Bernadette Azizi - Undying

“Would you like me to engrave it for you?”

“Engrave it… Ah, I’m not sure. I’ll think about it, thank you,” I replied. This certainly wasn’t the time for that and I didn’t want Richard to see the message. Once I had paid for the locket, Nicolas placed it in a black velvet box, handed me a business card, and reminded me to return when I decided to have it engraved.

“Where to now?” Richard asked excitedly after we had left the shop.

“Well, I think I will head back to the college. Thank you again for your help,” I thanked him and started to walk away.

“Go back? You must be joking! Please, let me take you to lunch,” he pleaded.

“No! I mean, thank you, but I really need to get back. I have some work to prepare for my students before tomorrow’s classes.”

“Alright then, I will let you go. But please let me drive you back. It really isn’t worth troubling a taxi.”

I didn’t want to go with him, but he did have a point about the taxi and he had helped me find the gift, so I agreed.

We walked to his car, which was a very flashy sports car. He opened my door and held my hand to help me in before going around the car to get into the driver’s seat, starting the car and driving off. Surprisingly, he drove quite slowly, which was not what I was anticipating. I let out a little giggle.

“Have I missed something?” he asked.

“Well… to be honest, when I saw your car, I assumed you were going to tear off and I would have to hold on tight. But you drive like an old woman!” I said, with a smirk on my face, quite surprised that I had told him the truth.

“Well, on a normal day I would, but today isn’t a normal day… you’re in my car and I want my time with you to last as long as possible.”

My face instantly became red hot. I was so embarrassed by his response and it made me feel very uncomfortable. I turned towards the window, praying he couldn’t see my face.

“Did I embarrass you?”

“No… of course not!” I quickly replied turning my head forward again. As soon as I could see the college, I felt more at ease. The car came to a sluggish stop.

“Thank you for today,” I told him, opening my door and getting out of his car as quickly as possible.

I quickly made my way to my room, not wanting to see or bump into anyone. When I finally got into my room, I closed the door, locked it and leaned my back on it, clenching my bag. And then, like a child opening a birthday present, I pulled out the velvet box from my bag, took out the locket and held it in my hand. I brought it close to my chest and prayed that it would bring James and me good luck. I opened my eyes and studied the locket. It was perfect. I tried to open it but I couldn’t. It was stuck. Frustrated, I placed it on the desk and walked away, feeling foolish that I hadn’t checked it while I was in the shop. I still wanted to give it to James, and soon. I was no good at surprises or waiting for the right moment. I hated being surprised as much as holding onto one. I grabbed the locket, placed it back in its box and headed out of my room to look for James. I went to the common room first, but didn’t go all the way in, just poked my head in.

“If you’re looking for Miss Kent, she is not back, dear!” yelled out one of the professors.

“OK, thank you,” I replied and quickly left the room, starting to make my way towards James’s office. As I got closer I started to feel insecure again and child-like. I then remembered the Victoria in my dreams. She was child-like and Jonathon loved her for it. I got to the door, took a moment and then knocked. There was no answer but I heard something inside, so I grabbed the door handle and started to turn it slowly.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Mr Kemp whispered from behind me placing his hand over mine, stopping me from entering.

“I am here to see James,” I explained, stunned that I didn’t hear him creep up.

“Well he is not in his office,” he said. Mr Kemp grabbed my hand and directed me away from James’s office.

“Come with me!” he demanded.

I was mortified. I didn’t want to go anywhere with him!

“Let go of me!” I protested.

“No! You are playing with fire, you know. Don’t you realise that?” he said.

“No! I think you are! Wait until James hears about this!” I retaliated.

“Whose orders do you think I am following, Cathy?” His smugness was frustrating.

“What? I don’t believe you,” I struggled, trying to make him release my wrist, but the man, although short and stumpy, was surprisingly strong.

“You don’t know what you are getting yourself into!” he warned.

“Mr Kemp, don’t you think you’re overreacting to this: James and I being here at the college? Do you think you could find another hobby, other than annoying me?”

“Annoying you,” he finally let go of my hand. “Now Cathy, you need to listen and try to understand what I have to say. You and Mr Barclay must not be together, ever. You had your chance and you weren’t meant to be.”

“Had our chance? That’s nonsense. We haven’t been given a chance at all.”

“Oh you silly child, you don’t understand!” he muttered in frustration.

“Mr Kemp, it’s you that isn’t making any sense.”

“Cathy, Mr Barclay is in agreement with me.”

“That is a lie!” I shouted. “You’re lying!”

“No, I am not,” his voice lowered and he almost sounded as though he felt sorry for me. “Cathy, I care about you more than you could possibly believe. You just have to trust me that I know more than you and I have seen this end badly before and I will be damned if you think I will sit quietly. The two of you give me no choice but to intervene.”

”What are you talking about?” I started to walk away from him; I couldn’t comprehend how he was allowed to teach with his erratic and behaviour.

“Cathy!”

“You’re mad. Stay away from me!”

When I got to James’s office, I decided not to knock. I just opened the door and locked it behind me. I was slightly embarrassed that I just barged in, but I wanted to get away from Mr Kemp. The curtains were closed and the lights were off, making the room completely dark.

“James, it’s me,” I whispered. I took several steps into the room. I knew James was in here but I didn’t understand why he wasn’t by responding to me. Could Mr Kemp possibly be right, that he didn’t want to see me?

“James, are you in here? Can you please turn the lights on? I need to talk to you.”

Suddenly, I sensed movement.

I felt his body brush by mine. He was behind me. I could feel the heat from his body, his hands on my arms, pulling me close to him. He pulled my hair away to one side and kissed my neck. I felt like my body and soul had been drugged and I couldn’t speak. My body felt heavy and motionless. I could hear banging at the door. The doorknob was being moved around. It was obviously Mr Kemp outside, trying to get in. James was not concerned so neither was I. He continued to kiss me.

The thumping on the door continued.

“Catherine, open the door!” he yelled.

What? The voice didn’t sound like Mr Kemp.

“Catherine!” the voice yelled again.

“James…? James…?” My heart stopped. I felt my body crumble as I fell to the floor and screamed in terror. Who is in the room with me?

“Catherine!” James yelled.

There was a huge pound at the door that tore it off its hinges. Light instantly flooded into the room, James was charging towards me, followed by Mr Kemp. I still couldn’t move, fearing the sight of whomever or whatever was in that room.

“Dear God!” James said as he fell to his knees. He looked around and I waited for a clash between James and the other man, but nothing. James grabbed me and pulled me close to him.