CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52

Zack?

Rhea lazily scanned him from up to down, then did a double, scoffed, and walked past without even looking back.

You are not my issue right now. But what is he doing here? I thought he transferred.

Umm, none of my business. I’m too heated up to be thinking about something else.

The moment she got home, she bolted into the room, straight to the bathroom, not bothering to remove her clothes, and turned the water to the coldest temperature.

The following day....

"Get out of my class."

"I remembered telling you all to conduct intensive research on criminal procedures and evidence. I’m not your mother, for you to be expecting me to listen to your excuses for not doing the task that was given to you.

"Oh my gosh, she’s strict!" A student sitting in front of Rhea said, "Isn’t she the new lecturer for this module?"

The one next to her nodded, in affirmation.

Then she continued. "I hope I don’t get on her bad side, I want to graduate peacefully."

"How are you going to handle cases in the real world, if you are being this ... halfhearted about your school performance?"

"She’s quite young for a criminal law lecturer," Tia muttered.

Rhea’s eyes fixed on the podium, she replied. "Yeah."

"Those of you who are seated, congratulations, you have moved to the next level. I’ll need you to sharpen your minds. Anyone of you who is able to bring solid evidence and reason that can change this case, positively will be given 20 marks"

"And that will be all."

Ms. Jasmine, a new female lecturer, announced stepping down from the podium.

"Whew, that was a mind battle." Rhea lazily leaned on the seat rest. But I’m glad we both made it." She turned to Tia.

Who, for some reason, had a concerned look plastered on her face.

"Rhea, are you okay?" Tia suddenly asked, as they organised their bags.

"Why is something wrong?" Rhea stopped what she was doing and turned to Tia."

"You know— I didn’t know you saw him yesterday that’s why you were in a hurry to leave."

"See who?" Rhea lashed, fluttered hurriedly, as she sat there trying to process Tia’s words.

"Tia... What is it that you are trying to say? Be plain about it." She dragged her bag onto the table, then gave Tia a pointed look. "This is..." Her eyes circled around Tia, generalising what she was doing, "Unlike you."

Tia was quiet for a beat, diligently watching Rhea’s expression.

Then said lazily, her eyes partly closed. "Zack is back."

"Then what about him?" She asked nonchalantly.

Tia blinked once, her head slightly tilted up, her brow arched, but remained silent.

Rhea continued, "He has nothing to do with me, and besides, he’s my ex, remember." Rhea’s hand twisted in a wave, as her head popped out.

Tia swallowed hard, blinking rapidly, her brow knitted, "Yeah, what was I thinking?" She gave an awkward laugh.

"Anyway, I’m going for my next class, see you at the house." Rhea waved before leaving.

Seeing that a friend was actually not bothered by the return of that fucker called Zack, Tia breathed a sigh of relief.

Why should I be bothered about that scumbag? When I have the full package waiting to fall on my lap. Rhea flipped her hair behind her back as she made her way down the corridor.

Rhea could hear the murmuring and laughter of students before she even got to the class.

"What could be so funny? They are making so much noise?" She counted her steps until she got inside.

Right there, her nemesis was, as usual, the attention of everyone. With everyone almost talking at the same time.

"Hey Zack, it’s been a while."

"Why are you back?"

"You left two years ago, alone to come back?"

Rhea stared at the crowd, her lips pressed in a thin line, her nose twitching. Then hum and stride into the class.

As she walked into that class, Zack’s eyes trailed towards her, the chattering of the people around him faded, and his attention was solely on her. She didn’t look his way, not even a glimpse.

"Hey! Rhea!" Luke, who was in the third row at the front desk, waved with a smile.

Zack’s eyes moved towards Luke, his face beaming with a flushed smile, then he turned to Rhea, her lips were holding a genuine smile. His eyes narrowed at the sight, the smile once on his face vanished.

"Hey, what’s up?" Rhea asked sitting beside Luke.

"Cool."

"About yesterday, I’m sorry. I was...in a kind of situation..." She apologised.

"Come on, why are you apologising?" He brushed it off.

Zack, on the other hand, sitting in the third row, same line, was watching them, tapping his pen on his chin.

"Why is she smiling so much? Shouldn’t she be miserable? Especially without me?" He grumbled under his breath, then suddenly stood up.

"Do you have plans today?" Luke asked, staring at her.

"Nah. I’m free. What’s up?" She answered, her eyes in her bag.

"Go on a date with me, Rhea." His voice was soft, almost like a breeze.

Rhea answered not putting anything to it. "Okay, where do you want to meet?"

Luke took her chin in his hands, tilting her head to face him, as his eyes trailed to her lips, then back to her eyes, his gaze hungry for her. "I mean a date."

"Look, Luke." She took his hand from her chin, holding his hand.

"Now settle down." Zeenare’s voice rang through the class.

Oh my gosh!

Rhea’s head snapped towards Zeenare, whose eyes were locked on her, then to her hand holding another man’s so affectionately.

Then he smiled, Today we will be treating...."

Rhea immediately let go of Luke’s hand. Oh god. Did he just smile? I am finished. This class is going to be tou—

Her thoughts were cut off by Zack, who suddenly took the seat beside her.

Rhea flashed him a pointed look, then turned to Luke, who had a dark blank expression on his face.

Then turned to Zeenare, who shook his head, and his grin grew wider.

During the class, Rhea paced and turned in her seat, her legs crossed tight, an occasional soft moan slipped from her lips, her feet curling within her shoes.

Her mind was in distraught even though she was staring at the podium.

"Rhea, are you sick?" Luke asked, concern etched in his face.

"Mmm...mmm." That was what she could only manage. She dared not speak, except that she wanted to be the centre of attention for a whole semester.

Zack threw a glance in her direction, then scoffed loudly, "She is fine. Just flushed."

I guess I still have an effect on her, he thought. Why wouldn’t I? With this face, she can’t stay the same with me sitting close to her like this.

As the class ended she immediately dashed for the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face, panting heavily, her face flushed.

"I thought I could scale through without anything happening. But I thought wrong! I can’t seem to handle anything at all. This is becoming too much, and it’s just day two?!" Her hands resting on the sink, her eyes on her flushed expression in the mirror.

***

"Tia, it’s like we have a new neighbour!" Rhea announced as she stepped into their apartment.

"Yeah, I noticed. And it seems to be a guy." She jumped on the couch.

"Really, you saw him?" Rhea asked.

"Yeah, in the hallway, it was only his back, though; he was stepping inside while I was taking in our groceries," Tia replied, munching on something.

"What do we have for dinner I’m salivating here from the aroma filling the whole room." Rhea peeled the jacket off her skin as she settled on the bigger couch.

"Macaroni and chicken."

"Uummm, that sounds delicious." Rhea sprinted for the kitchen

"It’s not ready yet. Why don’t you help take out the trash before you come back? It’s ready." Tia begged, her palms placed together.

"Okay."

As she stepped into that hallway she noticed someone in a hoodie that looked somewhat familiar, but walked past.

That perfume smells familiar. Where have I perceived it before?

She thought as she stood by the lift waiting for her ride, when the person called her by her name.

"Hey, Rhea." He called.

Rhea’s neck snapped up at the voice, "Zack? What are you doing here?" Rhea’s voice was low, but her eyes weren’t.

"I live here, room 903." He answered looking down at her.

That is opposite my room. Is he the new neighbour? She thought.

"And what is my business with that?" She tried walking away, but he blocked her path with his hands stretched out.

"What are you doing?" Rhea spat at him, her reservoir of anger almost overflowing.

"I want to talk to you."

She exhales heavily, "About what? You do know we broke up, right? And that we are not friends?"

He reached for Rhea’s wrist, his grip tight, then with a dirty smirk on his face, he said, "Come on, that was when we were young, you can’t hate me because of that. You used to love it when I touched you. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how good we were together."

Rhea’s face twitched, the flesh underneath her skin crawled, she yanked her hand from his, as her stomach twisted in knots.

"Look here! Let me make myself clear. I don’t want to see you anywhere near me. Not like what you did in class today. I don’t want you talking to me. I don’t want you looking at me.

If you could go blind I’d truly appreciate it."