Chapter 9: Come in, Sofia

Sofia Pov

I try hard not to panic as I step onto campus. Mia and Kiera rush toward me.

"Sofia!" Mia grabs my arm tightly, her voice frantic. "We’ve been calling non-stop—you just ghosted us!"

Kiera throws an arm around me. "Girl, I couldn’t sleep—I kept thinking Lucien gave you a heart attack or something."

Mia continues, “I couldn’t sleep either. There’s a rumor someone broke into Lucien’s office… and he knows.”

My stomach twists into knots as their eyes bore into me.

“Did he catch you?” Kiera lowers her voice, glancing around like we’re being watched.

Both of my friends look at me expectantly, hoping I’ll spill everything. But after thinking it through last night, I can’t risk them ruining my plans. I need Professor Lucien’s help—even if it means swallowing my pride and crossing lines I hate.

if he’s even willing to let me off for stealing the answer booklet. It’s just giving a slightly older man a blowjob. If it means keeping my future intact… I can do this. Just once. It’s disgusting, but better than watching everything crash and burn.

"Sofia." Mia shakes my arm, jolting me out of my thoughts. "Are you okay?" she asks.

I just nod, unsure what else to say.

“What happened yesterday?” Mia presses.

I hesitate, unable to find the words.

"Sofia, are you okay?" Mia tugs on my clothes. "What did Professor Lucien do to you?"

I lift my gaze. They're watching me.

I exhale. "Nothing happened. He didn't catch me in his office."

"Wait, what?" Mia exclaims.

Mia turns to Kiera, who looks at me. "Then why bail yesterday? We thought he caught you."

Keeping my gaze steady, I hiss, "I panicked and dropped my phone before rushing out."

"You dropped your phone in his office?" Kiera exclaims.

Mia jabs Kiera in the ribs, "Keep your voice down."

She flips her hair and hisses at me, "Come on, Sofia, we called you a million times and texted you like crazy. There’s no way he didn’t find out."

I cross my fingers. "Let’s head to class."

"Fuck. We're having the assessment this morning."

“Ugh, I’m not ready for this test,” Kiera mutters, hugging her books tighter.“I didn’t even finish the last chapter.”

“Girl, I barely opened the textbook,” Mia groans, rolling her eyes.

I force a smile. My entire academic career depends on Professor Lucien’s leniency—which I seriously doubt.

We reach Professor Lucien’s classroom door. A small crowd has gathered, murmuring in confusion.

“What’s going on?” Kiera asks, stepping forward.

Someone shrugs. “I think the test is canceled. There’s a note.”

Mia pushes past and reads aloud: "Class is cancelled for the day. Test will be rescheduled. —Professor Lucien."

My heart drops.

“What the hell?” Kiera frowns. “He never cancels. Did he die or something?”

Mia snorts. “We should be so lucky.”

"Oh my fucking God," a girl exclaims. "Professor Lucien is so hot."

The crowd gasps, murmurs breaking out.

The whole student body gasps, some pulling out their phones.

“What the hell is going on?” Kiera looks at me.

I just shrug. I don’t understand.

Curious, Mia leans over a girl’s shoulder to peer at the phone.

“Fucking Hallelujah,” she gasps, pulling out her phone too. “Someone posted photos of Lucien on the school forum. Damn, that man is hot.” Mia quickly logs in.

Kiera shoots me a questioning look. I ignore it.

“No wonder he’s not into college girls,” a girl jokes. “He’s too hot to handle.”

I almost roll my eyes at the comment. The same Professor Lucien who asked me for a blowjob. If only she knew.

"Wow," Mia gushes. "He is smoking hot."

Kiera and I lean over Mia’s shoulder. I nearly choke seeing the photos on her screen.

Professor Lucien is at a bar or club, still in his work clothes—but his suit jacket is off, leaving only his white shirt. The top three buttons are undone, revealing his porcelain-white skin.

Mia zooms in. “Damn, look at those veins… and that neck… I could just lick—”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Kiera says, snatching the phone playfully and rolling her eyes, though she stares a second longer than necessary.

I force a laugh, but my stomach twists. The same man they swoon over like a god is the one who had me begging on my knees yesterday. The one who demanded a disgusting price.. And now he’s being glorified like a celebrity?

“Who even took these?” Mia asks, still scrolling. “Was someone stalking him?”

“Probably some horny girl who followed him from campus,” Kiera replies.

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. He drinks? What if asking him to help me makes him demand for something more? What if he decides to punish me in a way worse than asking for a blowjob?

A new comment flashes across Mia’s screen. She reads it aloud: “‘If this man doesn’t have a girlfriend, I’m volunteering.”

I try to hide my expression, but Kiera catches it.

“Sofia, are you okay?” she asks again, softer this time.

“I’m fine,” I nod. Say I’m fine. Smile when I want to scream. “Just tired.”

Before she can press further, a loud announcement buzzes through the hallway speakers:

“Attention students. Professor Lucien’s class has been cancelled for the day. Please check your email for further updates.”

Kiera groans. “Seriously? We came all the way for nothing?”

Mia shrugs, still glued to her screen. “Honestly? Worth it just for these pictures.”

My stomach twists, not from the photos, but from memory. The weight of shame. His voice when he said—

I shut the thought down.

Not here. Not in front of them.

I force another smile, but inside, my heart is pounding.

Class is cancelled.

Why?

Something like this would demand action from the Disciplinary Committee. Would he be punished for getting drunk during school days? This is his private life. Why is someone intruding?

I shouldn’t care. I’m glad the test is cancelled—more time to prepare. But still, I feel choked.

Maybe because I don't know if he would actually let my actions go.

"Damn. Imagine getting choked by those strong hands," a girl whines.

The comment hits me like a slap. They have no idea what that man is capable of.

I need to calm my head. I need air.

"I'll be back, guys," I mumble, excusing myself.

"Restroom?" Mia asks absentmindedly.

I nod, but she doesn't notice—still lost in staring at Lucien’s photos, and Kiera’s trying to log into the forum on her phone.

The hallway is quiet. The boys must be at the football pitch, making it less chaotic without all their noise. I push open the restroom door and stare at my reflection across the mirror.

I look pale. Must be overthinking.

Splashing water on my face, I try to catch my breath.

My hands are trembling slightly, and I hate it. I hate I have to face Professor Lucien today—looking into those cold, yet demanding eyes.

I finish up, wash my hands, splash water on my face again, and step out.

The corridor is completely empty. I decide to go back to Mia and Kiera…

Until I catch a glimpse of movement ahead.

My eyes widen.

My heart drops.

Professor Lucien.

He's walking out of the Disciplinary Committee office, shoulders squared, and expression unreadable as usual.

Oh my God.

Did he really go in there to report me?

Would they summon me next?

Expel me?

My chest tightens.

My legs move on instinct—I follow him.

He doesn’t glance back.

Not once.

I clutch my bag tighter, trying to steady my breath.

Grandma is going to be so disappointed.

She trusted me.

She said I’d make her proud.

I can’t go back to Mom’s.

I can’t live in that house again.

I trail behind him silently.

He reaches his office.

Unlocks the door.

Steps inside without a pause.

And then—

He stops. Turns slightly. His eyes lock on mine. "Come in, Sofia."

A shiver runs down my spine. There’s no turning back now.