Chapter 4 Just pretending

Chapter 4

He shook his head."I won't entertain this any further. Please, focus on your studies and respect the personal space of others."

"Respect personal space? Maybe you forgot what we spent the whole night together? And you want me to respect? You could have just told me before you used me again and again. And you want me to move on for that? I don' t move past things; I dive deeper into them."

He was even more confused. "What are you talking about? We never spent any time together, let alone the entire night. You're making up stories now?"

I furrowed my brows, genuine confusion clouding my features. "But... we really did. I can even remember your touch, kiss and --"

He shook his head adamantly. "Stop! I have no idea what you're talking about. I've never had such an encounter with you. You're making stories."

I felt pain and shame. "No, it can't be. I distinctly remember your voice, your expressions. We connected on a deep level. Are you denying it now?"

He sighed and I could feel that he was getting annoyed. "Ms. Valencia, I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I didn't spend the night with you. I have my boundaries, and this is crossing a line."

My eyes looked at him confused and remembered that night. "But... I thought..."

He interrupted firmly, "Enough! This needs to stop. If you're having delusions or fantasies, it's not healthy. Seek help, but don't involve me in whatever this is."

I stood there, grappling with the disparity between my memories and his denial. What just happened? We even have videos together and he is denied just like that? I want to ask him more about it but maybe he was just pretending because we're in the University.

I took a deep breath and smiled. That's okay anyway, It's still not the last.

I walked straight and entered the old library. Ma'am was already sitting there and tapping her cellphone with her index finger. It's like he's pressing a calculator in what he's doing.

"Hi, Ma'am. How have you been?"

He turned to me and smiled. "It's not too much. What time do you have class today?"

I approached him and immediately sat next to his chair. We are used to talking normally. Sometimes I also teach him how to make.

"It's still 1pm later. So I'm sure we can finish the presentation right away." I took out his laptop and opened it immediately. He obviously didn't use it because I still memorized how I put it in the bag.

"I'm sorry, you're the only one I can ask for help. It looks like no one will accept it," She took something from her bag, and as soon as I saw it, I quickly refused.

"Come on, Ma'am. I'm only doing this for free. Don't pay me anymore."

He took some paper money and placed it in my palm. "I can't, I'll pay you. You made an effort to help me. I'll be really sullen if you don't accept it."

Even though he hesitated, he took it and smiled at Ma'am. "I think I prefer the marinated chicken you cooked Ma'am. The dish is enough for me." I scratched and said.

"Alright, next time. Adobo is obviously your favorite."

I just smiled back and turned to the laptop. Of course, that's the Professor's favorite so it's my favorite too. I don't know how to cook and I know that the kitchen is not really for me so I don't want to cook again. I tried several times but nothing. I don't want to give Professor Zaiden food that doesn't taste good. He might just throw it away.

Ma'am nodded appreciatively, "Thank you, Laurenestine. I will definitely give you lots of pickled chicken if we succeed in this presentation."

We continued to prepare, and as I gave him pointers, the nervousness on his face gradually disappeared. As time went by, we seemed to forget the presentation issues and became more comfortable with each other.

Finally, when it was almost time for her class, we finished making arrangements. "Thank you very much, iha. I don't know how I can do it alone."

I smiled, "Nothing, Ma'am. I know your presentation will be good. Good luck!"

I went straight to our room for my next subject. We have a laboratory today and I will see him again. I ignored what he said earlier. I quickly took care of you.

When I got to the door, I adjusted my glasses before turning the doorknob. The loud voices of my classmates came to me. They were just standing on the side and there were three mannequins lined up in the middle who were just lying on a long table.

I looked for a seat before starting to walk but was stopped when my classmates greeted me and looked at my back. My heart beat faster but I continued walking and settled in the dark area.

Professor Zaiden stands in front with a CPR mannequin on the table. The room is buzzing with excitement as nursing students, including myself, gather for the demonstration.

I just looked at the Professor while he was standing there still wearing his eyeglasses.

"Today, we'll be covering the basics of CPR – Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation," He began. "This skill is vital for any healthcare professional, especially nurses. Now, let's start with the initial assessment."

He demonstrated how to check for responsiveness, tapping on the mannequin's shoulder and shouting, "Are you okay?" We observed attentively, taking mental notes.

"As a nursing student," he continued. "you'll often find yourself in situations where immediate intervention is crucial. Now, observe the chest rise and fall, or in this case, the mannequin's chest."

The professor explained the importance of checking for normal breathing and the correct hand placement for chest compressions. I watched intently, eager to grasp the life-saving techniques being demonstrated.

"Remember, in an emergency situation, efficiency is key. Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute," Professor Zaiden emphasized as he demonstrated the proper technique.

After the demonstration, he made us test one by one until it was my turn to test.

He was just standing next to me and I was nervous because everyone was looking at me. Maybe they were waiting for me to make a mistake which didn't happen either.

"Very good, Ms. Valencia. Next student to demonstrate?"

I took a deep breath and went back to my spot. We turned around when there was a knock on the door and a woman peeked in. My eyebrows met suddenly because I recognized the woman.

"Professor Zaiden? Can I talk to you?" The witch obviously picked me. There is still a quiet voice that knows.

"Class please continue the demo. President of your class will be the one to observe."

He approached the woman and even though they were still inside the laboratory, the woman couldn't take it anymore and immediately grabbed him by the wrist. I was suddenly hurt because they obviously love each other very much. Professor Zaiden is smiling at her. I never experienced that with him at all.

My fist is clenched. That woman smile will be vanished someday. I'll delete that.

I threw my things on the apartment bed in disgust. I've been trying to rush the girl for a while now. She held Professor Zaiden's arms. She even hugged him! That b*tch is really testing my patience.

I messed my hair and cried angrily. He's only mine! Professor Zaiden is all mine! I will snatch him and tomorrow the Professor will not be able to deny me.

I looked at my cellphone and grinned. I have one ace but I won't use it for now. I will seduce him until he begs me to stay with him. If he doesn't want to separate from the woman, I will personally find a way for him to find me.

I approached the body mirror and quickly took off my clothes. I fixed my messy hair and combed it with my fingers. I don't have glasses right now and it's only a matter of time before I grab him again.

The next day I planned to use contact lenses first. I will use it for the second time and it will also be the second time I put a little make up on my face. We were only wearing white uniforms because it was nursing, but I purposely opened the two buttons of my top.

My medium hair was fixed and the ends were curled, and my bangs were carefully adjusted to cover my forehead. I put a little blush on, lipstick and I also did my eyebrows. That's all from YouTube that I watched.

I also used my new bag that my sister bought last week. After I got ready, I closed the door carefully before going outside.

I even met a few men and when they caught a glimpse of my behavior it almost didn't go away. I just ignored them because I had a plan today and they weren't part of it.

Even in the Jeep, people couldn't stop looking at me. Especially men. They all glanced at my place. There was a couple fighting so even though they hadn't reached their destination yet, they went down immediately.

When I got to the outside of our University, I was really nervous because I knew that many people would notice me, especially since I wasn't wearing glasses. But in case something happens, I still brought it.

I'm early today but I don't plan to wait for Professor Zaiden because he's in our class now. I just took off my glasses to remind him of what we shared.

I walked high and did not even look at the people who were looking at my behavior. Especially the men who always tease me. It's obvious from their faces that they don't look like me. I don't know why because the only thing blocking my face is a mirror.

By the way, they know me as a crazy nurse here. They hardly looked at me and said why am I a nurse if I have a mental disorder. They are fools.

The time was just right when I arrived outside the classroom and it was obvious that Professor Zaiden had just arrived because he had just placed his laptop on the table. I smiled and entered the door.

"Good morning, Professor."

Almost everyone looked at my behavior. They were silent and looked at me.

"Who is she? Is there a transferee?" The person he was talking to just shrugged his shoulders.

Men, on the other hand, look at me differently. It's very different and I know what that looks like.

Professor Zaiden turned to his seat and was clearly surprised when his gaze landed on me. I just grinned and went straight to my seat.

There was a murmur when I sat down because who else would sit in the back? It's just me.

"What the fuck? Valencia? Wow, she's beautiful." I heard the man who always bullied me.

"If that's the only way crazy is beautiful, that's even better. It's even sexy!" I just winced at the last thing my classmate said especially and turned to me while saying that. I was killing malice and took my notebook.

Professor Zaiden smiled because he seemed to be making more noise and it was obvious that he was talking about me. I caught the Professor's eyes but he seemed to avoid his eyes landing on my seat.

He started talking and I could tell he was sweating. Why is that? The room is cold. I didn't take my eyes off him and finally, he looked at me too and it lasted for a few minutes while still talking.

I just killed malice and casually arranged my hair to show my neck properly. I turned to him again and noticed that he had stopped talking and was just staring at me.

"Sir, what about-"

Our stare was interrupted when someone asked him a question. He answered calmly and I secretly smiled.

After he discussed, he did a short quiz. Someone else complained because they said it was too fast to do a quiz and then just now discuss. Good thing I listened to him and I made only two mistakes. He was passing our short quizzes for him to record so we went to the front one by one.

"The class ended and there's no class later, teachers are having a meeting. So, you may rest early today."

Everyone cheered at what Professor Zaiden said but I didn't even react and was thinking about how I could attract him today. Should I go inside to his office? But I have no reason.

"Uh, Ms. Valencia. I have something for you to do today before you go home. Follow me in my office."

My ears perked up when I heard it. He will have me do a blessing in disguise. I try not to smile and just nod. He frowned at my reaction. I won't let him know what my next move is.

"Okay, Professor."

Everyone's eyes were still on me until I came out. That's when I took a deep breath because I felt like I was going to suffocate because of what they thought.

Professor Zaiden was far away so I just quickened my pace until we were a few meters away. I was just looking at his broad back. The Professor is tall while I look just over his shoulder. I just watched him open his office.

He has a separate office here but the other office of the teachers is right next to him but his is at the far end.

We both looked at each other and I noticed a glint there before he looked back. I grinned because even though he didn't show it earlier, my removal of the eyeglasses was effective. What if I take off my clothes?

He entered and I just followed. I looked around and no matter how many times I saw Professor Zaiden's office, I was still amazed especially when there were paintings there and other small sculptures.

His office is big, there's even a couch on the side and then a big vase. It looks like an office in big companies. There were also piles of papers that probably belonged to those students.

"Is it okay if you will clean my office? Don't worry, I will pay you later."

To Be Continued...