Page 10 of Dear British Professor
If he's just going to fire me, I'd rather stand, but I don't want to agitate the situation anymore that it is. I take a seat but sit up straight, not wanting to look like I'm relaxed or unconcerned at this moment.
“Do you know why I called you in here?”
“I have an idea.”
“Care to share that idea?”
I shake my head. “I’d rather you explain why you wanted to see me.”
I learned that trick from a young age from Headmaster Collins. He liked to have us explain why we were in his office to get out any extra information about our behavior that he may not have been aware of. I won’t be making that mistake today.
“Very well,” he looks down at the sheet of paper he was reading when I walked in. “It’s been brought to my attention today that you might be carrying on a relationship with one of the students.” He pauses, almost expecting me to jump in and defend myself—I don’t.
“I don’t have to tell you the severity of this accusation. I’m not sure how they do it in England, but at this institution, our faculty don’t cross those lines with students.”
I can’t choke back the laughter that bubbles up in my throat that he just said that with a straight face. Not only do I know first-hand from Jack on many occasions that this isn’t true, but Jack let it slip that Dean Ludwick has a bit of a reputation himself. I'm suddenly really annoyed that he is trying to pass judgment on me when he's done that same thing. Actually, what's going on between Willa and me isn't a fling, she's it for me, and I'm going to do everything in my power to be the only man for her.
"Did I say something amusing to you, Professor Waller-Jones?"
“Yes, but I wouldn’t do the disservice to Mrs. Ludwick and explain why your hypocrisy is humorous to me.”
Dean Ludwick's mouth opens in shock. To be fair, it's probably been a while since someone has spoken to him like this.
“We both know what I am referring to,” I continue. “But let’s forget that for a moment. You think that holding over my head my job and my ability to stay in this country is going to stop me from being with the woman that I love." I shake my head. "I'm here to tell you right now that it won't. While you have valuable leverage on me, I, too, have value in this relationship too. My classes are the most sought after in this entire university. Not to mention the attention and revenue my best-selling books have brought to this institution. So, I'd appreciate you considering that before you make any threats about my behavior.”
Dean Ludwick stares at me, his eyes wide in shock. It takes him a few moments to compose his thoughts before he’s finally able to speak.
WILLA
Simon's only been gone for about forty-five minutes, but it feels like hours. He asked Jack to stay with me in his office while I waited for him to come back. I don't know why. It's not like he's providing any comfort to me at this moment.
“Will you please stop pacing,” he grumbles from the leather sofa. “You’re making me nauseous with the constant back and forth.”
I stop and turn to him. He looks so relaxed it makes me want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him.
“How can you look like you don’t even care what’s going to happen to him?”
He sits forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “I am worried about him. He's my best friend. I just don't have to burn off my nervous energy by wearing a hole in the rug." He points at my feet.
“What do you think is going to happen?” I ask him. I’m not sure if I want him to tell me what I need to hear or if I want him to tell me what I want to hear.
“Well, my concern is that the university sponsors his visa, so if they fire him, he's going to have to go back to England."
“Shit.” I turn and start pacing again. “That’s what I thought you were going to say.”
“What did I say about the pacing?”
I throw my arms up in the air in frustration. “Where is he?”
The door to Simon's office opens, and Simon walks in, showing no sign of the outcome of what happened. Jack glances over and quickly pushes to his feet to stand next to me.
“Well?” I ask, not sure I can handle all the worst-case scenarios running through my mind.
Simon looks from me to Jack and then back to me. "After some careful consideration on Dean Ludwick’s part, he’s decided that he isn’t going to pursue any disciplinary actions for our relationship.”
There's a moment where Jack and I don't immediately react, and we both let the weight of his words sink in. I take a step forward to throw myself into his arms, but Jack beats me to it. I can only stare at a stunned Simon, engulfed by Jack's grip on him.
"I'm so happy to hear that, buddy," Jack says, relief evident in his voice. "I was already putting together a plan to get all your gorgeous admires to help protest you getting fired.”
