72 The Professor

The bell rang.

"Alright, work on your pronunciation for the oral test coming up at the end of the week! You're free to go!" Professor Daniel Bai announced.

As the room cleared, Cora stayed behind to speak with him. She was nervous but she bravely approached his desk.

"Professor Bai?" She asked quietly.

"Yes, Miss Xia, What can I do for you?" He responded.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" She asked. His eyebrows raised above the frame of his gold rimmed glasses.

"I think so. It may depend." He answered carefully.

"Are you currently seeing anyone?" She asked. His eyes widened.

"Um, not presently." He stumbled over his words.

"Would you be willing to go on a blind date?" She asked.

"Uh, um...Miss Xia, you are a lovely young woman in every aspect, but, uh, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to date while you're in my class. Perhaps next semester when I'm no longer your teacher." He managed to answer.

Cora's eyes widened and she stepped back in shock.

"Oh not me, Professor! I'm engaged already! I was referring to a friend of mine." She hurried to clarify.

"Well this is embarrassing." He said softly.

"Please don't be embarrassed. I probably could've worded it better. I'm terribly sorry." Cora comforted him.

"This friend of yours, is she a student also?" He asked feeling wary again.

"Oh no! No, Sara is a college graduate already. She's thirty and she's beautiful. She was engaged to be married but her fiancé died five years ago. They had a daughter together and she's spent the past five years raising Bella and grieving for James. But recently she said she'd be willing to date and marry again if she met the right man. And I thought of you. She's only available on Saturday right now because of work. If you're willing, I could set up a meeting between you." Cora explained.

"Well, if she's willing to meet, I don't see why not. What about this Saturday? Tell her to meet me at the restaurant in the Imperial Hotel. 6:00 PM."

"I'll let her know tonight! Thanks!" Said Cora.

"No, thank you!" Daniel said.

As Cora rushed away he couldn't help but wonder about the woman who he would be meeting. She sounded lovely.

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"Hello, Bai Group. Sara Fang speaking. How can I help you?" Sara asked as she answered the external call.

"Sara! I couldn't wait to tell you! My professor wants to go out with you this Saturday. Are you free?" Cora told her.

"He really wants to go on a blind date with me? Does he know I'm a single mom?" Sara asked.

"Yes, he didn't mind. He said to meet him at the Imperial Hotel on Saturday at 6:00 PM." Cora gave the particulars.

"Alright, tell him it's a date." Sara said.

After she ended the call she wrote the details in her daily planner.

"Mr. President, I'm taking my lunch break now." She called in the direction of his open door. He gave no response, but she didn't care. His attitude was terrible lately and she was loosing her patience.

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Edward felt like his world just turned on its axis. He heard the conversation Sara had with Cora about the blind date.

That wasn't happening. He went to her desk. Where would she write the information at? His eyes fell on a thin book that said, "Daily Planner." He turned to Saturday's page. Imperial Hotel, 6:00 PM. No, that wouldn't be happening at all.

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Sara wore the same red dress she had worn to the red egg and ginger party to her blind date. It was the nicest dress she owned. She was early but so was he. The waiter led her to a table with a very scholarly looking gentlemen. Gold rimmed glasses framed gentle eyes and he smiled when she joined them.

"Miss Xia said you were beautiful but that was an understatement. I hope I don't offend you by saying that you are absolutely stunning." Daniel said.

Sara smiled beautifully.

"I'm not offended. I haven't heard anything close to that in a long time." Sara said.

"I'm Daniel Bai. And you are?" He asked.

"Sara Fang. So, Cora says you are a professor in her college?" Sara asked.

"Yes, I'm her English professor." He explained.

"Oh wow, that's ironic. I double majored in college in music and English. I haven't used that skill in awhile though." Sara said.

"Really? Are you fluent in English?" He was curious.

"I was at the time. I haven't spoken in English in some time but I think it's still up there." She tapped her head and he laughed gently.

"So, why haven't you used your college majors? If that's okay to ask." He asked her.

"I was engaged through out college and beyond. Our plan was to get married and travel the world playing music together in concerts. He studied music and business. Business so he could handle our finances. And I studied English because I knew most of the places we'd travel to that would be a common language to schedule meetings and such. But you probably don't want to hear about all of that." Sara stopped suddenly.

"Cora said you were engaged and he had passed away. It's part of who you are, and he was the father of your child. I understand." Daniel said.

"James's family didn't approve of his life goals or of me at the time. He died in a car crash after a big argument with them. We had just learned of my pregnancy when he died. I had to work at night so that I was with Bella during the day. Not many night jobs fit my majors. But, now that she's in preschool I can work in the daytime. Enough about me. How long have you taught at the college?" She asked.

"Since graduation. I'm afraid I'm very boring." He laughed.

"I don't think that's boring. It shows you have done a good job for them to retain you for over ten years." Sara said.

"You're one of the first people I've met who validated my choice of career." He said, smiling happily.