07

Sophia's POV

I found a bench near the fountain and sat down, trying to collect myself.

The afternoon air was cool against my skin.

Students walked past in groups laughing and talking, their lives so normal and carefree. I watched them with a hollow feeling in my chest.

"Sophia! Hey!"

I looked up Ryan was jogging toward me with a grin on his face next to him was a girl with dark curly hair and bright green eyes wearing a colorful sweater that matched her energy.

"Hey," I say forcing a smile.

Ryan stopped in front of me. "I was hoping I'd run into you this is Ashley she’s in your Business Strategy class too."

Ashley waved. "Hey! I saw you in Professor Sinclair's class the other day. You were sitting in the middle row right?"

"Yeah that was me."

"I remember because you looked like you wanted to be anywhere else." She laughed. "Trust me I felt the same way. That class is brutal."

"It's that bad?"

"I told you Sinclair is intense," Ryan said.

Ashley nodded. "He's known for being super strict. Like he'll call you out in front of everyone if you're not paying attention and his assignments are impossible. Everyone's been warned about him."

"Great," I muttered. "Exactly what I needed to hear."

"But hey," Ashley said bumping my shoulder, "we're in it together I mean, misery loves company right?"

Ryan grinned. "I'll leave you two to suffer. I've got a different class anyway but we should all grab lunch later."

"Sure," I said.

"Cool." He waved and jogged off.

Ashley looped her arm through mine like we'd known each other for years. "Come on let’s go get traumatized together.”

“Huh?”

“Sinclair’s class? Business Strategy 301… it’s what we’re having now”

My eyes widen in shock!? Wait what?

I thought that was tomorrow.

“Sophia!?”

I blink back to reality letting out a laugh, “Sure let’s go”

“Oh and did I forget to mention that half the girls in our class have a massive crush on Sinclair. Like it's embarrassing. They sit in the front row and bat their eyelashes at him. Even some of the female teachers have been caught staring and trying to shoot their shots."

"Really?"

"Really. He's gorgeous I'll give him that but he's also terrifying and married, apparently. So it's a lost cause."

My stomach twisted. "Yeah. Married."

"Whatever. I'm here for the degree, not the drama." She shrugged. "But seriously he's tough just keep your head down and don't give him a reason to notice you."

Too late for that.

We walked into the building and made our way to Room 301. The classroom was already filling up. Ashley found us seats near the back, far from the front row where the "Sinclair groupies" were perched.

I pulled out my notebook with my hands trembling slightly.

He walked in a few minutes later.

Same dark suit, same slicked-back hair and intimidating presence that made the room go quiet.

"Good afternoon," he said his voice cutting through the silence. "I hope everyone actually read the assigned chapter this time."

A few students shifted uncomfortably.

He launched into the lecture pacing at the front of the room, his voice steady and commanding.

I tried to focus.

I really did.

But all I could see was his face in the dim light of that club the feeling of his lips on my neck.

Stop it.

Stop it.

Fucking stop it Sophia

I pressed my pen to the page, forcing myself to take notes but the words blurred together my mind was somewhere else entirely.

And then—

"Ms. Hayes."

I looked up my heart stopping.

He was staring directly at me, his dark eyes fixed on my face.

"I'm sorry could you repeat that?"

"Perhaps if you were paying attention," he said coolly, "you'd know what I asked."

The class went silent I could feel everyone's eyes on me.

"I—I was—"

"I asked you to explain the concept of competitive advantage." He tilted his head. "Can you do that or should I move on to someone who actually came prepared?"

My face burned. "I can—I mean, competitive advantage is—"

"Take your time." His voice was laced with sarcasm. "We have all day."

I opened my mouth but nothing came out it’s like the words were stuck in my throat and my mind had completely gone blank.

"That's what I thought." He turned away from me addressing the rest of the class. "A clear example of what happens when you don't do the reading. Let this be a lesson to all of you."

I wanted to sink into the floor.

"Ms. Hayes," he said without looking at me. "My office after class."

My blood ran cold.

"Yes Professor," I whispered.

The rest of the class was a blur I couldn't focus yet again.

This man was everywhere; in my head, my system… I just needed to get him out.

I sat there waiting for it to end with my heart pounding so loud I could barely hear anything else.

When the clock finally hit the hour, students started packing up. Ashley looked at me, concern in her eyes.

"You okay? That was brutal."

"I'm fine," I lied. "I just I need to go see him."

"Good luck." She squeezed my arm. "I'll wait for you outside?"

"No don't worry. I'll catch up with you later."

She hesitated but nodded. "Okay text me if you need anything."

I watched her leave then grabbed my bag and walked toward the front of the room.

The hallway was crowded with students I pushed through them, my heart racing, my palms sweating as I walked to his office.

By the time I reached his door I contemplated wether to walk in or just walk away… I mean what’s the worst that could happen?

My breathing was uneven asI stood there for a full minute staringat the nameplate on the door.

Professor Thorne Sinclair.

I knocked.

"Come in."

I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

His office was exactly what I expected.

Dark and masculine with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves a massive desk that looked like it cost more than my dad's car.

Everything about it screamed money and power.

He was sitting behind the desk, his jacket off, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms. He didn't look up when I walked in just kept writing something on a piece of paper.

"Close the door," he said.

I did.

The click of the latch sounded so loud in the silence.

He finally looked up his eyes met mine.

Cold and unreadable.

"Sit down Sophia."