Chapter 1
It was late, I still needed to clean the counters, fill the coffee machine, heat the buns.. The Cafeteria will be opened soon, customers will be storming in like crazy. If I do not have such tasks already prepared, it would mean my day would be shitty.
The door chimed, I looked at it hesistantly.. "Hello my beautiful colleague.. how is your morning today"
This was Alex, one of my best friends. He is also a waiter at the Cafeteria. This is where I met him and his boyfriend Mark who comes here for free coffee.
"Good morning, Alex you look cheerful today" ... This made me smile because no one can brighten my day the way Alex here can with his loud laugh.. clap of hands and flirty smart mouth.. I just loved him so much..
"If I weren't gay you'd be the one I tap for sure " that is what he told me on my first shift with him and I took this as a great compliment.
"Is there a special reason why you are so happy this morning?" I asked with a smile on my face and this was another characteristic of Alex, his smile was infectious. "It is the start of my birthday weekender, well after the shift is done anyways."
"Oh happy birthday" I said happily while moving towards Alex and embrace him in a hug. He compiled immediately, he is the right person to go for hugs with such big masculine hands.. but of course I did not tell him that, I intend him no harm. Instead I gave him the piece of cloth I had in hand "Now wipe the tables and the counters, I will finish the buns and be ready for the show."
His face fell when he saw that he still had to give a helping hand but he would not bail on me.. even on his birthday weekender.
"Do you have any plans for Saturday?" He looked at me while wiping the same spot on the same table for eternity. " No, I do not think so ... my semester start on the 22nd therefore I'm free, I guess." He looked happy when he came in but he looked even happier now.
"Well I really wanted to go to this new hot club, The Rochetteeeessssss" He said with hand holding the piece of cloth in the air .. his face turned to the ceiling and his torso upfront.. this as always seeing how dramatic he is made me smile again. "Who else will be there?", I asked hesitantly. "Just you... and me... and Mark" he added. "Mark!" I groaned "I like Mark a lot but I don't want to be a third wheel.."
"Gurl, please.. besides Mark has this really great friend of his.."
"Whoa, stop right there! Are you setting me up on a blind date? "I turned fully to him now leaving the hot buns on the counter. "Oh come on Ella.. when was the last time you got laid?" My eyes opened wide since simultaneously as he said that, Professor Wintermood chimed the door open, for sure have heard Alex question. This is when I felt him eyeing me like he usually does while I'm wiping tables. I could feel my face getting red and turned around quickly to continue distributing the hot buns in the containers.
He eyed me once more, smiles to Alex good morning and sat at the usual table. Table number 3, my favourite number. The table at the corner of the shop, the table of private matters as we call it, this is situated exactly in between distance yourself from others and observating everyone from a distance. I know because it is also my favourite table in the shop, so quite.
‐--------------------------------------------------------------------
I switched on the hot water, put a bath bomb Alex had bought for me and was already undressing my self when I heard the back door open and Luke shouting from down stairs.. "Hey Ella... where are you at?"
"I'm taking a bubble bath, what do you want?" I yelled somehow frustrated so he understands that this is my glory hour.. I even bought battries, finally!
I heard 3 knocks on the door and since I was in my underwear, I pulled a towel against me. " come in" I said and the door cracked open with Luke peeking behind the door, searching for me.. "oh, you are covered" and he opened the door to come further in. "What do you want Luke, my bath bomb is dissolving without me and my bath is getting cold, so this better be good."
He looked at me with those beautiful eyes. I know Luke since we were kids.. He kissed me, once or twice but that was it and deep inside I always thought he was hot. Mountain man with big hands, chestnut hair, brown big eyes.. arms full of tattoos.. But still I never felt that pull towards him, he is like a brother to me. However Alex sometimes weirdly points out that he likes me.. Neh he is not my type. When I said that to Alex, he threw his head back and laughed loudly, then he turned to face me and said while applying lipstick in the cafeteria mirror..
"Tomorrow evening my mum, is meeting up with some old friends.. and apparently her friend has a daughter and my mother is already planning my wedding." He said while bringing me back from my daydreams. Just like a school boy who does not want to break his mother's heart, because she did a lot for him, especially since his father died at a very tender age. I laughed, looked at him.." This is serious Ella, I am telling you.. stop looking at me like that!".
"What do you want me to do ?" I asked as serious as I could.
"You need to come rescue me, or at least come to dinner with us, so you can help me get out of this, because you know how my mother gets." He looked at me with those puppy eyes which I never got accustomed to without giving in. "But what can I do?" I replied right back.
"Oh come on Ella, at least if the conversation is not great you can stir it away." He said once again givin me eyes and now also a pouty lip. I looked at the now almost dissolved bath and back to him.. "If I say yes, would you leave me alone and let me enjoy whats left of my bubble bath?" He looked at me and then at the counter where my vibrator was visible to him and I had completely forgotten about it. He smirked at me and said " ohhhh, I leave you to it.. such a pity that such a beautiful woman needs such a device." And with that he closed off the door and left.
In return I continued undressing my self.. poored more hot water in my almost cold bubble bath and switched on my Mike, that is what the vibrator was called as per the original box. I closed my eyes, removed the beautiful comment from my head and thought only about him. Professor Wintermood.
I have blue eyes and dark brown hair. My mother was Mediterranean so I got natural tan colour just like hers. This is one thing that I liked about myself. I applied some light make up, dressed in some cute jeans and a Levi tank top.. put on white slippers.. and off I went.
Finally my day was over, Thursdays some how are always the worst, it is better on Fridays.. people are more happy and less frustrated.
However now it was finally time to relax and take a well deserved bubble bath. I had my pay cheque today, since tomorrow I am on leave to do some errands and buy a new dress which I like to do with every pay cheque as a reward for myself and motivation to next pay cheque.
I switched on the hot water, put a bath bomb Alex had bought for me and was already undressing my self when I heard the back door open and Luke shouting from down stairs.. "Hey Ella... where are you at?"
"I'm taking a bubble bath, what do you want?" I yelled somehow frustrated so he understands that this is my glory hour.. I even bought battries, finally!
"I'm coming up, cover yourself" I heard him say, hiw much he angers me. Cover yourself.. because mister bossy is still coming up even though I'm taking a bath.
I heard 3 knocks on the door and since I was in my underwear, I pulled a towel against me. " come in" I said and the door cracked open with Luke peeking behind the door, searching for me.. "oh, you are covered" and he opened the door to come further in. "What do you want Luke, my bath bomb is dissolving without me and my bath is getting cold, so this better be good."
He looked at me with those beautiful eyes. I know Luke since we were kids.. He kissed me, once or twice but that was it and deep inside I always thought he was hot. Mountain man with big hands, chestnut hair, brown big eyes.. arms full of tattoos.. But still I never felt that pull towards him, he is like a brother to me. However Alex sometimes weirdly points out that he likes me.. Neh he is not my type. When I said that to Alex, he threw his head back and laughed loudly, then he turned to face me and said while applying lipstick in the cafeteria mirror..
"Luke the hot guy, is not your type.. so what is your type Ella??.. mmm, Let me think he said?" While chewing on his chewing gum ... finger to his chin and making faces.. "ohh" he said, "The professor" at that instant I felt shocked, paralysed.. because he was the one I would later buy battries since I have used all of them again on him.. just watching him from afar.
"Tomorrow evening my mum, is meeting up with some old friends.. and apparently her friend has a daughter and my mother is already planning my wedding." He said while bringing me back from my daydreams. Just like a school boy who does not want to break his mother's heart, because she did a lot for him, especially since his father died at a very tender age. I laughed, looked at him.." This is serious Ella, I am telling you.. stop looking at me like that!".
"What do you want me to do ?" I asked as serious as I could.
"You need to come rescue me, or at least come to dinner with us, so you can help me get out of this, because you know how my mother gets." He looked at me with those puppy eyes which I never got accustomed to without giving in. "But what can I do?" I replied right back.
"Oh come on Ella, at least if the conversation is not great you can stir it away." He said once again givin me eyes and now also a pouty lip. I looked at the now almost dissolved bath and back to him.. "If I say yes, would you leave me alone and let me enjoy whats left of my bubble bath?" He looked at me and then at the counter where my vibrator was visible to him and I had completely forgotten about it. He smirked at me and said " ohhhh, I leave you to it.. such a pity that such a beautiful woman needs such a device." And with that he closed off the door and left.
In return I continued undressing my self.. poored more hot water in my almost cold bubble bath and switched on my Mike, that is what the vibrator was called as per the original box. I closed my eyes, removed the beautiful comment from my head and thought only about him. Professor Wintermood.
‐--------------------------------------------------------------------
It was morning, my alarm clock went off and I stirred in bed. I do not need to wake up early since it is my day off. However I had a day planned with errands, shopping and fun hopefully. So I woke up and went to the bathroom, showered.. tied my hair in a cute pony tail and was washing my face. I wasn't a thin person.. I was size 12 with a huge bottom. Sometimes Alex jokes around and calls me Nicki Minaj referencing to my glorious backside as he says.
I have decided I would check on Luke at the Cafeteria, have some coffee and some delicious pastry, since I still had to consume the most important meal of the day.
The Cafeteria from the parking lot seemed quiet as it usual on Fridays. People are usually more lazy and laid back on Fridays. There were few customers since there are other cars parked. I have also spotted the Mercedes, Professor Wintermood's car.
I walked into the cafeteria and chimed the door open. Looked around, only 3 tables filled including table number 3. He was there reading the paper, his eyes locked with mine, I smiled politely.. trying to not give anything away. I looked at Luke and saw that he already had a flashing smile towards me from behind the counter, and walked towards him.
"Good morning, Luke" I said while sitting on the bar stool for coffee. "Good morning Duchess" he said very loudly as if we were the only one in the cafeteria, thus everyone heard him and I could feel him eyeing me from his table, like a pull.. like a telepatic signal.
"Can I have a coffee please Luke?"
"For you Duchess, only the best in the house" he said loudly again. This time, opening his hands wide, table cloth on his shoulder, he turned to get coffee. Such a showman. whilst smiling and getting the coffee pot to fill my travelling mug, my mobile rang and I could see it was Alex. "Hello"
"Heyy Gladys.. good morning.. are you at the Cafeteria?"
"Good Morning Fred, yes I'm here. Are you coming here as well?"
"No hun, because I have a packed day today. Aaand its starting with waking up Mark, aaand lick him all up"
"Ugh Fred, too much information"
This was an inside joke, since they thought I acted like a duchess, we gave each other the Fred and Gladys nicknames, just like Prince Charles and Camilla.
We continued talking and laughing a bit more until I felt him near me. I turned around on my bar stool, he was there ordering coffee and pastry.
"No," I heard me saying to Luke, "He does not like that one, it has coconut in it." While gesturing and pointing at the cherry cheesecake to give him instead. Luke looked at me confused, then at Professor Wintermood as in questioning whether he wants the pastry or not.
"What?, hello? Are you still there?" I ignored Alex, looked beside me as once again I felt him staring at me, now with a little bit of tilted head. After the incident, this was a talent I was building, of feeling and perceiving people eyeing me.
"Hello, Ella?" .. "Oh Alex, I have to leave now.. I talk to you tomorrow.. enjoy your day Fred."
I looked back to Luke and saw him giving a cherry cheesecake to Professor Wintermood. He then looked at me and said.
"Thank you, coconut is not one of my favourite. But I guess you noticed that already." He said with a smirk.
"Um.. yeah I guessed so, you never eat it when the pastry has coconut in it." I said somehow embarrassed since now he knows that I do notice.
"You attend the college right?" He asked while taking the bar stool next to me sipping his coffee. My mind had a tiny explosion and I imagine having little me people.. operating the CPU system in my head , they have just witnessed a fault in the system.. because does he notice me too?
"Yes, last semester starting on the 22nd." I said looking down at my coffee.. After the incident I could not have a good conversation with strangers especially men.
"What is your major?"
"Art, I dance" I said, this time looking at Luke who apparently had a very serious face and was studying us like a hawk. "Good for you good luck then.. em?" He extendes his hand and shooked mine.. "Ella, Ella Watson."
"Thanks again Ella " he smiled, it was the best thing that happened to me in years.. he was hot, he was built, squared jaw.. brown eyes.. shaved hair.. guess has some south American genes within him. To that I just smiled and felt my face reddens.
He walked back to his table and I knew he was sitting down and eyeing me again. I looked again at Luke. He had his body against the back counter, his arms crossed and so damn serious.
"What's wrong?" I asked intrigued
"Nothing, just I don't trust the guy" he said plainly and flat. "Well, thats quite a statement, and you say that because?" I asked while sipping coffee and looking upwards to meet his eyes.. He came closer now putting both hands on the counter leaning forward. His face was few inches away and I could feel him breathing over me, in a very hush tone that I barely heared but understood he said, "I am no guru, but I have a good intuitive and something in my gut tells me he is trouble. I know he likes you because they way he looks at you and heavens know by giving me a dick, so I know how dick react to an ass like yours. By having a dick I know what he is thinking and I don't like it."
He was never this serious, this was not the first time he was vulgar to me but not simultaneously complementing my body. I was taken aback and for a second didn't know how to respond. Still I thought that the Professor was very respect full and leaned into Luke, I whispered "That's ridiculous "
He leaned further "Do you have a dick?"
On that note I smiled, put half of the pastry in my mouth, leaned further as always do for a kiss on the forehead from Luke. However this time I give him one on the cheek. "Bye Luke, stay away from Netflix, its getting to you." I grabed my stuff and yelled behind me "Bye handsome, see you at dinner" and waved goodbye. Turned to table number 3 "Bye professor, good day to you."
"Elliot, you can call me Elliot. Bye Ella have a good day" and he gave me a good day because he showed me how good he could form a full smile. Beautiful.. piece of art.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I went on with my day, bought groceries that I needed. New sheets for the bed, because I decided that the ones I have were old and needed to be replaced. Now I was heading towards the Mall, to buy a dress for tomorrow.
As usuall, when I finally have money to buy a dress, then nothing seems to please me.. Few years ago, I would be searching for a red dress. The one that would show skin, the one that would attract attention. But now, the less I'm noticed, the happier I feel.
Going from one window to another, I might have found what I was looking for. A small corner shop at the end of the road, had this black dress.. nothing fancy but it hugged my body perfectly. Not a lot of skin showing, but still it would be considered sexy. So I went inside, pushed the door open and the chimes at the inside rang. A lovely woman as short almost as I am, came with a smile on her face to greet me.
"Good morning dear, how can I help you?"
"Erm, yes please.. do you have size 12 for the black dress displayed in the window please?"
"Sure dear" she turned and went to grab the black dress for me to try on.
I looked around in the meantime, the shop was quite small. A small desk for cash.. dresses hanging all-over the place. Another room on the inside, I guess fitting rooms and a round staircase going upstairs, which I think is the store since this is were the shop manager went. It smelled nice though like cinnamon. She came back with the dress and my guessings were confirmed since she directed me to the other room to try on my dress.
----------------------------------------------------------‐----------
He couldn't concentrate on his newspaper anymore, because her words kept coming "He, doesn't like that one, it has coconut in it." so she did notice him. Also he kept thinking about the fact that his student Luke, is interfering with his plans.
The way he smiles at her, the way he calls her Duchess, the way he got into her space as if that was his most natural thing to do.. Surely as hell professor Elliot Wintermoods didn't like what he saw between them. He needed to come up with a plan to get her... For fuck sake, Luke was already taking her to dinner that very night.
On this thought the door of the cafeteria chimed again, however this time, it wasn't Ella.. it was Elizabeth.. or like how some of the people here on campus knows her as Professor Grimm.
"There you are finally, I have been looking for you all morning." She said whilst she sat on the chair beside him and gestured Luke for coffee. Which in return he gave a head nod and started preparing fresh coffee instantly.
"What do you want Lizzie?" he said quite annoyed.
"Oh come on, don't tell me you are still mad?"
"Why shouldn't I not be mad? With the stunt you pulled yesterday." He said while still focusing on his newspaper.
Leaning closer on the table to get his attention she said " You changed Elliot". She succeeded, as he took his eyes from the newspaper and held hers for a few seconds.
"No Lizzie, you changed.. you are the one obsessed.. you suffocate me Lizzie." And once again he held her eyes... very angry eyes.
"I suffocate you Elliot?!.. you changed since that night.. I.. I.. I made a mistake. I am human Elliot, I make mistakes."
"Fuckin sure you want to have this conversation here?" He said now angrily.
Luke was next to them with the pot of coffee to fill up Professor Grimm's travelling mug. Both of them stopped their conversation. Professort Grimm gave a small smile to Luke, "Thank you Luke" on the other hand Professor Wintermoods started collecting his belongings.
"Where are you going now?" She asked hesistantly.
"I have a lecture to give in 30 minutes, see you at home." Putting his wallet in suit, the newspaper in his leather briefcase, his pen in his front suit pocket. Turned to Luke and said " See you in class Luke, try not to be late."
"Yes Professor" As always Luke was a great guy.. a gentle man.. also a player but he got a lot of attention from women on the campus. He once again looked at Professort Grimm to flash her a smile before leaving ..
Elliot was watching his fiancée getting uneasy and also aroused... he turned to her... bent very low next to her ear, which she welcomed very much and whispered on a dead note... "You fuckin disgust me!" This made her shiver.. he got up moved to the door and without looking back he went for his lecture.
--------------‐------------------------------------------------------
His day was not easy, all those students, all those assignments, he couldn't manage all by himself. Therefore he decided as part of his plan to ask Luke if he could help him in his office. This way he could get information whether Ella and Luke were seeing each other, also this would lead to Luke spending less time with Ella.
As soon as the lecture was over he asked Luke to go to his office, so he could talk to him. A knock on the door brought professor Wintermoods back from his thoughts. "Come on in" he said loudly but not too loud.
On cue Luke opened the door, came in and closed the door behind him. He turned towards the Professor "You needed to see me Professor? Is it because I came late again?, I'm only trying my best to earn some extra cash and help my mum out."
Professor Wintermood smiled as he was well aware of the student situation, since he had gathered some information from the administration office in the university. "Yes and No" professor wintermood replied dryly which he could see from Luke's expression that he has kind of confused.
"I need some help in the office, which is taking away from me precious time... I was wondering whether you will be interested in working partime for a few hours. Obviously for extra cash and also extra curriculum credits... Please think about my offer, let me know what days and hours you can avail yourself and what is the pay you request?"
The professor finished proposing to Luke for help but this guy was giving nothing away.
In the meantime, Luke's mobile rang showing him a message received by Ella, asking him about the dinner date with his blind date and their mothers. The professor has saw that Luke has received a message from Ella however the content was to small to read from where he was seated.
Luke scanned the message lightly and replied to the professor " I am sure I can be available to give you a helping hand. I am all up for extra credit. However today I have important event to attend, I shall contact you with my availability. With regard to salary why don't you give me your rate and what the job entails."
Elliot looked at Luke, whome understounderstood that was quite cunning and also in a hurry to leave for his date with Ella, "sure, I will email you all the details Luke"
"That would be great, thank you professor. " Luke stood up from where he was seated grabbed his bag, once again thanked the professor and closed the door behind him after leaving.
Elliot was left alone in his small office, full of paper and dust. He needed to sort out exactly what he will be asking Luke to do, which surely was some god damn filing.
