In contrast to when I first came here, Paradise Avenue Nightclub is frantic tonight. A long line of people is forming outside the club.“Would you look at that?” Lora says as she tries to glimpse the entrance.I grab her by the arm. “This isn’t a good idea. Let’s just go to Caleb’s.”“Hush! Let’s wait for him here. We wouldn’t have to wait in line. He’s a VIP.”“His brother owns the club,” I inform her. “What if he doesn’t show up?”There’s no way he would. Why would he accompany two girls, let alone his students, into a nightclub? Someone from Whitlock might see us here.“He said he would. I have a feeling he’ll be here.”I’m sometimes envious of her audacity. I would never have the nerve to call my professors as she did.We wait for the next five minutes, watching every car that pulls into the driveway to see if Julian is in one of them. But he doesn’t show until a black Rolls-Royce pulls up in front of us.The professor steps out of the car in front of us, radiating virility. Peopl
He feels something... For me...A burst of bliss rushes through me.If only I could run to him with open arms and confide in him completely, I would. But that’s not how life works.This is not a fairytale. Life can be beautiful, but it can also be cruel. I’m just tired and afraid of losing in the end. I survived life’s adversities by remaining watchful and making calculated decisions. I tried to open my heart again with Kristoff, but where did it lead me?Julian Sebastian is my professor and has accomplished things that would take me a lifetime to achieve. He comes from a good family, like Kristoff, and he dated one of the world’s most famous artists.We simply don’t mesh. I have nothing to offer him to be considered his equal.I closed my eyes and let my emotions flow. My chest is attempting to explode, and I’m not sure I can take it any longer. I have to say something, even though I know it would betray me.I meet his gaze to respond, but Lora reappears in our lounge.“There you are
Julian drives us back to the apartment. It’s already after midnight. My best friend is too drunk to stand, and my anticipated alone time with my gorgeous professor has been postponed.Lora has fallen asleep in the backseat, and I imagine various ways to get her to our room.“Do you need help?” Julian asks, glancing over at my best friend in the back.I let out a sigh. “Whenever this happens, Kristoff used to carry her on his back. So, yes, I need your help.”He laughs, and the sound he makes slithers down my stomach. “I’ve witnessed worse. Help me get her up.”“Sure thing.” I get out of the car and then go to the backseat to open the door. I slide into the backseat to shake Lora’s shoulder, but she groans.“She won’t wake up,” I say.“Hold the back of her head and push over here.”I obey because he gestures to the other side. Julian gently hooks Lora’s arm to his shoulder and helps her out of the car while I support her.Lora almost falls down, but our professor immediately catches he
A tear rolls down my cheek as Julian’s chiseled mouth devours me. We’ve kissed a couple of times, but this kiss is different. It is soft, feverish, and cautious. It’s as if I can freely express my emotions, ready to give everything to this special moment.My chest is aching from so many conflicting feelings: excitement, tension, guilt, selfishness, and joy. My guilt stems from my failure to resolve the issue with Kristoff and the fact that Julian and I have crossed a line by becoming too intimate.I bury my hands in his hair and kiss him back, my tongue circling along with his. My back arches as his hand move down my waist to pull me.But it’s as if we can’t get enough; his pace becomes needy. He sucks on my bottom lip while gently caressing and squeezing my waist.I mumble between our mouths, “Julian...”“It’s insane how I kept my hands off you from the moment I saw you. Thank God you snatched me in the dark and kissed me two years later.”He blatantly grabs my thigh. My skin is flus
“This year’s competition in your program will be even more special than last year’s.” Professor Curtis, our ensemble studies professor, announces before our class with him ends. “And the higher-ups have assigned me, along with Professor Lee and Professor Clarke, to facilitate the entire contest.“Now, pay attention. Beginning this year, Whitlock Music of School will collaborate with Sebastian Records. I know some of you have already made your debut, but this collaboration aims to expand your professional opportunities. The label will have an opportunity to sign our school’s young performers, composers, and songwriters.”Eighteen pairs of eyes flicker, cheers erupt in the studio classroom, and even those uninterested are captivated by Professor Curtis’ statement. I immediately assumed Julian had joined the faculty for this reason. My heart leaps with excitement.Professor Curtis writes something on the board besides what he previously wrote. It’s a date that ranges from today to next m
I rise from my seat and send him a death glare. The invisible string that held us together has finally snapped. I can feel it. My urge to talk to him has faded in recent weeks. But I need to address our unresolved issue to get this over with.My building tears up as I sniffle. “I’ll just talk to him, Lora.”My best friend shoots me a quick, contrite glance before jumping to her feet to confront Kristoff. “Where’s Candice?”“She’s in Berlin,” he says.Lora places a hand on her hips. “Did you know you were a traitor?”“Please, it’s not like that.”Ben suddenly appears behind Kristoff, hooking his arm around his shoulder. “Man, long time no see! How’s your dad? I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your dad. How is he doing now?” Ben asks, his eyes darting to mine. “Hello, Anya. How are you doing?”I squint my eyes and cross my arms. “I’m sorry, Ben, but we want to talk privately.”“Oh.” Ben’s face blanches. “I guess we’ll just have to catch up later. See you later, man.”Kristoff nod
As I walk to Julian’s office, my best friend rushes toward me. “Melissa is here. I saw her asking for Kristoff around, so I called the professor to see how you were doing. Did she see you? Are you alright?”Unlike her tense demeanor, I’m fuming inside but try to remain calm.“Yes, and she completely humiliated me. But Julian arrived, so I’ll wait for him in his office.”Her shoulder loosens. “Thank God.”“Thank you, but I’ll talk to you later, okay?”“Sure.” She hugs me. “Follow your heart.”I press her against me. “I’ll see you at home.”She lets me go, and I go to Julian’s office. I’m curious about what he told Melissa or Kristoff, but I’ve never seen him so enraged as he was back there. It’s as if I only realized what he meant when he said he cared about me.But it doesn’t have to come to that. I only wanted to distance myself from Kristoff for the time being. He was my friend before he became my boyfriend. Even though he betrayed me, I still appreciate what he did for me. He suppo
While Julian makes our dinner, I cozily curl up on his couch in front of the fireplace. Since I was the guest, he insisted I stay put and leave the cooking to him. I can smell the flavor and aroma but have no idea what he’s preparing. People say, “A man who can cook is sexy, and a man who can cook well is even better.” He made me breakfast once, and I hadn’t had such a delicious breakfast in years. I also cook my meals, but I’ve been living alone for the past half-decade, so I’m curious if he’s the same way. “When did you move out of your parents’ house?” I ask, standing in the living room, watching him. “Ever since I’ve been able to make my own money,” he says, looking up at me. He’s ladling some sort of orange sauce onto a plate. “That was sixteen years ago.” I do a mental count. He’s now thirty-three, so he was seventeen at the time. Our ten-year age difference sometimes overwhelms me. However, many couples have a larger gap than that, so I don’t mind. I think it’s kind of sexy