The Educator

"Eli?" I hear someone call faintly from downstairs. I turn on the shower and rinse the suds quickly. I grab my robe and wrap my wet hair in a twist and I open the door to see Elliot at the dinning counter. He raises his head and looks at me. He smiles and says, "Hi!"

I smile back "You're early" I say as I run down the stairs. I place a kiss on his cheek using my cheek as well. "How's your day?"

"It was good. The Thai government looks convinced. We'll have another meeting Tuesday of next week to discuss how many they'll initially purchase" he says, "How about you?" he asks "How was your day aside from the mini panic you had?"

I roll my eyes, "Don't start with me" I turn my back to his and pull the towel from my head. I start patting my hair to dry it as I tell him "it was basically good. I called my friends today and told them how luxurious this suite we got. I also booked the table at Blue Monkey's tonight" I smile at him.

He stands and takes off his coat. That's when I got a glimpse of his muscles against his buttoned shirt. My eyes widen at the sight. I my eyes start wondering down to his black pants and I instantly notice how long his legs are. I clear my throat and let out a sigh. He places the coat on the rest of the chair and says "I'll take a quick shower and we can have dinner" he smiles and runs upstairs.

I follow him and sit myself in front of the vanity just a few steps from the bathroom and start preparing for our dinner. I could hear the phone from the room ring and I stand to answer. "Good evening, Mrs. Smith. This is Cheska from the Blue Monkey. I would just like to remind you of your seven o'clock reservation” she says.

"Thanks, Cheska. Would it be okay if we're a little earlier than expected?"

I hear her typing, "No worries, ma'am. For as long as there is an available table as per your specifications, we may seat you immediately"

"Alright, thank you" I say ad end the call. I run back upstairs and I see Elliot only wearing a towel on the lower half of his body. Water was dripping down his shoulders. He was on the phone and he fails to notice that I am in the room. Elliot was no six-pack-abs kind of man. He was just right. His arms were long though, as well as his fingers. I would see the veins from where I was standing. He turns and he sees me and immediately cuts the call.

"Sorry. I didn't see you there" he says. He walks past me and proceeds to the room downstairs. I smile a little.

Damn. I'm married to that?

I walk over to my luggage and pull out a long black backless dress that drops in the front, exposing a little bit of my cleavage. I pull out from my accessories bag an anklet, step over to place my left foot at the top of the bed so that I can place it on properly. I pulled a pair of nude flats that were open by the heel. I take my phone and small white clutch bag where it contained my face powder, lipstick and a pocket- sized eyeshadow, for when I would need to retouch. My hair is partly dry by now but with the temperature outside, my hair will dry out fast for sure. I run my fingers through my hair several times, to give it a little bit style and volume. I take one last look in the mirror check how I look and once everything seemed in place, I run downstairs and I see Elliot looking clean and simple. He is wearing a white button up shirt, jeans and open toed slippers. He pairs it with a simple silver watch, maybe one of those watches that are worth hundreds and thousands or maybe even millions. He smiles up at me and I smile at him as well. "You look really good"

I shrug proudly, "Eh, you know, a little of this and a little of that" I tease.

He chuckles, "Are you ready?"

I look past him and search for the keys to the room. I see the key on the table just under the flat screen. I walk over towards it wave it him "Ready!"

Elliot and I walk on the stone walkway. I have my arm wrapped around his. He's warm and he's not stiff about it. Elliot and I are not complete strangers, in fact our families are somewhat close. This is probably why we're friendly strangers. I take out my phone as we walk towards the restaurant and take photos of us using the phone's front camera and afterwards, I take a few snaps of the scenery in front of us. This would experience would have been so amazing if it were real. I pick a few really good photos of us, post it on my social media and tag Elliot. Instantly, I get numerous notifications, like and comments from different people, most of them are Elliot's followers and are women. From Elliot's pocket, I could hear his phone vibrate continuously.

"You look really good tonight, Eli" he says

I raise my brow and look up at him, "Just tonight?"

He clears his throat, "No. I mean, you know..." he trails of

"You better end that sentence right" I threaten him

"I mean you look extra good tonight. You've grown up into a beautiful young woman" he says.

I smile, "That's better" I laugh

"Where'd you book our dinner reservation?"

"Uhh at the Blue Monkey. They will be seating us near the beach so we'll have a good view while we have dinner" I say

Elliot sighs loudly and turns to me, "What made you ask about what people would say if they found out you were married to me?"

"Hannah and I were talking and she was right. I was ... I was scared, Elliot. I didn't even think about how my teachers, needless to say the people I go to school with, would think of me. Jesus Christ I'm only twenty-two and I'm married to a thirty-three-year-old professor at the very same school I go to. The status on student profile will change. I have to get a new school ID with your last name on it—" "You don't have to immediately have your name changed on your ID. I can work my way around it" he says

I stop walking and so does he. I turn to him, "Elliot" I start to say, "I'm scared. Do you get that? You know how I'll be your student assistant? When people eventually find out about us, they'll say that you hired me to be your student assistant because you like me. It's not going to be good on your image as a professor. Do you know how many versions of one story can circulate a big university? Do you know how weird it would look if I was your student assistant when we're not even on the same program?"

Elliot was silent for a moment and he starts to speak again, "Eli, I told you, I can work my way around it. I have people who will cover up for us" he places both his hands on either of my shoulders. "Elliot" I start

"Eli. I got it. And if you're so worried about being my student assistant then, you don't have to be my assistant at the university. You could, if you want to, juts take part in the business. Anyway, you will be taking over really soon" he encourages me.

"Eli. I will not let anything happen to you. I promise"

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Smith" Cheska smiles at us as the leads us to our table. We are seated in a table good for four people. From where we were seated, we have a clear view of the ocean and a mountain in front of us. Cheska hands us the menu. Cheska is a tall woman, I could by her features that her parents are from two different ethnicities. Elliot and I look over the menu. Once Elliot and I have said our orders, Cheska excuses herself from the table and proceeds to the kitchen. Elliot and I were left at the table.

Elliot looks at me and I raise a brow "What?"

"I just wanted to ask you if you left someone special for this arrangement" he says.

I shake my head, "and even if I did. He wouldn't matter anyway" I tell him. Elliot nods and take a sip of his water. "What about you? Did you leave someone special for this?"

He sighs, "No. But I have been in love with the same woman for quite some time"

My eyes widen, "Oh? Where is she now?"

He looks down, "Married but I'm not so sure if she's happy" he looks up at me. We both fell silent for a few seconds and he quickly bounce back with: "Were you able to you my card?" he asked

I shook my head, "Nah. I'll wait until you and I go shopping. In that way, I won't be limited to the limit of your card" I joke.

"Well, you'll have me all to yourself tomorrow. Where do you want to go?"

I smile and evil smile, "Oh, you'll see, Elliot"

His eyes stop smiling, "What?" he asks and I just take a sip of the water in front of me. Elliot's eyes were still on me. "Just wait 'till tomorrow!"☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐