"Sigh… I told you to stop calling me 'Professor' numerous times, but you still do the same! You're my best student… so you can just call me John." Shaking his head, John Lock uttered helplessly.

"This is the university… a professor needs to be called 'Professor' here. But outside the university area and campus… sure!" Was Ella's immediate response.

"Is that so?" Saying this, John Lock, aka Detective Lock seemed to have sunk into a deep contemplative state.

A few seconds elapsed, when finally, snapping back to reality, he muttered, "How about this, I have something I want to discuss with you. But let's do it outside this time around, over dinner."

"This…" Hearing this, a little uncomfortable, Ella didn't know how to respond. Although he has been always good to her, going out to eat with her professor sounded a bit inappropriate to her.

"You've done so much for me during this semester which made teaching so much easier! And this is just my way of thanking you for those daily efforts, you've been a perfect student! Also, I have something I need to talk to you regarding the cla.s.s and some subject materials. But let's have a change of environment for once. Also, the dinner's on me. So don't reject okay? Just say yes." Wearing a pitiful expression, he elaborated his perfectly justified reasoning for inviting her out to dinner.

'Hmm… that should be fine, right?' As this notion pa.s.sed through her head, she answered showing a beautiful smile, "Okay, professor."

"Good! I'll call you later on."

_____________

Suddenly, her eyes wide-open, Mary screamed, "What! Elle, did you say Professor Lock invited you out to dinner? For real?"

"Yes… but it's just dinner, so don't overthink it, will you? … He said he's doing it in order to thank me for my endeavor and efforts as the cla.s.s representative."

"It's not 'just' dinner! It 'is' dinner, Elle!!! so don't forget to say 'yes, I'll be your girlfriend!' when he asks!" Faith also proclaimed in antic.i.p.ation

A deep frown showing on her forehead, Ella's responded with a sigh, "I said it's not anything like that…"

"Alright, we'll pretend it's not anything like that. But in case it happened, you have to say 'yes', okay?" With s.h.i.+ning eyes of antic.i.p.ation, Mary declared. Mary had been really into Professor Lock at the beginnings of the semester, she was even jealous of Ella at first, but as time pa.s.sed she finally got over him. Now, she came to genuinely support the idea of her best friend getting together with her professor, John Lock, who is perfect in nearly every area one could name.

"This…" Immediately, the image of a certain someone popped into Ella's head, someone she's been waiting for months even if she didn't admit it. Someone who didn't bother to come to her even once although he knew she was upset. This in return sent a new wave of sadness into her broken yet slowly mending heart as her mood worsened.

Seeing her dejected expression, however, Mary turned angry as she proclaimed, "Elle! Enough of this! Just forget about that stupid Aizen! He didn't bother to visit you even once although so much time has pa.s.sed! It's time to forget about him and move on! And Professor Lock can be just the case for doing exactly that. Please listen to us."

"Right, Elle." All four of her best friends agreed with the rational words of Mary.

However, Ella couldn't say anything to that as she just looked down quietly and stayed silent.

_____________________

That night, in a high-quality restaurant called Sparks Steak House. Currently, Ella and Detective Lock were sitting on two sides of the table as two plates of steak were placed in front of each of them. Two gla.s.ses of wine were also ready for sipping prepared beside them.

"How is the food here? Do you like it? This is the restaurant I visit the most in New York because of its clubby atmosphere and most importantly delicious food." Announced Detective Lock while taking a small sip from his expensive wine.

"It doesn't disappoint, to be honest… it's great, professor! And the steak's really yummy." A cheerful glimmer glowing within her eyes, Ella voiced. She indeed liked this restaurant which she was trying for the very first time.

She was really enjoying the steak of this place as she felt like it was cooked into perfection. Even the floor manager was active ensuring they had a wonderful experience of eating. So everything felt good.

Yet, hearing her call him 'Professor' again, John said with a slight frown, "We're now outside the campus, right? So keep your word and call me John please."

Left with no choice, Ella could only helplessly say, "Yes, John…"

"See! Calling me by the real name that I was born with wasn't hard, now was it?" Taking on a humorous tone, John voiced.

Being the attentive detective he was, he also noticed that Ella was having a difficulty cutting his steak, so, much to the surprise of Ella, abruptly reaching out, he pulled her plate in front of himself and started slicing it into many pieces while mouthing, "I'll cut it for you. Please wait for a moment."

…

After they were finished enjoying their meal to its fullest, they were just leaving the restaurant when Detective Lock offered them to go to a bar for a drink or two. And of course, Ella rejected it at first. But, with the constant insistence of John, she could only agree in the end.

…

A while later, they were sitting behind the counter of a good bar and having their drink while John opened his mouth from time to time.

Seeing her a bit drunk after having some gla.s.ses of wine, finally, John uttered casually, "So… Ella, do you have a boyfriend?"

Hearing this, a crease displayed itself on Ella's brows. Then, with some hints of grief apparent within her voice, taking on a self-mocking tone, she murmured, "A... boyfriend? Do… I… have a boyfriend? Haha… even I'm not sure anymore."

"Oh… is that so? What happened?" With a sharp glint pa.s.sing through his eyes, John inquired further.

"What… happened?! Hmm… indeed… what happened… I've been waiting so much for him, but he's nowhere to be seen! Should I just do what Mary and others are telling me to do? Should I… just forget about him and move on by using you?" At this point, she was gazing into John's eyes with a deep blush. But it was clear the redness of her cheeks was due to her being very drunk and tipsy.

Nonetheless, these words of hers made detective Lock very surprised. Simultaneously, much to the surprise of even himself, his heart started to beat a little faster.

Being around such beauty for around four months, even though he still liked Amara the most, he had to admit that he had developed some positive feelings toward this beautiful young lady in front of him. The type of feelings a man usually has toward a woman.

'Huh… That b.a.s.t.a.r.d Aizen Vee made such a mistake breaking up with her…' As this notion went through his head, thinking he would have to be a eunuch in order to reject such an enchantress who was p.r.o.nouncing such mesmerizing words at him, he slowly leaned forward toward Ella's pretty face...