chapter 10

Maeve.

I slowly opened my eyes, immediately regretting it as a sharp headache hit me. I groaned, closing my eyes again while trying to remember where I was and what exactly happened last night.

I slowly sat up on the bed, rubbing my forehead. My head was spinning, and everything felt so blurry. I looked down at myself and realized I was still wearing the clothes I had on at the party.

What the hell?

I tried to remember what happened after the fight. I could remember dancing, Phillip fighting with that guy, people screaming... then everything became blurry.

I could swear I remembered seeing Nicholas.

But maybe I was hallucinating.

Why would Nicholas even be at the party?

I shook my head, trying to put the pieces together, but the more I tried, the more confused I became.

My eyes suddenly went to the clock on the bedside table.

11:00 a.m. My eyes widened.

"Oh shit!"

I jumped out of bed, almost losing my balance.

I was supposed to have a two-hour lecture by 10 a.m., and Nicholas was taking the first course.

"No, no, no!"

My phone suddenly started ringing, and I quickly grabbed it from the bed, it was Rue.

I answered immediately.

"Girl, where the hell are you?" Her voice came through.

"The class has already started!”

"Holy crap! I am comingggg!" I said and hung up.

I could hear Nicholas's voice in the background. Wait, why did he not wake me up?

It looked like Mom and Dad did not come home either. Speak about taking care of me, Nicholas was a devil.

I rushed into the bathroom, had a two-second shower, and rushed out, wearing the nearest clothes I could find in my wardrobe before hurrying out.

I hailed a cab. Thank God school was not so far, but by the time I arrived, it was already 11:40.

I saw Nicholas taking the class and heaved a deep breath. I could not afford to completely miss this class. I mean, that jerk could do anything.

But the only entrance was at the front. The back door was shut.

So I summoned the courage and walked in, and immediately, all eyes turned to me. I wanted to keep it together and confidently walk to my seat.

"Miss. It is twenty minutes before the class ends. What do you think you are doing?" He questioned and I halted my steps, my chest heaving up and down.

Everyone was staring at me. Like, a hundred students had those wide eyes on me.

You know my situation. Could you not let it slide? Besides, you were supposed to wake me up! Common decency, since you brought me home.

Or didn't he? Shit. I was losing it.

"I... I am sorry, Professor. I was not supposed to be this late. I am always early," I stuttered, forcing a smile.

"That does not matter to me. You are late today, and I will not tolerate that. Get out," he demanded, his voice icy.

Some students snorted out a laugh, mocking me.

"Sir... I..."

"I do not want to hear it. Get out. You just missed the class," he said firmly, like there was no room for negotiation.

My face burned instantly. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, and I wished the ground would just open up and swallow me whole. I swallowed hard, trying not to let the embarrassment show on my face.

I lowered my head and turned around, walking out of the class as quickly as I could.

"That rude jerk! Ugh," I grunted. I wished I could smack his head.

A memory suddenly flashed through my mind, but I could not tell if it was real or not. It was me spitting water on Nicholas's face, licking it off and kissing him.

"What!" I clamped my hands over my mouth.

I could not have possibly done that, right? I was probably hallucinating since I took so much alcohol and it was because of him!

I shook my head and shrugged it off.

I stood outside the class until the lecture was over. Nicholas stepped out, did not say a word to me, and walked off.

Rue was just coming out too.

"Girl, what happened? I was calling you a million times," she called out.

"I cannot even say. I had a lot to drink," I admitted.

"What happened?" she asked again, clearly curious.

"I followed Philip to a party."

"What? Why would you do that? Thought you guys were over” she inquired.

"Long story, Rue. What do I do now? I think I just got on his bad side." I let out a sigh.

"You know how important this course is. I think you should go and meet him," Rue suggested.

"What would I say?"

"Basically, just apologise. You know how these professors can be. They want you to lick ass," Rue chuckled.

I stopped for a moment.

Wait... Nicholas wanted me to beg him?

He was such an idiot. Fine. I need to meet him too. I need to ask him why he is acting like a jerk.

"Okay. When do we have the next lecture?"

"Around 2," she answered.

"Okay, I will be back."

I told her and walked off. I found Nicholas's office and knocked.

"Come in."

His voice came through. I would be lying if I said I was okay. My heart was pounding like crazy.

I stepped in, and he did not even budge.

"Good day, Professor," I said, my voice coming out small.

Wait, I was here to smack his head. Why was I suddenly losing my voice?

He had his glasses on, his eyes fixed on the papers in front of him. He looked so hot and irresistible.

He gazed up at me, and I immediately looked away, pretending to look elsewhere.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice straight.

I inhaled a sharp breath.

"Why did you not wake..." I paused.

"Why did you not wake me up, Nicholas? Do you have to be so cold all the time? You brought me home, did you not?" I asked, sounding sure.He gently took off his glasses, keeping his eyes on me.

"Is that why you are here?"he questioned.

"Nic..."

"Professor Nicholas."

"Whatever." The word came out with an eye roll before I could stop myself. I was genuinely getting more pissed.

"I did not bring you home, Maeve. What makes you think I would do that?" he probed, his voice firm.

I squinted my eyes.

He didn't?"Wait, you didn't? So how did I get home? Who brought me home?"

Nicholas stayed silent. In fact, he put his glasses back on and concentrated on what he was doing.

I sighed. "But why would you embarrass me like that? Why are you treating me like a stranger?"

He stayed quiet for a moment before lifting his head.

"Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

"You have been acting weird since you came back and honestly, fuck you. I have been wanting to say that. Why would you kiss me? Why would you care if I wear something short? And then treat me like I don't matter?" My voice came out small because I was genuinely confused.

"Maeve. Don't live a reckless life. You will get hurt," he said out of the blue.

I scrunched my face in confusion.

"What does that matter to you?"

"It doesn't," he replied quickly.

I let out a mocking scoff.

Nicholas stood up and started walking towards me as I instinctively shifted backwards. My heart began pounding again, and I swallowed hard, watching him get closer.

What did he want now?I pressed my lips together, avoiding eye contact. His cologne filled my nostrils, his scent was so good. I just wanted to be in his arms.

Nicholas pressed his thumb against my jaw and lifted my face, our eyes meeting. Those blue eyes of his pinned me down every time.

We stood still. Nic gazed at my lips for the longest time, and I was panting heavily, my body just reacting, embarrassing me.

Nicholas suddenly scooped me up and lowered me onto the table, stepping between my thighs.Nicholas's hands found my cheeks again as he caressed them. He brushed my hair aside, then leaned in and whispered,

"Would I be a bad person if I kissed you right now?”