CHAPTER THIRTY - EIGHT

LORENZO GRAYSON \ VADIM KERZHAKOV ©

The morning I had planned wasn't supposed to include Vanya.

Yet there she was, sitting in the passenger seat with her heels resting on the dashboard, staring out the window as I drove to college.

After our argument last night, neither of us brought it up.

Before I even woke up properly, Vanya was already dressed and ready.

The moment I turned on the engine, she got into the car without saying a word.

I gave her a look the moment she entered my car.

“You don't expect me to sit around all day in that huge house waiting for you to come back from college, do you?” she asked.

“No smoking on the institute premises,” I told her as I drove to college.

She turned her gaze back to the window.

“So we're setting rules now?” she asked

“And stay away from Nick,” I warned.

“And the Minister's daughter?” she asked and I turned to her.

“Alina,” I corrected before focusing back on the road.

“You're more protective of Nick than Ali...” she said, but I cut her off.

“I hope you follow the rules,” I said.

I pulled into the college parking lot and stopped the car before stepping out.

“You're just trying to avoid the truth when it's already obvious,” she said.

I sighed and ignored her as we continued walking toward my office.

Then I spotted Nick and Miss Campbell heading in our direction.

They looked like they were on their way to the library.

Perfect timing for Vanya to start talking again.

“Would you look at who's coming toward us?” Vanya said.

My eyes moved toward them.

Nick was smiling as he talked to his friend, looking more relaxed than usual as they walked beside each other.

But just as I tried to meet his eyes, he looked away and avoided my gaze completely, acting as if he hadn't noticed me at all.

“Did the kid just ignore you? Are you two having issues?” she asked and I ignored her.

“Or was it because of what I told him?” she muttered.

I immediately turned to her.

“What did you tell him?”

She reached into her coat and pulled out her lighter and cigar case.

I quickly pulled her closer and wrapped my arms around her back.

I snatched the lighter and cigar case from her before anyone noticed.

“Don't fucking smoke on college premises,” I gritted out, looking around to make sure no one was paying attention.

Then my eyes landed on Nick.

He immediately turned his attention forward.

What the hell was wrong with him?

“What the hell did you tell him?” I asked.

She sighed and folded her arms.

“I told him you were with girls stuffing and choking their face with your dick.“ she said and I stopped in my tracks.

“Что? {What?}” I asked, my Russian accent slipping out.

“Perhaps he couldn't handle his professor being like that or…” She leaned closer, catching the attention of people around us because of how close we were.

“He's sad and jealous because he isn't one of those girls,” she whispered.

My dick twitched upon hearing that, even though I knew she wouldn't have said those words to him.

Before I could respond, she walked into the office.

I adjusted my glasses and followed suit.

I took off my coat and hung it up before sitting down.

“I haven't seen the female professor…” she said, dropping herself onto the couch.

“Oh, sorry… Alina,” she added quickly.

“Why does that matter to you?” I asked, opening my laptop as I got ready for my first class.

“If you two are dating, I thought she'd be with you or texting you all the time,” she said and I let out a small sigh.

“I need some silence, Vanya,” I told her.

She got up and walked over to me.

“You two were investigating your mum’s death,” she said. “Why does this feel like this relationship thing between you both is planned?”

I didn’t look up.

“If you’re going to keep talking in my ear, you can always leave,” I said.

She groaned and flopped back onto the couch again.

~ TWO HOURS LATER ~

The students were already seated in the lecture hall when I walked in.

“Good morning. Attendance first,” I said into the table mic and began calling the names of every student.

A few minutes later, I finished attendance. I plugged in my flash drive and pulled up the file on the interactive board.

“This is the result of the last test we wrote a few weeks ago,” I said, sliding the scores across the screen.

“Few people passed. Many of you failed.”

I set the remote down and slowly rolled up my sleeves.

“The exams will be harder than this. And if you're not ready, you might fail the course,” I explained and the room went quiet.

I sighed and adjusted my glasses.

“I know this is a borrowed course, but you still have to pass it,” I said.

“If you fail, it will affect your overall grades. I'm sure everyone knows about that.”

I paused, letting the words sink in.

“The exam is in two weeks,” I added. “And if you fail it, that's the end.”

“I’ll have the nerd, Nick Walker, share everyone’s script after this class. You can learn from it and correct your mistakes,” I said.

“That will be the end of today’s class. Thank you,” I added and the students clapped.

I let out a quiet scoff, pulled the flash drive from the laptop, and turned to leave for my office.

“Professor Grayson,” a student called after me. “May I ask who the lady who came with you is?”

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

“Well, there’s a trending rumor going around all the school groups. We’re trying to find out if she’s your girlfriend,” one of them said and I let out a short scoff.

These days, students really had no fear when asking questions.

“If she was my girlfriend, what happens then?” I asked back.

“What?” they both said at the same time.

I stopped walking and turned around to face them.

That was when I noticed Nick had been walking right behind the group.

“I'll take my leave then,” I told the students and walked toward my office.

Nick followed behind me.

“Aren't you going to help carry my bag?” I asked him and he turned his face away, ignoring me.

My patience snapped a little, and I let out a short sigh.

“What the hell is going on with you?” I asked.

“What do you mean, sir?” he replied.

I scoffed and gave a small nod, not impressed.

“Being formal with me now?”

“Did Vanya say anything to you? Don’t take her words to…” I started, but he cut me off.

“It has nothing to do with me,” he said as we stopped in front of my office.

I sighed. I didn’t like the way he spoke to me.

Before I could think twice, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into my office, locking the door behind us.

Thankfully, Vanya wasn’t in the office.

“What are you doing? Let go of me,” he said.

I pushed his back against the door and pinned his hands above his head.

I leaned in close, just near his neck.

“Perhaps Vanya was right,” I whispered against his neck and he raised an eyebrow.

“What?” he asked.

“Maybe you're truly sad and envious because you wished you were one of those girls gagging on my cock last night.“ I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Nothing came out.

“What? Cat got your tongue?” I asked, trying to even my breath after a few seconds of silence.

He finally spoke.

“What if I was? What if I was wishing I was one of those girls.”

My cock hardened and I looked into his eyes.

“Then get on your knees, Nick,” I said, holding his gaze.