It was the second time Catherine became the center of attention ever since being voted Miss Gorgeous a couple of months back. This time, she was assumed to be in a relationship with Professor Sean, the center of gossip among girls and the perfect man in their dreams.

The post with Sean and Catherine's pictures at the night market went viral. Not long after, even the staff knew there was something going on between the new math professor and a design major freshman.

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"Dating your professor doesn't sound appropriate. Don't you think?" asked Ethel.

Catherine wasn't bothered at all. She kept drawing drafts and asking Ken how to improve her design as nothing happened.

This morning, after her class, the counselor came to the classroom. First, she made a few announcements and turned to Catherine, "Miss Catherine, please follow me to my office. Now."

The class turned quiet immediately and gave Catherine sympathetic looks as if enjoying a good show.

"Yes, Miss," Catherine answered.

Ethel grabbed her arm and said, "Catherine, could it be that thing with you and Sean she wants to talk about?"

"I suppose." This matter has become known on campus these days. It was probably why the counselor wished to speak to her. Since making up her mind, Catherine was at ease and developed the strength to handle all curveballs coming her way.

"Be careful."

"I will be fine. Don't worry."

Catherine followed the counselor out.

Ethel whispered, "Both Catherine and Sean are popular on campus. I don't think their news could quiet down any time soon."

Catherine wouldn't be the center of attention if she wasn't voted Miss Gorgeous. Now she was in a difficult situation since the photo of her and Sean was out.

"Hey, who do you think Professor Sean is?"

Cecil and Anna shook heads at the same time.

"Well, I guess being popular isn't always good."

Because of what happened to Sean and Catherine, their dormitory has been turned into a zoo. Some were coming for juicy gossip, stood outside the door, and watched them like monkeys in the zoo.

"This can't be good for Catherine."

"Where is Catherine?" The second Elliot saw Ethel, he asked the question.

Ethel was surprised by Elliot's sudden question. She answered a while later, "The counselor wants to talk to her."

Elliot left as suddenly as he arrived.

Ethel said, "Oh my God, he gave me a shock."

When Catherine came out of the counselor's office, she saw Elliot, who kept pacing up and down, looking anxious.

Catherine frowned and turned around to leave.

"Catherine!"

Elliot went after her and blocked her way.

"Elliot, what is it?"

Elliot grabbed Catherine to the corner though she didn't feel like it. Then he gave him the ferocious stare like he was ready to eat her.

"Who is Professor Sean to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone said you were in a relationship. Don't you know that's bad for your reputation? How could you?"

"Why can't I?"

"It's true?"

"What does it matter?"

Elliot was furious, seeing Catherine wasn't mad at all like she didn't know how serious this was.

"You have to give a statement, or they will assume you..."

Elliot didn't know how to say "tramp" in front of Catherine. That was too much.

"What if it's true?"

Elliot's look turned, "You mean this is serious?"

Catherine answered, "Elliot, do I look single to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I have a boyfriend."

Elliot was shocked and said, "Say that again."

"I fall for someone. That's it."

"But you didn't tell me."

"You didn't ask me, did you? You just assume I'm single."

Elliot knew Catherine was right. He didn't ask Catherine if she was single. He just made the decision to court her.

But Catherine had a boyfriend. The shock was too much that Sean took some steps back.

"Do you mean Professor Sean?"

"What do you think?"

Catherine didn't want to break Elliot's heart. But she had to. It was best to rip off the bandaid quickly. So Elliot could move on.

Actually, Catherine saw Elliot as a friend. So she tried to do what she could to save the pain.

"How could it happen? You and Sean?"Elliot cried as he stepped back.

"Why can't it happen?"

The other day, Elliot went to look for her in the classroom. And he noticed how Sean treated him, accepted his challenge and warning at the basketball court after the match.

Everything suggested he had a special relationship with Catherine. Elliot assumed they were friends or family. Never could he think they were dating as a couple, or he was reluctant to think so.

"Elliot, I only think of you as my friend. But if you feel being cheated, well, whatever."

Catherine thought she wasn't wrong. She didn't lie to him. It was Elliot who was confused and decided to ask her out and play cool. He only wished her look could stay longer on him. Seeing how confused Elliot was, Catherine sighed. The best thing to do was to leave him alone. He would get better once he figured it out.

"Catherine."

Catherine stopped and said, "Yes?"

"Dating your professor isn't good for you." Elliot was worried about how she would be seen on campus.

Catherine smiled, "I don't care. It's nothing illegal."

Actually, Catherine never considered Sean her teacher. And dating your teacher wasn't a sin to her. He was her husband.

"Why did the counselor ask you to go to the office?" Elliot thought she was being scolded.

"The counselor just wanted to offer me a cup of tea."

Since Sean decided to go to Kings College, he must be prepared for such things. Besides, Iris and Pearl were here too. They never liked Catherine, and there would be something spreading.

Catherine wondered if they were behind it.

Elliot said bitterly, "Have you been long with him?"

"Longer than I have known you."

Elliot forced a bitter smile, "Forget it. I don't want to know. What more did he need to know? Elliot asked himself. It was self-torturing.

"Elliot, think about what I said the other day. I hope you would do something great in your life. You have to see your value and make the most of it."