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 teacher. How can I force her to forgive me?”
I grin. I stop grading Alinn’s paper and look up at him. “Force her to forgive you? That’s not forgiveness.”
He purses his lips. “Then tell me what to do!”
I sigh. “What’s this obsession with Alinn? It’s obvious she doesn’t like you.”
“I... I think she’s adorable,” he says and I see a flush creeping up his cheeks. “I thought nerds are ugly and are nothing but trouble. Well, she is still trouble, but the nice kind of trouble. I think that—”
He catches my smirk. “You are laughing at my plight! What kind of teacher are you?!”
“The type who’s currently listening to her student’s woes.”
“And mocking at the student!” he huffs.
“Quiet down, Lukas. Else, female students will hear you outside. If they learn that you are smitten with someone who dislikes you, your dignity and reputation will be destroyed.”
He glares at me. “I heard that it’s your first time teaching,” he remarks. “Maybe that’s why you act as if your students are just your friends.”
“Not friends, but sometimes, I find them as annoying little brothers and sisters too,” I supply.
I put down my pen and lean my head on my hands. We stare at each other.
“Just one question. Where did you get the idea of kissing a young girl aggressively like that?”
“I just feel like it.”
“Feels like you want to smother Alinn because she’s too cute?”
“Yes! She’s just too adorable. I just want to touch her hair and bury my face in it. And every time her eyes are on me, I feel happy. And did you see how her face contorts every time she’s annoyed? It’s just too cute!”
Lukas continues to praise Alinn while I nod at him. Seriously, this little monster’s mouth is getting loose with me. Is he perhaps getting more familiar with me?
“Do you, perhaps, need my help?” I ask.
He shifts his attention to me, an expectant look on his face. “You will help me?”
“In one condition.”
He groans audibly. “I knew there’s no free meal in this world.”
“So, you don’t need my help after all. I get it.”
I lean back and continue to check Alinn’s paper. She really is a smart young woman. I think she will win the science quiz contest if she continues to study like this.
“Fine!” Lukas suddenly says. “What do you want?! I will ask my father for anything you want.”
I snort. “Why would you ask your father? He’s not the one who is asking me for a favor, right? Besides, is he going to take the exam for you?”
He leans his head to one side and asks, “What do you mean?”
“I will help you, in a condition that you will pass all your exams.”
His mouth hangs open. “Are you serious?!”
I laugh at his expression. His mouth is agape. It is so wide that I bet I can fit my fist in.
“You have seen the result of my quizzes, right? You know it will be a miracle!”
“So, is being forgiven by Alinn.”
“You annoying woman!”
I sigh and shrug my shoulders. “Well, it’s your choice. If you can’t, then I won’t be able to put in a good word about you to Alinn.”
“I’m sure that’s called manipulation of your students.”
I just shrug my shoulders. “Just as I said, your call.”
Lukas has a strange look on his face. I am starting to wonder if he is going to accept my condition or not. His gaze keeps flickering between me and Alinn’s paper. He is clearly trying to decide something.
I keep my poker face as long as possible. I just need to wait for whether Lukas will succumb to it. Let’s see what he chooses. His desperation to be forgiven, or his laziness to study?
When he still did not respond, I already think that, perhaps, he still doesn’t care.
“Okay,” he whispers. “I will pass all my exams.”
I smirk. I offer my hands to him and say, “Should we shake on that?”
Lukas nods and shakes my hand. “I hope you are still as snarky as this when the results come out.”
“Oh, I am betting on that.”
***************
I didn’t expect my plan to work on the little monster named Lukas Reeves. It’s been a month, and he is still religiously coming to my room to study. He also stopped giving a pass on Alinn, who is starting to become familiar with his presence, or rather, learned to ignore it. Although, sometimes, when Alinn is out, he will ask for her. He is checking if he has been forgiven or not.
I sigh. Sometimes, I wonder if this whole thing is worth it. Good thing that his quizzes are getting better. Far from perfect, but better than before. With more time and more hard work, I am sure he can pass the upcoming exams.
And because of that, I think I need to plan about how Alinn will hate Lukas a little less. I think being able to tolerate him is good enough, right?
“Teacher Cassie, what will be our plans for the competition day?” Alinn interjects.
I smile at her. “I will drive you there in the morning. We can eat in the venue's canteen and maybe stop by a restaurant before I drop you off?”
She beams at me. “Really?! Where?”
“Wherever you want,” I say, sharing her excitement. “Just don’t choose a restaurant that will put a hole in my pocket.”
“Okay!” she says in a singsong voice.
She returns to her books and I glance at Lukas. There is a look of longing in his eyes. He clearly wants to come with us. However, aside from it being a weekday, Alinn won’t definitely like it.
“Lukas, since we’ll be gone for that day, you can take a break,” I inform him.
“Can I come instead?”
Alinn sharply turns towards me—a sign of her objection.
“You can’t. Only quizzers can come. Try to be a quizzer next time, then you can come with us,” I jest.
“Okay, probably next year,” he promises, and Alinn snorts.
I grin at the reaction of the two. “Or you can choose to study that day, too. Besides, your examination day is just around the corner.”
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
After my first class ends, I go back to the library to teach a class on literature and search for any coaching techniques for my new handles—the journalism team. I try not to think about Mark or Liam while I teach the class. I need to concentrate on the students who come to ask questions. However, the school is abuzz with hushed voices by the time lunchtime arrives. One of my co-teachers comes and says, “The principal is calling for us.” I wonder, what is it this time? When I reach the staff room, Mark is already talking to one of the senior teachers. They look at me with disdain, as if I should not be called here. They speak in low voices while glancing at me, their eyes full of contempt. “What is happening?” My co-teacher cannot answer because Principal Abra is coming out of his office. “I am sure you have heard the rumor.” He clears his throat before saying, “but none of it is true.” He glances at me and then at the teachers. “Teacher Cassie is not my mistress. I also don’t hav
“Alinn!” I admonish. This girl! Does she want to get expelled!? “Teacher Cassie,” she whispers, her voice trembling, and she is so close to crying. I grab Alinn’s arm and pull her away from Lukas while shouting for Jason to prepare so we can bring him to the hospital. I look at Lukas. Instead of laughing at him, I feel pity. He is crying and bruised. I doubt he ever fought back against Alinn. No one must have hit him like this before. Nevertheless, it is also apparent that it’s his heart that’s beaten up. Alinn never tried to escape my hold. She might be waiting for someone to stop her. However, the others look afraid of her, and Lukas is doing nothing to fight back. I move to Lukas and tap his cheeks. “Lukas?” I ask. “Teacher Cassie...” There is a pleading look on his face. “Good, you can still recognize me. I will bring you to the hospital, okay?” He mumbles a yes in between his pain. I help him up. He moves his legs slowly and awkwardly while his body shakes. He uses his fre
I wait outside the company director’s office. He said he would meet some important people for a new advertising project. But after that meeting, he needs to discuss something with me. I glance at my wristwatch. It’s already fifteen minutes over my shift. I guess I will file for another overtime. It’s been three months since I resigned as a teacher. It’s been good. None of the chaos that a school setting offers — no students whining about the teacher being unfair or why they are not getting an A for a subject. However, I am surprised that I miss the interaction with students and the teaching part of the job. The door to the Director’s office opens, and the director comes out with a beaming smile on his face. Two men and another woman accompany him. All four of them are dressed in suit and ties. But my gaze settles on one man. The familiar figure is unmistakably Liam Chapman! My heart skips a beat at the same time that my jaw drops in disbelief. What the hell is he doing here?! My eye
I choke on my wine. I cough as I try to maintain a sense of dignity. But I just can’t quite contain my surprise at the question. I grab a napkin and quickly wipe my mouth. I look up with shock in my eyes. “What did you just say?” I ask again. What had I just heard? “I need help with my son’s education.” He leans forward. “If you marry me, I will provide all your needs.” “You can just get a private tutor!” I exclaim. “Having a mother at home and focused on his education is essential and more effective. Besides…” He takes my hand, which trembles in his touch, and he adds, “... we already know each other, especially the physical and sexual aspect of marriage. We will have no problem in the bedroom.” I withdraw my hand as if scalded by his touch. “Do you even know what you are saying, Mr. Chapman?!” “During your interview, I heard you would like to travel more. That’s why you are working in your company. However, being my wife, you can focus on Lukas, and I will provide for your trips
I wait outside the church. I am facing the vast, wooden double doors, which are closed as I wait for my entourage. All the bridesmaids and sponsors are already inside. I am wearing the wedding dress that Liam bought for me, which is white with silver trimming at the edges and flowers snaking all around the dress. They have styled my hair to match it. I am wearing white high heels even if it’s not visible under my dress. Thankfully, no butterflies and no jitters. However, my mouth dries up as I wonder about the events that will follow this. The ceremony is easy; the reception will be awkward; but the honeymoon phase will be nerve-racking. My bridesmaids had been joking about it, especially my co-teachers. They say I caught the big fish after my awful experience with Mark. I snort. If only they knew. “You look nervous.” A familiar voice speaks beside me. I turn to face the direction of the sound and see Mark climbing up the stairs. The coordinators and the surrounding stylists are ign