Fallacy

It was much of a controversy, I was not a student or a research assistant at the university, but I had taken up the job as his assistant on a personal contract. While the authorities were okay with it, some of the professors felt that I had been unfairly appointed.

"I am, indeed, popular," I said with a small smile as I saw the faculty having lunch turn to look in our direction.

"They're just jealous that I get to bring someone who is more intelligent than them," he said suddenly. I stared at him dumbfounded, wondering where he got his confidence from.

"They got their degrees from prestigious colleges and are leading academics," I stated sourly, wanting to point out the fallacy of his thoughts.

"You got your degrees from a prestigious university, as well. Our education system creates similar minded bots that don't like when other, more radical people come into the picture. It's something like being sour because you didn't get the premium pick. I deserve the praise," he nodded all-knowingly. "I discovered your talent and I have long known that you were meant to do great things. You just learned some other skills in turn, which will later help you in cases."

"Why does it sound like you are grooming me to be the next Sherlock Holmes?" I shifted my eyes to look at the other faculty members who were enjoying their break time with some tea and snacks.

"Grooming is an uncouth word to use. More like I am preparing you to be my protégé." Maybe I was his protégé, but with such an ambiguous background, what good would being any good at analyzing do?

"You sound like an old man, Mr. Butler." And he did. He sounded like he was on his deathbed, uttering his last wishes on his followers, of which I knew there were many, if the flock of students in the class were any proof.

"I am wise for my age—" he began to say when he was interrupted midsentence.

"Miss Lewis, what a wonderful surprise," I heard the familiar voice. I turned to see Dr. Singh standing with his hands planted behind his back. He had a huge smile on his face and his eyes gleamed with delight.

"Dr. Singh," I replied formally but he was having none of it.

"Call me Harshit. We spent too much time together for you to be so distant!" he exclaimed. I snickered at his joy and the relatively sour expression on Sebastian's face.

"You sound lecherous. Aren't you too old to be making such inappropriate remarks?" Though the words were said in a friendly way, the words were sharp. I was stunned that Sebastian would be so bold at the face of his colleague. But I did know that they were pretty close, even their cabins were near each other. Other than Alec, Dr. Singh was probably one of the very few people who could stand being around Sebastian and not get irritated by his infuriating narcissism.

"Is there an appropriate age for making inappropriate remarks?" The older man teased. But Sebastian was having none of it. Clearly, he looked like he was going to burst with jealousy.

"I feel like you are degrading my assistant." He pushed his body in front of mine, hoping to hide me from Dr. Singh. It was hilarious.

"I've known her from before you." Dr. Singh reasoned.

"I doubt that is true. I spent more cumulative time with her than you did, so I automatically win this challenge." Even though I couldn't see his face, I was sure that he looked smug as he said those words.

"Jealousy suits you, Sebastian. But I am here to invite Miss Lewis to my beginner's lecture about serial killings. How far do you know about his line of work?" he turned to ask me.

"I have been reading up on the various topics, but I would love to take your classes if it doesn't clash with any of Mr. Butler's." He seemed delighted at the prospect.

"Let's match our schedules, then." After a few moments, the two got into a discussion about a recent suspicious series of murders in the city and wondered if one of them would be called. I didn't pay much attention at first, but they seemed engrossed in their conversation. I listened in and grew more excited as they went about their analysis. Public shows and disappearing acts. I couldn't catch the specifics, but I knew enough about Sebastian to know that he was interested in taking it up.

"Want to go to a magic show?" he asked, once we were away from Dr. Singh.

"A magic show?" I asked, surprise lacing my voice. "Is this about the new case?"

"I want to figure out how they are doing this. It must be a trick of the eye." He seemed convinced and I didn't want to refute him.

"Book a show in a couple of days. I want to learn the ropes." I nodded, immediately taking out my cell phone to see what shows were on. Unsurprisingly were quite a few happening in the city at the moment.

"There's one today. Do you want to go?" I asked in a light voice.

"I have to check some papers today. Is no other day convenient?" I shook my head.

"The others are a bit farther away. Today seems like the best time to go."

"Then book the ticket," he ordered me. "I'll check the papers later tonight." He huffed.

I gave him a small grin and booked the show.

"Can you give me a brief on the case?" I asked him once we were out of the university.

"There have been two similar cases recently but they haven't been linked yet. I think it will be more prominent once I get more information on it. Not sure if they are looking for a criminal psychologist for the case, but if they do link the cases, there is a high chance that they will seek a couple of us out to get a better picture of how things are going to be."

"The show is in a couple of hours, so we should get ready," I told him when we got inside the car.

"Remember to dress well, today. I don't want you to dress like my assistant when I am out in the street." I usually tended to wear muted colors and a pair of glasses that had no use on me. I wanted to present a more mature look, but Sebastian had been against it since the very beginning. I couldn't understand why it bothered him so much, but he wanted me to dress up as I usually did before I became his assistant. He believed my clothing fashionable. While I was flattered, my clothes were not exactly professional.

'I need an assistant who works well…' he had commented. 'I don't need you to look like a librarian.' I had been slightly offended but knew that he always spoke his mind.

"Yes, yes. I will dress properly," I grumbled. He gave me a small grin and went back to concentrating on his driving.