The following week, I found myself back in the same lecture hall, feeling more settled in after that first whirlwind class. After having a good laugh about Freud with Vanessa, I was ready to see what other curveballs this professor was going to throw at us. Part of me hoped we'd move on to something a little less... personal, but something told me we weren't done with the topic of older women just yet.
The professor, who I now knew as Dr. Clarke, strolled into the room, his usual calm but authoritative presence filling the space. He didn't waste any time getting started.
"Alright, everyone," he said, setting his leather briefcase on the desk and adjusting his glasses. "Last week, we discussed Freud's Oedipus complex and the subconscious attraction young men might feel toward older women. Today, we're going to dive even deeper into why this particular dynamic—older women, or as the internet lovingly calls them, MILFs—is psychologically beneficial for young men."
I couldn't help but smirk at his use of the word "MILF." Hearing it come from a professor in his 60s was a little surreal, but this was Dr. Clarke. He had a way of making even the most bizarre topics seem academic.
The room was filled with a mixture of amusement and awkward tension, with students exchanging glances. A few people chuckled under their breath, and I had to bite back a laugh myself. Here we go again, I thought.
Dr. Clarke continued, his voice steady and serious, as if he were talking about something as mundane as cognitive development. "Now, as Freud laid the groundwork, the Oedipus complex suggests that young men are subconsciously attracted to older women because of their nurturing qualities. But modern psychology has expanded on this. Let's talk about a few more reasons why relationships between young men and older women—what some might call 'MILFs'—can actually be quite beneficial."
I leaned back in my seat, bracing for whatever was coming next.
"The first theory," Dr. Clarke began, pacing across the front of the room, "is about emotional stability. Young men, especially those in their early 20s, are often still figuring out who they are, what they want in life, and how to handle relationships. Older women, on the other hand, tend to be more emotionally mature. They've been through more of life's ups and downs, and they're typically less interested in the drama that can come with younger partners. This creates a stable, secure environment for young men, which allows them to grow without the chaos of a volatile relationship."
A few students were nodding along, and I couldn't help but think about Vanessa. There was definitely something to that. Vanessa had always been calm, collected, and grounded, especially compared to some of the younger women I'd dated in the past. With her, there were no mind games, no wild emotional swings. It was... steady. Solid. Exactly what Dr. Clarke was describing.
Dr. Clarke continued, a faint smile on his face as he delivered the next point. "Then there's the issue of confidence. Let's be honest—dating an older woman can be a major confidence booster for a young man. The knowledge that a woman with more life experience, more options, and a better understanding of herself chooses to be with you? That's empowering. It can give young men a sense of validation that, frankly, they might not get from relationships with younger women."
The class chuckled at that one, and I felt myself nodding again, though I didn't want to admit how true it was. Being with Vanessa had definitely made me feel more confident, even when I wasn't sure what the hell I was doing with my life. It was hard to deny that there was a kind of ego boost that came with being with someone like her—someone who could have anyone but chose me.
Dr. Clarke walked back to the front of the room and leaned against the desk, folding his arms across his chest. "Now, let's talk about experience—both in life and, well, sexually. Older women tend to know what they want, both in and out of the bedroom. For young men, this can be incredibly freeing. Instead of fumbling around, trying to figure out what works, they're with someone who already knows. This dynamic can lead to more fulfilling relationships, where communication and mutual satisfaction are prioritized."
A few more giggles broke out in the room, and I could see people shifting in their seats, clearly a little uncomfortable with how blunt Dr. Clarke was being. But this was psychology, and nothing was off the table. I couldn't help but grin at the awkwardness of it all. I mean, who doesn't get a little uncomfortable when their professor starts talking about sex lives?
He continued, seemingly unfazed by the class's reactions. "Finally, there's the concept of independence. Older women are often more independent, financially and emotionally. They're not looking to be taken care of, and they're not expecting a young man to provide for them in the same way a younger woman might. This creates a dynamic where the relationship is more about mutual respect and enjoyment rather than dependency. Young men are free to focus on their own growth, knowing that their partner is doing the same."
I leaned back, considering everything he'd just said. It was a weird experience, hearing my own life laid out so clearly in a lecture. Everything Dr. Clarke had described—the stability, the confidence boost, the independence—it all applied to my relationship with Vanessa. It was like he was pulling these theories straight out of my head, and I wasn't sure if I should feel validated or freaked out.
Dr. Clarke straightened up and looked around the room. "Now, before anyone thinks I'm suggesting that every young man should run out and start dating older women, let me make this clear: these dynamics don't work for everyone. Some young men thrive in relationships with people their own age or even younger. But for those who are attracted to older women—whether they realize it or not—these are some of the psychological reasons why those relationships can be so fulfilling."
He paused, letting that sink in. "Freud may have been right about some things, but the modern understanding of these relationships goes beyond the Oedipus complex. It's not just about wanting a mother figure—it's about finding someone who complements you in ways you might not even be aware of."
The class was quiet for a moment, everyone processing what they'd just heard. Then, as if on cue, a guy in the back muttered, "So basically... MILFs are just good for you, huh?"
Dr. Clarke chuckled, shaking his head. "If that's your takeaway, you've missed the point. But yes, in some cases, older women can provide a level of emotional and psychological stability that young men might not find elsewhere."
The class laughed, and I found myself joining in, though my mind was still spinning. Was that really it? Was my relationship with Vanessa so simple, so... scientific?
As the lecture wrapped up, I gathered my things and headed out of the room, still thinking about everything Dr. Clarke had said. I couldn't wait to get home and tell Vanessa about the latest batch of psychology theories. If nothing else, it would make for another good laugh over a glass of wine.
After Dr. Clarke's wild lecture, I was ready to get out of the classroom and clear my head. The theories about older women, the subconscious attraction—everything he said hit way too close to home. As I packed up my things, I could feel the weight of the conversation sitting with me, but I figured that was something I'd unpack later.
Just as I slung my bag over my shoulder and started toward the door, I noticed Jake and Rachel standing nearby, exchanging glances. They were clearly waiting for me, and something in their eyes told me this was about to get personal.
"Yo, Tristan," Jake called out, a sly grin on his face as he caught up with me. "So, we've got to ask. Is it true?"
I frowned, genuinely confused. "Is what true?"
Rachel smirked, leaning in a little. "Come on, don't play dumb. Are you really dating Vanessa Reed?"
I stopped in my tracks, feeling a weird mix of surprise and dread. How the hell did they know about Vanessa? My brain scrambled for an answer, but I knew there was no point in denying it. Vanessa was famous, part of a billionaire family, and apparently, my classmates had figured out who she was.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah... I am."
Jake's eyes went wide, and he let out a low whistle. "No fucking way. Vanessa Reed? As in, the Vanessa Reed? The woman who basically owns half of Beverly Hills?"
Rachel grinned, clearly impressed. "She's, like, on the cover of magazines all the time. I've seen articles about her charity work and all that. Damn, Tristan, how did you manage to land her?"
I shifted uncomfortably, already regretting not backing out of this conversation earlier. I didn't want to be that guy—the one whose personal life became the talk of the class. And I definitely didn't want them asking about Vanessa. But I could see the curiosity in their eyes, and there was no way they were letting this go.
"Look, it's not... I mean, it's complicated," I said, trying to downplay it. "We've been together for a while. It's not like that."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Not like what? Dude, she's a billionaire. That's not exactly something you can just brush off."
Rachel nudged him, laughing. "And she's gorgeous. Seriously, I saw her at some charity gala in a magazine once, and she looked like she just walked out of a movie. You're telling me you're dating her? That's insane."
I forced a smile, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with how the conversation was going. "Yeah, well, she's a normal person too, you know? It's not all just... glitz and glam."
Jake laughed, shaking his head. "Sure, but come on, man. You can't tell me it doesn't come with perks. You've got to be living the high life, right? Fancy parties, private jets... all that shit?"
Rachel grinned, leaning closer. "You're going to have to introduce us sometime, Tristan. I mean, she's got to have friends, right? Maybe we could all hang out—go to one of those famous Beverly Hills parties or something."
I took a step back, trying to put some distance between myself and the conversation. The last thing I wanted was to drag Vanessa into this, to make her some kind of spectacle for my classmates. This wasn't what our relationship was about. It was private, and the way they were talking about her—like she was some trophy to be shown off—made me feel gross.
"Yeah, I don't know about that," I said, my voice a little firmer now. "Vanessa's not really into that scene, and neither am I. We keep things pretty low-key."
Jake exchanged a glance with Rachel, clearly not buying it. "Low-key? Come on, man. She's a billionaire. How do you keep something like that low-key?"
I shrugged, trying to play it off. "We just do. Look, it's not what you think. She's not some celebrity who's all about that lifestyle. She's more... down to earth."
Rachel raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Sure, but you can't blame us for being curious. I mean, Vanessa Reed is kind of a big deal. People know who she is. You can't expect us to just pretend it's normal that you're dating someone like her."
Jake laughed again, nudging me with his elbow. "Yeah, man. No offense, but it's wild to think you're dating someone like that. You're like... one of us. And she's... well, she's Vanessa Reed."
I clenched my jaw, feeling the tension build inside me. I didn't like where this was going, and I definitely didn't like how they were talking about Vanessa, like she was some kind of prize. I wasn't about to stand here and let them reduce our relationship to a joke or something to be gawked at.
"Look," I said, my voice tight, "I get that you're curious, but Vanessa's more than just some rich woman you've seen in magazines. She's a real person, and I don't want to make this a thing. So let's just... drop it, alright?"
Jake's grin faded a little, and he held up his hands. "Whoa, sorry, man. Didn't mean to piss you off. We're just messing around."
Rachel looked a little sheepish too, giving me a small nod. "Yeah, we didn't mean anything by it. We're just... surprised, you know? It's not every day you hear about someone dating a billionaire."
I forced a smile, trying to ease the tension. "Yeah, I get it. It's just... it's personal, you know? I don't want to turn it into something it's not."
They both nodded, clearly sensing that they'd crossed a line. Jake stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced at Rachel before shrugging. "Alright, man. No hard feelings. We'll back off."
Rachel smiled softly. "Thanks for telling us, though. I'm sure it's not easy being in the spotlight like that."
I nodded, grateful that they seemed to be dropping the subject. "Yeah, it's not. But we make it work."
We stood there awkwardly for a moment before I cleared my throat and took a step back. "Anyway, I've got to get going. Got some stuff to take care of."
"Yeah, sure," Jake said, giving me a wave. "Catch you later, Tristan."
Rachel smiled. "See you in class."
I turned and walked away, feeling the tension slowly drain out of me. As I headed toward the exit, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. The last thing I wanted was for Vanessa's fame to overshadow our relationship, but it seemed like that was going to be hard to avoid. Still, I knew one thing for sure: I wasn't going to let anyone turn her into a spectacle.
This was between me and her. And that's how it was going to stay.
Q: Do you like psychology?