CHAPTER FOURTEEN 

The semester ended quietly, almost too quietly.

For Amara, it felt like she had just survived something she couldn’t fully explain. 

Between classes, whispers, and the strange closeness with Dr. Adrian, her mind had been constantly unsettled. 

Yet, as she packed her bags to go home for the holiday, she convinced herself she needed the break.

Home felt different.

It was calmer, safer… but also unfamiliar. As if she had left a version of herself behind at school.

A few days into the holiday, her friend came to visit.

“Amara!” her friend called out excitedly as she stepped into the house.

Amara forced a smile and hugged her. “It’s been a while.”

They sat together for hours, talking about everything school, people, random memories. 

But eventually, the conversation shifted.

“So… how’s university really?” her friend asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. “And don’t give me that ‘it’s fine’ answer.”

Amara hesitated.

Then, slowly, she spoke.

“There’s this lecturer… Dr. Adrian.”

Her friend’s expression changed instantly.

“Dr. who?”

“Adrian,” Amara repeated. “He teaches one of my courses. He’s… different.”

“Different how?” her friend pressed.

Amara looked down at her hands. “He pays attention to me. More than others. He talks to me… like I matter.”

There was a pause.

“That’s not normal, Amara,” her friend said carefully.

Amara frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean lecturers don’t single out students like that. Especially not like how you’re describing it.”

“You don’t understand,” Amara snapped slightly. “He’s just… kind.”

Her friend leaned forward, her voice firmer now. 

“Listen to me. People like that don’t just ‘act kind’ for no reason. 

There’s always something behind it.”

Amara shook her head, already pulling away from the conversation. 

“You’re overthinking it.”

“No,” her friend insisted. “You’re not thinking enough.”

Silence fell between them.

But Amara had already made up her mind.

She chose not to listen.

Even after that conversation, Amara continued talking to Dr. Adrian.

Late-night messages.

Short conversations that slowly became longer.

Personal questions that began to feel normal.

She ignored the discomfort. Ignored the warnings. Ignored the small voice in her head telling her something wasn’t right.

To her, it felt like connection.

To everyone else, it would have looked like something else entirely.

Weeks later, the first semester results were released.

Students gathered in clusters, tension thick in the air.

Amara didn’t expect much.

In fact, she had already prepared herself for disappointment.

But when she finally saw her result…

She froze.

She had passed.

Not just passed she had done surprisingly well.

“What?” she whispered under her breath.

Around her, murmurs began.

“Amara?”

“Are you serious?”

“How did she pass that course?”

Even Daniel,  frowned as he glanced at the result sheet.

Something didn’t add up.

Amara barely heard any of them.

All she could think about was one thing

Dr. Adrian.

A slow smile crept onto her face.

Maybe her friend had been wrong.

Maybe everything was fine.

Maybe she had finally found someone who saw her differently.

But somewhere else…

Dr. Adrian stared at his phone, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips.

His plan was working.

And Amara…

Had no idea what she had just stepped into.