He looked extremely contented. The smile on his face accentuated by his brisk movement was in sync with the calm bustle of the morning.

He bounded up the steps, and followed a trail of partitioned offices. He stopped some three doors away from the stairway. He opened the door to a calm and refreshed office, already cleaned by the sanitation staff.

Friday seemed a while already. Yesterday and more recently, the time he spent in church had been some of his enjoyable experiences. In such moments, he seemed free of the raging battle in his mind. He looked around the office and his eyes settled on the bookshelf.

The books in the shelf seemed to transport him to a world away from freedom. This was his major weapon and also the door to his vulnerability. He had always wanted to be an academic and had met the erudite professor Frank who has provided adequate mentorship. He had made a rapid ascent up the ladder and he was certain to become a professor before he clocks fifty.

He grabbed a textbook and browsed through it. The words looked interesting enough to capture his attention. He was already relaxing into its ambience when he heard a tap on the door. He looked up shortly and turned to the book. The sound was clearer the next time and he stared at the door, contemplating for a second, the best answer.

“Come in,” he said.

The door opened and he saw her. She was the fairest of them all. A well sculpted face, sparkling eyes and a beautiful feminine physique. The top of her blouse hung loosely revealing the cleavage of her supple breasts. He had noticed her among the students as usual but had not thought of inviting her. Unfortunately, she had come to his sanctuary.

"Good morning sir," she said.

“Good morning, what can I do for you?”

“Sir, I have a challenge with ECN 302.”

He could guess as much. Four units course was a lot for any student and it offered consistent prey for desperate lecturers. He offered her a seat.

“So what is the challenge?”

“I understand little each time I read the course and the few materials I have are not comprehensive,” she said.

A sense of déjà vu flushed his mind. He probably should not have let the girl in judging by his past.
Is it not true that the past was gone and he was a new man?
So he soliloquized as he thought of an appropriate response.

“Miss…”

“Sophia…my name is Sophia.”

“Sophia…everything you complained about is probably what you should be doing until you are able to understand the course. Also, you can get any of your mates to teach you.”

“I have tried all your suggestions sir.”

“So what else do you think I can do?”

He thought of the implication of the words as soon as he said it. He felt overwhelmed immediately, and wished he could retract the words. He averted his gaze and once he turned to face her, she had a twinkle in her eyes.

“Dr. Patrick, I can do anything for you but to read and pass.”

He understood that voice. It usually did not sound that way all the time but the end was the same. A day or several days of sex with every girl who had approached him in like manner.
She had done her homework and this seemed to put him in a corner. He rested on his chair. She was unrestrained, watching him earnestly. Her beauty was really enticing, probably more than any he had encountered in the past.

He was thinking for too long when he remembered the admonition: flee from every form of sexual immorality.
Suddenly, he felt like a prey. He, who was supposedly the predator, realized that he had been a slave to sin for too long.

“Get up,” he said slowly.

“Sir.”

“Get out of my office,” he barked.

She startled and got up hurriedly. The clatter of her phone on the floor proved a distraction. He turned to look at the phone and got attracted to the screen.

“What is that?” he asked.

She looked unsettled. She was visibly frightened and looked from the phone to him. She mumbled some indistinct words and bent down to pick the phone.

“What is that?” he asked again.

She said nothing while trying to get the phone in her hands.

“Let me see it?”

He felt in control and stretched his hand to have the phone. She gave the phone to him reluctantly and he touched the screen. It came on and he saw that it was on record. He looked up in alarm at her shaking figure. He stopped the record and played it.

Few seconds passed before a knock on a door and he heard his voice. She had been recording their conversation.

“How dare you?” he screamed.

She knelt down quickly and moved her hands rapidly, pleading with tears suddenly taking residence in her eyes. He averted his eyes and went to sit on his chair. He was confused for a moment, unsure of what to do.

He could easily punish her but knowing how much he had sought mercy recently, it would certainly be him playing the role of an ungrateful servant. She cried and pleaded at the same time.

“Get up,” he said.

“I am so sorry sir,” she pleaded.

“Please, stand up.”

She stood up and gathered her bag.

“Sit down.”

She sat slowly, his eyes watching her cowering under his gaze. It was a look of mercy rather than one inflamed with lust.

“Who gave you this idea?”

She bent her head and mumbled some indistinct words.

“As for your request, I can only assist you when you have distinct questions. I suggest you meet up with any of your mates who understand this course and they can put you through.”

“Okay sir,” she mumbled.

She stood up and was about leaving.

“Wait, have your phone,” she took the phone. “Do not try this with any other lecturer as you might not like the result.”

She left the office. He watched her leave and suddenly he felt free like a bird in flight. He had found the right path and was prepared to fight the demons of the past just to enjoy his newly found peace.

Damn