Hauntingly

The double doors of the room swung open, and the room quieted. Only the click-clack sound of shoes echoed throughout the large silent chamber.

The trio all greeted her, "Good morning, Madam Daryl."

She hummed in reply. She coldly glanced at the three and stated, "Shall we get started? We have little time to waste."

Professor Hawks scrunched her nose in unhappiness. Wasn't she the one who was late? Nonetheless, Professor Hawks kept quiet and walked to the round table in the center of the room.

When they were all seated, Madam Daryl clapped and said, "Let us start. Professor Lumen, you may present your plans."

Even good-natured Professor Hugh slightly frowned at her words. Her tone was like a superior talking to a subordinate. At this table, they were all of equal status. They were all respective heads of their departments, except Professor Lumen, whose position was a little special. He was both the department head and the only person in his department. But his status was well-deserved. He was a reputable scholar whose glory didn't lose out to anyone at the table.

But before Professor Hugh could comment, Professor Lumen already passed out the sheets of paper holding his lesson plans for the year.

Unfazed by Madam Daryl's obvious dislike for him, he calmly started to explain.

...

After the meeting was over, Madam Daryl left first. Finally, Professor Hawks could no longer stand it. She scoffed, "Last to come yet first to leave."

"Don't be too harsh, Hawks. Perhaps she is busy," soothed Professor Hugh.

Professor Hawks frowned at Professor Hugh. "Doesn't excuse her rudeness! Did you see the way that she ripped apart Professor Lumen's lesson plans? She was searching for every little flaw. Ugh! And her statements." Professor Hawks' voice changed to mock Madam Daryl's. "'Professor Lumen, on page 2, you are allocating too much time for…Bah! Clearly, she was telling Lumen that more time should be focused on the elemental route that she is the department head for." Profesor Hawks whipped her head around to face Lumen. "Don't you agree?" she asked.

Professor Lumen slightly smiled, "It is better not to talk about our colleagues behind their backs."

Flabbergasted, she cried, "Saints, both of you!" Professor Hawks huffed and left the room.

Professor Hugh chuckled at her antics. "Shall we also go, Professor Lumen?"

He nodded in agreement. The two walked out of the conference room and down the hall, chancing across Madam Daryl and Secretary Emir chatting.

Secretary Emir saw them first. He waved them over. "Professor Lumen and Professor Hawks, Madam Daryl and I were conversing about the plans for the entrance ceremony. I'll like your opinions on it."

"Of course. Will the Chairman be speaking again?" asked Professor Lumen.

"It's only your second year here so you wouldn't know. The Chairman usually never appears. It is always Secretary Emir that presents the opening speech," hauntingly replied Madam Daryl.

"Yes, Professor Lumen. What Madam Daryl has said is correct. Usually, I speak at the entrance ceremony. Your first year was very special," agreed Secretary Emir. He smiled, "Hopefully you won't be too disappointed by my speech."

Shaking her head, Madam Daryl rushed to flatter Secretary Emir. "No, no. How can that be? Your speech is as eloquent as anything, Secretary Emir."

If Professor Hawks saw this sight, her eyes would become big as saucers and her mouth agape. "Distasteful!" Professor Hawks would spat. "A boot-licker! Strong to the weak yet weak to the strong!"

Professor Hugh chuckled at the thought of Professor Hawks's reaction.

"Professor Hugh? Did I say something funny? asked Madam Daryl.

Professor Hugh's eyes opened wide. "Oh! I apologize. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't register what you were saying." He grimaced as he said, "I was thinking of something funny about Professor Hawks. So sorry about that."

Faced with his sincere apology, Madam Daryl had no choice but to be magnanimous in front of Secretary Emir. She didn't want him to think that she was petty.

"That is fine. Do you have any opinions on the entrance ceremony?"

Professor Hugh nodded. "In fact I do! Thank you, Professor Daryl! " He turned to face Secretary Emir. "I actually have a few questions about the location."

Professor Lumen had watched the interaction between Professor Hugh and Madam Daryl with no emotions on his face. Internally, he was both amused and confused.

Was Professor Hugh really as carefree and kind as he seemed?

Everyone knew that Madam Daryl disliked being called Professor Daryl. Yet, right after an altercation, Professor Hugh called her incorrectly and immediately talked to Secretary Emir, knowing she couldn't interrupt. However, it seemed very out of character for him to do so. Both he and Professor Hugh were known for their good tempers and high tolerance. Was Professor Hugh similar to him, also presenting a facade?

But at the same time, his action oddly seemed in character for Professor Hugh. If it was intentional, it was well known that Professor Hugh and Madam Daryl were rivals as respective heads of their departments but if it was unintentional, it wasn't unbelievable since this mistake has happened before.

Professor Lumen pushed thoughts out of his mind. It didn't matter to him whether Professor Hugh had a deep mind or a shallow one. His performance would still be the same: a soft-spoken, good-tempered, scholarly gentleman.

Professor Lumen snapped out of his thoughts around the same time that Secretary Emir and Professor Hugh had finished their conversation.

Secretary Emir thanked the three professors for their input and left after telling Professor Lumen, "Please send a copy of your lesson plans to me this week."

After sending secretary Emir off, Madam Daryl turned to face Professor Lumen. "Well, Professor Lumen, do you mind if we have a word?"

Hearing that, Professor Hugh tactically said, "I shall leave first then. I still have things to prepare before the new Year 1 students arrive."

"Goodbye Professor Hugh." Professor Lumen turned to address the stony professor, "Of course Madam Daryl. Let us talk."