TWELVE: Tristan's POV {He's everywhere}

I came downstairs after finishing up my morning routine to meet Marilyn setting up the table for breakfast. She flashed me one of her usual welcoming smiles as soon as she saw me.

I smiled back at her as well but only faintly. For the past two days I had been battling with a migraine that wouldn't go away.

"Good morning, Mr walker," she greeted as I neared her, "Did you sleep well sir?"

I nodded and sat down. "I did my best. What about you Marilyn?" I asked, "Did you get yourself some sleep or were you up all night knitting again?"

She chuckled and handed me a cup of coffee.

"An old woman like me can't really afford to stay up all night like you young folks you know. I wouldn't be able to be up and about to help take care of you"

I smiled at her as she sat in front of me, her cup of coffee in her hand.

"You don't really have to take care of me at the expense of your knitting, Marilyn"

"Oh, but I do, Mr Walker. At least until you find yourself a proper young woman to do so in my stead"

I sighed. The last relationship that I had with a woman did not end so well and I was still certain that my ex wife hated me.

"Marilyn, you do remember how that story ended the last time don't you?"

"A divorce should not prevent you from taking another shot at love, Mr Walker. My sister, Rebecca was married twice before she finally met the love of her life and they have been inseperable since"

"Well, as much as I am happy for your sister, I doubt that I have it in me to get divorced twice"

She laughed and shook her head.

"You don't have to get divorced twice but at least keep an eye out for someone that you might like. Who knows what you'll find"

"What if I find a boy?"

It was odd that the first person that came to my mind as I uttered those words was Alex. Was I really falling for my student? Was it even love or the fact that I had to keep seeing him almost everyday?

Marilyn took a sip of her coffee.

"A man loving a man was an oddity back in my day but I suppose if you find a good boy that won't wear you out that's fine as well," she leaned forward with a grin, "Have you found a young man that tickles your fancy, Mr Walker?"

I laughed and shook my head.

"Not yet," I lied, "But I will keep you informed when I do"

"Please do," she replied and added, "Also, are you feeling a bit ill, Mr Walker? your complexion seems a bit dull"

I sighed. "I'm fine just a little stressed from work that's all"

"Do you think that you're coming down with something?" Her tone carried concern.

"I doubt it. I just have a lot of work to do. The old professor left in a hurry leaving me with quite a bunch on my plate"

"I am terribly sorry, Mr Walker"

"It's fine. Did I ever tell you that my ex wife's little sister goes to Heldon?"

Marilyn gasped and shook her head.

"Oh my. That must have been quite the shock for both of you"

"Indeed"

"Have either of you spoken to each other?"

"No but she does give me a deaths stare every chance that she gets"

Marilyn sighed and shook her head slowly.

"I am so sorry. With all that work stress and having to be in the same environment with family turned enemy," she sighed and looked at me, "You poor child."

I couldn't agree more. It was bad enough that I had accidentally had sex with a student and Rita attended the same school that I worked at but to make things even worse, she and Alex were friends.

And from the way that I observed both of them and that Nico boy, all three of them seemed to be best friends. I wondered if Alex had told her what had transpired between us.

I really hope that he did not. The more I dwelled on the situation, the more my head hurt but what could I do?

"I'll be fine," I assured Marilyn.

"Are you sure that you won't just stay at home and rest at least for today? I am worried about you"

"You're always worried about me, Marilyn and I appreciate it but don't worry too much. I'll be fine"

"Are you certain?"

"I don't have class today. I just need to handle some files at the office and I'll be back a lot sooner than usual"

"If you say so," she got to her feet, "Let me get you something to eat"

"Thank you, Marilyn. You're a doll"

I ate breakfast with Marilyn and that meant that I could not rush it the way that I would have loved to.

She scolded me a few times in the past concerning that habit and it only got worse after that one choking incident that I experienced last year.

When I was done, I hopped in my car and drove straight to Heldon. The painkiller that Marilyn had me take before leaving helped with the headaches but I knew that I really needed to hurry up and get back to the comfort of my bed.

After bringing the car to a stop at the parking spot reserved for me and other professors, I got down and began to make my way to the office.

I replied a few hellos that I received with a small smile and quick wave but didn't stop to chat. I was not exactly ready to begin to familiarize myself with my colleagues yet.

For some reason, I didn't find their intentions genuine.

Ahead of me, I saw Alex and Nico walking side by side, talking and laughing and I felt my heart skip a beat.

How was it possible for him to always look more good looking with each passing day. He seemed to glow under the sunlight and for a moment, I forgot that I was not supposed to be staring but I could not help it.

Alex was so beautiful.

"Professor, Walker?"

A feminine voice called out to me and I spun around to find a dark haired girl in designer clothes not foreign to the students at Heldon. She smiled at me and cocked her head slightly.

I didn't recognize her as one of my students.

"Um, hello" I greeted.

"Hi. You don't know me but my name is Sophia Burgundy. I'm a student here"

"I know. Otherwise you wouldn't be here" I replied.

She chuckled and slapped my arm playfully. I was shocked by that action. Why was she acting like we were long time pals? I didn't know this girl.

"You are so funny, Professor Walker. Funny and handsome and," she looked at me from head to toe, "Are you wearing Dior? funny, cute and fashionable. A triple threat. Your girlfriend must be so lucky"

I took a step back.

"I'm sorry, Miss...."

"Sophia Burgundy" she replied, still smiling.

"Of course. Is there anything that I can help you with?" I asked.

I couldn't explain it but something about this young lady set off warning alarms in my head. She made me a little uncomfortable.

"Well, I heard that we had a new professor around and I just wanted to come say hello. I was close to Professor Harper before he left and I just wanted to make sure that you were doing okay now that you have to replace him"

"You were close to Professor Harper?" I asked.

"Yes"

Why didn't I believe her? I glanced back quickly to find that Alex and Nico were long gone. This girl made me lose sight of my Alex.

"Well, Miss Burgundy," I was struggling to keep the annoyance in my voice at bay, "I appreciate the gesture but I am doing just fine"

"Can I at least give you my number just in case you need help with something?"

She already had her number written out and had presented the paper before me thereby striking out the possibilty of me declining.

"I doubt that would be necessary," I gently placed her hand down, "I do have to leave now. Again, I appreciate the offer to help but i'll be just fine"

"Oh," she placed her hand behind her back and smiled stiffly, "Sure thing"

"Enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Burgundy"

With that, I turned and left. I couldn't help but wonder if she was flirting with me.

Maybe these were the type of students that Mathew warned me to be weary of.