The hallway was nearly empty, the distant murmurs of students fading as most had already gone their separate ways. The golden glow of the setting sun filtered through the tall windows. You barely took a step before Theodore’s voice stopped you.

"Will I see you later?"

His tone was casual, but his gaze—steady, searching—told a different story.

You hesitated. "I can't… I have tutoring, I'm sorry."

His brow furrowed slightly, lips pressing together as if weighing your words. "You never told me who your tutor is."

You let out a soft chuckle, something light, something evasive. He didn’t need to know. You took a step back, offering him a small, unreadable smile before turning on your heel and slipping out the door. You could still feel his eyes on you as you walked away.

The air felt heavier as you made your way down the dimly lit corridors, your heart beating a little faster—not from nerves, but from anticipation. The wooden door of Mattheo’s office loomed ahead, slightly ajar, the warm glow of a single lamp spilling into the hallway.

You pushed it open without knocking.

He didn’t look up right away, his attention seemingly focused on the paper in front of him, a pen lazily twirling between his fingers. When he finally lifted his gaze, his dark eyes locked onto yours with a quiet intensity. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You’re late."

You swallowed, stepping further into the room, the door clicking shut behind you. "It won’t happen again."

His smirk deepened, amusement flickering across his face. He set his pen down, leaning back in his chair, studying you in the way that made the space between you feel smaller than it actually was.

"That means extra hours… with me."

You moved toward his desk, the rich scent of old books and faint traces of his cologne wrapping around you. Slowly, you perched yourself on the edge, crossing your legs as you met his gaze head-on.

"Of course, Professor."

Something unreadable flashed in his eyes, his smirk never faltering.