Twin Flames, Two Souls Journey Through Time – The Professor - Chapter 16

                  Amelia was working on the third book in the series as the second one was currently with the copy editor for review when she saw Daniel was calling her, “hey baby, how are you,” but there was silence on the other end, “Daniel, are you there,” still silence, “Daniel, what’s wrong, please answer me you’re scaring me.”  “I student asked about you during class, and then when I asked her to stay behind to let her know that it’s not a good idea to ask your professors personal questions in public because not all of them would take kindly to it, she threatened me by asking if the Dean of my department knew I dated students.  I have already spoken to Roy Keller, the Dean of my department, and I’m going to have to speak to Nigel Chand, the Interim President of the College, and they are both probably going to want to speak with you.”  His voice was somewhat icy, and she could tell he was upset and worried.  “Daniel, I can tell you’re anxious and spiraling at the moment, what do you want me to do?  I can come to the school, I’m willing to do whatever you need me to do.  I’m so sorry this is happening, and I want to do whatever I can to help you.”  “Roy asked for your number so that he can speak with you, is it OK if I give it to him?”  “Of course, sweetheart, I can come in and speak with him in person as well if you think that will help.”  Daniel stayed silent, he wanted her to come, but he wasn’t sure if that would make things better or worse for him.  “I don’t know if your coming would help or make things worse,” “I understand, let me know what to do, I’m here to listen, I can offer suggestions, I can contact my publicist and see what she thinks.  I want to be here for you.  You have been so comforting and reassuring to me whenever I got overwhelmed this past weekend, and I only want to be here for you too.”  Amelia was nauseous, she felt so guilty that her book had put Daniel in a precarious position.  “Daniel, I’m so sorry that my book has caused so much trouble for you,” her voice began to crack as she continued, “please forgive me, and tell me what I can do to make this right?”  Daniel took a deep breath, he was angry with her, but he knew it was unreasonable of him to be so, “you didn’t do anything wrong honey, it’s my fault, she saw me on the TV show, if I hadn’t been so rash and gone to the studio to confront you, this would have never happened, I am angry with you, but I know it’s not your fault.”  “I’d like to come down and support you Daniel, can I please do that, truth be told I could really use a hug, and I think you do to.  Oh, and I’m glad you came down to the studio.”  “I am to,” he replied softly.  They stayed silent for a moment, neither knowing exactly what to say, Daniel finally spoke, “I would really love if you did come down to see me, I know you’re writing, but…” “I can write any time Daniel, this and more importantly YOU, matter more to me than writing another chapter.  I’ll be there as soon as I can.”  She stayed silent for a moment, she knew that he might get weird about what she wanted to say next, “I don’t want to seem presumptuous, but I think I should call my publicist, this is what she is paid for, and she can make us aware of any potential landmines that we may not see, but I will understand if you don’t want me to.”  “No, that’s probably a good idea, please call her and see what she suggests, thank you.”  “You don’t have to thank me, and again I’m so sorry.”  “Don’t be, just hearing your voice is helping.”  Amelia could feel tears welling up in her eyes, when did she become such a crybaby, “I’m glad I can finally be here for you, you have talked my off so many ledges the past couple of days.”  “I hear your voice cracking, please do not cry, I’m not mad at you, just the situation, please get here safely and quickly.”

                  Amelia let Lucy know what was going on, and she also called her publicist, Sherri, to ask for her advice.  Sherri advised, “your personal life is just that, personal, if you don’t want to discuss it then you don’t have to.  I suggest that if the public does finds out to be honest, that you reconnected with one another and realized that you both had feelings for each other, you are taking it slowly to see where things go and then that’s it.  Honesty and brevity are the best bet, lying only causes more issues.  You are both adults, and if the media wants to believe this girl based solely on the book, you can remind them that it is a work of fiction, and like most writers you drew on your own experiences to lend authenticity to the story.”  “Thanks for the suggestions, Sherri, I’ll let you know if we need anything else.”  With that she made her way to Oceanview.

                  Amelia made it to the college in a little over an hour, as she was parking, she texted Daniel to let him know that she had arrived, and to confirm that he was still located in the same office.  “What lot did you park, I’ll meet you at your car?”  “I’m in lot H,” “Ok, just stay in the car and I’ll be right there.”  When he got to her car, he got into the passenger seat and gave her a long tight hug, “Thank you so much for coming.”  He inhaled deeply into her neck, and she felt him smiling against her, “hey, none of that, don’t start something that we can’t finish Mister.”  He pulled away with a smile, “FINE,” and he gave her a chaste kiss on the lips, and they got out of the car and walked to his office.  He didn’t hold her hand because they were on campus, which she was fine with it, she knew the deal.  When they made it to his office, he closed the door and pulled her into another tight hug, and she rubbed his back in an attempt to comfort and calm him.  She could feel him relax in her arms and he held onto her tightly while nuzzling into her neck.  His hands started to wonder, and she pulled back from him and said, “You won’t hold my hand on campus, but it’s totally OK to rub my ass in your office huh?” “I’m upset, I need comforting” he said trying to look serious, but his smile crept through.  She shook her head and rolled her eyes at him.  He gave her a side eye and smirked, “Newton’s third law Amelia,” and Amelia bit her bottom lip.  “You know there could be a knock at the door at any second from Roy, or the President, is this really the game you want to play right now?”  He grimaced, “spoil sport,” he gave her another quick peck and sat down behind his desk and Amelia sat across from him.  “What did your publicist say?”  “She said if we don’t want to talk about it, we don’t have to, but her recommendation was to be honest and brief if the topic came up.  We can tell people we reconnected a few days ago, that there was a mutual attraction, and that we are taking it slowly to see where things go.  And if they mention anything about the book to remind them that it is a work of fiction and a figment of my active imagination.”  “So basically, the truth?”  “Yup, we have absolutely nothing to worry about, there is nothing untoward about our relationship.  You haven’t been my teacher in five years, I hadn’t seen you in four years, and I haven’t even been a student at this school for almost two years.  We have literally done nothing wrong.”  Daniel nodded his head in agreement, but he still had a pensive expression on his face, “what is bothering you, Daniel?”  Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his chair, “I understand why you used a pen name, Roy said that he would be reading the book, the President is probably going to read it, you were right, I suddenly feel very weird about people I know reading the book.”  Amelia smiled and said, “and you thought I was weird for not wanting Lucy to read it.”  “Yeah that bit me in the ass didn’t it,” he said with a chuckle.  “I wrote the book, it is literally a figment of my imagination, besides I think most people use their own experiences when reading a book, they will picture who they want to for those parts, and speaking for myself as someone who enjoys reading romance novels, I usually picture myself and whoever I’m crushing on at the moment when I read a book.”  “Yes, but these people know the story was written about me, and the idea of Nadine picturing me as she reads the book has me weirded out.”  Amelia chewed on her lip nervous to tell him what she was thinking, “Stop chewing on your lip Amelia and spit it out,” “I hate to break this to you Daniel, but I have a feeling that you probably have at least one person in one of your classes who thinks about you when they are getting off.”  Daniel looked horrified at the thought, Amelia continued, “I have read your rate my professor reviews, and they clearly show that I am not the only student of yours who found you charming.  A couple of them were quite blatant in their reviews.  You are a handsome, funny, intelligent, kind man, it’s only natural that some girls, and maybe even some guys would develop a little crush on you.”  Daniel turned red in embarrassment, “are you telling me that you thought about me when I was your professor?” “Oh my god, ALL the time, even the times when I wasn’t alone, you are who I thought about.” Amelia almost immediately regretted saying that last part, no guy wants to hear about their girlfriends past sexual relationships.  “It was with someone I was seeing casually, he was a sweet kid, and I felt so guilty about picturing you that I never saw him again, sorry I don’t know why I keep rambling…”  “It’s ok honey, I’m well aware you were not a virgin, neither was I, it’s actually rather flattering when you think about it.”  A satisfied smile forming on his face, “I see you are feeling better now?”  His smirk even more evident, “what can I say, when you got it you got it.”  “You are incorrigible you know that?”  “Do you really think other students think about me like that?”  “YES!  As much as I like to think I’m one in a million, I’m not unique, I imagine it was far more when you were younger and closer in age to your students.”  “So, what I’m old now?”  Amelia tried to hide her amusement, “not old, but older. and you know a little less hair, with a little more gray in your beard, it happens to the best of us.”  “I went from feeling like Prince Charming to Quasimodo.”  Amelia could not help but laugh out loud at his remark, “settle down Quasi, you still have a terrific ass.”  He laughed, “Thank you for making me laugh, I needed that.”  He reached for her hand across his desk and held it.  “Everything is going to be just fine Daniel, we have done nothing wrong, nor do we have anything to feel guilty or ashamed of.  We are adults, hell we are middle aged,” admitting that was a gut punch, “Thanks for the reminder, as if I didn’t feel bad enough already.”  “It is what it is my dear, in our minds we might be in our twenties, but our bodies quickly remind us that NO the fuck we are not,” she said with a chuckle. 

Not thirty seconds later Roy knocked on his door and it was time to see the President.  Both Daniel and Amelia felt like they were being led to the gallows, she was forty-eight and she felt like she was thirteen again when she was being brought to the vice principals’ office for eating corn nuts in class in seventh grade.  This was a far cry from eating in class, and she was certainly no longer the naïve and compliant thirteen year old afraid of her own shadow.  Roy was extremely kind and pleasant, and told them both that Nigel just wanted to hear the story from their perspective. 

                  Walking into the President’s office, Nigel, who was the interim President, had a smug and condescending look on his face as he looked at Amelia.  Amelia immediately glanced over at Daniel, who also saw the expression, and he looked pleadingly at her, because he knew by her countenance and posture that she did not like Nigel, and for whatever reason Nigel didn’t like Amelia.  Roy, completely oblivious to the sudden change in the atmosphere of the room, introduced everyone, and the three of them took a seat across from Nigel.  Daniel reflexively placed his hand on top of Amelia’s to calm both his and her nerves and hopefully quell the animosity he could tell was starting to course through her body.  Daniel marveled at how quickly he understood Amelia’s emotions, but Amelia’s nickname wasn’t ‘heart on her sleeve’ in seventh grade for nothing her eyes betrayed her, and the disdain she felt towards Nigel was palpable.  Amelia looked over at Daniel and gave him a reassuring smile, which was her way of telling him that she would try her best. 

                  “Miss Jenkins,” Nigel was already off to a bad start with Amelia, the Miss was meant to dress her down, he continued, “I have perused your…book,” the insinuation in his tone being that her book was of little value literarily speaking.  Daniel felt as Amelia’s hand started to tense under his, she was trying very hard to control her anger and he noticed her jaw start to clench, he gently squeezed her hand.  Nigel continued, “and it seems as though we may have something to discuss.”  “Then looking over at Daniel, “Daniel, Roy has told me that a student recognized you from a show that your girlfriend,” again with the condescending tone, “was appearing on, and when she asked you about it you claim she threatened you.”  Daniel was angry now, “I do not appreciate the tone you are taking with myself or Amelia, neither of us deserve the contemptuous attitude you are taking with us.  Let me remind you, Nigel,” Daniel adding in his own condescending tone, “that you are only the interim President, while I am a tenured professor at this institution, and I have been here for twenty years.  We came here as a courtesy, if you wish to make it more official, I will be happy to contact my union representative and make this meeting very official, and very public.”  Nigel narrowed his eyes at Daniel attempting to intimidate him, and Amelia couldn’t stifle her mocking chuckle.  Roy had turned white, and his mouth was agape not knowing what the hell was going on.  Amelia stepped in, “What exactly are you accusing Daniel and I of?  My book,” Nigel rolled his eyes, and Amelia’s tone of voice turned harsh, “I’m aware, NIGEL, that I have not written the next To Kill a Mockingbird, but I do not appreciate your nasty looks and the arrogant tone you are taking with both Daniel and me.  This may not be a genre of literature that you find has any merit, however, there are tens of millions of people around the world who would disagree with you.  A student is accusing Daniel of dating his pupils, using only my book as evidence which is a work of FICTION, and the book itself clearly states that we did not do anything while I was his student.  I have not been in Daniel’s class for five years, before four days ago I hadn’t seen him in four years, and I haven’t been enrolled in this school for two years.  I am seven years older than Daniel, and I was forty-three years old when we met.  Daniel has been a consummate professional his entire career, he is a gifted teacher and based upon his rate my professor rating’s an incredibly popular professor.  I have a 4.0 GPA, and have been on The Dean’s List multiple times, are you insinuating that I didn’t earn those grades through hard work?  Is it your supposition that I slept with all my professors, even the women, or the married men, or the ones who are gay?  Let’s not forget that I took numerous courses during a global pandemic through Zoom, so I never met several of my professors in person.  So, I will ask again, Nigel, exactly what are you accusing Daniel and I of?”  Nigel’s smug look was gone, he had clearly underestimated both Amelia and Daniel.  Roy spoke up, “I’m not sure what all the hostility in the room is about, I will say Nigel, that Amelia is correct about Daniel, he IS a highly respected professor with an impeccable record, and not a single complaint in his file from anyone.  I have also spoken with Amelia’s other math professors, and every single one of them has said what a wonderful student, and kind person she is.  Your accusatory tone is unnecessary and can be seen as defamatory to both Amelia and Daniel.  Perhaps Daniel is correct, and we should call in his union representative, and make this meeting more formal.”  Sweat was forming on Nigel’s forehead, he had made a grave error in judgement, and tried to regain control of the meeting, “That will not be necessary, perhaps there is a way we can work this out amicably.”  Amelia spoke, “that ship has sailed, Nigel, and you should also be aware that I have sold the rights to my little book to a well-known entity that I am contractually not allowed to mention, and I will be heavily involved in the production of the film, perhaps I should add this interaction into the script with extreme attention to detail.  Please know that should any sort of disciplinary action be taken against Daniel; I will have my very expensive lawyers file a suit against you, Nigel, personally.  The only reason I am not immediately going to my publicist with this information is because of how much Oceanview has meant to me, this institution and the wonderful professors who work here changed my life, and I do not wish to have its reputation tarnished because of your idiocy.  And it’s Ms. Jenkins you pompous ass.”  Amelia and Daniel stood up to leave the office, while Nigel’s mouth fell agape knowing that he had just severely pissed off the wrong people.