Elvie
The walk to campus felt different today. I couldn’t tell if it was because I woke up with the strange comforting realization that I actually had someone in my corner, or how I was met with a freshly prepared breakfast waiting on the counter, alongside a written note.
After completely breaking down in Cassian’s arms and spilling all my weakness last night, I had thought about how to face him this morning only for him warmed up my heart again.
Cassian kept showing this soft side to me—a side so natural I doubted he even realized he was doing it.
Just as I neared the gates, my steps halted when I caught a familiar black car. Standing right beside it was Asher’s father, engaged in a conversation with Dr. Vance.
A cold prickle zipped up my spine. I quickly shrank back before any of them could see me. Mr. Norman didn’t look happy, and Dr. Vance was nodding along with a tense expression.
After a few brief words, Norman shook the dean’s hand and slid into the back seat of the car before the tinted windows rolled up and the vehicle pulled away.
What was he doing here? Did he come to talk to the head of department about Asher’s disciplinary report? Would Cassian get into trouble because of this?
My head was spinning with questions as I forced my legs to move after Dr. Vance had disappeared back inside. I made my way past the main doors, taking the stairs up to my class.
"Hey, good morning," I said sliding into the seat next to Gemma.
Gemma turned around, looking at me with a light smile. "Morning! How was your night?"
"It was fine," I replied softly.
Fine. The word was almost ridiculous. I had cried like a child in the arms of my professor, eaten a breakfast he personally made for me.
If I told Gemma even a fraction of what was had happened, she would lose her mind right here in the classroom.
Gemma leaned in closer, her voice dropping into a low, gossipy whisper. "News flash I just heard that Asher’s father had a meeting with Professor Reed and the head of the department this morning... and from the looks of it, things didn’t go according to plan."
I stared at Gemma my mind flashing back to Dr. Vance and Asher’s father together. Did he ask Cassian to drop the complaint? Did Cassian refuse to back down?
Before I could even finish processing it, Gemma continue. "And that’s not even the crazy part. Word is... Asher’s dad and Professor Reed actually know each other."
My brows furrowed instantly, a sudden chill settling over my skin. They know each other?
How? Were they old acquaintances? Business associates? Were they friends, just like my own father had been friends with Mr. Norman.
The thought of Cassian having any connection to the family sent an uneasy ripple through me.
I looked at Gemma, shaking my head in mild disbelief. "How do you even get this news, Gemma?"
I honestly used to wonder how news gets to her so fast. If something happens on this campus. In less than twenty-four hours, Gemma somehow gets the full story.
Gemma smirked, tapping the side of her nose playfully. "I have my sources, Elvie. A good journalist never reveals her secrets."
Before I could press her for more details, the heavy wooden doors at the front of the lecture hall swung open, cutting off all chatter in the room instantly. Cassian walked in.
Throughout the lecture, Cassian wasn’t himself. I noticed it right away because I could barely take my eyes off him from the moment he walked in. His jaw stayed clenched tight, and he looked deeply stressed. While explaining perspective techniques, he even paused mid-sentence, mixing up his points and losing his train of thought. Something Cassian never did.
Whispers quieted around the room as other students exchanged confused looks. Gemma even nudged my arm, giving me a surprised look.
It had to be because of his meeting with Norman. Guilt say heavy in my chest, I sat through the rest of the class feeling worse by the minute.
When the lecture finally ended and Cassian left, Gemma and I packed headed out of the classroom together, toward the cafeteria for lunch. As we got closer to the crowd, I stopped and turned to her.
"Go ahead without me," I said, pointing down the hall. "I need to use the restroom first. I’ll meet you in the cafeteria."
"Alright, see you," Gemma said with a nod, waving before she disappeared into the crowd of students.
I stood there for a second to make sure she was gone. Once the coast was clear, I turned around and walked up to the hallway where the professors’ offices were.
Going to Cassian’s office during school hours was risky. I knew I could just send him a text or wait until I got back home tonight. But I couldn’t stop thinking about how troubled he looked in class. He had stayed up taking care of me when I broke down last night, and I just felt like I couldn’t leave him alone right now.
Luckily, the third-floor hallway was completely empty. I stopped outside his door, my heart beating fast in my chest. I took a deep breath, reached out, and knocked.
"Come in," his deep voice called out.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Cassian looked up from his desk, surprised to see me. He had already loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top collar, and his black hair was messy, like he had run his hands through it over and over. It was crazy how quickly I had started noticing all these little things about him.
I closed the door behind me, feeling nervous. "Um...I’m sorry... for coming here like this."
Cassian set his pen down, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "Why are you apologizing? Come in, Elvie."
I stepped away from the door, and walked across the room toward his desk.nI stopped near the front of his desk, biting my bottom lip nervously. "You seemed distracted in class earlier," I said trying my best to sound casual and not to show how much the cologne that had filled up his office was affecting me or much more affecting a particular spot in between my legs.
".....So I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
A faint trace of a smirk touched the corner of Cassian’s lips. It was so fast that it caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily confused. Did I say something funny?
Before I could figure it out, he leaned back into his leather chair, twirling it slightly from side to side. "I’m fine, Elvie. Just a long morning."
"Is it about Mr. Norman?" The words left my lips before I could stop myself.
Cassian paused. The slight smirk disappeared, and his brows furrowed as his eyes locked onto mine.
I swallowed, suddenly realizing how much I’d just let slip. "I... I saw him when I was coming in today. I saw him outside with Dr. Vance. And I heard that he had a meeting with you."
I took a small step closer, more worried about the situation. "Cassian, please tell me the truth. Is he trying to make trouble with you because of me?"
Cassian didn’t say anything right away. He just stared at me for a long moment, taking in the panic on my face. Then, slowly, he pushed his chair back and stood up. He walked around the edge of his desk, until he was standing right in front of me.
"Look at me," he commanded softly.
I forced myself to tilt my head up. "Whatever is happening between Norman and this school is not your fault. It’s happening because it needed to. That is all."
"But if he hurts your career—"
"He can’t do anything to me," Cassian cut me off, stepping an inch closer.
He lifted his hand, his thumb gently brushing across my cheek, wiping away a trace of worry I didn’t even realize was there. The touch was warm and grounding against my skin.
"Start putting yourself first," he murmured, his gaze softening as his eyes searched mine. "Stop carrying guilt you were never supposed to carry, Elvie."
A shuddering breath escaped my lips. I wanted to ask him whether he and Norman were friends, or if they knew each other from before. But with the gentle weight of his hand cradling my cheek, sending a sudden wave of heat straight down to my core, the words completely died in my throat.
Damn. How could this man be so good at everything?
Standing in his private office, with only a locked door separating us. But looking into his eyes, the cold fear in my chest melted away entirely, replaced by a deep, overwhelming warmth.
He slowly dropped his hand from my cheek, giving my shoulder a light, reassuring squeeze.
"You can go back to your class now, Miss Worry," he said, the quiet warmth in his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
He turned and walked back around his desk, casually taking his seat in his leather chair as if he hadn’t just set my entire body on fire.
My eyes widened in disbelief when I finally processed his words. "What? I’m not—"
"I will pick you up when school closes,"
Cassian cut me off smoothly, picking up his pen and looking down at his papers.
My mouth fell open, a quiet gasp stuck in my throat. Wait... what?
"But....we came in separate cars," I stammered, my heart doing a strange little leap. "If people will talk if they see us leaving campus together."
He didn’t even look up from the document he was reviewing, though the corner of his lips twitched. "Meet me by the west lot behind the arts building at four. Don’t be late, Elvie."