Yes, Professor

Chapter 6

That goddamn notebook!

He still kept it after all this years? I thought he would throw it away or even burned it.

I traced the old torn cover of the book and afraid to open it because we both know what's inside it. Because of this book, my whole life became an embarassment and I ran away from it. And now, it's here infront of me. I looked up and hoping to find James laughing or chuckled at me. Instead I found his face was deadly serious.. and a bit of a concern, I guess.

"I believed this book belongs to you, Mia," he slide the book closer to me but I quickly stood up from my seat and stepped away from the table, as if that notebook was cursed.

I was a bit of ashamed when he found that book years ago, and now I was more devastated that he brought that book again. Was this the reason why he wanted to take me out? To make me remember that awful day?

"Mia? Are you alright?"

I can't handle another minute staring at that book. I walked away from the table quickly. I rushed towards to the elevator and repeatedly pushed the call button.

Please, please, hurry!

I could hear James calling my name but the moment the elevator car box arrived, I step inside and quickly pressed the close button.

"Mia! Wait-"

I swore I could hear him swearing the moment the door closed. I exhaled and lean back against the cold elevator wall.

***

I could do this, he's not going to stop me.

I walked quickly across the grand lobby hoping that James couldn't catch me before I leave.

"Miss Goshea?" I turned around and found Harold walking towards me with his phone still on his ear. James must have called him to stop me.

"Please, Harold. Tell James that I need a moment alone-"

"You're not going to run away from mr again, Mia." I turned to my right towards the service lift and found James walked to me, closing the distance between us. Few buttons from his collar shirts were open revealing his tanned skin.

"James.." I whispered as our bodies closed to each other.

He took my shaken hands and pulled me away from the lobby. "Let's discuss about this in the car," He said. Harold hurriedly open the door for us both. I was quiet, waiting to get lectured by him from running away from him. I could hear James breath calm when the car finally move.

"I'm sorry.."

"No, Mia. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I shouldn't have brought that book. I could see in your eyes when you saw that book, you were scared."

"Yes, I was scared, James. Two years ago, you laughed at me from reading that book,"

James held my chin and brought my face closed to him. "I was a jerk back then, Mia. When I read that book, something inside me has.. ignite." His voice became deep when he said that word. "I didn't want to admit that before, but then I felt guilty when you ran and transfered."

"Guilty?" My eyebrows raised.

He chuckled. "Yes my dear, guilty is the exact word of how I felt back then, as if I have just killed that beautiful smile and make you cry."

***
James told Harold to dropped us few blocks away from my apartment so he could have his time with me alone. We walked side by side while James told me interesting things happened at my old hometown. By the time we arrived at my building, James spun me around and pulled my small body to him. I gasped as our chest collide together and his arms wrapped my waist.

"Mia.."

My eyelids fluttered, I could feel his warm breath caressing my cheeks. I closed my eyes, waiting for him to claim my lips. A brief seconds passed, nothing happened. I opened my eyes and saw different in his eyes. Confuse? Regrets? I couldn't tell.

"James?" I asked as I brushed his arm. He closed his eyes as if he was contemplating something in his mind. James pulled his arms away from me and cleared his throat.

"Sorry, I have to go," he said, brushing his hair back. "Good night, Mia." James bid his goodbye and left me a soft peck on my cheeks.

***