Xavier

22

Xavier's POV

"I am not concerned with whether or not she has already been assigned to a professor. I would like Lauren Torrence to be placed with whoever she was assigned with."

"Why is this so important for you?" The woman asked over the phone. "She has provided some organizational help for me recently and I'd like to keep her around. She and I have a professional repartee already. In addition, she has expressed her concerns for the other professors she may be paired with. I see this as a way to ensure that she is comfortable and she still gets paid. More if anything."

The lady sighed for the umpteenth time and I heard the sound of typing on the keyboard. "You cannot ask us to move mountains for you after we've already made an arrangement for her. One that she has agreed to at that."

"I am offering an alternative and you allow professors to request certain people. She will still be employed as will the other girl. I am simply asking for you to switch them."

"Alright, I'll see what I can do. Give me a second."

I waited in silence only hearing the sound of her typing. I called the office of the work-study job that I knew Luna had been hired for to request that she work under me. I wanted to keep Luna close yes but the main reason why I was doing was because of how she detailed to me her experiences with the three professors listed to her. Almost immediately after she told me, I signed up.

I listed my request for Luna in the signup form and yet I was assigned a senior named Lauren. Surely Lauren would be a good employee but I'd rather Luna. She knew how I liked things done and she didn't want to work with the other professors. It was a win and win. An extra win because it meant I'd get to spend more time with her without it raising any suspicions.

"Alright, I've reassigned her to you. I'll email her and let her know about the change and she should be reporting to you tomorrow morning by 9 am."

"Thank you. It is greatly appreciated."

After ending the call I sighed and stepped out of my car. Once the doors were locked I walked past the rest of the cars in the lot to make it into the bar.

It was busy tonight, unfortunately. I made it inside and looked around to see if I could spot Jordan. Once I did I approached him casually. "What's up, man." I greeted as I sat down beside him.

"What's going on?" Jordan greeted. "Haven't seen you since we dropped those girls off."

"Yes, I know. I've been busy so I couldn't hang out."

"Well you're here now, so what's been going on?" He questioned as he waved the bartender over. I contemplated telling him about Luna. But what would I say? I hadn't quite placed my feelings for her.

We spent the evening talking over drinks about what we had been up to lately and come to find out he too was being mesmerized by a student. "I mean she isn't my student. She works at the front desk in the advisor's office."

"Well, I don't see what's the problem."

"Something about it doesn't feel right, man. Especially when I oversee the department that she's a part of. The power imbalance is a bitch."

"That's tough man. It sucks finding someone that you either can't have or there are too many things keeping you apart."

"I know. I wish she wasn't in CLA. This wouldn't be an issue."

"Yeah." I sighed. "How's Kenzie?" I asked referring to his daughter.

"She's good. She's been asking for you. I kid you not, every time I come home she's asking, 'when's uncle Xavier coming over'." He sighed.

I chuckled and shook my head. "Tell her I'll stop by soon."

The ten-year-old was certainly a trip. She was just like her dad though, kind and caring. "When can I expect nieces and nephews?" He asked.

"When Monica has kids?" I replied in a questioning tone. "You and I both know Monica isn't having any damn kids."

Monica Ayer, his sister, despised kids. So it was about just as likely for me to have kids as it was for her. The only difference is that she doesn't even want them, while I wouldn't mind one or two.

"Exactly."

"That's sick." He laughed. "You've also gotta have someone to have kids with and I certainly do not. So slim odds."

"Oh don't worry, I can easily introduce you to someone. How about Mina in the math department. Short, curly hair, brown skin. That's your type right?"

"I don't have a type." I scoffed. "Your first girlfriend was 5'7, dark-skinned, curly hair and she always wore it natural. The next was 5'6, brown skin, thick curly hair. Liliana was brown-skinned, 5'5, and always wore her natural curls. You, sir, have a type."

"Alright, maybe I do. So what."

"So Mina fits that. Let me at least introduce you to her." He offered. "Okay, fine."

"Perfect! She's coming to my office to talk about advising sessions, stop by. It's at noon."

"Whatever, now buy me a drink." I huffed.