Chapter 3

Chapter Three

/-Jacqueline-/

I woke up to the sun ray sipping through the window, and I quickly turned away, burying my face into the bed. But as I snuggled deeper into the bed, my fingers brushed against the soft, luxurious sheets. They felt expensive.

I sat up quickly, my heart racing as I tried to recall all i had done last night. But my memories were hazy, fragmented. I remembered drinking, and then... nothing.

Panic set in as I looked down at myself. I was wearing a white dress shirt, and it wasn't mine. A stranger's shirt. A stranger's bed.

My mind reeled as I thought about what might have happened. Had I...? Oh God, had I lost my virginity to a stranger?

Just as shame and anxiety began to overwhelm me, I spotted a typed note on the bedside table. I tore it open, my hands shaking.

The note read: "You threw up, so I had to clean you. STAY OFF ALCOHOL."

I rolled my eyes, trying to play off the shame creeping in. Who did this guy think he was, lecturing me after sleeping with me?

Or did he? I didn't feel any pain. Oh God, what is wrong with this stupid head of mine?

I stepped into the bathroom, letting the warm water wash away all the foolish things I might have done. After showering, I walked back into the room, noticing a lemon colored summer dress sitting on the edge of the perfectly made bed. My clothes, including the ripped-up skirt, were neatly placed beside it.

I shrugged, assuming a hotel worker had probably dropped off the gown for me. I slipped into the dress, and it fit perfectly, but i didn't have the time to think of how they had gotten my measurements.

I gathered all my clothes including the ripped ones, the letter, and his shirt shoving them into a polythene bag. With a final glance around the room, I made my way out of the hotel after finding out he had paid. 

Thank God, because that would have been embarrassing. I didn't have the money to afford a room in a place this luxurious.

“I'm just going to put this behind me, it never happened," I told myself stepping into the busy street.

********

It had been two weeks since I ended up in a hotel with Mr stanger, and my memories of that night remained frustratingly fuzzy. But I'd thrown myself into college life, determined to move on. I attended as many classes as possible, partly to avoid my nemesis: sammy and nina.

I walked into my second class of the day already tired. The room buzzed with hushed conversations. I wasn't interested enough to ask for details but i had caught unto some of the gossip. Apparently, we had a new professor, and he was... attractive.

I couldn't help but have some doubts. How hot could a man in his fifties possibly be? I thought, pulling out my books and settling in for the lecture. 

I zipped up my bag, but before I could sit up the class fell silent. I looked up, wondering what changed and my gaze landed on the back of a man standing in front of the class. That doesn't look like the back of a middle-aged man, I thought.

"Good day. I'm Mr. Phillips, and I'll be taking you history" he said, his voice low and smooth.

I froze. That voice sounded familiar but I couldn't remember who it belonged to. I looked up and I paled. 

It was him. The Stranger I'd shamelessly given my body to.

What were the odds that your one-night stand just happened to be your professor? Oh God, I'm screwed.

My hands began to sweat as I quickly lowered my eyes, hoping to avoid his gaze. Oh no! Oh no! This can't be happening. I sat in the class barely hearing a word he said as my heart beat was louder.

Once the class came to an end, I ran out hurrying to get away from him. But as I stepped into the hallway, I was confronted with the last person I wanted to see: Nina.

I groaned inwardly. This was definitely the last thing I needed right now. But there was no way for me to go. 

I couldn't turn back to the the hall I just ran out from so I held my head up high and made to walk past her. 

“Someone doesn't seem so excited anymore,” she mocked in a sing-song voice. “Oh Nina,. he's going to propose to tonight. I saw the ring…”

I tried to ignore her and just act like that she wasn't talking about me. 

“You're not going to say anything, Jackie?” She went ahead to call my name. My fists clenched.

It was obvious she desperately needed a reaction from me but I had bigger things to worry about I ignored her and walked away. 

The rest of the day passed in a blur and I managed to successfully dodge him at every turn. I was very certain he didn't even know I was in his class which made things a lot easier for me. 

Just four weeks with him and we would be done with his aspect of study and another professor would take over or I could just skip. 

I practically bolted to the parking lot when classes were over. I wanted to just get in my car and vanish but fate just seemed to be playing games with me. 

My shameless boyfriend was leaning against my car. Irritation coated my face. Ever since that humiliating party, he wouldn't just let me. 

If he wasn't flaunting his relationship in my face, he was throwing indirect insults at me with his jackass friends and now, he was by car?

Even attention seekers were not this desperate. I tried to ignore him and just get in my car but he caught my arm. 

“Where do think you're going?” He demanded, tightening his grip on my arm. “We haven't heard anything about your so called boyfriend.” 

“I don't see how my life is any of your business! Let go of me, Sammy!” I hissed, struggling to break free but his grip only tightened. “You're hurting me!” 

“Did he get to taste you, huh or you're still keeping chaste till marriage?” He asked, pulling me closer. 

My eyes watered from the pain in my arm. 

“Let go of me, Sammy! You have a fiancé, why are you still bothering me?!” I yelled. 

“Because you wasted my bloody time and all the while you were seeing someone else, you bloody slut!” He fired. 

I looked him in disbelief. The audacity of him to call me a slut while he was busy sleeping with my best friend and lying to my face. 

I had enough and kicked him in the balls. He immediately released me and clutched to his balls. 

I ran to my car, hoping to just get in and drive away but something yanked my hair back roughly. 

“You stupid bitch…!” He barked. He raised his hand to hit and I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact. 

“Touch her and that would be the last time you use those hands,” A strangely familiar soothing voice said.