Chapter 7 She made a deal

CROWNBELL UNIVERSITY

"Mrs Alan Aster!" Mr Carl's voice resonated throughout the hall and everyone faced her direction.

"Yes sir?," she stood up nervously without uttering a word even though she so badly wanted to correct the lecturer that he can't use the honorific Mrs for her as she's isn't married.

"Why did you bring your baby to the hall?. Are you here to babysit, or take lecture.?" everyone laughed at the lecturer's words at Aster.

"Who knows?", "Maybe she wants us to pity her of becoming a mother at a young age", "No one sent her to open her laps for some man who is not responsible." several voices said mocking her.

"Decorum!" Mr Carl yelled on top of his voice and he faced Aster again after the noise and murmurings died down.

"Now back to you Mrs, I need a response from you."

"Sir, it's not like he's disturbing you. Please, carry on with the class."

"What?!" everyone gasped.

"It's the fact, did I say wrong?" she gestured with her two palms opened in the air, each facing her side directions.

As if she spoke to him with a spell, he carried on with the class after telling her to sit. Everyone was surprised. She herself was also surprised as she didn't know where she got the courage from.

Soon class ended and Mr Carl left without saying a thing to her or the class, except that the students should submit their notes and assignment before going home that day. She smiled to herself happily as she thought she has scaled through from her lecturer's grasp. People moved closer to her before she was able to leave asking her series of questions.

"Did you use a spell?, Are you close to him?, Is he the father of your baby?, Are you a witch?," the questions went on and on from different angle. Coming to her aid, Arby cried loudly.

"Please, I have to go" she said and made way for herself through the huge crowd of questioners in her way.

"I really want to know more about her. She's got the guts." some of her mates said as she left.

At a distance, two young male adults stood with their hands pocketed in their jean trousers. They are fair in complexion, and almost of the same heights.

"Who's she?" the first one asked the other.

"I don't know. Just a first level student. Rumor has it that she's married and gave birth to a baby boy at such a young age. But no one knows what really happened for real."

"Interesting. Find me her details." said the first.

"Brian, why should I find her details, you should do that yourself. Okay" the second said and left.

Aster got to her car, only to find out that her notes and assignment that needed to be submitted were not in her handbag where they should be, neither was it in the car.

"What the heck?. Does this have to happen to me?. Why now?".

Immediately, she wasted no time in reversing her car and driving home to retrieve those books even when it was time for her to pick up her children from school.

"If not for the presence of our so called aunt, I wouldn't forget such an important thing."

In no time, she returned to school and left Arby with her best friend as usual. She plodded to Mr Carl's office and knocked on his door lightly but angrily. How she felt at that moment can't be explained.

She entered after she was instructed to come in and politely but sarcastically dropped her books on his table where she saw a pile of her mates'. Relieved that he didn't say anything, Aster turned around towards the door to exit his office. However, her moment of relief didn't last long.

"Stop there!" the voice sounded through her ears sharply as a needle would pierce a skin without control.

"Sir....?"

"I said stop there!."

*Oh Lord!. Have mercy on me. Who knows what's gotten into him this time?. Look at him all washed up like a sick lion.* she conversed with her inner self mocking the lecturer's facial expression.

"What are these?" the lecturer asked her with a manly growl.

*Is he blind?. Can't he see it's the note he told us to submit?.*

"Those are my assignment sir. I couldn't give it to the representative when he was bringing it here. I got caught up in something." she made a pleading face. The lecturer stood up from his seat, walking closer to her, and staring her face.

"I don't think I'll collect this from you,,," he smirked at her.

"What have I done sir?. At least, I submitted, right?. And you didn't give a particular time for it." she balled her fist in anger.

"What right do you have to question me?. I'm your lecturer. You have no fucking right to counter whatever I say."

"I'm sorry sir." Aster had no choice than to apologize to him. Though, she would have flared up and spoken back to him on a normal day, she didn't say anything as her mark was at stake.

Her dreams was to graduate with a first class degree whenever she finally got admitted to the university not knowing this is would not be so easy as she never thought of her parents dying anytime soon.

*This lecturer is giving me a tough time. Can't he just be understanding?. I really want to get my full marks, but he's getting on my nerves. Should I just forget about getting a first class?. No!, I can't give up just like that. I have to try harder.*

"Saying sorry won't do it alone miss?. You have to work for it." the lecturer's voice was now light and seductive as he brushed her packed hair with his palm, his breath hitting her neck sending sparks through her body.

"I worked for it already, that's why I made sure I submit my works as instructed sir." Aster feigned ignorance of what the lecturer meant even though she clearly understands what he's driving at.

"Really, I won't take that as you worked for it?. But if you think you worked for it, fine!. But, how about you give me something I would be really impressed with. Then, I'll know fully well that you worked for it. With the way you are, it shouldn't be that hard since you already have a baby." he looked directly into her eyes.

"What can I possibly give you sir?. I'm just a young girl trying to build a future for myself. I've got no cars, money, or anything worth giving. Moreover, I thought we were taught that a student's success is the best prize to give to a teacher and mentor. I really respect you as a teacher sir, why not let me pay you back with my success." Aster spoke eloquently choosing her words carefully.

She smirked after saying her words looking at her lecturer straight in the face.

*You think you can make me succumb, dream on!. I have my ways as well.*

Shocking her was the sudden wide laughter of her lecturer.

"Wow!. Impressive!" he clapped his palms together resonating a light swish sound.

"But, weren't you taught as well that one of the keys to success is punctuality and modesty?. Look at yourself, how do I know if you would be able to pay me back after all your habitual latenesses and babysitting in class?. How would I?"

"Then, how about I show you what I'm capable of?" she said making the lecturer confused with her words. For a while, he thought she was about to succumb to his wishes, and another while, he doubted his first thought.

"How would you show me ?" he asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Till the end of this semester, you won't complain about any of my actions, and I pay you back with a good gross point."

"Are you striking a deal with me?" the lecturer was awed and annoyed by her action at the same time.

"I wouldn't dare sir, I was only making a suggestion." she said smiling at herself inwardly.

"And if you don't make it?." the lecturer asked.

"I surely will." Aster was defiant. "And if I don't, I'll drop out of college." she added immediately.

The lecturer let out a loud breath and returned to sit on his swivel chair. With the tip of his ten fingers touching each other, he turned the chair around with his weight side by side, his gaze not leaving Aster.

*This girl is quite cunning. Does she think she's that capable?. Let's see what she can do anyway. It's high time she stops overestimating herself.*

"Fine!. I agree" he uttered.

"Thanks sir. I would try not to let you down."

"Good to hear, just this semester anyway. I mean, your suggestion is just for this semester."

"Sure, mister." Aster stepped out without further ado, closing his office door behind her.

Outside, she let out a heavy sigh placing her hand on her chest and looking at the door she just left through.

"For heaven's sake Aster, what have you gotten yourself into. Are you crazy?" she scolded herself with a frown as she was not sure if she can do it. She only said it to be free from his advances even if it's only for a while.

"Yes!, even if it's just for a while." she thought, and headed to where she left her baby.