whistled low. A few girls shot me quick, envious glances.

“So please get your notes in order and meet me in my office in a few minutes,” he added, already turning toward the door. “We’ll discuss your responsibilities.”

He walked out without another word, black shirt stretched across his shoulders, the faint outline of that tattoo visible when his collar shifted.

Almost everyone swarmed me the second he was gone.

“Girl, congrats!”

“You killed that answer!”

“Head of class? You’re basically his favorite now.”

I forced a smile, blushing hard, mumbling thanks while my mind raced. Favorite? The word felt dangerous.

I gathered my things quickly, pulse loud in my ears, and headed down the corridor toward his office.

The door was ajar when I arrived. I knocked lightly.

“Come in,” his voice called from inside.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the dimly lit space. Bookshelves lined the walls, heavy with old volumes.

A desk lamp cast warm gold across scattered papers and a half empty coffee mug.

There was a small leather couch in the corner, and behind the desk, a narrow door I’d never noticed before, maybe leading to a private study or rest area.

He was leaning against the edge of the desk, arms crossed, watching me.

“Close the door, Bonnie.”

I did. The click of the latch sounded too loud.

He studied me for a long moment, expression unreadable.

“You answered correctly,” he said finally. “Clinically accurate. Textbook.”

I nodded, unsure why it felt like a criticism.

“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “You can go. That’s all for today.”

I nodded once, put the folder down on the edge of his desk, and started for the door.

“Bonnie.”

I turned back, swallowing hard.

He was smiling now, small, almost soft. “Happy birthday.”

The words hit me like a sudden wave. My eyes stung instantly, throat tight. I hadn’t expected it, not from him at all.

He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small carton wrapped in clear nylon. “Your friend Bianca told me too late,” he said, voice low and warm. “Or I would’ve gotten something… more romantic.”

Romantic. The word landed funny in my chest, half laugh, half ache.

“Thanks, sir,” I managed, voice cracking a little, eyes glassy.

He set the package on the desk between us. “A hug would do. If you’re really grateful.”

He opened his arms.

I didn’t think. I crossed the space in two steps and walked straight into him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my body fully against his chest.

My breasts flattened against him. There was no way he didn’t feel every curve, every inch of what I knew turned heads and broke rules.

My secret weapon had always worked too well, boys my age chased me, older men who should’ve known better stared too long. I never cared for any of them.

His arms closed around me. Strong. One hand settled at the small of my back, fingers splaying just enough to feel possessive without crossing the line.

I buried my face against his shoulder for a second longer than I should have.

When I finally pulled back, my cheeks were burning, eyes wet.

He looked down at me, gaze steady and unreadable.

“You might want to let me see it on you,” he said with a slow wink, then reached into his pocket and held out a small contact card. “Trust me.”

See it on me? I glanced at the carton still on the desk. A bracelet? A scarf? Something else?

I smiled, small, shy, a little shaky, I took the card from his fingers, and tucked it into my bag.

“Thanks again, Professor.”

I turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind me.

“Hey girl, how’s it going with the hot dude?” Bianca popped up out of nowhere, nearly giving me a heart attack.

“Gosh, Bianca!” I yelped, clutching my chest.

She snatched the carton from my hand before I could react. “And what’s this? Birthday present from Professor Sexy?”

“I don’t know,” I said, trying to grab it back. “But he said he wants to see it on me.”

She froze amidst tearing the carton, eyes wide. “He actually said that?”

I nodded.

“And you have no idea what’s inside?” She grinned like she already knew the answer.

“What?” I asked, suddenly nervous.

“In every novel I’ve ever read with this exact setup,” she whispered, leaning in close like we were trading state secrets, “it’s always a pink G-string. They give it so they can see your ass in it. Classic move.”

My stomach flipped. “Bianca, stop. That’s crazy. He’s my professor.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. And professors don’t give birthday gifts to students unless they want something. Just saying.”

I yanked the carton out of her hands and ran off.

I didn’t open it the whole way home. My mind was spinning too fast, Bianca’s words, his voice saying “trust me,” the way his arms had felt around me.

By the time I got to the house, the lights were off downstairs. Mum was already asleep. I crept up to my room, locked the door, and dropped onto the bed with the carton in my lap.

I tore the nylon slowly, heart pounding.

Inside were three G-string panties, yellow, blue, and pink. Delicate lace, barely there fabric.

I stared, mouth dry.

Tucked underneath was a small folded note.

I opened it.

“I would love to see the pink on you. I love the blue so much, so I want you to keep that one.”

I scoffed, hand flying to my mouth to stifle the sound. My face was on fire.

Why keep the blue? What about the pink? What was going to happen to it?

Then I noticed the second note, folded smaller, almost hidden.

I unfolded it with shaking fingers.

“I’m going to rip the pink G-string off you myself. So please wear the pink when you come tomorrow. That’s my real birthday present. The panties were just a heads-up.”

My breath caught.

Rip it off… me?

The words stared back at me, bold and clear in his neat handwriting.

I pressed my thighs together, heat rushing through me so fast I felt dizzy. I was wet already.

Oh my god.

What had I gotten myself into?