ROWAN “I would never cheat on you.” The laughter disappeared from my face.
“Not once during our relationship did I ever think about being with someone else.” “Not once.” “I respected you even when you weren’t around.” “I trusted you with everything.” “So don’t stand there and feed me that rubbish.” “It doesn’t suit you.” Another silence followed.
This one was much longer.
And I already know that the silence means that he was trying to come up with another lie.
Another pathetic attempt to manipulate me.
I wasn’t interested.
“I’ve listened to enough.” I said quietly.
“This should be the last time I ever see your number on my phone.” “Don’t call me.” “Don’t text me.” “And don’t come looking for me.” “Rowan, please—” I ended the call..
I didn’t give him another second.
The phone slipped from my hand onto the passenger seat.
I leaned forward until my forehead rested against the steering wheel.
I closed my eyes in frustration.
Why wouldn’t he just leave me alone?
He already had Jae.
Wasn’t that what he wanted?
So why was he still chasing after me?
What more did he want from me?
A bitter smile found its way onto my lips.
“If you’re so in love with him…” I whispered to myself.
“Then go and be with him.” “Marry him for all I care.” “But stay the hell away from me.” I let out a long breath, hoping it would take some of the anger with it.
It didn’t.
If anything, I was even more frustrated than before.
For a brief moment, I imagined grabbing Kelvin by the neck and choking every stupid excuse out of him.
I rubbed my face with both hands before sitting upright again.
….
Then I started the engine again.
The car hummed to life.
I tightened my hands around the steering wheel and slowly pulled out of the parking lot..
I needed a shower.
I needed clean clothes.
And most importantly… I needed to get ready for class.
… … … … … … >>> ON CAMPUS <<< I parked my car in my usual parking spot and stepped out.
Before walking away, I pressed the lock button on my key fob.
Beep.
I pulled on the driver’s door just to make sure it was actually locked.
Only then did I finally turn and head toward the campus.
Students were everywhere.
Some hurried toward their lecture halls with coffee cups in hand, while others stood in small groups, chatting and laughing.
I shoved my hands into my pockets and continued walking.
.., As I walked past one of the campus gardens, a group of girls caught my attention.
Or rather… Their conversation did.
“Oh my God!
Have you seen the new professor?” “I heard he’s ridiculously handsome!” “I swear I’m never missing another class.” I couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.
A new professor?
What happened to the previous one?
Actually… Scratch that.
This university changed professors so often that I had stopped trying to remember their names.
One semester we’d have one lecturer.
The next semester, someone completely different would be standing in front of the class.
It was exhausting.
Then again, I couldn’t exactly blame the university.
Blackwood University was one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
Every respected professor wanted to teach here because it looked good on their résumé and boosted their reputation in academic circles.
And the university certainly wasn’t going to reject highly qualified lecturers when other universities were trying to recruit the same people.
Still… I hoped this new professor planned on staying for more than a semester.
Changing professors also meant changing teaching styles.
Just when students got used to one method, someone new would come in and turn everything upside down.
“The best part is that he’s the new ethics professor.” I stopped walking for a second.
“Ethics?” Now that surprised me.
We hadn’t had a proper ethics professor in almost two years.
Finding someone qualified enough for the position had apparently been difficult.
Well… At least they finally found one.
I continued walking, but the girls were heading in the same direction as me.
Their voices floated right beside me.
“I heard his name is Professor Adrian Ashford.” Another girl gasped dramatically.
“The Adrian Ashford?” “Yes!” “The one who’s only thirty-five.” “They said he’s one of the youngest professors to earn international recognition in ethics.” “I can’t wait for his lectures.” “I don’t even care if ethics is boring anymore.” Poor professor.
He hadn’t even taught his first class yet, and these girls had already become his biggest fans.
“I heard he’s insanely handsome.” “And tall!” “No, seriously… my cousin saw him this morning.” “He has broad shoulders, an amazing body, and honestly…” She lowered her voice before giggling.
“…he looks like he’d be very good in bed.” I almost choked on my own saliva.
Seriously?
I turned my head slightly and looked at them in disbelief.
How were they having this kind of conversation about someone they’d never even met?
“Have some shame,” I muttered under my breath.
One of the girls laughed.
“What’s supposed to be the most boring course this semester is about to become the most popular.” “I guarantee every seat in that lecture hall will be filled..” “Just a few minutes ago, I even heard some girls calling him Daddy behind his back.
I’m not sure how he feels about that.” The moment one of the girls said that, the rest burst into laughter.
I honestly didn’t understand what was so funny.
“I wouldn’t mind calling him Daddy too,” another girl said dreamily.
“I’d even whisper it in his ear.” “Oh my God!” “You need help!” The girls laughed even harder.
At that point, I’d had enough.
I shook my head in disbelief.
“People are unbelievable.” I picked up my pace and walked ahead of them.
The faster I got away from that conversation, the better.
… A few minutes later, I arrived at the graduate lecture hall.
The moment I stepped inside, I paused.
“…Why are there so many people?” The room was almost full.
Students occupied nearly every row, and more people were still filing in through the door.
I frowned.
Was there going to be some kind of orientation after class?
Or had I accidentally walked into the wrong lecture hall?
I checked the room number.
No.
This was definitely the right place.
“Strange…” I walked farther inside and finally found an empty seat near the middle of the lecture hall.
I dropped my backpack onto the chair beside me and sat down.
While arranging my notebook and laptop on the desk, the lecture hall door opened once again.
Almost instantly, whispers spread across the room.
“That’s him…” “Oh my God, that’s him!” “I told you I wasn’t lying!” “He’s even more handsome in person.” “That’s our new ethics professor!” “Daddy is finally here…” I sighed quietly.
Seriously?
These people hadn’t even attended one lecture yet.
I couldn’t imagine crushing on a lecturer before hearing him teach.
My attention remained on my notebook as I organized my things.
The room slowly became quiet.
Then… A deep, calm voice echoed through the lecture hall.
“Good morning, everyone.” “I am Professor Adrian Ashford.” “I’ll be teaching Ethics this semester.” I stopped moving.
My fingers froze halfway across the desk.
Something about that voice sounded familiar.
I blinked.
No… That can’t be right.
I frowned to myself.
It sounded almost identical to the stranger from last night.
Except… This voice was calmer and more professional.
I shook my head.
Get a grip, Rowan.
You’re imagining things.
“There will be discussions, presentations, and case studies throughout the semester,” the professor continued smoothly.
“My expectation is simple.” “I want everyone here to think critically, challenge ideas respectfully, and never be afraid to ask questions.” “I hope by the end of this course, you’ll leave with more than just good grades.” “I hope you’ll leave with a different way of thinking.” It was definitely not my ears.
I quickly raised my head to look at the professor.
I froze.
Why… why… why… does he… look exactly like Mr.
One Night Stand…?