Page 205 of Damsel in Disguise

“I’m dropping you at the university,” he’s already moving towards the door.

There’s a strange level of hesitation in his expression.

It lasts only a second before disappearing behind the same controlled composure he always wears.

I mistake it for overprotectiveness.

After everything that happened with Alistair, perhaps he simply does not trust my judgment anymore. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure I trust it either.

“Stop worrying,” I tell him with a small smile and reach for my bag. “I’ll be back before you know it,” and follow after him.

I spend most of the journey looking out of the window.

Adrian keeps his attention on the road.

I catch him glancing at me once or twice, though whether he’s checking that I’m still there or making sure I’m not planning another spectacular escape attempt, I can’t tell.

When the university finally comes into view, he pulls over near the engineering faculty.

I reach for the door handle.

“Ariella.”

I look back.

“You keep your phone on,” he reminds me.

A smile threatens to appear. “You really are serious about this.”

“I am.”

“And if I miss one call because I’m actually studying?”

The frown deepens on his glabella.

“Stop worrying,” I shake my head, open the door, and step out onto the pavement. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

His expression does not change.

For some reason, the lack of any verbal response leaves a strange feeling in my chest.

“Okay, so uhh… see you soon?”

He only nods in response.

The entire campus is quieter than usual as I make my way towards the empty elevator and press for the faculty members’ floor.

Most students have not arrived yet, leaving the engineering building suspended in that odd space between emptiness and routine.

The faculty offices are deserted as well—most of the rooms are still darkened.

I move through the corridor and stop at the room I’m supposed to be in—Professor A. Hertley, Senior Lecturer in EEE.

Alistair always arrived early, but not this early. At least, not that I ever noticed ever since I started watching him.

His office door is already left ajar.

I pause for a moment before knocking.