Professor F

Chapter 17: Date Me Please

The silence embracing them is starting to get awkward. August was about to say something when the

blonde girl beat her to it, extending her hand to Henry for a handshake.

”Good evening. I’m Stella. Pleased to meet you.” She smiled.

Henry looked bewildered like her, looking at Stella. She's really beautiful.

August cleared her throat. ”D—Do you need anything, Professor?" August asked Flynn.

Flynn didn't answer, as if he finds it awkward to explain why he was knocking at her door.

Henry broke the awkward silence with a smile. "We're just heading out for dinner.”

Stella smiled back. “We were just about to have dinner, too. Maybe we can all go together?”

Henry glanced at her, as if waiting for her to say something.

She could feel her face going pale but she doesn’t want to be rude declining their invitation.

This is going to be awkward!

Flynn stayed quiet while they all went to the restaurant that Henry made reservations at.

The elevator was crowded with people from the lower floors. They all had to step back and for some

reason, Flynn was able to smoothly cage her on the corner, away from Henry and Stella.

Few people were already chatting and Flynn took that chance to ask her, whispering. "Are you dating

your manager?"

She looked at him with a shocked expression on her face, finding it shocking to hear such blunt

question from Flynn.

She sighed softly. "I guess that's better than dating my professor."

She was expecting he'd look pissed but he smiled and chuckled softly. "Nice."

She rolled her eyes and looked away. The lift opened on the ground floor and she jerked when she felt

Flynn's hand on her back, acting like he’s her boyfriend!

Henry led the group as they walk towards an Italian restaurant. They all went inside and the attendant

by the front door greeting them looked surprised seeing them or rather, seeing Flynn and Stella. He left

as soon as he led them to their table.

She felt embarrassed when both Henry and Flynn pulled a chair for her. Unable to make a choice, she

was frozen for a moment but Stella made the decision for her by taking Flynn’s offered seat. “Thank

you.”

The server handed them the menu and waited when a manager approached them smiling. "Good

evening, ladies and gentlemen. It's nice to have you tonight. If you need anything, at all, just let me

know." The manager said but appeared that he's talking to Flynn and Stella more than the whole group.

"Thank you.” Flynn nodded as he slightly raised his left hand acknowledging the manager’s words.

"My pleasure, Pri—sir." The manager left as the waiter takes their order.

Henry clearly tried to impress them with the dish he ordered from the menu. Flynn then ordered like novelbin

he’s a regular to that restaurant, ordering something that’s not on the menu. Stella did the same as

Flynn. And then the waiter’s gaze was on her.

She panicked. All other dishes are foreign to her except for the pastas.

“I—uh—“ She cleared her throat. “I think I’ll have pasta—“

Flynn interrupted courteously. “May I?”

She noticed that the waiter smiled widely, as if he was glad of what Flynn just did. Like a real

gentleman.

She agreed and nodded at Flynn, blushing. Flynn handed the menu back to the waiter and ordered

another dish. He locked eyes with her as if they're the only ones in that restaurant.

Henry cleared his throat. "Please excuse me. I'll just go to the restroom."

They all agreed. When he left the table, Flynn looked at her. "August,"

So he's not addressing me as Miss Peters in front of Stella?

Flynn glanced at Stella next to him. ”Stella has something to tell you."

Stella couldn't look into her eyes. "I'm sorry." She said looking down.

"Kindly make your voice louder, Stella.” Flynn ordered firmly.

Stella seemed meek and scared of her brother. "I'm sorry." She bowed her head, with her voice louder

this time.

August raised her right hand, feeling uncomfortable. "You don't have to bow your head, really."

She looked up and started to introduce herself. "I'm actually Flynn's younger sister. Just a year

younger. Nice to meet you again, August."

Her mouth dropped open and her mind busy processing what Stella just said. “Y—Younger sister?”

Stella nodded in response.

So, did Flynn leave and miss Friday class just to bring Stella back here and apologize?

"She is not my girlfriend. I hope that's clear with you now, August." Flynn said.

She nodded, still out of words. Silence embraced them.

What's his point making it clear to her that he's single? Even asking Stella to meet her and apologize?

“Are you going to date my brother?”

“W—What?" August stammered, in shock.

"Stella!" Flynn was also shocked to hear his sister's question. She blushed even more when she

noticed Flynn looking flustered, too.

"I just want to know if she is, so I can make sure she won't hurt you the way Phoebe—"

“Stella! Stop it.” Flynn looked angry this time.

Stella may have crossed a line about Flynn's past.

I wonder who Phoebe is.

Henry came back with a curious look on his face. "Did I miss something?"

No one dared to talk or answer Henry's question. Flynn was quiet beside Stella as Henry looks at each

of them, still waiting for someone to answer him when the manager came back to their table with chefs

walking beside him.

And she noticed Stella's face looking upset while Flynn looked like he's seen a ghost. As soon as she

gazes at the person they were both looking at, the female chef looked pale and in disbelief.

What the hell is going on?

"This is our guest Chef tonight, Chef Phoebe McClair."

Phoebe then bows her head. “G—Good evening.”

They were all clueless about what’s going on except for Stella and Flynn.

"Please excuse me. I’ll just go to the restroom.” Stella sounded upset as she abruptly stands on her

feet and left.

She looked at Flynn whose expression went dark as he leaves. "I'll check on Stella. Please excuse

me."

She stands from her chair as Flynn leaves, too. The manager's and Henry’s face was in panic and

confused.

"I'm sorry, Henry." She tells him and left to follow Flynn and Stella.

She excused herself, glancing at Phoebe who looked shaken by Flynn and Stella. August can’t help but

think that Phoebe must’ve done something to the siblings for them to walk out like that.

Unlike Stella who went to the restroom, August saw Flynn leaving the restaurant. And when she was

heading out to follow Flynn, Stella called her name when she came out of the restroom. "August!

Where are you going?"

"I'll follow your brother. He left."

Stella looked worried and was about to go after her older brother but hesitated, obviously feeling

scared to upset Flynn even more. Stella then looked at Henry sitting along at the table. "I'll accompany

your friend. Can you talk to Flynn instead?”

August nodded as she gave Stella a reassuring smile. She walked out of the restaurant and saw

Flynn's back in the sea of people on the streets.

"F—Flynn! Flynn!" He didn't look back. She walked faster until she was able to walk next to him. "Flynn,

What's going on?" He ignored her as he walked straight ahead.

"Flynn!" She called his name louder and grabbed his arm, pulling him. "What's happening?!"

He looked away. People were glancing at them on the streets.

"Maybe I can help.” She said softly, catching her breath.

For the first time, he looks at her with a soft expression on his face. He reaches out to her and pulled

her to his chest, his arms tightened around her waist. "Thank you.” He paused and breathes slowly.

“Thank you for coming after me."

"Anytime." She whispered as she slowly raised her arms and hugs him back.

She could hear Flynn’s raising heartbeat slowly goes back to normal. Even his ragged breathing

started to sound calm. And his warmth through his clothes made her feel relaxed. It felt so soothing that

she found herself closing her eyes and clutching on his back.

”August,” He uttered her name.

“Hmm?”

He took a deep breath and sighed as he squeezed her a little in his hug. “Will you be okay dating your

professor?"

She held her breath as her eyes opened wide. Her heart beating so loud and slowly. “A—Are you

asking me out on a date?”

"Not just for one date. Date me please.” He said as he cupped her face in his hands.

"B—But how can we—?"

"I'll resign as a University professor."

“What?!"