C4 Chapter 4: A Familiar Face

Sophia adjusted the stack of papers in her arms as she walked briskly down the corridor of the university. The second day of her new role was already proving to be as busy as the first. Meetings with faculty, planning sessions, and back-to-back classes had filled her schedule. Yet, despite the chaos, she felt a sense of purpose she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

As she approached the faculty lounge, a soft hum of voices drifted through the partially open door. She pushed it open, smiling politely at a group of professors who were engaged in animated conversation. Grabbing a cup of coffee from the corner table, she settled into a seat near the window, flipping through her notes for her next lecture.

“Dr. Blake really captivated the students this morning. He always does,” someone said nearby.

Sophia’s ears perked up at the name. Dr. Blake? Could it be...?

She shook the thought away. It was a common enough surname, and besides, what were the odds?

But later that day, as she passed by one of the larger lecture halls, the sound of a deep, familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. Curious, she peeked through the small window on the door.

There he was.

Ethan Blake stood at the front of the room, commanding the attention of over a hundred students. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing strong, tanned forearms. His tie hung slightly loose, giving him a mix of professionalism and casual charm. He was writing something on the board with swift precision, his deep voice filling the room as he explained a complex medical topic.

Sophia felt her breath catch.

He was utterly in his element, speaking with confidence and passion. His presence was magnetic, and the students were hanging onto his every word. Even she, standing outside, felt drawn to him in a way she hadn’t expected.

His sharp jawline was even more pronounced under the bright lecture hall lights, and his dark eyes had the same intense focus she had noticed when they first met. But now, there was something more—an ease, a natural charisma that seemed to flow effortlessly as he engaged the room.

Sophia’s fingers tightened around her notes. She had known he was handsome, but seeing him like this was something else entirely. She felt a flutter in her chest, an almost giddy attraction that caught her off guard.

As the lecture continued, Ethan paused to ask a question. The room fell silent for a moment before a brave student offered an answer. He smiled warmly, nodding in encouragement before elaborating on the topic.

Sophia couldn’t help but admire the way he interacted with the class. He wasn’t just teaching; he was connecting, making the material come alive in a way that was both inspiring and engaging.

Before she realized it, the lecture had ended. The students began gathering their things, and Ethan stepped away from the board, wiping his hands on a cloth.

Sophia panicked for a moment, unsure whether to stay or leave. But as fate would have it, Ethan’s gaze flickered toward the door—and straight to her.

Their eyes met, and his expression shifted from one of professional focus to mild surprise, followed by a slow, amused smile.

Caught red-handed, Sophia pushed the door open and stepped inside, trying to maintain her composure.

“Professor Lane,” he said smoothly, his voice carrying the same warmth it had the previous morning. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Sophia smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I didn’t expect to see you here, either. I didn’t know you taught at the university.”

Ethan shrugged lightly, leaning against the desk. “Not full-time. I take occasional lectures—mostly specialized topics. Keeps me connected to academia.”

“Well,” she said, trying to keep her tone neutral, “you certainly seem to have a way with students. They were completely engaged.”

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Sophia nodded, shifting the papers in her hands as if to remind herself why she had been walking down the corridor in the first place. But the way he looked at her—steady, curious—made it hard to focus on anything else.

“So, how’s your second day going?” he asked, his voice softening slightly.

“Busy,” she admitted, relaxing a little. “But good. I’m still finding my footing, but the students have been great.”

“They’re lucky to have you,” Ethan said, his tone sincere.

The simplicity of his words caught her off guard. She wasn’t used to receiving compliments so directly, especially from someone like him.

“Well, thank you,” she said, her voice softer than she intended.

He studied her for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “You’re fitting in well. It shows.”

Before she could respond, a group of students approached Ethan, clearly eager to ask him questions. He gave her a brief nod, his smile lingering.

“See you around, Professor Lane,” he said, before turning his attention to the students.

Sophia left the lecture hall, her mind racing. She had thought their brief encounter at the apartment was just a passing moment, but seeing him here—in her world—felt different.

As she walked back to her office, she couldn’t help but replay their interaction in her mind. There was something about Ethan Blake that left an impression far deeper than she had anticipated. And the thought of seeing him again, whether in the hallway or the classroom, filled her with an unexpected sense of anticipation.

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