Chapter 31
“Eddie?” Eva looked concerned when he didn’t continue his conversation with her. “Is everything okay?”
“It doesn’t sound like it, no. I need to go and meet with the Dean. Can we finish this over lunch?”
“No. I’m coming with you.” She grabbed her bag and shoved the necklace into it.
“I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“I’ll stay outside. You aren’t talking me out of it. I can’t leave you after the conversation we just had.” She grabbed his hand and held on as if it meant her own life or death.
“You are stubborn.”
“I know.”
He led her out of the room, knowing he wasn’t going to change her mind. She didn’t let his hand go until there were others in visible sight then she still stayed very close to him.
When they arrived at the administration’s office, Edward walked inside and looked back at Eva as she stood on the stairway, the front glass door closing between them. Walking up to the Dean’s office, he couldn’t help but feel like he was being scolded for something he did back in college.
“Excuse me,” he said, knocking on his partially opened door. “I received a call that you wanted to see me, sir?”
“Mr. Caldwell?”
“Yes.”
“Come in, please. Have a seat.”
“Thank you. This is a bit of a surprise to me. I have an appointment with you but it isn’t until later this week.”
“I am well aware of your appointment, Mr. Caldwell.”
“Is there something wrong?”
“I’m afraid so. It has come to my attention that you have been having an affair with a student here at the university.”
“An affair?”
“Yes, and I am sure you are well aware that it is against our policy for such things to take place. Grounds for such instances is immediate termination.”
Edward knew he couldn’t lie about it. The Dean had to have known something or else he wouldn’t have brought it up. But how much did he know? He didn’t care about himself. He was planning on ending the whole charade anyway. What he was worried about was Eva and her relationship with the university.
“With all due respect, sir, what I do with my personal time and affairs has nothing to do with my professional career and unless you have proof of such accusations, I suggest you let me be on my way.”
The Dean sat there and stared at Edward, trying to read his thoughts perhaps, or trying to call his bluff, but Edward stared back with an unwavering stare he was always good at. When he thought he had won, the Dean slid a side drawer open on his desk and dropped a folder in front of Edward.
“Here is your proof, Mr. Caldwell.”
He picked it up and opened it. When he saw pictures of him and Eva together in public, he knew someone had set him up. The first person who came to mind was Gracie. He clenched his jaw tightly as he sifted through more of the pictures. There were snapshots of them together at the University Club, another one showed them together in front of the history building.
“What are these? There is nothing here that proves anything.”
“Keep going, Mr. Caldwell.”
He lifted the next picture and saw them getting quite cozy in the restaurant outside of town. Another picture showed them getting intimate at the park during their picnic and the last one showed them making love in the water.
“The white Audi.”
“Excuse me?”
“I have been sabotaged. Set up. And I think I know who is behind it.”
“Please. Enlighten me. It is obviously someone who apparently doesn’t want you teaching here.”
“Or maybe someone who is bitter about my relationship that does not include her.”
“Her?”
“How did you get these?”
“They were mailed to me, anonymously.”
“I want to file a report against Gracie Honor.”
“She has done nothing wrong.”
“She took these pictures! There are laws to protect people’s privacy!” Edward stood up and held the pictures out toward the Dean.
“No, Mr. Caldwell. As long as you are in public it is perfectly legal for someone to take your photograph. What is wrong is what you have been doing with a student at this university. There are laws against that.”
“This is bullshit!” He slammed the pictures on the desk and shook his head.
“Sit down, Mr. Caldwell,” demanded the Dean. He waited for Edward to sit before continuing. “I like you and I think you are a fine teacher. I am not going to terminate you, nor am I going to reprimand Miss Brooks. But what I am going to do is give you an option.
“An option?” Edward repeated.
“Yes. You can resign or request a transfer to another school. Either choice will be made effective immediately.”
Before Edward could admit to his plans of resigning, Eva burst through the door.
“Stop! Please don’t fire him!”
Edward turned quickly, noticing tears streaming down Eva’s face.
“Eva, don’t.”
“No. I have to.” She turned toward the Dean. “This is my fault. I fell in love with him knowing it was wrong. Please don’t fire him because of me.”
Edward knew she wouldn’t stop and instead of trying to convince her to, he quickly stood up. “Dean,” he interrupted. “With all due respect, I would like to put in my resignation, effective immediately.”
“Eddie, no,” she whispered.
He turned toward her and wrapped his arms around her.
“I have a lot to talk to you about and I think now is the time, before anything more happens.”
Eva pulled back and looked at Edward, confused and shocked.
"You are scaring me.”
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand.
“I will write up your resignation paperwork and have them delivered to you this afternoon.”
Edward nodded and led Eva out of his office.