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It took me hours to fall asleep last night. After my rendezvous with Laurent, I couldn't get him out of my head. I lay in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling as I heard the sweet sound of his voice resonate through my mind.
When I woke up the next day, I tried to focus on the tasks ahead of me, but it was practically impossible. I attempted to concentrate on the lecture I had to prepare for Monday, but each time I tried, my mind immediately went back to him.
So instead of trying hard and failing again and again, I decided to take a walk in the nearby park. I dressed in my exercise clothes and running shoes, planning to do some jogging just to keep myself active.
After running for twenty minutes, I went and sat on one of the benches in the park. I stayed calm and observed my surroundings to clear my mind, focusing my gaze on the wonderful flowers in front of me. I watched as bees went back and forth, exploring all the different flowers.
The gentle hum of the bees and the vibrant colors of the blossoms provided a soothing backdrop, but my thoughts inevitably drifted back to Laurent. I remembered the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his favorite books, the warmth of his smile, and the ease of our conversation.
As I sat there, a gentle breeze ruffling my hair, I found myself smiling at the memory of our evening together. Despite the challenges and risks, I couldn't help but feel that meeting Laurent was the beginning of something special, something worth pursuing.
Lost in thought, I didn't notice how much time had passed until I felt a cold breeze envelop my body, clearly different from the warmer air that had been circulating earlier, an indication that evening hours were approaching. The park was beginning to empty as families and joggers headed home, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the paths.
I stood up, stretching my legs, and decided it was time to head back. As I started walking, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a message from Laurent.
Yesterday, we exchanged our phone numbers, but I did not anticipate that he would contact me or send me a message. I had hoped that he would be somewhat afraid to break the code and would somehow lose it.
"Hello Professor Kayla, I hope you're having a lovely day. I had a great time yesterday, and I was wondering if you'd like to meet for coffee again sometime?"
My heart skipped a beat at the sight of his name on my screen. Smiling to myself, I quickly typed a reply.
"Hello Laurent, I would love to. How about Saturday afternoon?"
Almost immediately, his response came back.
"Perfect. Looking forward to it. See you then!"
As I walked back to my apartment, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled me. The thought of seeing Laurent again so soon made it easier to focus on the tasks I still had ahead of me. I spent the rest of the evening preparing my lecture for Monday.
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I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. As I thought about the interesting discussions I hoped the lecture might provoke, I imagined Laurent joining in and giving his opinion. It was a way for me to encourage him to participate and open up more in class. He tended to be a loner, always sitting away from everyone and barely talking, and I didn't like that. Even though I had barely taught him, I had observed that he was really reserved and rarely participated. As a teacher, I wanted to help him surpass that, but there was something more to it. It was as if I just wanted to hear him more because I loved the sound of his voice.
The side of him I saw on Saturday when we were talking was something I wanted to see again. I just wanted to hear his voice again. I was ready to do anything to hear him speak. He looked happy, comfortable, and open, with a warm smile that made me smile too.
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I arrived three hours before my lecture and went to work in my office since I didn't have any other lessons today. When it was time to start my lecture, I gathered whatever was needed and left my office. As I walked excitedly to the lecture hall, I couldn't help but think about Laurent, his beautiful eyes that I would see shortly, and his beautiful, masculine voice that I would hear soon. My heart ached with anticipation and impatience.
I entered the hall and walked to the podium, taking a quick glance at the students who were already inside. Then I looked at where Laurent usually sat, but the seat was empty.
My mood changed instantly, and the joy and anticipation I felt were immediately replaced by endless questions.
I wondered where he could be. Was he late or absent? What happened to him? Why can't he be here? Did something happen to him? Is he sick?
I looked at my wristwatch, thinking that maybe I had come in too early and he wasn't here yet, but it was time for the lecture, and I decided to start immediately, even though my main concern was to find out why Laurent Belamy was not in class.
As I went on with the lecture, I told myself that he might be late and would arrive any minute. But as I reached the end and started the discussion I had planned, I lost all hope of seeing him today.
I dismissed the class right after the discussion ended and hurried back to my office, gathering my belongings as quickly as I could.
I didn't know why, but the fact that Laurent didn't attend my lecture today made me feel upset. I didn't understand why I was feeling like this, but I did.
When I reached my office, I tried calling him, but the call went straight to voicemail. My mind raced with possibilities. Had something happened to him? Was he in trouble? The unanswered questions gnawed at me, each one more troubling than the last.
After what felt like an eternity, I reluctantly decided to leave. Laurent's absence left me feeling more worried than ever. As I walked back to my apartment, the city lights flickering around me, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Back in my room, I sat by the window, staring out into the night. The anticipation and excitement I had felt earlier were now replaced by a gnawing anxiety.
Sleep eluded me as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of unanswered questions pressing down on me. The mystery of Laurent's absence haunted me, and I knew that until I found out the truth, I would not find peace.
As the first light of dawn began to creep into the room, I resolved to find Laurent and uncover what had happened. Whatever it took, I needed answers. The uncertainty was unbearable, and I knew that my life wouldn't feel complete until I had some closure.
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Hey guys, what did you think of this chapter? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Why do you think Laurent wasn't in class?
I know some of you might think this is going too fast, but this is how I want it to be! Due them being so obsessed each other and getting attached too quickly, they get involved in a dangerous relationship that basically ruins their lives.