21

JEREMY

My heart began pounding loudly in my chest as my throat ran dry, my hands trembling slightly by my sides.

“What did you hear?” I asked in a low, dangerous tone, my eyes meeting his ones, which were cold as stone.

“I told you, Jeremy. I heard everything. What has come over you? How can you even think of sleeping with your professor? Have you lost your damn mind?!” He exclaimed, eyes flashing with anger, and my heart instantly sank lower in my chest as my insides filled with apprehension.

I swore under my breath. No.No. No. This couldn’t be happening. I honestly could not believe this was happening.

This was a nightmare. Now that my brother had overheard us, I had no clue what could happen next.

“It’s none of your business, Aaron. Stay out of it!” I barked, trying my best to maintain a brave front even though my hands trembled by my sides.

I turned around and attempted to leave, but Aaron held my arm, pulling me back roughly.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going? I’m not done speaking to you!” He barked, the anger flashing in his eyes intensifying even more.

“Well, I’m done speaking to you,” I growled, trying to break free from his grip, but he just wouldn’t let go.

“Let go of me, Aaron.” I seethed, my expression screaming murder.

“Are you even listening to yourself, Jeremy? What the hell do you think you are doing? Harbouring feelings for a professor? Sleeping with her?! What the hell? Are you trying to soil the family name? What do you think will happen if this gets out? What do you think will happen if dad finds out?”

The last part was enough to get my attention, and my expression turned panicked before I quickly masked it.

Dad could never find out no matter what. If he did, there would be hell to pay.

“He will only find out if you tell him. And you’re not going to do that, are you?” I asked, knowing that Aaron would tell dad if he felt like it.

“I’m not going to tell him if you put an end to whatever is going on between you and that woman.” He said, his frown deepening.

“I’m afraid I can’t. I can not end it with her. I’m in love with her.”

Aaron’s eyes grew wide as saucers, and he looked at me like I had lost my damn mind.

“This is absolutely madness! Do you know what could happen if this gets out?! Are you trying to ruin your life? Put an end to this ill-fated relationship before it ruins you!”

“No. I will not! Do what you want. Tell dad. I don’t give a shit!” I yelled before storming off in a rage.

Once I got into my room, I leaned heavily against the door, loud breaths escaping my lips as my heart pounded loudly against my chest as the reality of what had just happened started to sink in.

Aaron just found out about my relationship with my professor, and he was bound to tell dad, and once dad found out, only bad things would happen.

I pressed my cool fingers against my already aching temples, feeling my agitation rise to the surface.

How did I manage to let things get so bad? What the hell was I supposed to do now?

I contemplated calling my friends and asking them for advice, but I didn’t know if they would be much help. I figured it would be best if I handled things on my own.

Nothing was going to make me give up on Lucia. Not even if my father found out what had been going on between us.

That night, despite the fact that I had a lot of stuff on my mind, the last thing I thought of was Lucia before I finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, my eyes slowly fluttered open, and a low yawn escaped my lips as I got up from my bed.

I took a quick shower and got dressed in a T-shirt and pants with a hoodie and a pair of sneakers for school.

I had on a baseball hat and grabbed my bag, ready to leave.

“Thomas! I’m leaving for school!” I yelled in the living room, about to open the front door when I heard a voice which made me freeze in my tracks.

“Jeremy.” My dad called from the dining room, and I felt my entire world crashing down as I felt every organ in my body shut down in shock.

What the hell was he doing here? I had no idea he was home.

“Hey, dad. I’ll talk to you later. I’m late for school.” I said quickly, attempting to flee the house.

“Sit down.” Dad commanded, and it was clear that his tone left no room for arguments.

I gulped before slowly making my way to the living room, and I nearly passed out at the fact that Aaron was with him at the table.

They were both dressed in fancy business suits as usual, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they never felt uncomfortable in those.

I simply stood, frozen to the ground, my heart pounding loudly against my chest and my hands trembling by my sides.

Did Aaron really tell dad about Lucia and I? I knew he was capable of doing it, but it would be really low of me if he ratted me out like that.

“Sit.” Dad said sternly, and I swallowed before taking a seat, casting a glance at Aaron.

It was difficult to know what was on his mind as he didn’t bother to spare me a glance and kept eating instead.

“Good morning, dad.” I greeted him, trying to read his expression to tell if something was wrong.

Specifically, to know if Aaron had said anything to him, but dad’s expression remained unreadable and stoic just like Aaron’s.

“Morning,” Dad answered gruffly. “Eat your breakfast before you leave.”

I nodded before digging into my breakfast of waffles and syrup with coffee. As I ate, I kept glancing at Aaron, who still didn’t pay any attention to me.

I glanced at dad, too, and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. I couldn’t help but wonder if Aaron told dad or not as I continued eating my food.

Because I was so overcome with worry, I lost my appetite before long. After bidding a quick farewell and glancing at Aaron one more time, I raced out of the house with my bag on my shoulder.

Since dad looked so civil this morning, there was only one explanation for it. Aaron probably had not told him yet, and even though I hoped that it would remain that way, deep down, I knew that the chances of that happening were very slim.

I got into my car and drove straight to campus. I settled in the lecture hall for the first course that we had, and while the class was going on, Ryan, Dean, and I spoke.

“Hey man. Any luck with her?” Dean asked, his expression intensely concerned and for a moment, and I was glad that I had told them. I didn’t have to go through it alone.

But when I then thought about what telling them about it resulted in, I couldn't help but feel like I was probably better off not telling them.

The only reason Aaron found out in the first place was because he overheard me telling the boys. It would have been avoided if I had kept my damn mouth shut.

I let out a loud sigh, shaking my head. “None. I’ve still not been able to speak to her.”

Ryan’s face turned sympathetic as he patted me gently on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. It will be okay.” He said, and I nodded, wishing that I could believe him.

The class continued, and after a few hours, it finally ended. The next class I had was Lucia’s class and I didn’t know if I should be happy or sad.

Once she walked into the class, my breath hitched, and I could have sworn that my heart stopped at that moment.

She was dressed in a pristine white shirt tucked in a black skirt, and I was not ashamed to say that my eyes lingered on her curves a little longer than necessary.

I gulped, unconsciously licking my lips as my palms turned sweaty.

“You’re drooling.” Dean pointed out in a sing-song voice, and I instantly blinked as my cheeks turned red with embarrassment.

“I’m not. Don’t be ridiculous.” I said, upset at the fact that my voice came out higher than usual.

“Now, I understand why you are head over heels for her. She is gorgeous.” Ryan said, and I couldn’t agree more.

Lucia was so gorgeous, and any moment I spent being separated from her made my heart bleed.

Why couldn’t she see that? At this point, it looked like I was the only one in pain as she seemed extremely fine.