Isabella's POV
Just when I thought we were about to get caught in this position, which was inappropriate for a teacher and student.
Mr. Volkov pulled away at the speed of lightning as he stared down at his wrist watch and then looked up at the worker who brought him coffee.
"Your coffee, sir." The staff person said as Nikolai gave him a curt look.
"Did I give you permission to come in, Mr. Walker?" Nikolai's voice was sharp as ice, which left no place for lame reasons.
His eyes darted to me in nervousness, and I kid you not. I was sitting in the same position. Backed up in my chair with my hands fisted in my lap. Thankfully, I wasn't covering my lips anymore.
"Sorry, sir. It won't happen again." He said as Nikolai motioned him to place the coffee at the table. "And please be punctual next time," Nikolai said. That man apologized in a small voice as he scurried out of the office after closing the door behind him.
Once he left, I finally breathed a sigh of relief, and before I could fully relax, Nikolai dropped a file on my lap.
"This is the data of the last topic I covered. Recheck it and submit it tomorrow." He said as I nodded, grabbed the file and my bag, and dashed out of his office as if my ass was on fire.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
I had some free time, so I went to the library. I'll check his file now and will do my assignment at home. I already have to study so much because I'm a scholarship student, and now this too. I should ask him to pay me an intern fee for all this work.
Once I sat down and began to work, my brain refused to cope with me, and it kept flashing the memories of what had just happened in his office. The way he grabbed my chair. The way he leaned down. That was miles away from how a professor acts with his students.
Breathing deeply, I tried to focus on the work at hand. I was so immersed in checking the file that I didn't notice who came to sit beside me. Until that person spoke up. "I brought you your juice," the familiar voice had me looking at the person, and it was Jerry. The juice he just mentioned was my favorite at the academy. Fresh orange juice was all natural.
"Thank you, Jerry," I said with a soft smile and pulled out cash from my wallet. I held it out for him to take, but he just scoffed and rolled his eyes at me.
"Keep it, bruh. Can't I be a gentleman for once?" He was annoyed by my courtesy to offer him money, which was the trend he had initiated himself. The first time he brought me a sandwich, I refused, but he insisted I should take it, and when I thanked him and finished the sandwich, he asked for money. I was flabbergasted by that fraudulent act, but weirdly enough, he would bring me something to eat whenever I was alone, and I would pay him money without any argument. That was our unspoken deal until today. I wonder why he was offering me food for free now.
"Sure," I said awkwardly. Sipped that juice and began to work again.
"Simon is a d*ck. But I wasn't expecting that from Chloe. She was your best friend. Tell me you at least slapped or punched him when you found out." Jerry said.
"I'm not like that," I whispered. Now he has brought them up, those toxic memories resurfaced. I should've punched Simon when I had the chance.
"Of course, I told you you were too good for that f*cker Simon." He grumbled.
"Language." I gave him a stern look and he quickly apologized, raising his hands.
"Let me take you out for dinner tonight," he said, and I blinked at him, taken aback. Was he hitting on me?
"Are you hitting on me?"
His eyes widened. "What the f*ck? I'd never. I'm being a gentleman and trying to cheer you up. Can't a man be a gentleman for once?"
"Sure," I said, unsure. He was acting weird, but it was fine. A dinner won't hurt.
"Only if you won't ask me to pay the bill later."
"You know me too well." He grinned, my lips parted at his audacity, but he chuckled, saying he won't make me pay the bill.
We chose the restaurant and agreed to meet there at eight as he left.
I rechecked the file after my last class. Then I headed back home.
There were too many things running through my mind. I took a long, relaxing shower. After that, I made myself some delicious pasta and binge-watched my favorite anime series. I loved the latest episode, and I felt a lot better after that. My phone buzzed with a message from Jerry not to be late. I checked the time and it was already seven. The dinner had slipped my mind completely.
I quickly got dressed, grabbed my bag, hurried out, got the first cab, and reached the restaurant 5 minutes late. I rushed in, and to my surprise, Jerry had a reservation for us, and he was sitting there all dressed up looking like a handsome gentleman. He looked good.
And on the other hand, I hadn't paid so much attention to looking good. I just grabbed the first pretty dress that showed up in my cupboard and got ready. I look pretty, but I haven't put in more effort like Jerry.
"You look handsome," I said, smiling, and his brown eyes lit up. "Thanks, you look beautiful." He praised, and I smiled. I just knew we'd enjoy the dinner.
We ordered steaks, lasagna, drinks, and he was a non-stop talker. I'd be lying if I said I got bored because he kept me entertained. And the number of scandals I found out about the people in our academy. I was dumbstruck. Jerry was a gossip diva too. We were having so much fun. I didn't know when the last time I laughed this much, but my laughter soon faded away when my eyes met with the dark, stormy gray orbs that were fixed on me, making my breath hitch.
Nikolai...