Professor F

Chapter 25

August opened her mouth to explain but she didn't know how to start.

Flynn nodded and introduced himself. "My name is Flynn Ferguson. I live next door. And I also happen

to be your daughter's professor."

Her parents’s eyes were wide in shock. And then looked humbled knowing her professor is in their

daughter's apartment and even carried their baggages.

"August! Why didn't you tell us?! And you even let him carry those heavy bags?" Her mother scolded

her.

"It's alright. Sir. Ma'am. I'm glad to meet August's parents." Flynn slightly bows his head again and even

offered his hand for a handshake.

"Is my daughter in trouble?" Her father asked, worried. Her mother stepped closer to her father.

Flynn looked apprehensive but still tried his best to calm her parents down. "No, Mr. Peters. Your

daughter is amazing."

Her parents smiled in relief.

"We were just about to eat dinner." August interrupted, finally found her voice. She cleared her throat.

"I'll prepare the table."

"Let me help." Flynn and her mother said almost in unison.

"Oh, no, Professor Ferguson. We'll take care of it. You can just sit down and wait with my husband."

Her mother suggested with a smile on her face and joined her.

Flynn nodded and smiled awkwardly. She gave Flynn an apologetic look and he returned it with a

reassuring smile.

"Is he really your professor or you two are just making this up? He's actually your senior.” Her mother

teased her with a grin on her face. "He really looked so young to be your professor. And he's so good

looking, Augustine! It’s impossible that he doesn’t have a girlfriend!”

"Mom!" She rolled her eyes, feeling a little embarrassed. She knew she would be this nosy. Between

her parents, it's always her mother who easily guesses things right. "He's only twenty-two. He got his

PhD when he was nineteen."

"What?!"

August sighed, smiling. "Yes. I had the same reaction when I learned about it."

“So," Her mother intentionally paused to give emphasis on what she's about to ask next. “The most

important question, does he have a girlfriend?"

She glared at her mother. She doesn't know whether she's just trying to catch her making this scheme

or innocently asks her questions until she feels guilty and obligated to tell her everything.

"He's single."

"Oh! So, you're dating him then?" Her mother asked while checking the food Flynn cooked in her

kitchen. ”Hmm. This smells so good. Beef Bourguignon! You cooked this?"

She didn't know how to answer her mother’s question so she walked towards the dining table bringing

plates and utensils. Her father talking to Flynn about his profession. Flynn then gave her a wink when

she smiled looking at her father who was grabbing a napkin. She blushed as she goes back to the

kitchen.

"It's okay to date him, sweetie. You don't need to keep it from me. Or your dad."

Her mouth dropped. ”How'd you—"

"Please." Christine rolled her eyes smiling. "You don't know how to cook, Augustine Peters! Especially

a French beef Bourguignon!" She points at Flynn who comfortably talks to her father. "He looks like he

can cook! And his French accent was so subtle that I almost missed it! Besides, he won't be too

comfortable in your kitchen if you're not dating him!" She hugged her tight. "You can tell me anything,

sweetie.”

"Sorry, Mom." She sighed, feeling sorry for not telling the truth. "Thank you. I didn't know how to start.

And I can't believe you're this cool about it. He's still a university professor, my professor.”

Christine caressed her face. "Love knows no boundaries. If you both like each other, go for it. Take

risks. Get excited. Love unconditionally. Get hurt. Experience things, my love." She kissed her

forehead. "And no more secrets, okay?"

She nodded. But some things have to be kept secret, Mom. Just like that thing we did before you came

in!

"Come on. Let's have dinner."

••••••

They had dinner with Flynn who was seated between her and her Father in their round dining table.

"This is delicious!" Augustus exclaimed. "Did you cook this?" He asked August while chewing on the

meat.

She started sweating cold and looked at Flynn who busied himself eating, as if not hearing what her

father asked.

She swallowed her food before answering. “I, uh, well…“ She looked at her mother who seem to

encourage her to tell the truth. “Actually…”

"I cooked it, Mr. Peters. Please forgive me for using your kitchen without your permission."

Christine had the same surprised look August has when they heard Flynn answering her father, looking

embarrassed.

"Of course! Of course! Any time, Professor! This really tastes delicious! Your skills would definitely help

my daughter learn a thing or two with cooking."

"Geez! Thanks, Dad." She felt embarrassed but also glad that her father seems cool with Flynn.

And like everyone else, Augustus had the same shocked expression when he learned that Flynn is only

twenty-two and got his PhD at the age of nineteen. They're both engineers so they shared pretty much

the same work background and stories during dinner.

"My daughter loves working and studying so much. I'm not complaining but you know, there are some

things that she has to learn, too. Like cooking! I'm sorry, sweetie, partly it's my fault, we always sneak

out to eat fast food instead of cooking." Augustus winked at his daughter. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"I think Flynn would be a good influence to our daughter. Don't you think, honey?" Christine glanced at

Augustus.

"Oh, I think he is! At least, someone can be around our daughter while we're not here! I hope that's not

too much bother, Professor, I mean, Flynn!”

Flynn nodded, giving her parents a reassuring smile. He then chews his food and cleared his throat.

"Actually, I would like to ask for your…”

August panicked, thinking he would be asking for their permission to court her, she grabbed the napkin

on his lap and wiped his mouth.

"August!" Her mother said in shock.

"Oh, sorry. I…” She trembled when Flynn touched her hand. "I was just bothered of the food on your

lips." And realizing that she actually sounded and acted like a girlfriend to him, wiping his lips.

"It's okay." Flynn said, as if understanding why she had to stop what he's about to say and takes the

napkin to his hand as she pulls her hand away. "I'm sorry if that bothered you." He looked at her

parents.

"Anyway, I would just like to let you know that the college of engineering has a week long festival held

in London in two weeks. And I have a field project in New York this weekend. I would like to invite your

daughter and experience the engineering work on the field. If it's okay?"

Her parents looked amazed hearing it. Augustus cleared his throat after recovering.

“I—Is this part of the school program?"

"Would there be any other expenses?" Christine asked, clearly thinking of how much money is needed

for the trips.

“Pearsons will cover the expenses as part of their goal to provide experiential learning to their students.

August would only need allowance for her personal needs." Flynn smiled.

Her parents looked so relieved hearing Flynn's assurance. And she almost fell from her chair when her

father asked. "Are you interested with my daughter?”

Where the hell did that come from?!