My Professor's Secret

34|

thirty-five
208 days until wedding
trevor's pov

Days. Days had passed since the moment we last saw each other in the flesh. Despite how wrong I knew all of this was, Alexandrea remained on an endless loop my mind refused to part ways with. I thought back to the very last time her skin met mine and how inexplicable she made me feel. How the intensity of her presence alone burned about a fire within me.

Time passed exponentially slower these days. I even found myself—on multiple occasions I might add—glued to the face of the clock anticipating the end of every lecture and work shift she hadn't attended. The only way I managed to keep the guilt of my interest regarding her absence at bay was the fact that her father was in serious condition and there wasn't a thing I could ask without overstepping professional boundaries.

Hinkhouse would be packed with lovers tonight to celebrate each other for Valentine's Day which meant Kevin would be in today to check the holiday profit and make sure the restaurant and its staff were up to his standards. With Alex's absence and Kevin on-site, lying about her whereabouts would no longer suffice.

Once I've made it into the restaurant—nearly at its capacity as I've anticipated—Kevin hands me a pink and red button-up shirt he's requiring everyone to wear by the looks of the few trainees wearing them in the dining area. Back in the kitchen, Josh stands over the grill flipping steaks and burgers. He waves the spatula as a greeting before motioning me over to his station and despite the steady ticket orders piling up for both of us to start, I head his way.

"He's already asking about her," Josh says. "Wanted to know why she hasn't clocked in for the past few days and why the register seems to reflect that."

"What did you tell him?"

Josh shrugs, admitting he opted for the truth and told Kevin he hadn't seen her in the past few days. He even goes on the explain that his boyfriend Sawyer was closer to her than he was and even Sawyer hadn't heard anything. He tells me that he's worried about her and didn't think to keep the fact that no one has heard from her a secret. Alex wanted her whereabouts to be kept between us, so instead of indulging him in the reason for her absence, I nod a subtle agreement and find my way to my station.

The day transitions from morning to noon within the blink of an eye and traffic in Hinkhouse refuses to cease.

Once I've clocked out for lunch—thankful to have avoided Kevin for the time being—I phone Alexandrea, but as expected there's no answer. For as long as I can manage, I stuff my face with a burger fresh from the grill to distract myself from thinking about her but there was an unshakable conviction Josh's words about Alex brought me. Even though she had disclosed her location to me, it didn't alleviate the helplessness this situation brought about. Worrying was an overstatement. I should've been doing more to help her... To show her I cared and I was thinking of her.

What the hell is going on with me?

What her family was experiencing right now wasn't something easily swept underneath the rug or forgotten. Her father may have very well been on his death bed by the hands of himself and my only contention was an unanswered phone call. As much as I tried suppressing it, thoughts and scenarios haunt me for the entirety of my lunch.

Once my break is over, I'm back to flipping beef and making small talk with Josh as the orders continue to pile up. Kevin is out on the dining floor taking orders for a few customers while simultaneously training the new staff. A job reserved for Alex considering she'd been the most recent hire. My eyes teeter from the searing heat of the grill and the dining area to get a good look at his composure. If he didn't seem angry, perhaps he wouldn't fire her for missing a few days.