"Miss Jones, how's your thesis proposal progressing along?" Professor Wills adjusted his reading glasses and looked at the student sitting before him.
"Ah, it's almost ready! Just give me a little more time, please." she replied in a flutter, silently praying not to be doubted about her progress.
"Alright, I'll give you some extra time. But do not delay any further." Professor Wills sighed, knowing well that she was typically diligent and just momentarily negligent.
She felt a wave of relief, nodded in rapid agreement, and quickly left the professor's office.
Once outside the building, her gaze became vacant, her thoughts disturbed by that guy.
"Grace, can I have a look at the assignment records for our last meeting? I am in a hurry right now." a lab mate, Ada grabbed her arm, pulling her back to reality.
"Assignment records?" Grace Jones blinked."Oh no, I forgot it was my turn to record!"
"What? Not again! What has been distracting you lately?" The classmate sighed, gesturing a hand in front of her face.
"Is something wrong? Do you need a hand?"
"Hey, I'm alright, don't worry!" she hastily gestured, forcing a grin that was too strained, "I'm just a bit exhausted lately. Don't worry, I'll bounce back soon."
Half-convinced, the classmate did not press further. Grace Jones turned to leave but was stopped by another friend.
"Hey, Grace, what references have you been consulting recently? Can you recommend a few to me, I need to start working on my paper."
"Uh. I have not been keeping up with those lately." Grace Jones chuckled awkwardly, quickly deflecting. "Why don't you ask Adam? He's got a decent handle on the paperwork."
Adam, who was around, chimed in, "Lying isn't a good habit, Grace." Caught off guard by the comment, her face betrayed her discomfort.
"See, I told you!" Ada leaned against the wall, hands on her hips, shaking her head knowingly, "What have you been up to these days? You should be sharp, but you act out of it."
Grace Jones felt uneasy under her gaze and looked down softly.
Eva Hudson noticed her distress, quickly pulled her aside and whispered, "Ignore them, Grace. Tell me the truth, what is going on with you?"
As Grace Jones struggled with her story, a commotion outside caught her attention.
She peeked out and froze. Daniel Evans stood not far away, impeccably dressed, exuding an authority unique to those in power.
He strolled through the campus, his piercing eyes scanning, searching for something, or someone. She felt weak at the sudden intrusion, nearly collapsing on the spot.
She grabbed Eva Hudson, whispering urgently, "Eva, get me out of here! That's the guy from the bar."
"The bar? what are you talking about?" Eva scowled, becoming impatient with Grace's mysterious behavior.
Making sure they were not followed, her spine chilled, and she quickened her pace.
"How had that dreadful man found me on campus? Should I confront him with evidence or wisely evade for now?" Conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind, leaving her at a loss.
After rushing into the library with Eva, she faced the situation and disclosed information about that day's events.
Eva listened to her and eyes wide open with disbelief. "Oh my god that's what happened. I cannot believe it." tightened her grip on Grace's hand, looking towards the man still pacing in the distance, "But why would he suddenly show up at school? He is not here to cause you trouble, is he?"
Grace felt dizzy and trembled all over. She had braced herself for coercion but never expected him to track her down so swiftly.