The Law Student

Part 5

The following day, you arrived at university early, anticipating the awkward atmosphere between you and Cillian.

Passing through the empty corridors, the silence only accentuated the tension that was building up inside you.

But to your surprise, Cillian was not there.

As you walked into the lecture hall, you did not see his usual spot amongst the crowd, where he would sit with rapt attention, eyes focused on the board, taking in every word that you said.

But instead, an empty seat greeted you and a dull ache settled in your stomach.

The rest of the day went on uneventfully, without any sign of Cillian. And you couldn't help but wonder where he was, if he was okay, and if this was his way of avoiding you after last night's events.

"Hey, Dermont. Do you know where Cillian is today?" you asked his friend who passed you after the lecture . Dermont looked surprised for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

"No one told you?" Dermont asked, brows furrowing together in concern. "He called in sick today. Something about having a cold or something," his friend told you casually, but you couldn't shake off the feeling of worry that had settled in your gut.

"Okay, thanks," you muttered before walking away, heading straight to your office.

Once you had closed the door behind you, you let out a sigh of relief. Your thoughts were racing, and your heart was pounding in your chest.

What have I done? You asked yourself, burying your face in your hands.

You knew that you couldn't deny your attraction to Cillian any longer.

But you also knew that you couldn't let things progress between the two of you. Not while he was still your student and you were his professor.

Your career, your reputation, and your livelihood were at stake, and yet, you couldn't ignore the feelings that had awakened within you. It had been so long since you had allowed yourself to open up to someone, to give in to the whispers of desire that danced in the back of your mind.

But as you sat in your office, draped in shadows, you couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

You knew that your actions could cost Cillian his education, and the thought of ruining his future made you feel sick to your stomach. It was a gamble that you had taken, and it was one that you couldn't afford to lose.

You knew that you had to talk to Cillian, to make things right between the two of you. But what would you say? How would you explain your actions?

Hoping that he would return to university the following day to also attend his usual tutoring session with you, you found your thoughts drifting to Cillian throughout class, wondering if he was truly ill or if he was avoiding you altogether.

You knew that you needed to address the situation sooner rather than later, to clear the air between you and to reaffirm your commitment to maintaining a professional relationship.

Unfortunately for you, however, he called in sick again that day and the next and, on the third day, you spotted Dermont passing by the hallway again and asked him once more about Cillian's absence.

"He is still sick. He hasn't really picked up my calls either," Dermont informed you , a concerned expression on his face.

"Thanks again. I tend to worry too much," you said, mustering a smile. Dermont returned it warily, and you could see the questions building behind his eyes.

"You know, you might be better off asking Siobhan O'Connor about him if you are worried. She seems to know more about his whereabouts these days," Dermot offered, rolling his eyes as he mentioned Siobhan's name.