Enséñame Profesor - Teach Me Professor

Chapter 2 - The Cup

"Thanks...um...professor." Does she go now? With slightly trembling fingers, she retrieved her paper from Irensi outstretched hand but she held on to it.

"Are you going to parties tonight?" Stunned, she met Irene's eyes. Confused. Huh? Why question her that?

Didn't she know she was an outcast and therefore was not invited to any of the parties her peers were enjoying every weekend? Not that she would go.

She shook her head instead of voicing her thoughts. "No plans?" Irene's voice grew more sexier. As if she wanted to tell her not to attend college parties. She never did and she didn't plan to.

"Umm, I have work, ma'am. Tonight and weekends." Why was she telling her this?

-Can I go now, please?-

"Hmmm. Okay. You take care, Sinclair. See you soon."

God! She had to go or she would surely fall at her feet.

She nodded her head.

Without saying goodbye, she almost ran out of the classroom in her haste to be as far from temptation as possible. Only then she realized she doesn't have the paper in her hands.

-This is bad. Really, really bad.-

***

Determined to forget a certain someone with dark eyes and sexy body and even a marvelous brain, she did an impromptu general cleaning.

She knew her old house in Rose Hill was beyond hope. The roof was leaking and she had to climb on it to fix it several times. It will be okay for a while. But it will only last for a month or two.

The carpets were worn out. Though always freshly scrubbed and cleaned. She only had one sofa, one old rocking chair, and a side table. No tv. Can't afford that nor cable. No phone. Just her old cell phone. Old appliances and old kitchen table, again with two working chairs.

Sometimes, she had to bathe in cold water since she would run out of gas from time to time before the pay date. So the heater wouldn't work. Her body had gotten used to everything. She even budgeted her food. Meals will only be twice a day with minimal snacks in between. That's why she looked like a stick. A pale undernourished babe.

Who would want someone like her? Certainly, not the professor.

-My professor.-

Shit! There it was again. A possessive form of the noun.

Scrubbing the pans vigorously, dispelling the
thumping in her heart, she kept analyzing her
preference for a certain someone.

-Her professor.-

Not going there. Nope. Not her heart.

-You have a crush on her.-

And Irene would never be interested in her even if she stood naked in front of Irene.

Which will never happen. Irene will puke in disgust if she saw her like that.

Deep in thought, she almost jumped out of her skin when someone rapped knuckles on her door.

Who could that be? It's 8 p.m.

A delivery guy? She didn't order anything.

Running to the front door, she opened it a few inches and peeked.

"Hi. Ms. Yuan?" She nod. Uncertain.

"Yes. That's me." She gasped at what was held before her. It was an expensive-looking box, a huge teddy bear, and perfect pink roses. Huh?

"Please sign here." He held out a tablet.

"Wait, there must be a mistake. I didn't order
anything. Who sent this?"

The guy shook his head. "I just deliver, ma'am.
Anything else, I leave it to my boss. You must have a wealthy relative."

Oh. Maybe Aunt Lydia. She sometimes sent her
packages. Mostly canned goods, worn bags, and shoes. But not this type of expensive-looking gadget. Having no choice, she signed the receipt. He tipped his cap and handed her the items.

This was unexpected. No name anywhere.
The huge bouquet of roses was very pretty. Like what one would see on Pinterest. And the teddy, wow, bigger and taller than her. So soft and cuddly. it was

-I will call you professor Irene. Shit!- The thought made her laugh.

-I'll cuddle with you later, professor Irene.- She bit her cheek. It was an insane idea.

Now, what was in the box? Curiosity eating at her, with trembling fingers, she lifted the lid and she almost dropped the whole thing.
Her eyes widened. Expensive pieces of
chocolates surrounded a MacBook Air.

Oh, God! Where did her aunt get all this?
She made a mental note to buy minutes to call her this weekend and thank her properly.

-Thank you, Jesus!-

Doing her homework will be fun with a new gadget. Except, she was having second thoughts.

-Who did send her these?-

***

Sinclair rubbed her temples while she reread the same chapter. God! She was tired. And lonely. And sleepy. The graveyard shift at the diner was taking its toll on her. And it was a school day tomorrow.

It's 1 am. Taking advantage of the empty place, she had taken out her borrowed books to study. That was an hour ago and nothing had occupied her mind except her...the professor.
Irene must be busy with a boy's company tonight and her thoughts were with Irene. An ache had made known on her chest at her imagination.

With a heavy sigh, she slammed her book shut.

Her tired eyes fell on the clear glass window, her was caught at the odd sight outside the attention diner. Five expensive-looking cars were parked outside. She didn't know the names of each but she remembered from the magazines and newspapers the dinner has kept for the male regulars.

One of the car's doors opened and a man decked out in designer casual got out. A very handsome man with russet hair and ocean blue eyes. Wow. Hmmph. Yeah that man is handsome but she likes her professor .

-God, Sin! Stop it!-

"Good evening, love." Yup, panty-dropping voice
combined with a toe-curling smile. No effects on her.

She cleared her throat. "What can I get you, sir?"

"Just five black coffee to go," he murmured while he observed her. His eyes filled with...curiosity? Surely this guy was rich and he wouldn't rob her, right? She had no idea what she would say to the sweet old Mrs. Samson if that happened.

"Um... Coming right up, sir." Working efficiently, she handed him the hot beverages carefully in no time. He left a hundred on the counter. Gods! Rich people always made her look for smaller bills. She was about to request a 20 when he turned to leave.

"Sir," Sinclair was unsure.

"Keep the change, love. It's yours." He winked at her then left.

She looked at the cars once more. One, in particular, caught her attention. The vehicle was in matte black and the windows were equally tinted heavily.

Why did she feel like someone was watching her behind those heavily tinted windows?

Weird.

***

Damn! It was 6 AM and she had to walk home because she missed the bus once more. In a few hours, she will have to be at the uni for her first subject of the day.

Almost in a zombie mode, hungry, dragging her feet, she fumbled for her keys, three paper bags at the corner caught her peripheral vision. Turning fully, puzzled, she reached for one of the bags. and fingered the note attached to it.

'Breakfast then sleep.'

What the...who...

What the hell was going on?