*Y/N's P. O. V. *

It's almost 9 in the evening but I'm still outside, knocking on Patrick's door. It's obvious that he's here now because of the lights inside.

Honestly, I'm not mad. I'm not that type of person and I'd rather know the whole truth first before judging, and actually, even after that, I find it hard to be angry at someone. I'm more worried about him, whatever this is, I'm sure that his recent trip caused it.

Finally, the doors opened and I saw him. I smiled at him, relieved that I finally get to see him again, but I know something is very wrong. I know Patrick, he's a sweet guy...if nothing was wrong, he'd fling himself towards me with a warm hug and say how he missed me...but now? I'm just getting a blank cold stare.

"H-hey, I've been so worried, Patrick. I don't want to sound clingy, but you didn't reach back for two days which made me really worry. I thought something happened to you," I told him. Everything about me - my expression, my tone, my words - is normal. Again, I don't want to be angry and jump into conclusions.

"Y/N, stop this," he said with no emotion. It's like someone has pulled the happiness and soul out of him. I didn't even know that he could be this emotionless.

"What do you mean? I don't understand you, did something happen --

"Hey, 'Trick, who's at the door?" I heard a familiar voice from inside his house and my heart fell to the ground. That's Ms. Elaine's flirty voice. Both Patrick and I were silent but we're still staring at each other intensely. I saw him tightening his jaws, like as if he wanted to say something but holding back, and me? Well, my eyes are getting wetter. I don't know what's happening anymore.

Soon enough, I saw her. Elaine walked to the front door...only wearing a bathrobe. "Oh, hi, Y/N. I didn't expect that you'd be here at this time," She said innocently.

"I-I'm sorry, prof. I just...I just wanted to confirm something with Mr. Stump. He wasn't able to call me for 2 days and there are some backlog works. I won't take long, I'm sorry for ---

"No, no. Of course, it's alright. Why don't you come inside? Patrick, invite her in...

"No need for that. We'll be quick. I'll go back in a second," Patrick said firmly.

"Alright then. Be careful on your way home, Y/N. Good night," she said sweetly before going inside. Patrick closed the door.

A tear fell from my eyes and I quickly wiped it away. I don't want to cry, I don't want to look hurt.

"Patrick, what's happening?" I asked calmly, but my voice is shaking as I'm really about to cry.

"Did you really expect that our thing would last long? Y/N, stop acting so innocently and sweetly, it's not going to keep this going," he murmured and it's like his words are squeezing my heart and it hurts, "Look. That phase has expired so you need to let it go. Focus on your studies instead of doing it with your professor. We've had our fun, but drop the commitment now. I'm done," he said straight to my face. He wasn't angry or disgusted or annoyed...he's just nothing. Just a blank cold emotionless tone and stare. I swear he could be a robot now.

I absorbed his words like a sponge and now I'm really tearing up. It wasn't an ugly cry, in fact, my expression is still calm but my eyes are nowhere near that state.

"Who the hell are you and what have you done to Patrick?" I asked, just having pain in my voice. He chuckled coldly.

"That's Professor Stump again for you, Ms. Y/L/N. We're done playing. Just be thankful that ---

"It's like you're not him," I cut him off, still unable to believe this is real.

"Y/N people change and adapt if they want to get something...I did just that and now that I got it, I have no reason to adapt anymore," he stated, breaking my heart that's already on the ground.

I bit my lip to stop it from quivering. I continuously wipe my tears off and pushed myself to stay firm on that spot. All I'm doing now is nod at him.

"Right...Right..." I managed to say while nodding, "I'm sorry for hoping. Guess it was really stupid. You're right though. Have a good night, prof," I said and immediately turned my back and walk away.

It took every inch of my self-control not turn into a sobbing mess in there. I think I have wounded my lips because I'm now biting it so much. I just keep on walking further away.

Somehow I'm hoping that he would at least stop me...but that never happened.

*Patrick's P. O. V. *

She's crying in front of me, my poor princess is pained and crying because of me and that's the worst torture anyone could give me.

I have to be this harsh, I have to hurt her that way so Elaine doesn't ruin her. I swear, I would have taken all the bullet from this, but it's impossible for Y/N to escape this issue unscathed. She'll lose her scholarship, her reputation will drop, and her chance for the graduate school she dreams of will be gone if this issue is announced. Now I have to do this...hurt her and stay with Elaine.

"You happy now? She left crying and probably won't ever talk to me," I said, my voice shaking in anger. Elaine just smirked at me.

"You're angry now, but trust me, soon you'll thank me. I'm saving your ass, Patrick," she said proudly.

"I didn't expect that you'd be this desperate, you're awful for thinking this way," I hissed at her, leaving her at the living room.

"Say what you want to say, Patrick. Just don't do anything stupid. Y/N's sake and future are on your hands," I heard her say and I hate that she's right.

I can't do anything about this now.

*Y/N's P. O. V.*

"Are you really sure you're going to be fine? I mean, don't get me wrong, you're one hell of a strong-willed person, but I'm just worried. It just happened last night," Meagan asked me as we are about to arrive at the campus.

Of course, I have to endure this all and continue on. My life is on this campus and if I just stayed crying, I wouldn't go anywhere.

"It still hurts, but I'll be fine. I'm just thinking of it positively. At least now I won't have any anxieties anymore about our secret coming out. It's gonna get better," I told her and myself too.

I'm sure my eyes are still red from crying. I honestly didn't want to cry, but who won't turn into a crying mess after hearing those words from the person you love? From the person you hoped to spend a long time with? Suddenly, all those promises and hopes are just gone.

But despite that, even if I have all the legitimate reason to be angry at him, I can't find myself doing so. I can't be mad for some reason. Meagan told me I'm too considerate because of this, but I really don't see myself as that. It's just that I'm finding it hard to be angry at Patrick. I'm just immensely pained from all this.

But I have to keep moving on, my world doesn't revolve around him. Even with this pain, I need to continue.

"You really are one hell of a girl. Just call me anytime, alright? I'll be right next to you asap," Meagan said before we separated our ways the moment we got to the campus. I headed straight to my college building, realizing that I still have to interact with him. I'm still his student assistant after all. I don't honestly know how this will go.

Before I even reach his office, the dean's secretary called me and sent me to the office. I heart was pumping so loud, did they found out?

"Good morning, Ms. Y/L/N. You've been a great help for us and to Mr. Stump, but now that his work has been reduced, we are now appointing you to another professor. From this day, you'll be Ms. Elaine's assistant, I'm sure you'll be able to help her like what you did with Mr. Stump," the dean said and honestly, I don't know what to feel about that.

"Of course," I said, acting enthusiastically as usual.

I exited the office and turned my way around, now going to Elaine's office.

I really don't know what's worse now - being the assistant of the person that set me aside, or being the assistant of the person that replaced me?

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Thanks for reading!!!