Temptation

Chapter Seven

The following morning, Tom got to campus early and situated himself in his office. He sat down at his desk and just waited, not even bothering to answer any of his emails. He clasped his hands together and placed them on his desk, tapping his foot. He kept glancing at his computer screen to check the time. The second the clock turned to noon, he heard a knock at the door.

"Come in!" He called out.

Tom stood from his seat and straightened out his shirt when Alice opened the door and closed it behind her.

"Lock it." He instructed.

She did as he said and he put his hand out, offering the seat in front of his desk. The two sat down and just stared at each other for a few moments, not knowing who should speak first.

"Why have you asked to speak with me?" Alice asked, breaking the silence.

"We need to talk about what happened that night." Tom replied.

"Okay." She spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me that was your job?" He inquired.

"That side of me is very private and only a select few people in my life know about it. I didn't tell you because you're my professor. We had to have some barriers." She explained.

"Is that what you want to do with your life?"

"Not my whole life."

"Do you think you have a future there?" He asked.

"Yes, but I don't plan on staying there until I can't dance and sing anymore." Alice answered.

"When I went to see you the first time, all I could think about was how-"

"Wait," Alice interjected. "That night wasn't your first time there?"
Tom's eyes widened slightly as he realized his mistake and he took a deep breath before replying to her.

"No, it wasn't. The first time I went, I was with Diane and it was in August. Right when classes started."

"Did you go any other times after that to-"

"Yes. Two times. That night was my third time." Tom answered.

"With Diane?"

"No."

"So the three of the four times you came to my show...you were alone?" Alice inquired.

"Yes."

"Why?" She scoffed.

"I felt compelled to. The first time I saw you, I was shocked. I couldn't believe you would perform in a show like that. Exposing yourself to the audience like that." He protested.

"A show like that? It's a cabaret show, not some strip show! Yeah, I have a revealing costume but I'm not taking my clothes off every night. Why do you care so much about what I do anyway?" Alice argued.

"I care because I know you have a bright future ahead of you. You can use your talents elsewhere or in an actual play." Tom told her.

"You think what I do on that stage isn't real? I get to perform five nights a week. I get to do what I love. Isn't that what you always preach to us? I'm doing something I enjoy and you tell me I shouldn't do it anymore? You're such a hypocrite!"

"To think you blew off taking Shakespeare III last year because of your so-called cafe job." Tom scoffed.

"I had to skip it because I got promoted to headliner last year! Do you know how stressful it was having to learn new numbers and routines in a short period of time and making sure everything was perfect? I needed those late nights for my rehearsals at the theater. The owner trusted me and saw that I had the potential to be her headliner. She gave me a chance I had been waiting for and I took it! Call me selfish, call me whatever you want, but I have never been happier in my whole life! And we're just going to ignore the fact that you've come to see my show by yourself? I mean, I would be okay if you went with Diane or a friend or a complete stranger...but by yourself? That's what I don't get."