One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 130

Audrey

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I smoothed down my blouse as I entered the upscale restaurant where Claudia and I usually met. The scent of expensive perfume and seared steak filled the air, a sharp contrast to the campus cafeteria lunches I was used to. The hostess recognized me, smiling tightly as she led me to our usual table.

Claudia was already there, rising to greet me with a warm hug,

"Audrey, darling! Congratulations on your piece at Paris Fashion Week. It was absolutely stunning," she gushed, squeezing me so tight I could hardly breathe.

"Thank you," I said, feeling a blush creep up my checks. "I'm just glad it was well-received."

We settled into our seats and ordered our drinks-a glass of white wine for with questions about Paris, the mention of which made my heart pound.

laudia and a soda for me. She peppered me

Little did she know I had slept with her future son-in-law there. Assuming he wasn't able to get out of his engagement to

Fiona.

Edwin had mentioned that Claudia didn't know the truth about his engagement to Fiona. She was under the impression that they, as childhood friends, had fallen in love. And Edwin planned to keep it that way, at least for the time being.

Claudia was too sweet. If she knew what her daughter was truly capable of, it would break her heart. And Edwin, caring deeply for Claudia as if she were his own mother, couldn't bear to see that happen. Neither could I. Claudia and I had grown incredibly close since we had met; o a bit of myself in her-or maybe it was the other way around.

connection was profound. Sometimes, I saw

I pulled out my portfolio as we waited for our meals. "I've been working on some designs for our collection," I said, flipping to the right page. My heart raced a little as I slid it across the table; no matter how many times I showed my work to Claudia, it always felt like a test.

Claudia leaned in, her eyes scanning the sketches with the sharp focus of a seasoned designer.

"Oh, Audrey," she breathed, her finger tracing the lines of one design. "These are marvelous. I especially love this one here."

in beading since I had been working on my piece for Paris Fashion Week all summer. "I'm so glad you like it," I said, my shoulders slumping

but the beading is also fresh and exciting. Though, perhaps we could adjust the neckline slightly..." She grabbed a pen, making a few quick marks on the sketch. "There. What do

new neckline-an off-shoulder silhouette rather than a sweetheart shape. I liked it. We spent the next hour discussing the designs, our food growing cold as we lost ourselves in our own little world. Claudia offered suggestions and praise in equal measure, her

we finally turned our attention back to our meal, Claudia

I almost forgot! I'm having a c**ail party for my fiftieth birthday next month, and I would love for you to come." My face fell before I could stop it. I should have been happy

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Chapter 130

Sep

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her personal birthday party.

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her, of having to play nice while she smirked at me, especially after what Edwin and I had done... It made my stomach churn. Claudia's smile faded, concern creasing her brow before I could properly school my face back into neutrality. "Oh... You don't want to come?" she

that," I said, "I would love to come. It's just... I might be busy with school. Senior year and all, you know? The

course," Claudia nodded understandingly, although I could see the disappointment in her eyes. "Well, it's over a three-day weekend, so perhaps you'll have time. But if

the details, just in case. I would really love for you to be

the card, forcing a smile even as guilt gnawed at me. "Thank you, Claudia. I'll definitely try to make it

knot of anxiety in my stomach. I stared at

her in any way...

that I didn't notice the person in front of me until I

as I recognized that stubbled jawline angled down at me. "Oh.

I felt my knees go weak. There was that d**able scent again, nearly making me pass out on the sidewalk. I'd have to ask him to stop wearing that cologne; somehow it had seeped

his voice low. "We really need to stop meeting

passing by, any of whom could recognize

the card in my hand. "Is

turning it over in my hand. "Yeah. You're going, I

He nodded. "You?"

into a thin line. "Probably not.

mention of her name, as if the sound

"but Fiona wouldn't dare do anything in front of her mother. And this party means a lot to Claudia. She

my lip, considering. The idea of seeing Fiona made me want to run, but disappointing Claudia...

lower, forcing me to lean in slightly to hear him, "I