Chapter 3

Just looking at that massive tome of design theory gave me a headache.

"Professor Gould, this..." I mumbled.

"This is your punishment." He put his glasses back on and instantly reverted to that persona of an aloof, detached professor. "Your punishment for talking behind my back."

I was totally lost for words.

"And one more thing," he added. "On campus, you have to address me as Professor Gould. In private, you can call me whatever you want."

With that, he turned his attention to the paperwork on his desk and did not look at me anymore.

I lugged that book, which was thicker than a brick, with me and left his office in a daze.

So did this mean my online date… er, professor… and I were officially together?

*****

Ever since the "unmasking" episode, I was suddenly the talk of the campus. Wherever I went, people couldn't stop staring and gossiping about me.

"Hey, that's her. Professor Gould's muse," someone whispered.

"Wow, I never would've guessed. She seemed so average, but she managed to win Professor Gould's heart?" another said.

"She must have used some tricks or something. Otherwise, why would Professor Gould be interested in her?" someone else snickered.

Of all the gossip, Williana's comments were by far the most scathing.

She came from a wealthy family, was strikingly beautiful, and was always top of her class. In everyone's eyes, she was the poster child for success. From the first day of school, she made no secret of her admiration for Professor Gould. She sat at the front of the class every day and actively participated in discussions, earning herself the title of Professor Gould's "number one fangirl."

Now that I, this unexpected outsider, had stolen her "crush," it was no wonder she loathed me.

When she bumped into me at the art studio, she lamented with a disingenuous smile, "Steffi, I really envy you. Now the whole campus knows you're Professor Gould's girlfriend. You won't have to worry about your graduation project anymore, will you? With Professor Gould giving you special tutoring, even winning a gold prize will be a piece of cake."

Her words were dripping with sarcasm, and everyone around started staring.

I couldn't be bothered with her and simply demurred indifferently, "I'll prove myself through my own abilities."

"Your abilities?" Williana covered her mouth and snickered. "Aren't your only 'abilities' just playing online games and slacking off? Oh, right, and online dating."

I gripped my stylus pen tighter. "Williana, mind your own business."

"I'm just concerned about you, that's all." She leaned in closer and whispered, "But I have to warn you. A man like Professor Gould isn't someone an ordinary girl like you can handle. Once the novelty wears off, he'll vanish before you can even cry."

With that, she strutted off with a triumphant swagger.

I took a deep breath and swallowed the frustration I felt. Then I refocused my attention on the drawing screen in front of me.

I was already more than halfway through the book "Fonso" had given me. The design concepts in it really opened my eyes and made me feel ashamed of my previous perfunctory attitude toward learning.

I decided to enter this year's GalaxSea Award, the biggest design competition for college students in the country.

It was the most prestigious design contest nationwide, and our school was allocated only one nomination slot each year. In previous years, that spot had almost always gone to Williana.

When I announced my decision at the class meeting, everyone was stunned.

Williana couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Stephanie, you can't be serious. With your abilities?"

"Why not?" I shot back, locking eyes with her.

"The GalaxSea Award is all about the hard work and creativity. You can't get in just by pulling strings," she said pointedly.

Our class representative quickly stepped in to defuse the tension. "It's great to have ideas. Everyone can prepare their submissions, and we'll hold an internal preliminary selection next month to recommend the best entries."

After the meeting, Williana and a few of her friends cornered me in the hallway.

She crossed her arms and said imperiously, "Stephanie, I advise you not to humiliate yourself. That spot can only be mine."

"Whether it's yours or not depends on the submission piece," I retorted before turning to go since I didn't want to waste any more time with her.

However, Williana continued to hound me. "You think you can rise to the top just because you've hooked up with Professor Gould? Let me warn you. The design industry values real talent. Someone like you, who relies on men to get ahead, won't go far."

Thump! I lost my temper and slammed my sketchbook on the floor.

"Williana, watch your mouth! What happens between Professor Gould and me is our business. But if you keep insulting my professionalism and my efforts, don't blame me for retaliating!"

My reaction seemed to surprise her. After a brief pause, she sneered, "What, did I hit a nerve? Are you getting all flustered now?"

I was trembling with rage, but couldn't find the words to fire back.

Just then, a crisp voice rang out from behind us. "What's going on here?"

It was Ildefonso. No one knew how long he had been standing there, but his expression was quite grim.