Academic Temptations

Chapter 47

"You look like shit," Zoe remarked, and I rolled my eyes. I haven't had a decent night's sleep in days—Isla's been missing for three agonizing days, and I've been working even harder to make things right with my mom.

"Have the Ledezmas made any moves yet?" I shook my head in response. There have been a lot of threats from them, but surprisingly, nothing has happened yet. Hailee has been keeping me updated on what they might be planning.

"Fix yourself, Harriet. If Isla came back and saw you like this, she'd be turned off." I knew Zoe was just trying to make me feel better, but I couldn't care less about my appearance. I just want Isla back, that's all.

The doorbell rang, and Zoe and I exchanged confused looks—I wasn't expecting anyone. My eyes widened at the possibility that it might be my girlfriend. I quickly got up from the couch and ran to the door. But my excitement faded when I opened it to find none other than Hailee Sy.

"Professor, are you sick?" I heard Zoe chuckle at Hailee's question. I didn't respond and just let her in.

"What brings you here, Sy?" I asked as I sat back down on the couch. Hailee took a seat across from us.

"It turns out Isla left a note for her parents. That's why they're not making a move yet," she said.

"What note?" I asked.

"She said she wouldn't return if her dad decided to break the partnership with the school. She also said she has no interest in the family business anymore, and I guess her dad is really scared about that. One thing about our culture is that we can only pass down businesses to our children. Passing it to someone outside the family, especially someone not related by blood, is considered shameful. And they have no one left except Isla. They're also worried about her," Hailee explained.

I buried my face in my palms, feeling ashamed and guilty that I might be ruining a family relationship.

"This is all my fault," I mumbled.

"It's not. It's Isla's decision to protect you," Zoe said, patting me on the back. I felt I should be the one protecting Isla, not the other way around—I brought her into this mess.

"Isla just wants her parents' approval and support. It's not really about your relationship, but about her whole identity. Her dad is against her being with a girl, but it's where she's the happiest. She's worked hard to avoid making any mistakes and to please her parents, but I guess she's just hurt by how things turned out. Give her some time, Professor. She'll come around," Hailee said.

I wiped my tears harshly, embarrassed that I was crying in front of my former student.

"I just want to know if she's safe. I should be the one protecting her, but I don't even know where she is," I said out of frustration. I felt like I was losing my mind.

My phone suddenly rang, so I excused myself to answer it.

"Mom?"

"Coreen, I talked to Isaac Ledezma. He said they would forget everything that happened as long as you bring Isla back to them and, of course, end your relationship with that student of yours." I didn't get a chance to respond since the call had already ended.

"Who called?" Zoe asked.

"My mom. She wants me to bring Isla back to the Ledezmas and end my relationship with her," I sighed. They wanted two things—both things I couldn't even consider doing.

"Would you?" Hailee asked. I looked at her, unsure of what she was getting at.

"Would you end it with her?" she repeated. I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying again.

"I—I don't know. How could I end things with her when she did all this for me? But, if it's for Isla's sake, then maybe I should."

My phone rang again, but this time it was my dad. I hadn't spoken to him in a while because I was avoiding him. I didn't know how to explain what was happening. I took a deep breath and answered the call.

"Daddy?"

"Coreen, my dear. How are you?" Judging by his tone, I could tell my mom had already spoken to him. He'd always been like this—gentle, even when I messed up.

"I'm good, Dad. I'm sorry I haven't reached out yet. I've been really busy." Dad stayed silent as if he was waiting for me to say something more.

"Dad, I—I messed up, and I made Mom really mad. There's this girl—my student—I love her. I really do."

"If you love her, then why would you say you messed up? Look, I'm not saying what you did was right, but loving someone, like I told you, isn't something you should apologize for. Besides, you're both adults."

"I know, but everything's a mess now. She's gone, her family is mad at me, and there's no way we could still be together."

"It could still happen if you talk to her parents and make peace with them. Something you should have done in the first place. Let them know how you feel about her and what your intentions are."

"But they hate me," I said.

"Your mom's parents hated me too, Coreen. If you love her, make an effort. Wait, if you must." I sighed; Dad's right. He always knew how to make me feel better and what to say.

"So, tell me more about her." I walked away from Zoe and Hailee, who seemed to be talking about something, so I could talk to my dad in private.

I told him how I met Isla, how she caught my eye the first time I saw her, how beautiful she is, how smart she is, and about her achievements at the university and her family background. I didn't even realize how widely I was smiling while talking about her until I saw my reflection. Gosh, I miss her so much.

"Sounds like she's a fine young lady. I'm glad you found someone to love, Coreen. Your sister was right to give you the ring."

"What ring?"

"Didn't you give it to her?" I did, but I never told him that.

"How did you—"

"One café crème, please." That voice. I could feel my heartbeat stop when I heard the voice I had been longing for. I know it's her. I couldn't be wrong.

"Dad! Dad?" I tried calling his attention, but I guess he put his phone down.

"Just coffee again? Try our Éclair au Chocolat—it's on the house. It's not as good as what my daughter makes, though. She makes the best dessert."

"I'm sure she does. I hope I get to try it sometime."

"Oh, I could ask her to make you some. I'm sure she'll be here soon." Silence fell. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It's Isla. She's at our restaurant.

"Coreen, are you still there?"

"Dad, that's her, right? You were talking to her?" I asked, my voice sounding desperate. I had told my dad what Isla looks like, so he would recognize her just by her hair.

"I understand why you fell for her, Coreen. She's indeed a beautiful and kind lady. I guess I'll see you here tomorrow?" I dropped the call and ran toward Hailee and Zoe to tell them that I'd found her.

"I know where she is," I told them before rushing to my room grabbing a duffel bag and stuffing it with whatever I could find including my passport. My hands were trembling as I tossed things in, hardly paying attention to what I was packing. I didn't care how I looked right now; all I cared about was that I'd be seeing her. The thought of seeing Isla again sent a jolt through me, lighting up every nerve with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

"I'm going home," I murmured to myself before storming out of the apartment. Home was where Isla was, and I couldn't wait to get there.