When Zeenare saw the soft smile on Rhea's face directed at Luke, he couldn't think straight. He stopped mid-sentence, his fist clenched tightly on the coffee coloured old lectern, causing it to crack, gazing intently at her.
Why do you keep smiling at that punk? His mind swirled in a sickening haze.
As he shifted his attention to Luke, then to Luke's elbow on the desk, which was slightly resting on Rhea.
"Ha!" He chuckled loudly, turning his sight from them towards the entrance, then to his tablet.
I pray I don't kill that boy before I leave this place.
"Ms. Rhea," he snapped suddenly, his voice sharp, "Could you please tell me what's so funny in my class right now?" He threw the question out of nowhere at her.
Rhea's smile vanished in that instant, causing her to sit upright. "I'm sorry, Sir."
"You have been apologising a lot lately," Zeenare said in a rough, cracked voice.
"It won't happen again, Sir," Rhea added.
"I don't think that's true, though." His eyes trailed from her down to the empty seat in the front row. "Why don't you come sit here. Where I can see you perfectly well. Without those..." His eyes darted from Tia to Luke, resting mostly on Luke, "Distractions!"
The class was icy cold as the students exchanged glances at Rhea and Zeenare.
Rhea shifted in her seat uncomfortably, becoming like a billboard to the entire class, before grabbing her stuff and walking towards the front row.
Why do I have to be the centre of attention?
"Thank you," Zeenare muttered with a smile, turning back to the class, continuing the lecture.
Tia and Luke exchanged glances, they themselves focusing on the class.
"Rhea!" Luke called, walking over the stairs towards Rhea after the class ended.
But before he could get to her, Zeenare called Rhea.
"Ms. Jane, I want you to pass the task I gave you to Rhea. She'll be one closely assisting me in the project now," he instructed as he smiled towards Rhea.
"But sir, I wasn't previously informed about this," Rhea interjected.
"Well, you're now informed," Zeenare answered in a flat tone.
That's the punishment you get for allowing others to touch you. Zeenare thought
"Did I make a mistake, Sir?" Jane asked with the tightness of her jaw, as she tried not to let her disappointment show.
"No, you didn't. I'm assigning you to a new task." Zeenare spoke directly to Jane.
Rhea stood frozen in disbelief at his absurdity.
What is wrong with this man? He's just doing anything he likes now.
"Take these, Ms. Rhea, and follow me." As Zeenare walked out of the hall, he handed her the files of the submitted essays.
Rhea walked behind him. Everything that was happening felt surreal. She couldn't say no or give a reason why she couldn't be an assistant to whatever project he was talking about.
All she could do was kick the air in her mind.
As they got to the office, Zeenare pulled off his suit jacket and proceeded to his seat, after telling her to review every single copy of the essays that were submitted.
Rhea looked from him to the pile of files, her eyes wide open.
"Sir, this is too much," Rhea informed. "When will I finish all this?" She asked with a frown.
"You can take as much time as you want. The essays are not running away," Zeenare replied, his arms crossed.
"What about areas where the answers are not clear?" Rhea pressed further.
"You can bring it to me. Then we'll tackle it together," he said, grinning.
Rhea bit the insides of her jaw, glaring at him.
I hope you get struck by lightning. Rhea cursed.
"Rhea start working and stop glaring. Or your eyes are going to hurt," Zeenare muttered, not looking at her, his eyes in a book.
Rhea's face immediately turned serious. How did he know I was glaring at him?
Rhea stood awkwardly after placing the file on Zeenare's table. She didn't want to share the same seat as him and couldn't say it out loud.
Zeenare lifted his gaze then noticed the unease in her. "You can take a chair over there and sit," he said, pointing at the other side of the room to the table directly opposite him.
Rhea proceeded to the other side, carried a chair, and placed it in a way that her back would be turned to Zeenare. Rhea took off her backpack, sitting down after settling everything she needed.
I'm glad he's not soulless and brainless.
Zeenare chuckled, amused by her little attempt at defiance.
Rhea crouched over the desk as she went through the essays.
"Rhea, if you are tired, you know you can always come back tomorrow and finish it," Zeenare muttered.
But Rhea didn't respond. Zeenare glanced up from the textbook in his hands. As he made his way to her. When he noticed she was asleep, her cheek resting on her folded arms, breath steady, lashes casting long shadows across her skin. Zeenare picked up his jacket and placed it over Rhea.
But didn't walk away, he remained there as he bent down halfway, kneeling down on one knee, his chin on his arm, which was resting on the table, on which Rhea was sleeping. His other hand was on her chair's armrest.
He lay his head on his arm the same way Rhea was sleeping, facing her directly as his gaze settled on her face, studying every feature on her face.
From her long lashes, to her pointed nose, her faintly flushed cheeks, settling on her medium-sized, full, plump, rosy lips.
Rhea, what would you do if I were to claim these plump lips of yours right now?
Zeenare leaned forward, his lips inches from hers, his breath slowly becoming heavy as his eyes trailed slowly up to her eyes, then back to her lips.
Her soft, warm breath fanned his face as he swallowed hard, his fingers squeezing tightly on the chair.
He tilted his head slightly to bring his and Rhea's lips to the same level, his body now hovering over her like a heavy cloud. Pressing forward, their lips touched slightly, then stopped.
Gritting hard on his teeth, he stood up, causing their nose to brush.
He exhaled sharply as he brought his hands to his face, glancing at the door opposite Rhea's table.
He walked towards the door. Then turned the key, after stepping inside.
His face was crimson, his eyes trailed up into his eyelids. His ears were red and burning hot. From each slightest movement, his body trembled slightly as a tiny, tingling sensation coursed through him.
Zeenare walked to the faucet, turning the water on to the highest volume.
His hands slid to his belt as he unbuckled it, letting down his zipper.
As his fingers went deep into his pants, releasing his hard monstrosity between his legs, throbbing in his grip, enabling a soft moan slipped from his lips.
The running water erases every squelching sound from his hand and every moan from his lips.
His palm fell on the mirror as his back crouched, his head tilting backwards.
Followed by a hurried gasp. And a sticky hand.
Then a deep long groan.
Oh, Rhea! I think it would be hard to keep my promise.
"Oh. Mr. Zeenare, you were in there?" Rhea's voice cut through, as Zeenare stepped out of the room. "I was just looking for you. Thanks for the jacket," Rhea said, handing it over to him. "I couldn't finish essays, so I'd come tomorrow," she added.
Zeenare glanced at the table and saw that it had already been arranged.
But he said nothing, simply watching her as she retreated.
I don't think you'd want to come back if you knew what I'd done.