I massage my temple and Alinn, the sweet teenage girl, asks, “Are you okay, Miss Cassie? Should we take a break? Maybe you can just leave me references that I can study. There’s no need for you to sit with me.”
I smile at her. “Well, I’m sure you’ve heard about me and Teacher Mark, but you should focus on the review and stop worrying about your heartbroken teacher.”
She makes a small smile. She has misaligned teeth, but her eyes are bright and huge. Her face is circular and small. She is an adorable young woman, not to mention a very smart girl.
I sigh as I remember that misstep at the police station. It’s been a month since then. I didn’t dare to call that Liam Chapman again. My plan failed to make that bitch-Hilda feel what she’s done to me—if only her husband is half as good-looking as Liam, then maybe–
I shake my head in annoyance. My plan failed completely, and a total stranger has fucked me. F*ucked, even I definitely enjoyed it. I have already burned the calling card, but I can remember his phone number. I memorized it the moment I glanced at his card. Sometimes, I hate my memory. Because now, I am restraining myself not to pick up the phone and invite him for another night of pleasure.
I heave another deep sigh and lean my head on the table. I am getting worse. Lately, I am becoming hot and bothered. I feel the need to touch myself. I am too busy to actually do it, though. Besides, I doubt it will feel as good as that man made me feel. I wonder if I get pregnant… will I be able to see him again? Ugh! He’s just one call away. All I need is the courage to dial his number!
Still, I don’t understand why a Chapman is here. His business is in the city. Is he, perhaps, embroiled in some crazy things? Or is he going to build a radio station in this place? Is that why he is at the police station? But that can’t be true. If it is, everyone should have heard it by now.
“Miss Cassie?”
I jump in surprise and realize that I’ve been staring at nothing for a while. “Oh! I’m sorry, Alinn.” I take a deep breath. “I think you are correct. I need to take a rest.”
She beams at me. “Don’t worry, Miss Cassie. I will study everything that you give me while you are not feeling well.”
“You won’t be getting rid of your teacher that soon, Alinn. I will be your substitute coach for a while.”
Her grin widens. “I’d love that, Miss Cassie,” she responds.
Oh, she is just too adorable. I hope that if I have a kid, he or she will be as adorable as her. Not right now, though. Complications like that are not good. I won’t appear as docile in the eyes of these conservative people if I had a kid out of wedlock.
********************
I sip on my glass and appreciate the tangy taste of the wine. The man in front of me is looking at me with interest. However, I don’t find him interesting at the very least.
“What are your hobbies?” he asks.
Mark and I are still together. However, half of my co-teachers are insisting on meeting other men–as friends, they say. They also add that I need to put pressure on Mark too, that anytime I can leave him, I need to give him the thrill until marriage… or so, they say. Just to silence their protest, I agreed, and besides, I doubt I will ever cheat on Mark, especially when it’s already a fading relationship. I can just end it before I even get together with someone.
“Nothing much. Just gardening. Learning to cook,” I answer. “Since I am not earning well, I need to have cheap hobbies.”
I am lying. Learning to cook is cheap IF I’m only using simple ingredients. Gardening is cheap IF I am not buying some expensive seeds and fertilizers.
“That’s great! It prepares you for being a housewife.”
I smile. I didn’t add that I like to try different things. I like books. I like practicing everything I’ve learned before. I learn faster than most people I know. In fact, I want to do a lot more, travel to a lot of places, and try out different food. However, if I say that, I will be labeled as… someone that they don’t want to be their wife.
“And you? What are your hobbies?”
“Nothing much too. Just games. Watching movies.”
I don’t categorize them as hobbies. They are entertainment, unless he is playing competitively and IF he’s learning something from them.
Still, I give him a chance. “You join those gaming competitions?”
“Ah no! I am not that good. It’s just to pass up time.”
A boring man through and through. I sip on my glass of wine again to hide my distaste. Sometimes, I blame my parents for raising me like this. We are too independent and too competitive, and now, my taste in men has become too high. At least, that’s what people tell me. Now, I doubt if someone will ever meet what I want in a man.
Except maybe that director of Champion Music. I am still curious about what he is doing in this province. He’s not the same as me who is running away from my friends who hooked up together. Is he involved in some high-profile crime?
“I heard you’ve been receiving a lot of rewards at your school.”
“Ah, those are just simple rewards. They just had no choice but to give it to me.”
Another lie. It has a decent cash prize or else I won’t join it. And besides, the participants are all teachers from all over the province and region.
“Whew! That’s a relief. I thought I would date an achiever.”
So, he is insecure. “Why? Will there be a problem if I am an achiever? I mean, I am a teacher. We can be excellent role models for our students.”
“Whoa there! You are pretty opinionated.”
I scowl. Opinionated? I haven’t even said half of what’s running through my mind.
“Sorry about that. Is it bad?” I ask while trying to tone my voice down.
“Well, wives are supposed to obey their husbands.”
I blink at that. Ugh. I am already expecting this, but it still leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
“You know that part of the vow, to love and obey?” he adds.
I smile at him. “I understand.”
Or maybe I should have insisted on my right to that city guy? I mean, at least, he won’t tell me that I should obey him. I laugh and the guy I am having a date with thinks that I am laughing at what he is saying. He beams and begins to talk more.
So, I lean my chin on my hands and make it seem like I am listening, even if my mind is on an entirely different matter. I am thinking of my life in the city. The pain is no longer there. It’s been already a year. But I still won’t return unless I have burned all the bridges. Because, what if I am invited to their wedding, to their child’s christening, to every happy moment of their life? What then?
A smile appears on my lips, and the man in front of me reddens. Right, I’d rather cut off all our bridges, rather than be that bitter aunt in the corner of the room who is glaring murder at everyone yet looking at the husband with desire. No, I won’t degrade myself to that.
Monday morning starts normally except for a new student who enrolls in the school. It’s not as chaotic as I expected, though. In fact, the little boy is able to immerse himself in the crowd. I think one reason for his quick adjustability is that he is already wearing the school uniform. Some female students can’t help but point at him, though. It’s also understandable. The little boy is a looker. Straight black hair, fair skin, tall and cute. He is also carrying himself well, as if he knows people would like to befriend him. It won’t be long until they label him as the Campus Crush. The boy’s name is Lukas Reeves, a transferee from the city, and the cause of the excitement of the female students. In fact, when I was having my lunch with my co-teachers and I told them that I would like to take a break from all the blind dates they were setting me up for, they agreed without a fuss. Then their conversation shifted to the new transferee. It was only until Friday afternoon that I discove
“Be thankful that the father did not sanction you,” the principal says. “I apologize, Principal Abra. I won’t do it again,” I respond. Next time, I won’t lose control of my emotions. I need a better hold on it. I lay my head low so this would get sorted out soon. “Will I be able to apologize to the parents?” I ask. “There is no need. However, the other teachers and students want you to apologize to the son.” I raise my head at him. “I know,” he says before I can even speak. “I will apologize to the parents, but I don’t think I should apologize to the son. It will appear as if what he did is NOT wrong. It won’t be good for him. Besides, that kid already has an attitude. We can’t contribute to that. Instead, we need to—” The principal raises his arms to stop me. “I understand, Teacher Cassie. Back in my day, his actions are already ground for expulsion. That show of utmost disrespect to a teacher should not be something a teacher should apologize for. However, sometimes, we just ne
I enter the classroom and tell the students that we are going to study something special today. It will be a special class about science in literature. But my students are all too busy chatting with their friends. I try to take their attention but they refuse to acknowledge my presence. This is the first time this happened. “Hmmm,” I mutter as I observe the students. This is definitely orchestrated. Then my eyes catch Lukas. There is an amused expression on his face. I smirk. So this is his revenge, huh? This little monster student of mine. I slam the table, and my students have no choice but to transfer their attention to me. “Do you have anything you’d like to say to me?” I ask them. A look of fake shock appears on their faces. Then there is silence in the room. The students who had been talking before looked away from me. Some of them are looking down. They are probably ashamed to be caught up in this... What shall I call this? Lukas’ stupidity? “Anyone who’d like to speak up?
We arrive at Lukas’ house. It’s brand new. It has two levels and an attic. Some part of the walls are made of thick glass. The house is made of a strange metal that looks almost like mercury. “Have you cleaned lately?” I ask. “Of course not! Why would I clean?” “Ahm, because this is your house,” I say. Lukas pushes open the door. It’s metallic and is not making any sound. It’s different from the house I rented where the door handle is old and worn. “Maids come in every Friday and clean up before my father arrives for the weekend,” he informs. “You mean I won’t be able to talk to your father today?” “Why would you even want to talk to him?” “Because of your most recent offenses,” I say. “I also need to discuss with him about your education.” “Then you will need to ask for a schedule to meet with him. He’s a busy man,” he says. “Your family is in business, right?” “Why do you care?” he asks. He places his arms across his chest and stares me down. “Are you not going to leave,
Lukas is coming in from his other classes more consistently. He sits on the table beside the one that Alinn occupies. He is quieter, but from time to time, I catch him glancing at Alinn. He also learned the meaning of focus. And as a result, his quizzes are improving. As a teacher, I like these changes. “Teacher Cassie, my mother is outside. I will leave now,” Alinn informs. Lukas stands up at the same time that Alinn did. “I will come with—” “Don’t bother,” Alinn snaps. She is still furious at him for forcibly kissing her. Lukas watches her leave. His expression is a mixture of longing, confusion, and guilt. “I thought you said that nerds are uncool?” I ask, without taking my eyes off Alinn’s paper. “She’s not!” he complains. “You think she’s your adorable puppy, right?” “She is.” “Guess what? This sense of belongingness? That’s something she won’t like. First, you don’t own her. Second, you guys are too different. Not to mention that she currently hates you.” “You are the t
It’s the school’s midterm examination day. The students are all stressed out, including Lukas. He told me earlier that it was the first time he was nervous about exams. “I don’t know what to do,” Lukas shares. “This time, I really feel nervous about it.” “Nervous because you might be hated by Alinn forever?” I jest. We are in my classroom. Instead of the bathrooms, where students love to escape during their exams, he is lounging here, probably hoping to take a peek at Alinn. “Shouldn’t you return to the examination room?” I add. “You are right. I should.” Lukas stands up. However, the instant he does, the door bursts open, and Jason appears with a wide grin. “Guess what, Teacher Cassie?!” I look up at him. “What is it, Jason?” “Five of us in the school paper will go to the regionals!” “Oh,” I exclaim. Lukas leans towards me and asks, “What does that mean?” “That means they will write a feature about me in the school paper, and I will also treat them to nice food.” “Ha!” he
When I drop off Alinn at her house, we see Lukas sitting on the couch in the living room and talking to Mrs. Avery. Alinn retreats and is about to return to my car when I hold her arms. “Where are you going, little lady?” I ask, almost gagging at my own laughter. “This is your house.” “Alinn, welcome back!” Mrs. Avery greets. “You have a visitor.” Lukas’ gaze turns toward Alinn, and his lips curl into an embarrassed smile. “Congratulations,” he says. Alinn grimaces. “What are you doing here?!” “Alinn! Learn to treat your guest better.” She turns to her parents and purses her lips. “Sorry,” she apologizes, and Lukas grins. Alinn turns to look at me to ask for help. However, this time, I can’t. Lukas is a guest like me at her house. And so, I pat her shoulders and walk toward her parents. “Teacher Cassie, welcome to our house.” “Good day, Mrs. Avery.” I glance at Mr. Avery and bow my head at him. “I just dropped Alinn off, but I will leave soon.” “Stay for dinner,” Mrs. Avery
“Teacher Cassie, this is my father, Liam Chapman,” Lukas says with pride. “Father, this is Teacher Cassie.” When Liam Chapman approaches, I stand up and step back, hitting the back of my knee on the couch. His dark eyes are trained on me. He stretches his hand, and I retreat from him. “Nice to meet you,” he says. He takes my hand and shakes it. His grip is solid and warm. “I have heard so much about you. My son has been raving about you.” “Dad!” Lukas complains. “That’s not true!” Liam grins at his son and steps closer to me again. This time, his smile is on me as if we are old friends and he has known me forever. Well, he knows me, but on... only on a more physical level. His fingers brush my hand as he says, “I have wanted to meet you for a while, but you might reject the invitation.” Of course, I will! My mind screams. He is a picture of a dumb, but very sensuous mistake! Or rather, he looks as good as the day I thought he was Mr. Ellis. “It’s okay,” I say quickly, though I am