15

LUCIA

My heart fluttered at Beth’s words, and I couldn’t help the tears that began welling up in my eyes.

“Oh, sweetie. Don’t cry, okay?” Beth pulled me into a comforting hug, patting my back gently. “Just breathe and tell me what happened.”

I pulled away and took in deep breaths just as she suggested before running my fingers through my hair in a thoroughly agitated manner.

“I don’t know why I get so worked up over him. He is just a college student for fuck’s sake!”

“Is this about Jeremy again?” She asked and I could hear the slight exasperation in her voice.

I gulped, nodding instead as I was too upset to form any words.

“Oh, sweetie. You really like him, don’t you?” Beth asked, her expression turning sympathetic once more.

“I do. I really do,” I breathed, finally admitting those words out loud as my heart sank further in my chest. “That’s why it hurts so much to see him kiss someone else.

Beth’s eyes grew wide as saucers at that. “What?! He kissed someone else?”

“He did.” I answered with a nod and Beth’s lips formed a thin line.

“That was fast,” She commented with a frown. “Tell me everything.”

With tears in my eyes, I proceeded to tell Beth everything and when I was done, her frown deepened even more.

Beth’s expression turned thoughtful for a moment. “I think it's too quick for him to move on. There is a slight chance that he is trying to make you jealous. Or he probably wasn’t that interested in the first place,”

I let out a loud sigh, holding back my tears. Whatever reason it was did not make my heart hurt less.

“Uhm, remind me why you don’t want to date in the first place? Why did you ask him to stay away from you.”

I looked at her incredulously through my tears. I had literally told her the reason a million times. “Because I could lose my job if I get caught, Beth! My career would be over.”

“Well, you just have to not get caught. Just date him in secret.” She suggested with a shrug and my jaw hung open as I stared at her incredulously.

“What? No. That’s crazy,” I said, shaking my head as my heart thumped loudly against my chest. I couldn’t even consider it. If we eventually got caught, my life would be over.

Beth let out a sigh, looking genuinely concerned about me. “Alright. Forget I said that. How about you go take a shower and I whip us up something nice for dinner?”

Despite my sour mood, I managed a small smile, instantly feeling better. Beth really knew how to cheer me up no matter how awful I felt.

“Sounds good. Thanks, sweetheart.” I said, planting a soft kiss at the top of her head. She flashed me a small smile as I made my way into my room.

I had not even bothered to change out of my work clothes yet and once I had stripped out of it, I took a warm and slow shower and once I had dried my body off, I changed into a comfortable and casual outfit before making my way back to the kitchen.

My stomach rumbled as the sweet aroma of her food wafted its way into my nostrils. I sniffed loudly, a small smile making its way onto my face.

“Wow, Beth. This smells good. What are you making?” I asked, hovering over her as she cooked.

“Spaghetti and meatballs.” She answered and my smile grew even wider. Beth was a really good cook. She was a way better cook than I was.

I hung around and we delved into some light conversation as she cooked and soon, the food was ready. We carried our plates of hot, steaming food to the living room along with some bottles of drinks.

Beth turned on the television and sat on the couch next to me. Despite the fact that I only moved into this apartment recently, she already knew her way around and it made me so happy.

We began eating as we watched television and I would be lying if I said my best friend’s presence next to me did not make me feel better.

“So how’s the married life and how is Micheal?” I asked and I raised an amused brow as her face flushed red.

I couldn’t help the chuckle which escaped my lips. The married life was indeed good to her.

“Right. You don’t have to say anything.” I said and we both giggled as her face flushed even redder. We continued talking for a bit and after a while, it was time for Beth to go home.

I slipped my feet into my slippers as she grabbed her bag and together, we made our way to the door.

I saw Beth off to her car and just before she got in, she turned to me, patting my shoulder gently.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Of course,” I answered with a smile. “I’ll come over. I need to say hi to Micheal too.”

Her smile grew wide at that. “Good. Cheer up, alright? No man is worth your tears.” She said, holding my chin up gently and I couldn’t help the smile which made its way onto my face at her loving words.

“Got it. Thank you, Beth. Thank you for coming tonight.”

“You’re welcome, Lucy,” She answered with a small smile. “Goodnight.”

I watched her hop into her car and I let out a loud sigh as she drove away before I turned around and quickly made my way back into my apartment as it was slightly chilly outside.

Once I got inside, I made my way into my room and hopped into bed, resting my arms over my face.

I was unsurprised when the thoughts of Jeremy began flooding my head once more. I couldn’t help but think about what Beth said about dating Jeremy in secret.

Would we be able to pull it off? What if it didn’t work and we got caught? I would end up losing my job. That was my biggest fear. I had no clue what I would do if I lost my job.

But the more I thought about Beth’s suggestion, the more attractive it sounded. What if we could pull it off and keep it a secret.

All we had to do was keep things professional on campus and then see each other once we got outside. But could it really work?

I let out an exasperated sigh, running my fingers through my hair in total exasperation. I really liked Jeremy. I really wanted him and at that moment, I decided that dating him in secret was probably worth a try.

Now, I just had to figure out a way to tell him. Those thoughts swirled in my head and before long, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up pretty early and began getting ready for work. My heart began thumping loudly in my chest as I finished dressing up.

I was going to tell Jeremy today, but I had no clue how he would take it. What if Beth was right and he wasn’t just that into me in the first place?

That would be so damn embarrassing.

By the time I got to school, I was a bundle of nerves. My palms and feet were sweaty as deep breaths escaped my lips and by the time it was time to teach Jeremy’s class, I was almost ready to pass out.

I managed to start the class, glancing at Jeremy from time to time. He looked the same as always except for the fact that his girlfriend kept whispering in his ear which nearly sent me over the edge as my blood boiled with rage.

I managed to finish the class and despite having the urge to kneel over, I managed to speak in a clear voice.

“Jeremy Hale? See me in my office right now. The rest of you are dismissed.”

I watched as the students packed their books and computers in their bags and when my eyes found Jeremy, he was staring at me with an unreadable but intense look in his eyes.

My eyes darted over to his girlfriend and I was pretty sure she was glaring daggers at me as she placed her hand over his chest.

My hands clenched into fists by my sides as I instantly averted my gaze, packing my stuff into my bag before storming out of the class in a rage, my heels clicking against the ground.

I couldn’t help the rage which enveloped my insides like a molten flame. How dare that girl touch Jeremy like that and why did she just let him?

A low growl escaped my lips as I stormed into my office, practically throwing my bag on my desk before plopping down on my seat.

I ran my fingers through my hair in an agitated manner as I awaited Jeremy’s arrival with my heart pounding loudly against my chest.