Chapter 149

Third Person POV

It was obvious to Emily that something bad happened between Tessa and Joseph. It seemed as if Tessa was going to great lengths to avoid him. She even seemed a bit depressed and closed off. Emily didn’t have Tessa as a student, but she knew Tessa well from observing her to know when something was off.

Regardless, she had come to know Joseph rather well and he also seemed off. She was never certain what was going on between the two of them, but she knew whatever it was, it had to be over.

They were very careful to hide their relationship in front of others though. But somehow, Emily knew the truth. She knew they were hiding a secret relationship, and that Tessa was the reason why Joseph declined Emily’s advances.

But now that Tessa seemed to be out of the picture, Emily found this to be the perfect opportunity to try again. Especially now that Joseph seemed to be struggling emotionally.

She had already convinced him to go with her to the new coffee shop on Friday, now she just had to make him realize all that he could have.

Today at school, Emily made sure to wear a low shirt that showed off her cleavage and tightened around her sides to show off her curves and figure. She wore a tight black skirt that rested just above her knees and revealed her gorgeous slender legs, along with high heels to compliment her outfit.

Her curly brown locks of hair were pulled out of her face, but still rested just above her shoulders and bounced around her bright and elegant features as she strutted her stuff down the halls.

Emily was a beautiful woman and all the men at this school took notice of her. Mostly the students, who are all adults, and some of the faculty. The only one who didn’t take notice of her, the one that she wanted the most, was Joseph.

She was a nice person, though she liked to have a little fun from time to time. But she genuinely tried being nice to Tessa. But that girl made it so impossible. She just acted so miserable around Emily all the time and it was getting on her nerves.

But now that she seemed to be distancing herself from Joseph, perhaps Emily wouldn’t have to deal with her for much longer. It’s only a matter of time before Tessa decides this course isn’t worth it and decides to drop out of it. Or maybe drop school altogether.

Then again, there were only a few months of school left and then she would be graduating. Regardless of the reasoning, Tessa would be leaving this school and that brought Emily a great amount of joy.

As she stood in front of her large standing mirror in her office, she stared at her reflection with satisfaction. Emily knew she was beautiful; growing up, everyone had always told her that very fact.

She only got even better looking with age.

She puffed up her breasts with her hands, making them appear bigger and firmer before leaving her office to go to Joseph’s office. It was lunch hour, so she was hoping he would be willing to have lunch with her.

“Good afternoon, Emily,” one of the science professors said as they walked by on his way to his own office. He spoke to her, but he was looking at her breasts, which was something she was very used to.

She has come to enjoy the attention, so she didn’t mind.

“Hello,” she said in return, positioning herself so he could get a better view of her. “Do you like my new blouse? I just bought.”

“It looks very nice on you,” he said, swallowing audibly. “Very nice indeed.”

She smiled at his remark, spinning around so he could get a view of her backside.

“And how about my skirt?” She asked, running her fingers down her sides and across her hips. “I got it on sale.”

“It fits you well…” he breathed, his voice nearly dropping to a whisper.

“I was worried it might be a little too short,” she said, glancing over her shoulder to meet his eyes. “Do you think so?”

“Not at all,” he breathed, his eyes fixated on her lower half. “I think it’s the perfect length.”

He was completely entranced by her, and this pleased her greatly. In fact, it filled her with so much joy, she thought she was going to burst.

“Good,” she said, winking at him. “I’m going to have lunch with Joseph now. I’ll see you later.”

She walked further away, knowing that his eyes were still on her. She secretly smiled to herself knowing the effect she had on men and hoping she could have the same effect on Joseph.

She reached his office, which was only a few doors away from hers, and she knocked on the door delicately.

“Come in,” his tired and gruff-sounding voice said from inside.

She opened the office door and stepped inside. His eyes rested on hers and he gave her a small and polite smile.

“Good evening,” he said to her, bowing his head slightly in respect. “What can I do for you?”

“I was hoping we could have lunch together,” she said, swaying her hips slightly as she walked toward him.

He raised his brows at her, and his eyes fell to her hands; she felt a ping of annoyance knowing that was what he was fixed on.

“Where is your lunch?” He asked, curiously.

Her face reddened; she spent so long trying to perfect her look, that she forgot to grab her lunch out of the fridge in her office.

“Oh, I left it in my office. I thought you could join me in my office for lunch,” she recovered, running her manicured fingers through her hair, and batting her lashes at him.

He furrowed his brows.

“Why can’t we eat in here?”

“I have some papers I’m having trouble grading,” she lied. “They are on my computer. I was wondering if you’d be able to help me.”

“Ah, so this is a business lunch,” he said, teasingly as he closed the book he was reading.

Emily noticed that he had a lunch tray with a salad and some fruit on it, along with a water bottle.

“You caught me,” she chuckled.

He stood to his feet, taking his lunch with him.

“I’d be happy to help,” he told her as he followed her out of his office and toward hers.

He let her walk-in front of her, so she made sure to sway her hips often as she walked. She turned back slightly to see that he was hardly even paying attention.

It was infuriating.

By the time they got to her office, he sat in one of the chairs near her desk and she grabbed her lunch from her fridge. Now she had to upgrade a couple of papers so she could help her with it. She felt annoyed by her own lie, but she couldn’t turn back now.

“Just give me a few minutes,” she said, giving him a nervous chuckle.

He nodded as he continued to eat his salad.

She quickly pulled up a student’s assignment and undid all the markings and notes she had on it. Once the document was clear of any marks, Emily cleared her throat, getting Joseph’s attention.

“Okay, so this paper I was having a bit of trouble grading,” she said, motioning for Joseph to get closer.

He placed his tray on her desk and stood to his feet. He leaned in behind her so he could get a better look at the digital paper.

Emily felt dizzy from his incredible aroma; he smelled so nice. She wondered what cologne he wore but thought it would be inappropriate and make him feel uncomfortable if she were to ask, so she chose not to say anything.

“What part are you having trouble with?” He asked, cocking his head to the side as he finished reading the document. “Her grammar is very messy and it appears she’s using some inaccurate information in this report. I read the book she used for a topic and some of these quotes aren’t from the book, so they have no business being in quotes. However, it makes for a good read, and everything is spelled correctly. This isn’t a failing grade, maybe a D at best.”

“I was confused with the quotes because I also don’t remember any of that being in this book,” she said, peering up at him. “I knew you’d know for sure. Thank you, Professor Evergreen.”

He nodded and returned to his seat, much to her dismay. She wanted him to remain close to her, but she knew stuff like that would happen in due time.

They talked a bit more about that student's paper as they ate their lunch. Emily made it a point to bring up their outing on Friday and how excited she was to check out that new Bookstore café. During the conversation though, Joseph seemed to be in his own little world, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Tessa had anything to do with that.

The thought annoyed her, but she kept a smile plastered on her lips.

Joseph stood from his seat and was about to take his tray with him.

“I’ll take care of that,” she said, standing up with him. “it’s the least I can do.”

“Thank you,” he said in return as he went toward her office door.

“I appreciate your help,” she said to him.

He opened the office door and stepped into the hallway. Most teachers were either in their offices eating lunch or in the professor's lounge. The front room of the office section was practically empty.

Joseph turned to face her, bowing his head slightly.

“I’m helping to help,” he said sincerely. “I appreciate the company.”

She beamed up at him, but her smile faltered when she saw Tessa walking up the stairs. Her brows nearly twitched when Emily saw her. Tessa noticed Joseph very quickly and it seemed her entire body had frozen.

Emily took this as her opportunity.

She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around Joseph’s neck, pulling herself close to him and pressing her body against his. His arms remained by his side, and he seemed to have tense.

Tessa’s eyes enlarged and then became glassy with tears.

This pleased Emily greatly.

Tessa, for a moment, looked as if she couldn’t breathe. She clutched her mouth with her hands and tumbled over like she was punched in the gut. Then, she turned and ran back down the stairs.

Joseph stepped out of Emily’s embrace quickly.

“Sorry…” Emily said, dropping her hands. “I just wanted to—”

“It’s best if you don’t do that again,” Joseph said, his tone becoming hard and his eyes becoming avoidant. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”