32. Nothing But Trouble #2
“I’m sure you know about the issue with grades that affected last year’s class. All the students who took this class last semester had to retake it. That’s why we had to split this year’s class into two identical modules.”
I nod. Tucker is one of those students; that’s why he didn’t get to graduate in the summer. And Gen is one of them, too. I open my mouth to say that, but Victor continues.
“The dean opened an investigation to find out if the mix up with the grades was due to a glitch or to fowl play. Something like this won’t go unnoticed.
Especially since your brother is retaking this class.
Isn’t it suspicious that his sister is involved in a cheating scandal?
If Professor Cantucci sees these tests, this will be out of my hands.
You’ll be expelled, and things won’t look good for Tucker either. ”
No, no, no.
This can’t be happening. “I didn’t cheat.” I object. “And neither did my brother.”
I know Tucker too well. He loves a good prank, and he can be way too intense sometimes, but he’s the most honest man I know. He takes after our dad. Our parents taught us that money isn’t what makes someone rich. It’s their values and how they live and treat others.
But Victor doesn’t know us. And a part of me doesn’t even blame him too much for being suspicious.
“Do you maintain that you didn’t copy from Genevieve?” His voice is softer when he asks that question.
“I swear on everything I hold dear, I didn’t cheat.”
“Ok. Then I want to help you, Talia.” He walks around the chair, stopping in front of me and leaning to sit on the desk.
“Professor Cantucci is at an archeological conference in Italy right now. And she’s due to attend one in London straight after that.
She won’t be back for next week’s class, so I’ll be teaching that.
That means that she won’t be able to sign off on these grades until right before your group presentation is due. ”
He grabs some more papers from another folder on his desk, letting them dangle in front of me. “How about I pretend that pop quiz doesn’t exist and you complete a new one, with a different essay? And you can bring it to me after next week’s class.”
Relief washes over me. Even though I think Gen should be the one to redo the work, since she’s the one who copied, I’m not going to push my luck. Beggars can’t be choosers in this case.
“Thank you, Victor. You have no idea how grateful I am for this second chance.” I reach for the papers, but he lifts them at the last second.
“Not so fast, Talia. By letting you retake a test and overlooking obvious cheating, I’m taking a huge risk. You owe me something in return, don’t you think?”
His brown eyes skim down the length of my body, and his lips curl into a lewd smirk.
“I’ve always liked you and I’ve always imagined how that pretty mouth of yours would look with my cock rammed deep down your throat.
” He lowers the zipper of his corduroy pants, and his cock comes into view, making it obvious that he isn’t wearing any underwear and he was planning this when he emailed me to come here.
I scramble to my feet so fast that the chair ends up on the floor. “What are you doing?” I almost trip over it as I take a step back to put some distance between me and Victor.
“Did you really think that I would risk my career for nothing?” His tone hardens, his smile replaced by a predatory sneer.
“If you want to graduate, you’re going to meet me twice a week either in this office or in my room.
And you’re going to make sure I’m satisfied when you leave.
I have so many plans for that tight little body, Talia.
Let me use you until graduation, and this will go away. ”
“No,” I choke out, disgusted.
Victor begins stroking himself, keeping his gaze on me.
“You aren’t thinking clearly, Talia. You have no choice but to keep me happy.
Or do I have to remind you that expulsion is just the least of your problems if this gets out?
If the dean decided to press charges, you’d be looking at jail time.
I’ll tell you what,” his voice becomes huskier as he increases his tempo.
“Go home and think about it. I expect an answer before the professor is back from Europe. Oh, fuck. I’m gonna come. ”
I’ve been looking at Victor like a deer in headlights, frozen on the spot by fear and disgust. But when he starts moaning and stroking himself faster, I turn on my heels and run out of the office.
I don’t stop until I’m out of the building.
My stomach is empty, but the revulsion for what just happened is so overwhelming that I vomit bile into the trash can by the front door.
I’m shaking from head to toe, my heart about to burst out of my chest. What am I going to do?
There’s no way I can go through with Victor’s revolting proposition. But I can’t lose four years of hard work and risk going to jail, and I can’t put Tucker’s future in jeopardy.
My head is spinning, but my feet carry me to the Zeta House. This happened because Genevieve didn’t listen to me, and ironically, she’s the only person who can help me figure this out.