Julian told himself he was only killing time. Just a quick distraction, something to bleed out the restlessness that had coiled in his veins since morning. The boy pressed against the tiled wall of the university bathroom wasn’t even his type. Too short, too eager, but his mouth was wet, his hands quick, and for a while, that was all Julian needed. He was flushed, teeth sinking into his lower lip, when the sharp buzz of his alarm cut through the humid air.He froze.“Shit.”The boy pulled back, confused. Julian didn’t bother to explain. He zipped himself up, ignoring the ache between his legs that hadn’t been resolved, and grabbed his bag. The alarm was merciless: his reminder for Aiden’s class.Julian almost laughed at the irony. He had been seconds away from finishing, but now he had to walk across campus half-hard, with his body thrumming like he’d been wound too tight. He muttered another curse, ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, and bolted.By the time he reached Aid
Aiden woke to the sharp vibration of his phone. He rubbed his eyes, squinting at the caller ID. It was his mother. He answered anyway, forcing his voice steady.“Good morning, Mom.”Her tone was brisk, almost rehearsed. “Aiden, your father and I spoke with the Martins last night. Evelyn’s parents are ready to proceed. They think Christmas is a perfect time for the engagement announcement.”Aiden sat up straight. “Engagement?” His chest tightened.“Yes,” she said as though it were already decided. “Evelyn is such a lovely girl. Wealthy, stable, from a good family. This is a chance for you to build a future instead of wasting away in classrooms.”His jaw clenched. “I told you before, I’m not interested in...”“You don’t have the luxury to pick and choose,” she cut in, voice cold. “We’ve sacrificed for you, Aiden. Teaching doesn’t pay the bills. Do you want to struggle your whole life? Do you want to disgrace us?”“I’m not disgracing anyone,” he muttered, though it felt hollow.“You will
Julian actually arrived on time the next day, which surprised the housekeeper enough to raise her brows. His hair was brushed, his shirt cleaner, though his eyes still carried the faint shadow of tired nights. He walked into the study with a smirk, trying not to look as though he’d put in effort.Aiden was already seated, as always. He didn’t comment on Julian’s improved appearance. He simply slid a fresh worksheet across the desk. “Good. Now we won’t waste thirty minutes.”“Wow,” Julian said, sinking into his chair. “Not even a hello?”“Hello,” Aiden replied flatly. “Now, solve question one.”Julian rolled his eyes but picked up the pen. His smirk faltered when he saw the numbers. “You really don’t believe in warm-ups, do you?”“No,” Aiden said. “Life rarely gives you warm-ups.”Julian scribbled an answer, deliberately sloppy. He shoved the paper forward. “There. Done.”Aiden scanned it once. “You skipped two steps. Try again.”Julian groaned. “You’re relentless.”“I’m consistent,” A
Aiden Cole liked to be early. It gave him time to settle, to prepare, and to think. He arrived at the Harrison estate as usual, five minutes before the lesson. The staff knew him by now; the butler nodded politely and led him into the study.The study was bright with morning light. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a large polished desk sat in the center. Aiden placed his folder on the desk, removed his jacket, and adjusted his tie. Everything was ready.But the seat opposite him was empty.He glanced at the grandfather clock. Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. He did not tap his pen or pace the room. He simply waited, silent, calm, patient.Upstairs, Julian Harrison was sprawled across his bed in yesterday’s clothes. His blond hair stuck up in messy tufts. His shirt smelled of smoke and spilled alcohol, and his head pounded with a steady ache.The ringing of his phone woke him, an alarm he had ignored twice already. He groaned, rolled over, and pulled the blanket over his face. The part
Aiden Cole had never thought he would end up back at the same university where he once studied. When he graduated with top honors, his professors had told him he had the kind of mind that belonged in research, maybe even teaching. He took the words to heart. After earning his master’s degree, he returned, ready to prove himself.It wasn’t an easy job. The pay wasn’t great, the workload was heavy, and the rules were strict. But he loved teaching. There was something about explaining a concept, seeing the moment when a student finally understood, that made the long hours worth it.That was his normal life, until the phone call came.It was late one evening. He had just finished grading a stack of essays when his office phone rang. He almost didn’t pick it up, but something made him lift the receiver.“Professor Cole?” The voice was deep, controlled.“Yes, this is he,” Aiden answered.“This is Richard Harrison.”Aiden sat up straighter. He knew the name. The Harrison family was one of th
Julian Harrison sat in the wide leather chair in his father’s office, his legs stretched out, tapping his shoe against the shiny floor. He hated this office. The heavy wooden shelves, the tall curtains, the smell of old books and cigar smoke. It all felt like the kind of place made for orders, not for living.His father sat behind the large desk, glasses on, flipping through some papers. He didn’t look at Julian as he spoke, and that made the words sting more.“You failed the course again.” His father’s tone was calm but sharp. “If you fail it once more, you will not graduate on time. You will spend another year in school. I will not allow it.”Julian rolled his eyes. “It’s not that serious. People fail all the time.”His father finally looked up. His grey eyes were hard, cold. “Not my son. You are a Harrison. We do not fail. Next year should be your final year in college. You should be preparing to take your seat in the company. Instead, you are playing games.”Julian sat up straight