The Art of Attraction

Chapter 2: Re-Entry

Later that evening, Ayan sat alone in his modest apartment, the dim light from a single lamp casting long shadows across the room. The apartment was a small but cozy space, filled with the remnants of a life that once felt full of promise. The walls were lined with bookshelves overflowing with art books, and his sketches lay scattered across the coffee table, remnants of a life that felt like it belonged to someone else.

This had been the home he once shared with Akk since their college days, a place where laughter and shared dreams had once filled the air. The small kitchen, where they had cooked meals together, now stood silent. The couch where they had spent countless evenings watching movies was now just a piece of furniture devoid of the warmth it once held. The echoes of their life together still lingered in every corner, and even a year after their breakup, the pain was as fresh as ever.

Ayan's eyes drifted to the photos still lined up, memories of happier times captured in frames he couldn't bring himself to remove. In those photos, Akk's smiling face looked back at him, a constant reminder of what had been lost. Ayan's heart ached as he recalled how abruptly their relationship had ended when Akk left for a new job in Singapore. They had planned a future together—a life that now seemed like a distant dream. Teaching had become Ayan's refuge, a way to distract himself from the emptiness that had settled into his life. It was a way to honor his late uncle Dika, who had been his inspiration and mentor, the person who had ignited his passion for art and education.

But tonight, Ayan's thoughts were far from his usual routine of lesson plans and grading papers. Instead, his mind kept drifting back to the events of the day- specifically, to the student who had stayed behind after class. Yok. The name alone sent a shiver down Ayan's spine, stirring emotions he hadn't felt in a long time.

Yok was unlike any student Ayan had ever encountered. There was something about the boy—something that both intrigued and unsettled him. Yok's intense gaze, that bright, almost mischievous smile, and the way he carried himself with such confidence—it was all too much, too familiar. Ayan could feel his heart beating faster just thinking about it. It wasn't just Yok's looks that had caught Ayan off guard, though that certainly played a part. Yok was tall, standing at 185 centimeters, with a frame that hinted at strength and discipline. His jet-black hair, perpetually tousled as if he had just rolled out of bed, added to his bad-boy allure. His sun-kissed skin and the powerful build of a man who had clearly put time into training his body were all too alluring. But there was something more—a raw magnetism that seemed to pull Ayan in, whether he wanted it or not.

The memory of their night together a year ago surfaced in Ayan's mind, unbidden. It had been a night of passion, of reckless abandon, a moment in time that was supposed to be forgotten. Yet here was Yok, sitting in his classroom as if fate had decided to play a cruel joke on him. Ayan had initially struggled to place him, but the memories had come flooding back all too quickly—the way Yok had looked at him that night, the feel of his hands, the taste of his lips. It had been a long time since Ayan had felt such a powerful attraction, and the realization left him feeling both exhilarated and terrified.

Yok was everything Akk wasn't—bold, daring, and unapologetically confident. Where Akk had been reserved and measured, Yok was a force of nature, his presence impossible to ignore. The chemistry they had shared that night had been electric, a connection that Ayan hadn't felt with anyone else. And now, with Yok's sudden reappearance, those feelings were rushing back with a force that left Ayan reeling.

As he prepared for the next day's class, Ayan couldn't help but replay the day's events in his mind. The way Yok had looked at him, the playful glint in his eyes, the way his smile had sent a flutter through Ayan's chest—it was all too much. Ayan was a professional, and he prided himself on maintaining boundaries with his students, but Yok was making it increasingly difficult to do so. There was something about the boy that made Ayan want to throw caution to the wind, to forget about the rules and give in to the temptation that was slowly wearing down his defenses.

Meanwhile, Yok couldn't get Ayan out of his mind either. The professor was unlike anyone Yok had ever met—captivating, intelligent, and undeniably attractive. Yok had known from the moment he saw Ayan again that he wanted more than just a professional relationship. There was a spark between them, something that Yok was determined to fan into a flame. From the very next class, Yok made his intentions clear, shamelessly flirting with Ayan at every opportunity.

"Professor Ayan, do you have a favorite artist?" Yok's voice was smooth and confident, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief as he leaned forward on his desk, making sure Ayan caught the playful spark in his gaze.

Ayan adjusted his glasses, feeling a slight flutter in his chest at the boy's directness. "I have many favorites, Yok. Art is subjective, and each artist brings something unique to the table."

Yok flashed an easygoing smile, his dimples deepening in a way that made Ayan's heart skip a beat. "Well, I think you're the most unique artist in this room."

Ayan's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and he quickly tried to regain his composure. Was Yok declaring his affection so openly, in front of the entire class? He maintained his professional demeanor, though the boy's daring was undeniably unnerving. "Thank you, Yok. Let's focus on the assignment at hand."

But despite Ayan's attempts to keep their interactions strictly academic, Yok's relentless pursuit continued. He stayed behind after class, always finding reasons to engage Ayan in conversation, each encounter leaving Ayan more conflicted than the last.

One afternoon, as the classroom emptied and the soft chatter of students faded away, Yok lingered, sketching leisurely at his desk. Ayan noticed him and sighed inwardly, bracing himself for another round of playful banter.

"Yok, is there something you need help with?" Ayan asked, trying to keep his tone neutral despite the anticipation he felt bubbling under the surface.

Yok looked up from his sketch, his dark eyes locking onto Ayan's with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. "Actually, I was wondering if you could give me some pointers on this sketch. I want to impress you."

Ayan's heart skipped a beat at the blatant honesty in Yok's voice, but he forced himself to stay composed, to remind himself of the line he was so dangerously close to crossing. "Yok, it's important to maintain a professional relationship. I'm here to teach, and you're here to learn."

But Yok wasn't one to be easily deterred. His bold smile didn't waver, his eyes never leaving Ayan's. "Who says we can't do both?"