His Angel

"Ava Dalton to the front office please! Professor Dalton to the front office please! Thank you!"

Ava sat at her desk infront of a lecture hall full of freshman college students. They were all silent, heads down typing rapidly on laptops and tablets. She assigned a three page essay on Steven King's "Carrie" that they had finished reading the day before. Ava was proud of her students just as much as she was concerned. Most of them just took her glass to fill a gap in their schedules. No one wanted to major in English. Except her. When she sat 3 years beforehand in the second row of the same lecture hall, writing the same essay. She knew what it was like to be in their shoes. If only they knew what it was like to be in hers. Ava lived alone, in a one bedroom apartment with a cat that paid her no mind. Both her parents were divorced and lived seperate lives, barely called for holidays. Her older sister was a nurse and her younger brother a DJ, both engaged to the loves of their lives, happy as could be. But not Ava. She was alone. All the time. Even in this lecture hall.

She stood up and left the hall. Ava wasnt sure what she was being called to the office for but she was sure kt was nothing interesting. Her life never was. Her heels clicked on the floor until she entered the carpeted office and stood in front of the receptionist desk.

"Hi Ms. Dafney. You called for me?"

The older grey haired woman behind the desk always looked so miserable. She had a jar of caramel hard candies on her desk, next to a picture of a ratty dog.

" Yes. Go in. Mr. Morgan would like to speak with you." She mumbled, shooing Ava away. Ava stared at the door between her and the man she always dreamed of. He was a student at the same time she was but they never spoke to each other. And now he was her boss. He was so tall. Built of nothing but muscle and ink. He was covered head to tow with tattoos and she couldnt help hut stare sometimes. He was perfect; thick dark hair, strong arms, the whitest teeth she had ever seen. And his eyes could burn a hole through concrete. She couldnt imagine what she would do with a man like him. But as she walked through the door into his office, she didnt want to imagine anything.

"Ava" He motioned for her to have a seat, "i trust that you student professor has your class taken care of." He leaned forward, placing his chin in his hands, elbows on his desk. Ava sat down gently in the leather seat in front of him.

"Yes. She has everything covered." Ava stared down at her hands in her lap. What did he call her for? She wondered.

" Good. You have been guiding her very well Ive seen. How are you, Professor Dalton?" He doesnt take his eyes away from her face. She doesnt look up. Anywhere but at him. She felt as if she would melt in his gaze.

" Im doing well. Classes are going fine this semester. Ready for terms." Ava said, pinching her skirt between her fingers. She glanced around the room. Pictures of his family and framed awards hung on every wall. Only one thing stood out to her: He had no pictures of a wife or kids or even a dog. She wondered if he was just as lonly as she was.

" I didnt ask about your classes Ava. I can view those on my own. I asked how you are doing?" His voice sounds soft but sturn. Ava wiggles in her chair a bit. She finally looks up into his eyes. They're the softest baby blue you have ever seen. They sparkle even in the dim light of his office. But he seemed so concerned about her. Why? He never cared before. She looked away once again.

"Im doing good."

" Good." He stands up and walks around the desk, pacing the length of the room. "Id like you to come to meeting with me tomorrow evening." He stops and looks down at her. A meeting. Why her? She wasnt important. " The board is introducing a new computer app. I want you to know about it." He steps closer to her.

" Um...yes sir. I can be there." She hesitated but agreed. She looked up at him. His suit shirt was untucked from his pants, tie loose around his collar. Comfortable. "What time?"

"I will pick you up at five o'clock tomorrow evening."

"Oh i can drive-"

"That will not be necessary. Im sure you will have a drink during the meeting, as will I. My driver will assure us our safety."

"But-"

" I look forward to seeing you, Professor."

"Yes sir."

Ava walked out of the room with her head down. What just happened? Professor Miles Morgan asked her to a meeting? This couldnt be normal. She returned to class silently and finished her day with the unsettling thought of this business meeting with her boss.

The next morning Ava slept in. She tossed and turned all night long wondering. Questioning every possibility of this meeting. She woke up at noon to her phone ringing: Morgan. The screen flashed his last name and the basic Apple ringtone. She hesitated, cleared her throat, and picked up the phone.

"Goodmorning, Ava Dalton speaking."

"I know Ava. I called you."

"Yes sir. Im sorry. Goodmorning." She was slightly worried he was calling to cancel.

"How did you sleep, Ava?" His voice was low and groggy like he had just woken up too. But she liked it.

"I slept well. How about you?"

"You're lying. I slept well. Just woke up a bit late. Have you eaten?" He sounds demanding now. Why?

"No i haven't."

" Good. Get up and get dressed. Ill be there in 25 minutes" Click.

What just happened?

Ava climbs out of bed and stares in the mirror. Her hair stuck out at all angles and her eyes were dark and tired. She rushed to put on her school uniform and and brush her hair. She still couldnt figure what he wanted with her. Why was she the one going to this meeting? And why did he care if she ate or not.

In exactly 25 minutes her doorbell rang. A tall skinny man in a suit stood at her door. Behind him parked a blacked Chevrolet Tahoe, the back passenger door open. The man held an umbrella but it wasnt raining. Ava walked passed him and got in the car. Miles Morgan stared at her, smiling with all his teeth.

"Why are you dressed that way?" He stared at her uniform. She glared at him angrily.

"Is something wrong with it?"

"No. I assigned the uniforms. But its a Saturday morning. Were not going to school." He reached out and touched the edge of her skirt. She tensed all over, chills ran down her spine. His fingers grazed her thigh. His hands are warm.

"Driver take us home please."

"Home?"

"My house. We will get you a nicer outfit and have breakfast."