Chapter 2 · My Online Date Is My Professor

Finally, things weren't so hectic, so I set up a real-life meetup with my online crush this Friday night.

I did my makeup to perfection and slipped into a soft yellow sundress. It wasn't until the afternoon that I finally showed up at the studio, planning to quickly finish up my PowerPoint and then head straight to my date.

There weren't many people in the studio. After sending the PowerPoint to Philip, I was about to pack up and head out when I saw him step out of his office.

He looked like he was in a great mood today, wearing a vintage black suit and a dark green vest. He had fancy copper cufflinks on his wrists, looking sharp and totally like a gentleman.

When he saw I was still there, he froze for a second and then walked over.

Catching myself staring, I quickly pulled myself together and hit the power button, pretending I was still working.

"The PowerPoint looks great," Philip said, nodding as he glanced around. Noticing no one else was there, he added, "Looks like you're the only one here, Teresa. You're up."

He unlocked his phone and sent a file over to me.

"This drawing is urgently needed. Could you help me out? I need it done tonight," he said.

"What?" I blurted out.

Of all times, he picked now. I was about to meet my online crush, and he just had to drop this on me.

"What's wrong? You don't have time?" Philip frowned, giving off that classic advisor pressure.

As if I could say no.

"Of course I've got time," I quickly nodded and opened up CAD.

"Alright, then get to it," he said, and with that, he stepped into the elevator.

I took a look at the drawing he sent over. Thankfully, it wasn't too complicated and wouldn't take me too long.

Still, this probably meant I'd be late for my first date.

I opened WhatsApp, about to text my online crush.

But before I could type, his message popped up: [I'm heading out now, Babe. See you in a bit!]

I quickly replied: [You might have to wait for me a bit. My damn boss just threw some work at me last minute, so I can't leave yet. Promise I'll get there ASAP.]

He replied: [Yeah, that's annoying, making you work at dinner time. Don't worry, Babe, take your time. I'll be right here waiting for you.]

A little while later, he sent another message.

[I'm so excited to finally meet you, Babe!] He even attached a photo of himself making a heart shape with his hands towards the sky. He was wearing a cufflink on his wrist, and it looked pretty fancy, showing he had good taste.

I got even more excited, imagining this elegant man sitting across from me, swirling a glass of red wine.

And he would say, "Cheers, Babe!"

Just picturing that scene made me feel like I was about to have a nosebleed.

If Boss hadn't dumped this on me, I'd already be snuggled up with that hottie.

I frantically made the changes and, after an hour, finally sent the file to Philip.

Still in my heels, I dashed out, grabbed a cab, and sped off to our dinner spot.

Just as I got to the restaurant, I got a message from my online crush.

[Almost here, Babe? When you walk in, take a right and look for the second booth. I'm the one in the dark green vest. I'll be waiting for you.]

I glanced around the entrance. It was already late, so there weren't many people. And then I saw him—my advisor, Philip, sitting in a booth, wearing that dark green vest.

I was totally stunned.

I scanned the restaurant again, just to be sure. There was literally no one else in a dark green vest. I was petrified on the spot.

My online crush was actually my advisor.

In just three seconds, my mind raced through every possible explanation.

Then, I kicked off my heels and sprinted out of there like an Olympic runner.

As I sat in the cab, my mind was a total mess.

All I knew was that my online crush was someone in my department. With so many people around, I just assumed he was an upperclassman. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd turn out to be my advisor.

And not just any advisor, either. He was the infamous one my senior complained about, the guy who made students' lives hell by holding up their theses and squeezing every last drop of work out of them.

I couldn't accept such a person. I even vented to him about my advisor being a total asshole. What if he found out that it was me and refused to let me graduate?

I must break up with him.

He could never find out it was me.

I sent a message: [This isn't going to work. Don't wait for me. We're done.]

Chapter 2

Finally, things weren't so hectic, so I set up a real-life meetup with my online crush this Friday night.

There weren't many people in the studio. After sending the PowerPoint to Philip, I was about to pack up and head out when I saw him step out of his office.

He looked like he was in a great mood today, wearing a vintage black suit and a dark green vest. He had fancy copper cufflinks on his wrists, looking sharp and totally like a gentleman.

When he saw I was still there, he froze for a second and then walked over.

Catching myself staring, I quickly pulled myself together and hit the power button, pretending I was still working.

"The PowerPoint looks great," Philip said, nodding as he glanced around. Noticing no one else was there, he added, "Looks like you're the only one here, Teresa. You're up."

He unlocked his phone and sent a file over to me.

"This drawing is urgently needed. Could you help me out? I need it done tonight," he said.

"What?" I blurted out.

Of all times, he picked now. I was about to meet my online crush, and he just had to drop this on me.

"What's wrong? You don't have time?" Philip frowned, giving off that classic advisor pressure.

As if I could say no.

"Of course I've got time," I quickly nodded and opened up CAD.

"Alright, then get to it," he said, and with that, he stepped into the elevator.

I took a look at the drawing he sent over. Thankfully, it wasn't too complicated and wouldn't take me too long.

Still, this probably meant I'd be late for my first date.

I opened WhatsApp, about to text my online crush.

But before I could type, his message popped up: [I'm heading out now, Babe. See you in a bit!]

I quickly replied: [You might have to wait for me a bit. My damn boss just threw some work at me last minute, so I can't leave yet. Promise I'll get there ASAP.]

He replied: [Yeah, that's annoying, making you work at dinner time. Don't worry, Babe, take your time. I'll be right here waiting for you.]

A little while later, he sent another message.

I got even more excited, imagining this elegant man sitting across from me, swirling a glass of red wine.

And he would say, "Cheers, Babe!"

Just picturing that scene made me feel like I was about to have a nosebleed.

If Boss hadn't dumped this on me, I'd already be snuggled up with that hottie.

I frantically made the changes and, after an hour, finally sent the file to Philip.

Still in my heels, I dashed out, grabbed a cab, and sped off to our dinner spot.

Just as I got to the restaurant, I got a message from my online crush.

[Almost here, Babe? When you walk in, take a right and look for the second booth. I'm the one in the dark green vest. I'll be waiting for you.]

I glanced around the entrance. It was already late, so there weren't many people. And then I saw him—my advisor, Philip, sitting in a booth, wearing that dark green vest.

I was totally stunned.

I scanned the restaurant again, just to be sure. There was literally no one else in a dark green vest. I was petrified on the spot.

My online crush was actually my advisor.

In just three seconds, my mind raced through every possible explanation.

Then, I kicked off my heels and sprinted out of there like an Olympic runner.

As I sat in the cab, my mind was a total mess.

I couldn't accept such a person. I even vented to him about my advisor being a total asshole. What if he found out that it was me and refused to let me graduate?

I must break up with him.

He could never find out it was me.

I sent a message: [This isn't going to work. Don't wait for me. We're done.]