Chapter-8 Let me look for punishments.

"He isn't serious, is he?" Ashton asked Aaliyah, and she shrugged.

"He wasn't taking no for an answer," Aaliyah scoffed, stuffing her mouth with a Manchurian ball, her mind going back to how a little touch of his body made her feel.

Mr. Volkov’s actions confused her, or maybe it was all in her head. If her elder sister Katherine even got a gist of what was going inside her head, she would just go to the church and bring holy water to spray on her.

It was already bad that Mr. Volkov was this handsome, and the possibilities of what could happen between them in those extra sessions were making her mind go haywire. Now she was not a romanticist, but she wasn’t a fool to not understand her feelings and desires. This was the first time she felt this kind of attraction to someone, and to make matters worse, that someone was her teacher.

This was his first job, so he probably didn’t even know that the way he was reacting and acting with her was forbidden for a teacher, and it wasn’t helping that she liked and looked forward to every part.

He was like a forbidden fruit attracting her, and the more she tried to avoid him, the more entangled they were getting with each other.

The English olympiad has to come just this time around, no?

Now she could’ve said no to joining the olympiad because she was least interested in it, but she knew that the first thing Principal Lincoln would do, was call her mother and let her know of her decision, which was the last thing she wanted. She would end up joining the preparation group for the Olympiad anyway, so it was better to avoid all that drama.

‘F*ck my life!’ Aaliyah groaned in her head before remembering she was with her friends, her gaze meeting with Ashton, who shot her a pitiful smile.

"Oh my god, what is this? Is it true? Will that hottie tutor you? Are these the perks of being the top student, Aaliyah? You bet you got lucky that our teacher is now Mr. Volkov and not our old Mrs. Layla, right? I heard you are preparing for the national English Olympiad too. Has the sun risen from a different direction? Where is the girl who didn’t like studies? Don’t tell me you are enchanted by Mr. Volkov’s charms that you want to participate in." Momo winked as soon as she sat at their table, and Ashton felt even more uncomfortable at the way Momo was putting things.

He knew Aaliyah didn’t want to join the training or the olympiad, but for the slightest moment, he felt bad when he heard Momo’s words. Aaliyah won’t turn up like other girls who are infatuated with Mr. Volkov, right?

It can’t happen, right? Though she was a rule-breaker, she won’t go to the extent of falling for her teacher, right? Because if that would happen, he doesn’t see why any man would reject her. A girl like her was rare to find, not because of her body, which was like a cherry on the top, but because of her character.

Why does he feel like the distance between him and her is increasing? She was getting way beyond his league, and the thought alone irked him.

Though he has never confessed his feelings to everyone, it doesn't mean he doesn't care or like her. Maybe he liked her more than he himself knew.

"Hey, don't be sad, Ashton. The tutoring sessions last one hour at most. We will play games and enjoy ourselves after that. I can always say the tutoring sessions are three hours or longer," Aaliyah grinned at the evil plans, and Ashton chuckled at her planning, nodding with a smile.

"Geez, calm down, guys. The way you talk, someone would think you guys are already dating. Are you guys seeing each other and keeping it a secret from us?" David asked, and Ashton glared at him, making David flare his tongue at him.

"And I don't remember when I used to care about what others said. Do you think I am the type of girl moved by someone’s opinions? For me, he is the best person I can rely on. He is my pillar and someone I can share everything with." Aaliyah snuggled closer to Ashton, placing her head on his shoulder, unaware of Ashton's fast-beating heart as he felt heat rising to his cheeks and neck.

His reaction didn't go unnoticed by his friend, David, who thought his friend was a lost case now. He doesn’t even realize how much he has started to like Aaliyah and anyone apart from these two oblivious people can see that. David thought before sighing.

"Get a room, will you? The lunch will be over soon. Anyway, Avyanna, will you sneak out for the party? I mean, after -" David paused.

"I will count all my lucky stars and rely on Lily's persuasive talent for it. I have already gotten Katherine in my palm. All I can do is try my best. Anyway, I am leaving now. I need to talk to Mr. Tim about something," Aaliyah looked at Ashton, who ruffled her hair with a playful smile.

He was in a much more cheerful mood now that Aaliyah complimented him and all his insecurities about her falling for Mr. Volkov evaporated from his mind.

After one hour of torturous studies, Aaliyah was practically dragging her feet for the next lecture with her friends when she got a call from Principal Lincoln over the intercom.

"What does he need you for? You didn't do anything, right?" Momo gushed over, and Aaliyah shrugged.

"I am sure no one ratted us last night," Aaliyah looked at her hands, confused.

“Don’t worry and go for it. There is nothing we can’t handle,” Ashton motivated her, and Aaliyah nodded her head before walking away.

"Principal, you called?" Aaliyah asked the first thing she entered the cabin, and Lincoln standing near the window, turned around and nodded.

She noticed that apart from her, there were five more teachers sitting on the couch of the cabin with some sheets displayed in front of them, making her feel a bit more nervous. Is this some kind of disciplinary action that is going to be held against her?

But for what? She has done so many illegal things these days that she can’t even count them on her finger tips. It’s okay. Remember Ashton’s words, Aaliyah. There is nothing that can’t be handled.

"Yes, Miss Gold. Please have a seat. It's about the national Olympiad. I am sure Mr. Volkov briefed you about it. You will be representing our school if you pass," Mr. Lincoln looked at Aaliyah, and she nodded, feeling relaxed that it was nothing to worry about.

"I am aware of that, sir,"

"I had talked to a few teachers about it. What do you think about him as your tutor?" Mr. Lincoln looked at Aaliyah closely, and she raised her brows at him.

"If you really are about my opinion, then can I not get tutored by him? He is a new teacher. I am unsure if I can trust him immediately. There are other faculty for English, especially Miss Karina who also graduated from Harvard, no? Please don't take my words otherwise. I am just saying this because I also have a good teacher in mind. If it's just about the national Olympiad, I can assure you that I will be fine," Aaliyah quickly changed her tone.

"So you have no interest in getting this session with him?"

"I don't want to be rude, sir." Aaliyah indirectly hinted, and Mr. Lincoln couldn't hold back his smile anymore.

"Miss Karina is already tutoring Maria, who is one of the contestants. Well, it looks like you are the perfect student to have the tutoring session with Mr. Volkov apart from Simon then," Mr. Lincoln said, and Aaliyah, who was about to heave a sigh of relief, looked at him mouth agape.

"Wait. Didn't I just say -"

"Yes, we heard you, Aaliyah," She heard another voice from the other corner of the room that she failed to notice, and her heart almost leaped out of her mouth when her gaze met with Mr. Volkov's cold ones.

"I... I ..." Aaliyah stuttered as she looked at the other teachers, who had amusement written all over their faces.

Probably because no student has outrightly defied and insulted a teacher like she did today? But was it really her fault? She was just speaking her opinion. She had no idea he was also there. And why the heck was he sitting in the corner and not with everyone?

"Well, things have been decided. You will get your tutoring sessions after school. It will be one hour on alternative days. You can go back to your class now," Principal Lincoln clapped his hands, and Aaliyah scoffed, walking out of the cabin with a seething look.

As she neared the staircase to go to her last lecture, Volkov held her hand, pulling her under the staircase, almost making her scream if not for his hand on her mouth.

With her heart beating at an indescribable speed, Aaliyah looked into Volkov's eyes like a deer caught in headlights.

“Those weren’t some nice words you said there, Aaliyah,” He bent towards her, his lips almost over his hand that was covering her mouth as he stared at her.

"What is it that upsets you so much, little Aaliyah?" Volkov said, moving the hand from over her mouth to her jaw, and she almost arched her body into him, if not for her anger that was keeping her in check.

"It's none of your business, Mr. Volkov. I will be there for the classes. End of discussion," Aaliyah seethed, hating her body for reacting to him like that, gaining her composure, despite Volkov's hand holding her face in place.

"You know you look like Miss Smile now. Baring your claws at me when I didn't even do anything. Besides, I told you, I don't take no for an answer. You should've been prepared for it. So what exactly makes you uncomfortable?" Volkov massaged her chin.

"I feel like I was cheated. Why did he even bother to ask me and pretend like my opinions matter when he was going to push the decision on me either way?" Aaliyah snarled, and Volkov smirked.

"What makes you think like he pushed his decision on you? It was my decision from the beginning. I already told you. I want my savior to ace this Olympiad. This is just the start of my repayment to you. We will learn so many new things, Aaliyah. Be on time for the session. Take it as a rule," Mr. Volkov looked at her with a cold smirk, his eyes raking all over her face.

"Well, guess what? I am not good with rules," Aaliyah's eyes blazed with determination to not give into whatever game he was playing, and Volkov laughed coldly before pinching and tilting her jaw, forcing her to look into his eyes as he bent towards her, his lips on her neck now.

"Then I guess, I will have to look into some punishments to tame my dear student who is not good with rules. Miss Aaliyah, I might be a good teacher, but I am an equally bad man. I am good when I am good and when I am bad, let's just not talk about it," Volkov's eyes darkened as the predatory sense started to cloud his mind again.

Her heart was practically pounding against her ribcage at what Mr. Volkov was trying to insinuate here, but like the curious cat she was, she was testing her limits with him again and again.

"You will obey me, Aaliyah. Disobeying will have severe consequences, the ones you won't want to know. Be good and come to class on time," Mr. Volkov said before he placed a gentle kiss on her neck, not being able to control his emotions about wanting her anymore, making her heart drum against her ribs before he realized he was losing his composure, making him take a step back.

Throwing one last look at Aaliyah, Volkov evened his coat before walking out, leaving Aaliyah in a muddle-headed haze.

Did what she felt just now really happen? Did he by any chance kiss her neck? Or was it just her imagination since she wants him?