"Why are you even here?" I snap, finally looking up.
Duvall shrugs. "I was passing by and heard an interesting conversation." He says then turns to Professor Lee. "So, what's the verdict, Mr Lee, Did she fail?" he asks
My fingers clenches as he says that. Professor Lee exhales, placing the assignment on his desk. "She hasn't.... failed yet." he says, hesitant. Yet, It's like a slap to my face.
"So I still have a chance?" I ask hesitantly.
"Perhaps," he says, eyeing me with mild amusement. "If you can prove that you wrote this yourself." he added.
Duvall hums in interest. "Oh, that sounds fun. Can I stay and watch?"
"Get out," I snap before I can even stop myself.
"Aww, come on. You're making this too easy, slave." He says, grinning.
I shoot him a glare so sharp it could slice through steel, but he just chuckles, leaning lazily against the doorframe like he owns the place.
I hate him. I hate that stupid smirk, i do not like how he's enjoying this. But most of all… I hate that I can't stop thinking about him, their connection. Maybe this was how it was meant to be all along—just a cruel game. A trick to mess with my head.
"You're right, slave…" Duvall's voice cuts through my thoughts, as if he's plucking them straight from my mind.
I blink in confusion. Right about what this time? I ponder. And as if anticipating my question, he continues, in a casual tone. "About knowing your professor. But nothing was planned. I just helped with your assignment because you seemed desperate and needed help." he says.
Oh my God. Psychic? I murmur the words under my breath, covering my mouth with my palm. Then he only let out a soft smile, almost teasing.
Meanwhile, Professor Lee remains silent, standing stiffly, exuding an unusual humility. It's so unlike him that I almost don't recognize the man who humiliated me earlier.
Then, Duvall strides toward him, draping an arm around his shoulder like they're old friends. Professor Lee doesn't resist, doesn't even flinch. He allows it without question, seeming completely at ease.
"Professor Lee Chan…" Duvall muses, smirking. "He's like a child to me."
When he says that, immediately my open opened wide in surprise, and then our eyes meet—all three of us.
But just then, his demeanor shifts. A flicker of something unreadable crosses his face before he swiftly removes his hand from the professor, as if he'd just been caught doing something he shouldn't.
"Uhm... I mean, like a father to me," he corrects himself, in a voice that's a little too casual, though forced.
"Yes, yes, like a son," Professor Lee quickly adds, nodding in agreement. "And I'm like his father." he says, seeming unease.
They're playing along. I can see it, definitely. There's something between these two—something I can't quite put my finger on. If they truly had that kind of bond, why does it feel so off? Why would a 'son' act like that toward someone he calls a father?
But I don't press. Pretending not to care, I simply nod and reply curtly, "Okay… sir."
Professor Lee straightens, regaining his usual authoritative stance. "You may leave now, Miss Lilian. You will receive the result of your assignment soon."
I bow slightly before turning to leave. As I step toward the door, I can feel Duvall's gaze on me. The way he's staring fixedly at me, not even as I reach for the handle and step outside.
The door clicks shut behind me, but I do not move. My breath is uneven and my heart still racing from everything that just happened.
Duvall and Professor Lee... There's something there, something they don't want me to know. But why should I care? I should be relieved I got out of there without further humiliation.
And yet… I can still feel his stare. That unreadable smirk, the way he called me his slave as if it were some inside joke only he understood. when the result of the assignment isn't known yet. though I secretly hopes he wins, which means passing my assignment and getting out of Professor Lee's grip.
I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away as i have more important things to worry about. Like avoiding Chloe and her gangs before they sniff out what just happened.
With a deep breath, I move down the hall, ignoring the whispers around me. Let them talk, or speculate their nonsense. I tell myself not to care a bit about it since it will vanish soon, with time. But no matter how much I try to focus on something else, one thought keeps creeping back into my mind... About what Duvall is hiding?
As I walk, the whispers grow louder, weaving through the crowd like a cruel melody. My phone vibrates in my hand. A notification pops up. I hesitate before checking. "The school forum."
My stomach twists. My name is everywhere. what I've been desperately trying to avoid...
I lower my head, shame curling in my chest. Should I just go home? Lock myself away from this latest humiliation?
Then, a voice cuts through the noise and laughter follows. it is Chloe and her friends. She strides toward me, flanked by her friends, their faces seeming alight with amusement. "Hey, douchebag," she sneers.
I freeze upon hearing that. "What?" I snap, disbelief flooding my voice. "Douchebag??" No. Not this time. If I let them win now, it's game over.
"Why would you call me that, Chloe? That's harsh and rude. It hasn't gotten to this," I say, forcing my voice to stay even.
One of her friends clicks her tongue in mock pity. "Wow, you've got some nerve, douchebag, talking back like that."
My heart stutters. Wait… what? I'm an adult, and they're my coursemates, we are all equal here... yet they act like they have the right to humiliate me? that's enough, I won't let them push me down anymore.
But just as I turn to fight back, I notice the student already everywhere. Their phones raised, flashing cameras anyhow. Some recording, others grinning as if they're watching the highlight of their day. Like I'm some kind of spectacle.
My breath catches.
"What the…" I mutter under my breath, my voice barely a whisper. My throat tightens, and my words fading before I can even stop them. "Why are you guys doing this…?" I manage to ask.
****