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A hoarse voice came over the line. “Kat, hi! You finally picked up. Do you know how many times I’ve called you today? Two times before breakfast, once before lunch, and twice after. How are you?” I just wanted to congratulate you once again and ask if you were enjoying your new office? That was all I wanted to ask, I mean no harm, and then you kept avoiding my calls, Kathy. You are hurting me, Kathy."
As an influential person in the school, Mr. Williams always talked about meals of the day. He also insisted on calling her Kate, even though she had told him not to several times. It was a funny yet cruel gesture.
“I’m great.” She attempted to smile to sound happier than she was. And yes, I'm enjoying my new office quite well. "How are you doing?" I asked him too out of mere courtesy.
"Oh wow. I'm so glad you asked after my welfare this time. This is a good afternoon or probably because you are just in a good mood. Anyway, mere speaking to you will automaticallymake me fine even when I'm not. Thank you for finally answering my calls. Another reason I called you this afternoon is to ask you out to dinner. There’s a French place that opened not too long ago. It’s in downtown Palo town, a couple of exits away from the school. You should check it out sometime. With me.”
She sneered at his not-so-subtle hint. Five months ago, he’d started pushing himself towards me as a woman, saying how it wasn’t healthy for her to still be single. He wanted her to live her life; he’d reminded her. She resented the fact that he was right, but she didn’t want what he was proposing. Kat had said so herself in their last conversation before she met with Professor Van. Even still, she didn’t care to take him up on his offer.
“Thanks for the tip, sir. Hey, sorry to cut this short, but I need to go. I have a student coming in for office hours.”
“If you do, he’s late,” Mr. Williams retorted. “It’s twenty-five past the hour, and you only schedule appointments on the hour and never past. If you want me to shut up and mind my own business, Kat, just say so. I can take it. But before you do, let me remind you that you are sitting on that chair right now because I influence the board members. So, think of my proposal again. Don’t forget I will always care about you.”
“I …” she rolled her eyes and sighed. He had to bring that up. He just had to. How much did threats and blackmail mean, anyway, especially in a setting like this? Why wouldn’t Mr. Williams accept the fact that she was fine being single, and even now, she is no more officially single since Will came back?
“You’re stubborn to a fault,” Mr. Williams continued, not bothering to let her finish her sentence. “That’s something I love about you. But Kat, life is about going with the flow. Things happen, and you need to make the most of the situation. Aren't you excited about where you are right now? I am sure it feels so good being the sub-dean of the faculty, and you know I can do a lot more than that if you will just dance to my tunes. It's so easy; I don't know why you resent me so much. And the funny thing is that I gave the power and influence to bring you down as much as I have taken you up. So, think about it deeply. You have up to this evening to do so. I'll be waiting for you."
“Are you finished, sir?” she dared to ask. Even though he had dated and slept with several women, it didn’t mean he was an expert on them, far from it. Growing up in a family of boys had taught her one thing: Never argue with a woman—ever. She believed in self-preservation.
“I know.” Of course, she knew it in her head. And a little bit in her heart. Eating dinner by herself every night confirmed what he was saying, but it had changed recently; it wasn’t good for a man to be alone and not talk to a woman. She did long for someone to share her life with. Maybe it was time to move on to another level with Will or to at least consider it, and that might mean keeping the baby. “I hear what you’re saying, and I appreciate it. I-I’ll think about it. Okay?”
“That’s the spirit!” His zeal had returned in full force. “I’m so glad we had this chat, Kat. I expect to hear updates on our date the next time I call.”
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up—”
“I’ve been hoping to hear that from you, Kat. You know what happens when you hope, don’t you?”
Kat wouldn’t know anymore. She had stopped regularly hoping when she got the message that Will was dead. She had hoped and longed for him to come back to her soon. Her Will.She knew the words to say. It had been Mr. Williams’ catchphrase. “Hearts change.”
“Exactly,” he said and sounded pleased. “I’ll talk to you soon, Kathleen. Bye!”
She ended the call and shook her head. God must have helped the women who ended up with him as their husband, father, and grandfather. She appreciated strong women—her mother was one—but she had no idea what they had done to earn the title of being a strong woman.
She checked her watch again. Three-thirty. She’d waited long enough for the student to show up. She checked the class list on her laptop and located his contact information. Squinting, she typed his number into her phone, along with the following message:
This is Professor Cruz. You missed your appointment with me again today for the third time in a row. I will keep rescheduling our meetings until you are ready. I will not give up on you because I know you need counseling. Let’s reschedule for another time this week. Please text me back when you receive this. Thank you.
She reread the words then hit the send button. People find it difficult most times to accept the fact that they need counseling. This student has constantly been failing in his examinations, and it had not always been so for him, especially when he just gained admission into the university. I noticed his constant failures and deemed it fit to invite him for counseling. There is a reason for the failures. It doesn't just happen most times.
Kat smoothed the front of her light blue dress shirt as she glanced around the candlelit restaurant. Several well-dressed couples occupied the tables around her. Why had she let Mr. Williams talk her into making reservations at one of the city’s most romantic restaurants? Because, according to his romance author brother, he was supposed to make a good impression on her as his date. She released a long breath as she checked her watch. She’d rather be anywhere but here, especially when it had to be with Mr. Williams.
Her shoulders tensed just thinking about what conversation she will be having with Mr. Williams today. She already hated the fact that she was going out with him at all. She just had to get this date over with. She hoped that he wouldn't raise whatever he wanted to use to blackmail her this evening at all. Thinking about the past—her mistakes and regrets—sucked the life out of her. she didn’t want to get trapped in the vicious cycle of grief again. She had work responsibilities to keep up with, bills to pay, and this date to get over with. She owed it to Mr. Williams after all she’d been through in his hand about her job. Plus, she needed to get him off her back.
She glanced around, wondering if her date had arrived. This was the same thing he did the last time he asked me out fordinner. Not only did he come late, but he also ended up not showing up at all. Who does he think he is? Because he is influential, he thinks he can just ride on people—such an irresponsible man. I thought to myself. I waited for over an hour before he finally showed up. I was already very infuriated. How could he keep me waiting for so long? He came in all smiling. He dressed a little casual that evening for a first date, but he was still looking good anyway. He wore a pair of well-fitted jeans and a collared T-shirt with a pair of well-polished black shoes. His perfume was not nice that I perceived it even before he got to the table that was reserved for us. He was looking good that evening I must confess. He came to where I was seated and opened his arms wide for a hug. I reluctantly stood up and stylishly embraced him, and then he took his seat.
"I sincerely apologize for coming late. I had to clear up my desk back at the office, which took me some time to round up, and then I headed straight home to get dressed. And here I am. I apologize once again. I am so sorry for keeping a pretty lady of your caliber waiting. Forgive me." I was a little flattered at the way he apologized; I never knew he could be this humble. I tried my best to hide my blush. I did not want to look so weak. Any form of over-familiarity with Mr. Williams will make him take advantage of you, and that is one thing I am trying to avoid- over-familiarity.
"It's okay, Mr. Williams. Even though I was almost getting pissed, I understand now," I told him. We ordered a meal using the menu that was on the table. We chatted while we ate. We were moving from one topic to another. It was all fun, dining, and chatting until he popped up the question of which I was very sure was the main reason why he invited me out for dinner.
"Kathy, you know how much I love and care about you, look at how much I have used my influence to help you in the faculty, and the truth is like I have always said, I am ready to do more if you would just give in to my proposal. I have given you enough time to think about it, but you have never for once given me any reply concerning it, and I'm very sure you are single and looking for comfort, why not accept me and I'll give you more than you ever imagined," he said, stretching out his filthy hands to reach mine. I stylishly withdrew my hand before he got to mine. I wasn't sure about what to say for me not to sound rude because this was a married man with kids, and yielding to his proposal would mean me dropping my standards which I was not ready to do. I just felt like standing up and walking out on him, but Icouldn't. That might be a ride, too-who knows? I calmly responded to what he had just said.
"Mr. Williams, first and foremost, I appreciate all that you are doing for me in the faculty using your influence. I can say it is a privilege, even though it might not be because you are doing it for what you want to gain from me, but I still appreciate it. Thank you very much. But I'm sorry I cannot give in to your proposal. I can't do that to my fellow woman. I respect the fact that you are married. Being single at my age could be lonely sometimes. I quite agree about that, but I can't bring down my moral standards just because of what I will gain from it. That is selfishness, Mr. Williams. And to show how serious I am and how high I place my standards, I can step down from my newly given position and other opportunities I must have gotten through you so that you can as well stop bothering me, I am that serious, I'm sorry," I told Fernley.
I wondered what he was going to say. He might probably just walk away from me, or will he want to threaten or blackmail me again? I thought in silence. He was silent for a while, probably thinking about what he could use against me. I kept staring at him all through the silence, and for the first time, I noticed he had long eyelashes for a man. The hairs on his eyelashes stood separately and pointed out long. I wondered why I had not noticed all this time. His beards also stayed sparsely on his cheek like they feared what might happen if they came together. I must not have wanted to have anything to do with this man for me not to have noticed any of these things all this while, and they were even obvious. After a few minutes, he broke the silence.
"I have always known you to be a very stubborn woman Kathy, but I want to also let you know that I am a very determined man myself. When I want something, no matter what it is, I'll always go for it, and you know what? I always get whatever I go for, no matter how difficult it might be. I have always been patient with you, Kathy, and I'll continue with that virtue till I finally get you. I am not threatening you; I'm just telling you the facts. You will be mine at the end of it all, Kathy,” he said, still smiling.
This man disgusts me! Why won't he just give up? The fact that he is so persistent annoys me. Isn't it obvious enough that I do not want him? Why won't he just leave me alone? I continued with my meal because I intentionally didn't want to say anything to him. It wasn't like I didn't have anything to say. By the time we were done with our meal, it was already quite late. He offered to drop me off at home. I could not decline because it was late already, and it would be a little difficult getting a cab back home due to the location of the restaurant.
