A conference. You are accompanied by colleagues. Adam, with other teachers. Exchanged looks all the time. A growing underground tension.

On the way out, he leans next to him on the sidewalk, almost disguised.

“There’s a 24-hour cafe on the corner.”

You raise an eyebrow.

“Are you calling me to get away from an academic dinner?”

“Do you prefer to hear Dr. Allen talk about mitochondrial symbiosis for another three hours?”

“Fair.”

In the cafe, sitting in front, he holds his hand under the table, as if it were something forbidden. As if he wasn’t the feared professor of the university.

“If anyone knows...”, you say.

He shrugs his shoulders.

“Do you think I care?”

“I think you only care about your reputation.”

He looks into your eyes, seriously:

“I care about you.”