Professor F novel Chapter 81

August held her breath, staring at Garett who tried to compose himself when Gabi approached their table.

Gabi goes back to her seat with a huge smile on her lips, as if she’d made them a favor of leaving them alone for that phone call. ”Sorry. I had to take that call. So, what were you talking about?”

August drinks from her glass of champagne before looking at Garett who then thought of a way to switch the topic to something else by asking Gabi about her work and studies.

Dinner ended smoothly as if no big revelation happened between Garett and August. Gabi went ahead to hop in the car, leaving Garett and August to walk out of the restaurant together.

Garett took that chance to speak to her privately. He holds August’s arm and gently pulling her to one side, preventing her from taking another step towards the car. "Thank you, August."

She smiled as she glanced at Gabi's direction, waiting in the car and looking at them. "Don't mention it." She waved her hand at her roommate. "Looks like she's excited to hear my thoughts about this dinner."

"I'll tell her. I'll clear my schedule to talk to her and my parents." Garett promised. "But, of course, you can tell her you don't like me once I drop you off."

She giggled. "I can't do that."

"What do you mean?"

"You're perfect. I like you, Garett. But not on that level, of course. As friends." She offered her hand for a handshake.

Garett looked so relieved as his lips twisted into a smile. "How about a hug?"

"Sure." August opened her arms and hugged him back as his arms wrapped around her body. She was smiling widely when she noticed a guy standing by the restaurant's entrance, as if staring at them. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the man's face.

Flynn!

She had to give a second look to make sure but when she did, a large group of customers stormed in and the view got crowded, making it difficult for her to spot that familiar face.

Her heart started beating fast and Garett's words became too low that she hardly responded. Her mind is still trying to process if her eyes were playing tricks on her or not.

The trip going to the dormitory was rather short with Gabi talking about how great the food was and Garett even asked Gabi to clear her schedule next weekend for a family dinner.

Was it really him? He's in New York? All this time? Or did he come here for business?

••••••

The meeting of their firm heads and project team leaders took longer than the schedule that they had to immediately head to the lunch meeting. Augustine and the other junior engineers, however, were asked to help with the other projects while waiting for their superiors' instructions.

She was too focused on the task given to her that she was surprised to see Jacob standing next to her desk. She holds the front of her chest in shock as she takes deep breaths to calm her stunned heart.

”Did you check the project?” Jacob asked.

"Oh, no. Uh, we were instructed to work on this other project." She explained, pointing out the file she has opened on her computer screen.

Jacob smiled. "That's fine. You'll get the details once we get there, anyway." He grabbed his coat from his own desk and called her attention again. "Come on, August. Just sit with us during the lunch meeting. There's no need to isolate yourself with the other juniors." Jacob reminded her. "Besides, you'll be a regular soon." He whispered and winked.

August smiled widely as she nodded in agreement. "I'd be an honor to join you guys.”

The reservation was pretty extravagant. The whole second floor of the famous English-French restaurant was reserved for fifty people. The meeting was just for formality because everything was already settled with the other firms. The meeting was just to build the camaraderie between partners.

She was sitting between Jacob and Charlie while the crowd was busy chatting and taking their seats when the other team came inside. They bowed their heads and welcomed them.

She was counting the people coming inside until the last person. And she held her breath when the group of men who came in looked so familiar. They gave way to the person who came in last.

Her heart beats slowly and loud. She felt like her chest is about to explode from overwhelming emotions. She swallowed hard and as if the world stopped for them, she watched how his familiar long strides entered the room. Wearing that expensive gray tailored suit and oxfords, Flynn walked towards her direction with a serious look on his face after shaking hands with her superiors.

He offered his hand and whispered. "I look forward to working with you, Engineer Augustine Peters."