At night, Kayden went back to the residence that Sariah arranged for him.
What happened today had not disturbed his rhythm. He sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and focused on regulating his breathing.
A sudden knock at the door interrupted him.
Instinctively Kayden froze for a moment before he walked towards the door.
The problem was that he barely had any acquaintance in this strange land. Could it be Nathan?
With this guess in mind, he opened the door calmly, but he found no one standing there at first sight. Next moment he felt a pair of small hands gripping his leg. He lowered his head, only to see a little girl.
She was an adorable little girl who was staring at Kayden with her large, watery eyes. She wore her hair in braids, each decorated with flowers. She wore a pink dress and carried a cute panda backpack on her back. She looked around three or four years old. Anyway, Kayden didn’t know her.
“Daddy!” The little girl blurted out, and next her tears burst forth uncontrollably. She wrapped her arms tightly around Kayden leg as she repeated, “Daddy, daddy! It’s really you. You’ve come back!”
This scene confused Kayden thoroughly. What was going on?
He wasn’t a person lacking in compassion who would stay indifferent upon hearing a little girl’s heartbroken crying. He bent down and gently asked, “Little girl, who are you looking for? Did you come to the wrong place?”
His words only made her cries grow louder. The little girl tightened her grip on his leg and asked through sobs, “Daddy, you don’t want me anymore? Daddy you don’t want Vivian anymore?”
The barrage of questions deepened Kayden’s confusion. It’s utter inconceivable to hear a girl suddenly calling him daddy. Only Kayden himself knew well that he’s still a virgin with zero sexual experience.
Though he had been married with Georgia for three years, it remained a sexless marriage. It was nothing short of absurd to say he had a daughter.
“Vivian, Vivian, where are you?” A woman came rushing over in a panic suddenly. Her thin dress, the white towel on her head, and her slippers all showed she had just finished a shower.
She hurried over to Kayden’s side, but barely spared him a glance. She made haste to pick up the little girl and comfort her. She was not relieved until she was sure the little girl was unhurt. “How could you run off like that? I told you to wait for me on sofa and watch the television,” said the woman as she hugged the little girl tightly.
“Mommy, I didn’t go anywhere else. I was looking for daddy. Look, it’s daddy! He’s back! He’s back!” The little girl pointed at Kayden, her voice choked with sobs.
Only then did the woman turn her gaze to Kayden, who was also sizing her up. She was quite stunning, even she had removed her makeup and just finished a shower. She had a naturally ruddy complexion, delicate features and a pair of large watery eyes similar to the little girl. She had undeniable charm.
“Sorry, sir. Did my kid disturb you?” the woman gave Kayden her sincere apology.
Kayden gently shook his head, “Never mind, as long as the kid is fine.”
“I’m really sorry!” the woman kept apologizing.
Little Vivian couldn’t stop her tears. She interrupted in her childish voice, “No mommy, you should not call him sir. You should call him hubby! Raya told me that’s how her mommy calls her daddy.”
The woman blushed scarlet at these words.
She hurriedly stopped the little girl, “Don’t talk nonsense. He’s not your daddy. We should go home now.”
“Sorry about that, sir.” The woman apologized to Kayden as she headed toward the other end of the corridor.
The little girl’s voice faintly reached Kayden’s ears, “Mommy, he’s my daddy! Why were you lying? I want daddy! I wanna be with daddy.”
Then came the sound of the little girl crying and the woman soothing her.
Being called daddy puzzled Kayden thoroughly, but it clearly should not be a matter of concern to him. Apparently, the little girl had just walked into the wrong house and mistaken him for someone else. Kayden closed the door and went to rest.
The next morning, Kayden headed to Inassea University bright and early. Actually he had planned to wait until weekend to directly visit Professor Flores at his home. However, upon inquiring, he learned that Professor Flores had no concept of weekends and would remain on campus even on weekends.
As soon as he stepped into the campus, Kayden was infected by the youthful and energetic atmosphere there.
He had never set foot on a university campus before. He hadn’t even completed high school before joining the military. He’s now at an age where others might have already graduated from university, but the atmosphere here made him feel like a vibrant youth once again.
Kayden fell into contemplation, but after a short while he quickly snapped out of it. Living an ordinary life may sound sweet to some people, but not to him. He knew well that it didn’t suit him.
Professor Flores was well into his sixties, and now working as a senior professor at Inassea Medical School. He chose to keep dedicating himself to teaching though he had reached the retirement age. He had unique teaching style as well as a rather peculiar temperament, so people affectionately addressed him as “Professor Peculiar.”
After some inquiries, Kayden finally found the teachers’ office. In the office, he overheard the conversations between two female teachers.
“Hey, I heard Professor Flores was really disrespectful to the principal during the meeting. They said he kept holding onto the issue though the principal already looked embarrassed.”
“I have to say it’s nothing surprising. After all, we still need to rely on Professor Flores when the inspections come around. He’s even gained some favor from the leadership.”
“I understand that, but the principal is the head of our school. At least he should show some respect.”
“Forget it, Professor Flores will never show respect to someone just because he’s the principal. And just a reminder for you–never provoke Professor Flores. He’s not someone you can afford to mess with. All you need to do when you meet him is to give a polite nod and then walk away.”
Knock, knock, knock. Kayden politely tapped on the door as he heard them talking about Professor Flores.
The conversation between the two teachers came to an abrupt halt. They both turned their heads towards the door and fixed Kayden with a stare.
Before they could speak, Kayden took the initiative and asked, “Excuse me, where is Professor Flores’ office?”
The younger female teacher gestured outside and replied, “It’s upstairs.”
“Thank you!” Kayden murmured his thanks, ready to head upstairs.
Just as he turned around, there came the inquiry of the older teacher from behind. “Who are you to Professor Flores?”
“A friend. I’m here to discuss some matters with Professor Flores,” Kayden turned back and said.
“Friend?” The two teachers exchanged a glance and fell silent briefly.
“Can’t believe a guy as peculiar as Professor Flores has friends.”
“Who knows?”
Shortly after, Kayden reached an office upstairs. He was greeted by a strong scent of herbs as soon as he came to the office door. He took a peek inside and found a pile of herbs that were ready to be made into medicine.
Inside the room stood an elderly man, with gray hair and beard, wearing reading glasses. He’s concentrating on observing some bundles of wildflowers.
Kayden knocked on the door. Professor Flores raised his head and threw a glance at the door. He said, “You’ve finally come!”
It really gave Kayden a start, and he couldn’t help but wonder how the professor knew he would come. Maybe Dr. Rodriguez had informed him in advance?
Yeah, it must be Dr. Rodriguez, Kayden thought. He replied, “Nice to meet you, Professor Flores, I…”
“Just skip the formalities. Get your textbook and let’s go now.” Professor Flores decisively cut Kayden off.
With that, he walked straight out, and Kayden followed behind. Professor Flores was literally unpredictable. He didn’t even spare a glance at Kayden or ask other questions.
Sophie still harbored doubts about what happened a few days ago. The face of that man remained deeply etched in her memory.
She remembered his domineering actions as well as his imposing figure. When he shielded her behind, it brought her a sense of security that she had never felt before. Strangely, all her fear for those guys dissipated as she stood behind him, her hand in his palm.
They faced a crowd of over two thousand people that day! Who on earth was that man? How could he possess such immense power?
That scene seemed so surreal, almost as if it had never happened, yet it was undeniably real.
Girls all yearn for a man who can offer them a sense of security. Though Sophie behaved with much aloofness, she’s still a girl with dreams of a sweet love.
But she had suspicion that the man might be a gigolo. Most likely he’s in a relationship with Sariah now. The best proof was the affection in Sariah’s eyes when she stared at him. Sophie questioned herself inside if she really wanna compete with Sariah for this man.
No! What the hell was she thinking?! How could anyone in this world choose her over Sariah?
With these thoughts, Sophie let out a helpless sigh.
She had only met that man once, but she just couldn’t stop thinking about him after she returned to the dormitory. Why? Perhaps they would never have a chance to meet again, and perhaps they’re doomed to go their separate ways.