Chapter 5 The Problem
Kai
The smile stays on my face.
Not because anything about this is funny.
Honestly, I have no idea why the hell I’m smiling.
“Can I help you? I have another lecture in ten minutes.”
His voice stays calm. No irritation.
No anger. Nothing.
“Okay cool. We have enough time,” I say.
He reaches for the door.
“Wait.. wait.. wait.”
I move before I even think about it.
My hand lands against the door. Not touching him.
Just blocking his way out.
His eyes lift to mine.
I suddenly become very aware of how stupid this looks.
A student cornering his professor in a staff bathroom.
Yeah, this is definitely normal behavior.
Way to go Kai.
If I had paid attention to the lecture, there’s probably a section about people like me.
“You know, most people say they’re not interested before disappearing.”
Someone please smack my head. Why the hell did I have to bring that up now.
Professor Lee says nothing.
He doesn’t blink.
It’s actually impressive but shouldn’t he at least be getting angry or something.
I stare at him.
He adjusts his glasses then pulls the door handle with my hand still on it.
I move, pressing my back flat against the door.
“Okay, fine.”
I lift both hands up.
“Let’s pretend we never met at the bar.”
He still stays quiet.
I’m starting to feel an inconvenience.
Okay.
“Hi. I’m Kai….Kai Mercer.”
“Not sure if you know this but I got an F in your class.”
“Abnormal…”
Shit. I can’t even remember the course. How is he gonna take me seriously?
“Yeah abnormal shit. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.”
His expression shifts slightly. Barely noticeable but I did see it.
“So…. I need your help.”
Professor Lee looks at me for a moment.
Not long.
Just long enough to make me feel like I’m being examined.
Then he speaks.
“My office hours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
Office hours? Nah don’t have the time for that.
“Okay….Professor Moo.”
“Professor Lee.”
“Right.” I grin.
His expression doesn’t change.
I don’t know why I keep expecting it to.
“Your grade is not something I’m discussing in a bathroom.”
“Why not?”
“Because this is a bathroom.”
Okay that’s fair.
But still…
I rub the back of my neck.
“Look, I know it sounds bad...”
“You attended none of the lectures,” he says before I even finish.
“I know.”
Okay no need to rub it in
“You didn’t turn in any assignments.”
“I know.”
“You missed the assessment.”
“Yeah, I know that too.”
His gaze stays on me.
Calm. Completely unimpressed.
I suddenly understand why people confess to crimes during interrogations.
Silence stretches between us.
I hate silence.
“So…” I spread my hands. “What exactly are my options here?”
“Attend class.”
“That’s it? No secret solution?”
“No.”
“A little mercy?”
“No.”
“A handsome student discount?”
His jaw tightens a bit.
“Damn.”
“You received the grade you earned, Mr. Mercer.”
“Okay I know but can you help me out a little?”
“I already am.”
“By failing me?”
“By explaining the consequences of your choices.”
God.
Talking to him is like kicking a wall.
A very pretty wall.
Focus.
I fold my arm.
“You know, most professors would at least pretend to feel bad.”
“You did not do the work.”
I stare at him.
He stares back.
The man doesn’t crack.
Not even a little.
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone this difficult to read.
His gaze flicks briefly to the watch on his wrist.
“Mr. Mercer.”
Something about the way he says it makes me straighten slightly.
“Your grade isn’t the problem.”
I blink.
“It isn’t?”
“No.”
“Then what is?”
His eyes stay on mine.
“The fact that you think this is unfair.”
The words land harder than they should.
For a second I don’t say anything.
And the worst part?
He’s right.
I didn’t attend class.
I didn’t submit anything.
I didn’t even remember the course existed.
Yet somehow I still expected things to work out.
He glances at his watch one more time.
“I need to leave.”
I step aside this time. Not blocking the door.
He reaches for the handle.
Then pauses.
“If you’re serious about improving your grade, come to my office during office hours.”
I look up.
It’s the closest thing to kindness I’ve gotten from him all day.
I stare at him.
For a second I honestly don’t know what to say.
Then he walks out.
Just like that.
The door swings shut behind him.
And I’m left standing alone in the bathroom.
My jaw tightens.
Not because I’m angry.
Not really.
By eight o’clock, I’m standing behind the bar. My usual night shift.
Yes, a football captain still has to work. Football isn’t cheap and so is rent.
The place is packed. Music pounds through the speakers. Glasses clinking from somewhere in the room.
Just a normal night filled with students who just want to get wasted.
“Hey, handsome.”
I look up.
A blonde sitting at the counter smiles at me.
“Another vodka soda.”
“Already?” I ask.
“You poured the first one ten minutes ago.”
“I know right. I just need more where that came from.” She laughs.
I grab her glass and start making another drink.
One thing about working here is that people tip more when they like you.
And apparently a lot of people like me.
I slide the drink across the counter.
She slips a note into my hand.
I don’t even check it.
Probably a number.
The third one tonight.
Maybe fourth or fifth.
I’ve lost count.
“Heartbreaker.”
I look over.
Maya is carrying a tray loaded with drinks.
“Jealous?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Good.”
“Because unlike you, I actually come here to work.”
I put a hand over my chest.
“Ouch.”
She rolls her eyes and walks away.
A hand lands on my shoulder.
I turn.
It’s my manager.
Tom.
“VIP room three.”
I frown.
“What about it?”
“Go check on him.”
“Why?”
Tom shrugs.
“Boss wants somebody checking in every twenty minutes.”
I glance toward the VIP section.
“Is he causing trouble?”
“No.”
“Drunk?”
“No.”
“Then what’s wrong with him?”
“That’s the weird part.
“He’s been here almost an hour. Alone.”
That actually is strange.
Nobody rents a VIP room to sit alone.
“Well maybe he’s waiting for someone.”
Tom stares at me.
“Just check on the customer.”
“Fine.”
I wipe my hands on a towel and head toward the hallway leading to the VIP rooms.
The music gets quieter with every step.
I move past the rooms.
Room One.
Room Two.
Room Three.
I stop outside the door then knock.
Nothing.
I knock again.
Still no response.
I pull the handle then step inside the room.
The room is dimly lit with two empty bottles on the floor.
The man on the couch lifts his head.
I stop dead.
Everything went still.
His glasses are slightly crooked.
His hair falling over his face. The top button of his shirt is undone.
What the hell?
Professor Moo…?
