Chapter 3

Leon sat by the window, sunlight casting a soft glow across his perfectly sculpted features. His narrow, thoughtful eyes held a curious blend of warmth and cool indifference, making him incredibly alluring. A slight bump on the bridge of his nose added to his unique appearance. Even the sunlight seemed to favor him.

Kelly gasped at the sight of him. “Holy shit, he’s hot,” she thought, instantly reminding herself this wasn't the time to swoon.

“Professor Butler,” she called nervously, quickly dropping her gaze. She felt as though she’d done something wrong, though she was only trying to mask her unease.

Leon remained calm and composed. He simply pointed to the chair opposite him. “Have a seat.”

Kelly smiled sheepishly. “N-No, it’s okay, Professor Butler. I’ll just stand.”

Leon rose, towering over her. She had to tilt her head to meet his gaze.

“So, what distracted you in class?” he asked casually, genuinely curious.

Kelly couldn't tell him the truth. After a brief mental scramble, she blurted, “I just… didn’t sleep well last night. I’m sorry, Professor Butler. It won’t happen again!”

She couldn't tell if he believed her. He walked to a small drink station, unwrapped a cup of instant milk powder, and slowly added hot water. His movements—unhurried, elegant, and graceful—were oddly soothing. Even the rising steam seemed aesthetically pleasing.

“I’ve just returned from abroad and am still adjusting. If my class is boring, please tell me.”

Suddenly, Kelly felt guilty for disrespecting such an attractive and humble man.

“N-Not at all! You’re doing great, Professor Butler,” she responded quickly. She hadn't paid close attention, but judging by her classmates, he'd done a good job.

Leon smiled. “That’s good to hear.” He handed her the milk. His fingers were well-defined, his nails neatly trimmed and smooth. “This is from another professor. I figured kids your age like them.”

Did he just call her a kid? Kelly's cheeks flushed as she accepted the cup. “Thank you, Professor Butler.”

The milk was warm, not hot. The creamy scent rose with the steam. Her body, tense moments before, slowly relaxed. He hadn't mentioned that night. His calm tone, the casual conversation, and the warm drink eased her nerves.

She lowered her head and took a sip. The sweetness spread across her tongue.

Then, Leon's voice cut through the quiet. “It was you that night, wasn’t it?”

His words hit her like a thunderclap. She looked up, meeting his intense gaze. It felt as if he could see right through her.

He'd been chatting with her, making her milk, to lower her guard. Kelly almost choked.

Leon calmly offered a tissue, as if expecting this reaction. Kelly accepted it, dabbed her lips, and denied it once she'd composed herself.

“It wasn’t me! I wasn’t there.”

Leon narrowed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I never said which night… or what happened.”

Kelly realized her mistake and panicked. The milk tasted awful now. “I have no idea what you’re referring to, Professor Butler. But I’m sure it wasn’t me.”

His expression didn't change as he reached for her hand, his fingers gently wrapping around her wrist. Kelly jolted, as though burned.

What was he doing? Her heart raced.

“I remember you have a mole on your palm.”

He turned her hand over. There it was. Busted. He lifted his gaze. “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Kelly felt exposed. She could have played dumb; she wasn't the only woman with a palm mole. But his presence was overwhelming, he was her professor, and his calm certainty convinced her he knew.

Tears welled up. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Professor Butler. I shouldn’t have… I made a huge mistake. Can we just… pretend it never happened? Please? I promise I won’t do it again!”

Before her tears fell, she spun and fled, slamming the door behind her.

Leon stood stunned. He hadn't even spoken, and she'd run. All he wanted was to talk, to figure out how to handle this. This had never happened to him before.

He was allergic to alcohol and rarely drank. That night, friends threw him a welcome party, and he’d accidentally taken someone else's drink. He realized it was alcohol only after the first sip.

His body quickly overheated, so he went to the restroom to splash cold water on his face. A young woman then stumbled into his arms, looking up at him with teary eyes.

Perhaps the alcohol was to blame, but he'd made the biggest mistake of his life—losing control and sleeping with a stranger. She was gone when he woke.

He'd tried to find her. The stain on the sheets—evidence of her virginity—weighed on him. He knew he was older and wanted to take responsibility.

He hadn't expected her to be his student. That realization had shaken him in class. And judging by her flight, she was even more panicked than he was.