Professor's Pet Series: Quinn Ellis

XXX. Confession And Confrontation

Matagal pa akong tumitig sa phone screen ko, just letting it rang and rang while I contemplated what to do next.

I need to pick up Kelsey already, but I don't want to leave yet. I can tell, marami pang gustong sabihin si Miss Mendez, at marami pa rin ako gustong malaman.

"Are you gonna answer that?" Miss Mendez asked impatiently after my phone rang for the third time. Muli ko naman ibinalik ang atensyon sa kanya. Nakatingin na ulit ito sa labas ng sasakyan at napansin kong mahigpit na naman ang hawak niya sa manibela.

I sighed, my mind finally made up. I declined the call, then sent Kelsey a quick message telling her to stay put, and I'll be on my way quickly. After putting my phone away, I turn my whole attention back to Miss Mendez.

Ilang sandali pa kaming walang imikan. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya habang siya naman ay sa labas pa rin nakatuon ang atensyon.

Looking at her hands, I noticed her knuckles are turning white because of her tight grip on the steering wheel. I reached out to gently touch the back of her hand, caressing it, and willing her to relax. She's so tense, and I can feel how she slightly trembled at the contact. I only let go of her hand when she finally loosened her grip.

"Are you ready to hear the rest of it?" She asked, her voice hoarse. Pagbaling nito sa akin ay kita ko ang pangingilid muli ng luha nito. Napalunok ako bago tumango.

Seeing her cry will always be one of my weaknesses. She took a deep breath before telling me the rest of the most messed up story I've ever heard.

"Remember how I told you that someone ratted me out to my Dad?" Tanong nito sa kontroladong boses. Pero dinig na dinig ko ang galit sa bawat salitang binibitiwan niya. Tumango lang ulit ako dito bilang tugon.

"That someone is none other than your good friend Kelsey." She finally revealed while looking deep into my eyes. Her face void of any emotions.

Parang sandali naman na-blangko ang utak ko sa narinig. Kunot-noo akong tumitig sa kanya, still processing what she just told me.

Did she mean Kelsey Andrews?

May kilala ka pa bang ibang Kelsey?

Tama ba ang narinig ko?

No fucking way!

"No! No. You must be mistaken, Professor. Kelsey will never do such thing." I protested while shaking my head adamantly at her.

"Of course you would never have suspected sweet, and innocent Kelsey to pull such an evil act." Miss Mendez scoffed, sarcasm dripping with her every words.

"I know her, she will never do such thi--" I tried defensing Kelsey, but she was quick to cut me off.

"But, she fucking did, Quinn. Open your goddamn eyes. She's not the goody two shoes that she's been portraying in front of you. That's all part of an act. She's a fucking psychopath." She all but shouted to my face.

But, I just kept shaking my head, refusing to believe her words.

I watched as she ran her fingers over her hair in frustration. Humugot muna ulit siya ng malalim na hininga bago nagsalita.

"She talked to my Dad, told him about me and my affair with a student. And, then she went to blackmail him, that if he's not going to do something about it, she will go straight to his grandfather to make sure I will be expelled from the university and have my license revoked. All while assuring him na mas lulubog pa siya sa pagkakautang sa pamilya nila. He used my father's debts to her family to manipulate him." Sabi nito sa mas kalmado ng boses, pero mababakas pa rin ang galit tono niya ng pananalita.