Damaged Beyond Repair by Kashmira Kamat (KittyKash) (best short books to read TXT) 📗

That explained. She was indeed a regular.

I swallowed hard. "What other choice do we have?"

"We don't, considering the possibility he would follow us down in hell if he has to. Last time I hid in the girl's restroom and a few minutes later he was banging on the door from the outside like a freaky psycho lunatic asylum run-away."

I gaped at her.

“Okay, I’m kidding. I thought you were acquainted with my humor by now.”

“Ha. Ha. Nina.”

"We deserve a donut and a coffee treat after this. And pizza. Don’t forget pizza." She knocked softly on the door, we heard a soft come in.

Nina was the first who stepped inside, followed by me who shut the door. Some things are better left behind closed doors. Mr. Masters was seated behind his oak desk, scanning a pile of papers through the thin rims. If there was anyone who could pull off that corporate look. It was him.

His eyes leveled with mine, it wouldn't be justice if I said he glanced at us, it was more of a full-on Death Glare. The deafening silence stretched on as he remained silent and honestly, it was getting on my nerves until Nina decided to open her Big fat mouth.

"Mr. Masters, you called us."

That's when all Hell broke loose.

"Come here, you two."

We neared the table, neither of us taking a step closer. He pulled a paper out of the pile and slammed it on the table. Hard.

"Can either of you explain to me what the hell is this?" that was directed to my friend. If I would've been in her socks I would be running for the hills, it was a miracle she didn't react, didn't even flinch.

"I promise to study next time, sir."

I sneaked a peek; she'd got a C.

"What is wrong with the two of you? You have scored the lowest among my entire class."

Our heads were bent low. My shoes suddenly seemed pretty interesting.

"Nina, if you don't pull your socks now, I'm afraid I'll have to grade you a failing mark by the end of the year, do you understand?"

She nodded.

"I expect a verbal response and eye contact." Mr. Masters growled.

"Yes. I do understand, sir." She repeated, "I'd just gotten a little busy with..."

"Busy doing, what?" he snapped, "Painting your toes? Or perhaps upgrading your wardrobe?"

I burst into a fit of laughter, that's exactly what she'd been doing. I immediately shut myself when he threw daggers at me.

"Just busy completing my assignment." She completed.

"Which was due last month, I presume."

To that, she remained silent. "You've been in my office more times than I could count on my fingers and toes all together."

"It's only my fifth time, sir." Nina tried to clarify.

"This should be your fifth and the last time. I don't have the stomach of tolerating it anymore." he handed her the paper, gestured a hand towards the door "you may leave."

Nina passed me an apologetic glance and a told you so gesture before leaving me alone with the demon professor.

"And you, Miss new transfer, " He said, "Look at me, don't stare at the floor."

I glanced into his deep brown eyes, which were smoldering if nothing else.

I couldn't even recall the last time I was being scolded by anyone. My father never thought it was necessary, not even when I had sneaked into his office and scribbled on his important work files when I was four, so the feeling was quite alien.

Demon professor thrust the answer sheet in my hands.

Holy mother of god Hades.

A big Fat 'D' stared back at me in red ink.

"Do you also have any excuses?"

Either I had dreamed of that day in the park, or maybe his ancestors were from the Mr. Hyde family.

"No, Mr. Masters."

"If you think I'll excuse you just because you joined a few months later, then I'm afraid you're mistaken." He sounded somewhere between cold and controlled, like a control freak to be very precise. I had goosebumps all over my body.

He continued, "I don't care if this is a university, I don't care if you think I'm controlling. As a teacher, I have to make sure everyone gets a passing grade if nothing else. I checked your grades from your previous college and they seemed acceptable. Do you have a problem understanding what I teach you? If so, then please tell me how I can make it right. I'm sure we can come to a resolution."

If I could only tell him that my lack of concentration had nothing to do with his teaching and everything to do with his sexy bod. Ha. As if I could tell him, not even if my life depended on it.

"I think you teach really well. That's not the problem." I felt the color rush towards my cheeks. "I just moved into the dorms two weeks ago, and it has been a little exhausting since then. I had to gather notes and also write essays. I'm sorry if it looks like I'm making excuses, but I will work harder next time."

"I hear your conviction, so I'll let it pass this one time." he went back to his seat. "I want you to write the paper five times and show me first thing in the morning. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal."

He nodded, seeming pleased with himself for some unknown reason, he swirled a glass paperweight on the desk, with his elegant fingers, "If you have any difficulty, please feel free to ask. Call me if necessary, I will make time, but I don't want to see that grade on your paper again."

"Yes, sir."

"Can you please pass on the message to Nina?"

"I will."

I thanked him, grabbed for my stuff, and started to leave, "Alana, I was just wondering. The number from which you called me the other day, is it yours?"

Where was he getting at?

"Yes, it's mine."

He was tapping the fountain pen on the desk. Was it possible that he was tensed for some reason?