Zander Radford
Sarah had been going to college a few months now as Christopher hadn't sent a formal seperation papers as she thought he would. Eventually the charges of the assult was dropped after a heated argument between Kenny and Martha . Martha moved Sarah back in the house as Christopher placed the house they shared up for sale and settled his new house Lexi help him obtain by her great connections.
Sarah had realized it had been almost a year since she had been with a man and she had really nothing to stop her from having a little fun while Christopher had her at a distance. She figured if he could have an affair so could she. The two wrongs don't make a right didn't apply to her logic.
Christopher's recovery went well as he was shooting blanks and secured his baby making days were over. That was one less thing to worry about other than him getting back in step of his life because of the recent issues he was facing.
His law firm was rising in popularity. Christopher law firm was growing in stature with all the collected years of experience between his modest staff. He noticed some of the older clients from Rogers firm migrating to the firms services as he was known to be a fair and decent lawyer.
Christopher had many offices opened to house a lawyers per their given expertise and even had an in house private investigator to aide in discovery evidence for cases. He also had an in house publicist to manage and monitor the ever growing reputation the firm he was building. It was cheaper to have in house sectors then hire a bunch of outside workers that was only loyal to their paycheck.
All and all he was doing well for himself since he separated himself from Rogers firm. He put kennith in school and enrolled kensley in daycare and allowed Sarah supervised visitation rights with Kenny present to watch them to make sure Sarah didn't pull anything.
Sarah sat after class as she tried to gather her bag and pens as she knocked it off by accident as it rolled down the stairs and rolled in front of the professor as he leaned over to pick it up as she managed to make her way to retrieve her lost pen.
Zander Radford was a older gentleman with shaggy surfer hair and a pressed top with no tie over a pair of casual blue jeans and some penny loafers. He was about thirty six years old and his field of profession was common core philosophy and psychology .He was a common for the girls in the front row to bat their eyes at the handsome shaggy looking man who taught the class she took twice a week .
" Thank you so much . I thought that pen was a lost cause the way it ran away from me." She said as she tucked her hair behind her ears as she reached for the pen he was holding in front of her.
The class began clearing out as she noticed the students moved around her.
" Perhaps I am owed a holding fee for finding the runaway pen in question." He said with a smile now holding back the pen as he notice the young twenty something student in front of him . The scars had been removed and Sarah used a bit of makeup to balance the discoloration of her new skin and blended to make her skin tone even. She still has some scars on her hands that she kept covered with long sleeves .
" You do know I have an entire pack full of pens . If you want to confiscate this pen. Because you really need one. I just like to use one up before using an new one ." She said deflecting his obvious charm he was attempting.
" You know only psychopaths use an entire singular pen up before they open a new one. I should know since this class is phycology. You know also as a reference to this course laptops works on voice chat programs to take notes instead of pens and a five star notebook. We would like to formally invite you to the new age version of note taking. Do you accept the invitation to the twenty- first century?" He laughed at her old school method of class notes.
" Who are we because I'm not sure I should be taking advice from someone who refers himself as we like you suffer from a disassociation disorder which might be something you might look into being a phycology professor and all , besides I prefer to write it down. It makes it easier for me to write it down and reference it later. No Internet required. Worst thing that can happen is my battery dying during my study time ,or the power being knocked out by a sorority girls using too many hair dryers all at once." She stated as she reached for the pen as he pulled it back playfully.
" You wound me madam . But you do make a fair point . Very compelling argument are you sure you in the right class and not destined for pre-law or something?" He said holding his heart mimicking he was hit by a stray arrow.
Sarah noticed the gesture as she was not interested in his coy attempt." Can I have my pen back or do I need to open a new one and let you keep a free pen courtesy of me." She said trying to read this man's intentions ." Since I have to prove now I'm not a psychopath." She said with a smirk.
" I'm headed out for lunch. I usually go to this spot off campus . A small homemade pizza joint . Has great brew there. I have another class in the evening. You want to grab some grub while we continue this transaction of you gifting me this pen." He suggested as he liked playing with this girl and her amused actions towards him. He said disregarding her question all together about her pen. He liked this girl she had quick witt and was humorous .
" Isn't it against moral fiber to ask a current student out for a date?" Sarah said as she saw his tactic to be casual." What's that phrase they use ummmm. Aaahhhhhh. Taking advantage of your position of power. Yes that is the one." She said as she nodded at his expression as she turned to walk away suddenly.
" Whoa! No one said this was a date. This is just two people going to the same place for food to discuss a pen. I negotiate better on a full stomach if you ask me . Besides I would like some company." he said cracking a very seductive smile as he saw her nod at his game. Sarah didn't like him referring her as company because that was a bit degrading in her opinion.
" I don't have a car. Taking the bus might take a while for us to casually meet up at a restaurant at the same time.perhaps another time when I'm able to make it on time." Said Sarah as she was tired of this cat and mouth game he was playing with her. Sarah was still a married woman and didn't have time for games.
" Maybe I can offer you a ride just this one time. Let's just say it could be beneficial to our mutual destination." He mused as he said it conspiratorial as he leaned closer to her making her back her head up a little . As he was clearing invading her personal space now
" That was cute what you did there. Offering a ride . All the while invading my personal space trying to be all domineering ." Smirked Sarah.
"Next you'll offer to pay for the food. I know it has been a while since I dated ,but I am pretty sure the sequential order is still in the same for a date even in this twenty- first century world we live in " smiled Sarah as she was catching onto his suggestion.
" I won't bite. I'm hungry not a cannibal. I believe the new age term is hangry. I'm hungry and I want some food and company while I have a meal. If perhaps your the company that I'm happen to be in then I might pay for your time and company since I'm the one who offered the arrangement." He said in a sly smile as he played with words.
" Now that sounds like you called on the low escort." She countered as he had no idea Sarah was good with puns and subliminal messaging. Her major was going to be literature and literary arts. She wanted to be a journalist.
" My dear. I wouldn't dare insult you with that implication that your time could be bought. I am just trying to get a bit of your time . A restaurant is just easier to talk than on a phone since I have yet to secure one from you. In fact I think it's rather improper to offer a ride to someone I don't know their name. For all I know you might be a serial killer." He said pocketing the pen in his shirt pocket as he watched Sarah's eyes move to her pen in his pocket as he claimed it.
" Oh isn't that just ridiculous what are the odds two serial killers would be in the same car. " She said in a smirk as she watched him as he didn't really know how to take the woman in front of him . Then she held out her hand as she said " I am Sarah Kirkwall and for all you know serial killing might be my side hustle I do for kicks." She said on purpose not to use her married name dayo to make sure he couldn't look her up in the phone directory. " And your Zander Radford." She said holding up his book for the required course material he made for the class to buy for a credit assignment.
" Rather a productive way to boost your book sells and monetary gain all the while making every student support your book as part of your class assignment. Digging awfully deep there are we?" She said as she smirked at him as she knew she denied him his introduction .
" Have you read it?" He sounded impressed by her observation of his goals to his book for the course. Always willing to entertain a fan of his .
" Honestly I have been using it as a book mark for my literature course. It's rather thin for a book . It it a cliff notes version,or is it installed chapters that to come to complete the book?" She said as she cocked him a smile knowing she was adding insult to injury.
He nodded at her cheeky remark."So you look at me Everytime you study is what your telling me ." He said smiling at her . He said in a smoldering tone as she let out a little laugh in response.
" That's what you gathered from that. " She nodded to leave as she was done with this conversation. Sarah walked out of the room shaking her head as she was now knowing she was not going to be his usual conquest.
Zander hurried up as he tried to match her speed as she made her escape. He wasn't used to woman turning him down. Usually they swooned and didn't question this motives. He would date them a few times then drop them from his class. Usually low performing students but he didn't look up the grades of this woman . He was just intrigued by her chasing a pen that she dropped instead of leaving it and getting another.
" Can I help you?" Saint Sarah trying to walk faster.
" I thought I was walking you to my car , because we were discussing a bite to eat maybe a malt drink and good conversation." He said walking beside her.
" No you offered that. I didn't give an answer at all." She said knowing she was right. She knew he was trying to be charming and probably did this a thousand times this was part of his pick up game. He was the cool relaxed handsome professor that kept his women on the down low .
" One lunch. I'll promise I'll behave myself." He pleaded as he folded his hands like in prayer.
" If I agree to do this we are going dutch. Going dutch is the different of two people becoming friends and a romantic dating relationship. " Demanded Sarah as she saw him moving her to a Corvette as she scoffed at the cliche car she saw that would impress other girls but not her.
" Deal. " He said all happy she agreed.
" That's cute too. A bit of a thirsty car don't you think." She said pointing to the car he used his keychain to unlock it .
" My car is not thirsty. " He protested as she called her call thirsty bait as it might have been true but he wasn't going to admit it out loud.
" Now your going to disrespect my baby like that. After all the years we have had together. I think you hurt her feeling with calling her thirsty. Bait for stereotypical thirsty women ." He said opening the door to let her in.
" Just think of All the years picking up thirsty women without a single neuron between that chasm they call a brain. I pretty sure this car has seen it's fair share of click bait of thirsty women to quench it's thirst for a life time. Besides I call it like I see it. Only thirsty women are impressed by a thirsty car. Remember it's the twenty -first century . Real men drive sedans ." She said as she laughed as she saw his face twisted in her response to his car.
" So I'm not a real man because I drive a corvette instead of a boring four door sadan. I'm not sure how my choice in cars diminishes my choices in life." He said trying not to sound offended.
" Not at all. It's all about the illusion of perception. A sadan means steady . Looking for a serious relationship . It means safety . Good economical fuel prices per mileage verses this gas guzzler that drinks it down fast . Hince the thirsty car . No one even mentioned it only applies to the woman it attracts .I was just listening to the way you saw you own car." Said Sarah twisting the words of guilt in her favor.
" Very clever. Perhaps my car is a thirst trap for click bait woman." He admitted as he had never met a woman that called him out for it.
Sarah smiled knowing that he wouldn't get rid of his mack car .but it was amusing pointing out his car knowing that was the game changer in him getting women attention. Honestly thinking this was a pretty mid life crisis of a man refusing to grow up and using the same exhausted methods he used in his twenties to score. She sat in the Corvette as she payed attention to the direction of the restaurant as they entered and the hostess took them to a table without question as she knew this was his usual spot and had a normal table for his normal dating attempts.
Sarah sat down as he ordered a pitcher of malt and a supreme pizza as he smiled at the waitress obviously flirting with him as she said the words slowly as the waitress disappeared.
" For all you know I might be a vegetarian." Smirked Sarah at the balls of this man ordering for her.
" Oh shit really. My bad. You know that was very presumptuous of me to assume you are meat.are you like a vegetarian or a vegan because we can go somewhere more animal friendly." He said in panicked mode . He felt like he messed up already with her and was just used to ordering for his former dates and he had just become accustomed to it.
" I'm joking. I like meat. I'm just testing you . Don't order food for me. You should have seen the look on your face right now absolutely priceless,But for future reference don't order food for me. I'm notthat type of girl that can't think for herself. I'll let it slide since you obviously didn't know any better." Remarked Sarah as she took a sip of the malt beer she poured herself now as she was going to train him how she wanted to be treated.
" I'll make a note of that . Now that I have a pen to write it down with from a generous person." He said pointing out their reason for being here.
Sarah looked at Zander not sure how she felt about him dating her as his student ,but she had also heard the previous girls talk in the courtyard as she mentioned what classes she had . She wasn't walking into this with ignorant eyes. She knew exactly what she was walking into.
He was very persistent about taking her out practically escorting her to his car and setting up the trap for her to say yes. When she met Christopher she was the one to persue him and never really felt anyone chase her. She sort of liked the attention he gave her and she knew it may never go anywhere but right now she had to try. Christopher didn't want anything to do with her and it hurt. With this guy he didn't know her and she could start over if she wanted.
She could reinvent herself and actually allow a guy to make her fall for him. But all the thrill of him chasing her made her feel alive. Made her feel worthy of love after being rejected by her husband for her cousin.
It hurt Sarah more than she realized when Christopher left that restaurant with Lexi and she saw their child and knew that she had something to hold Christopher to her as well. This was war and right now she was building up momento .