"What happened to you? Did your soul run away from you, Rhea?" Luke asked, throwing his hands over Rhea's shoulders while she was walking down the faculty, staring into the distance.
"Oh, it's you." She glanced to the side, returning her gaze to the hallway, as they continued walking, not sharing eye contact with him.
I thought Tia could go with me to his office, but she still has two more classes for the day. I don't go to his office alone. She bit hard on her lips. Should I ask Luke to go with me? Rhea lifted her head as it rested in his arms around her shoulders, looking at Luke. But I don't know if he still has other classes.
"Um, Luke, are you busy?" Rhea stopped walking, looking directly at him.
"Why?" he asked, his attention fixed on her.
Rhea's eyes dropped to her feet, as she clenched the hem of her dress.
Luke leaned to her level slightly, tilting her chin up to his face. "Hey, are you okay?" He glanced from Rhea's face down to her body, searching for any signs of her being hurt. His brows furrowed. "What is wrong?" He held her at her shoulder, his eyes searching her face.
"Oh no. I'm fine, it's not anything like that." She said hurriedly, taking his hands from her shoulders.
What was I doing? Now I'm making Luke worry.
"I was only looking for someone who could follow me to Mr. Zeenare's office." She smiled brightly.
I don't want him to be worried about me, or he'll start investing more of his time in me, again.
"You sure?" His face still held a hint of concern.
"Yeah, that was it," Rhea assured.
He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I would love to go with you, but I still have other classes. Do you want someone to tag along with you? I could go and attend my class later." He smiled a little.
"No, no, no. It's okay." Rhea waved both hands frantically. "I was only bored and needed company, that's all. So you don't have to go that far." Rhea stepped away from him, "See you another time then." She proceeded down the hallway, waving Luke goodbye.
Luke stood there for minutes, watching her as she retreated.
Luke would have definitely done that if I hadn't left.
Rhea darted through the hallway, making her way through the murmuring and laughter of students.
Now standing directly outside the door of Zeenare's office.
Her heart was pounding, her fingers were cold at her side, her eyes locked on the handle, as cold sweat beaded down her forehead, swallowing down thick air.
There's nothing to be scared about, Rhea. He's nothing but a human being. Like you.
Rhea took in a long breath, then stepped forward.
Knock knock
"Enter." Zeenare's deep voice cut through, but icy.
When Rhea stepped into the room, her racing heart caught. The dread that had been building within her almost stopped, by a momentarily stark, chilling shock. The cold sweat still prickled her skin, and her brow furrowed, turned to confusion. Her attention was utterly consumed by Zeenare's expression.
What's he...is he trying to kill someone? That person is dense to remain in that chair.
Zeenare's gaze was fixed on the girl. His eyes were half-open, with both of his elbows resting on the brown table, hands over his nose covering half of his face, his jaw clenched underneath. A faint, almost small wrinkle formed between his brows, pulling his lips into a tight, almost nauseated line.
Who could he be looking at with so much disgust?
"Oh sir, is there no other way we can go about this?" The girl's whole breast was resting on the table, pushing up almost to her neck, so that you could almost see her tits. Seated, leaning her whole body on the table across from Zeenare. "Like maybe I could come over to your house for better, intense learning?"
Tiffany! What the fuck is she doing? Well, doesn't matter to me, I'm extremely happy you're here right now, Tiffany.
Tiffany turned to the entrance as Rhea walked in.
Then Tiffany leaned back on the chair, rolling her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't get stuck. "Ugh," she scoffed, knitting her brows, her arms folded.
"Of all times you chose to show up, why now?" Tiffany cursed under her breath.
"Mr. Zeenare, this is the assignment." She placed it on his desk, stepping back a little.
Zeenare's expression softened the moment Rhea got to his desk.
He lowered his hands down to the arms of the chair, turning to Rhea.
"Ms. Tiffany, you can leave now." He said, not taking his eyes from Rhea.
Tiffany's shoulders trembled slightly as a chill ran up her spine, but she brushed it off, thinking maybe it was that evening air. But no, it was his voice. "But sir...we are here for the same thing!"
Zeenare turned swiftly towards her. His brows furrowed as his Iris turned blank and soulless, dilated deep into his core.
Tiffany stood up immediately, grabbed her bag, and bolted to the door, as cold dread washed over her, her stomach twisting into knots.
No, no, no.... Tiffany, you don't have to go.
She watched her as she rushed out the door.
Rhea wanted to hold on to Tiffany, but couldn't bring herself to.
"Ms. Rhea, why are you standing? Sit." He gestured to the space, picking up the file Rhea had placed on the desk.
She turned her head softly to Zeenare, then to the chair he was pointing at.
Rhea's feet refused to take a step as she looked directly at Zeenare, her eyes darting, her breath becoming softly ragged.
Meanwhile, Zeenare did nothing. He trailed his eyes sluggishly over her frame. Zeenare's stare sank deep into Rhea, as he swallowed hard, his jaw tightened. Every slow flicker of his lashes was eating away at her every expression.
He didn't utter another word. As he waited for her to sit.
Rhea couldn't breathe as the air around her thickened, and his gaze roamed her as if he were undressing her. Her legs were almost trembling as she reached for the seat.
"Why were you getting tense, Rhea?" Zeenare asked as she sat down.
He knew she was scared and if he should lift a finger while she was standing, she could have screamed or even fainted, if not run away.
Rhea said nothing for a moment, then spoke, a sudden revulsion tightening her features, her voice sharp and brittle. "Because I know who you are?"
"Who am I then?" He grinned like a child.
"A creep." She spat out, batting her eyes at him, one brow raised.
Zeenare leaned forward, tilted his head to the side, and stood up.
Rhea's internal organs tried to escape from her as her body couldn't move. But before they could, Zeenare was already at the edge of the desk, hovering over her, his shadow swallowing her whole.
"I've missed you so much, you know." He placed his hands under her arm on the seat's armrests.
"What the fuck do you think you are doing?" She tilted her head up, staring daggers at him.
He crouched down, taking her hands. "How is your health?"
What does it have to do with you? Rhea thought.
"Wait, how did you get to know about my health?" She yanked her hand from his.
He smiled softly, "Because I know everything about you."
What!
"Are you a stalker?"
Zeenare chuckled softly, "More than that, love. More than that."
Rhea's skin crawled. Her insides churned.
OMG! This is why I shouldn't be here. How long has he been stalking me? Why was he stalking me? And what is he implying by more than that?
With a shaky deep breath, Rhea spoke, "For how long have you been stalking me?" Swallowing hard.
Zeenare stood up, resting his butt at the edge of the table, leaning his upper frame towards Rhea, his hands flanking her. Causing her to lean back.
"For two centuries."
Now this man is sick in the head.
Rhea pushed him back.
But he held onto her, pressing her palm onto his chest. "Why were you avoiding me that time?"
"Sir, could you please let my hand go. And I don't like this. You are invading my space." She said, struggling to pull back her hands.
"But I like it. It brings me closer to you and mostly clears my mind."
"And you give me the creeps." She said.
"You keep glancing at the door, Rhea, give me your attention a little, please," he cupped her face, turning it to his direction.
Rhea immediately moved her head back a little, at his sudden touch. Causing the chair to roll backwards.
But Zeenare pulled it back towards him.
"SIR! Please stop. Why are you doing this? I'm your student?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Did you follow me here?" she asked, looking at him.
"Yes, I did."
She had hoped it wasn't. That it was only in her head. But he confirmed it.
"I came here solely for you, Rhea." He added.
"Why?" she asked in confusion.
"Because you are my soulmate." He replied effortlessly, taking her hair in his hands.
What nonsense is he talking about?
"Is this the fucking reason you have come here to harass me? For a nonsense talk of soulmate!" She let out a sharp, single laugh in disbelief. "What a joke."
"I'm being serious right now. And also, concerning your health—"
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Rhea shouted, pushing him back, standing up from the seat. "I never want to see you close to me like this, ever again." She turned, walking out.
"I can't do that, Rhea!" Zeenare pulled her back, he leaned slowly, his head resting on her shoulder, wrapping his hand around her waist. "You need me, and I need you."
Rhea smirked, "I will never have anything to do with you. Your soulmate crap. Is this how it works? Caging someone to give in to your will? What are you? 15th century? Wake up from your dream, psycho. You might have done to me as you pleased that day, but it's not happening again."
Here I was thinking he was dangerous or something. But no, he was a nutcase.
She pulled away, but he pulled her back, tightening his grip.
"Rhea, listen to me first."
"NO!" she shouted.
"Rhea, are you in?" Tia's voice came through from outside the room.