Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Every pupil in the classroom was focused in trying their best to master the art of coloring. Every child was holding a crayon which they used to color to plain picture that was given to them.

Reya couldn’t stop herself from feeling proud as she watched the determined students. Her attention was then caught by the little girl that sat on the corner of the room. There were visible tears in her eyes as she stared at the broken pink crayon.

Reya walked towards her to cheer her up.

“A-I b-broke it...” the little girl sobbed.

“Hush...” She smiled. “There is no need to cry little Tessie.” she added.

Tessie looked up to her with her teary eyes and sobbed. “H-How will I color the flamingo now?” She pouted.

Reya smiled then took a pink crayon from the pocket of the cute apron that she was wearing. 

“Here.” She cheered. “You can have my pink crayon.” then handed her the pink crayon.

The little girl smiled and wiped her tears using the back of her little hands. “Thank you, Teacher.” she said.

“You’re always welcome, Tessie.” Reya replied.

The little girl continued to color the flamingo using the pink crayon. 

Seeing students like Tessie, and teaching them brought joy to Reya’s heart. This might be the only reason she still chooses to continue doing this job. 

A few minutes later, one by one, the students approached Reya to show her their finish products, and receive some stars.

“Teacher, can I get two stars?” Harry, the little chubby boy, asked while raising two fingers. 

“Me too, teacher! Me too!” the other students cheered.

Reya chuckled and smiled. Sometimes she wishes she can travel back in time and be a little child again. An innocent child who does not have to worry about paying bills, approaching due dates, restless nights, and having anxiety— in short, reality.

After giving them stars, it was then time for recess. The students happily took their lunch boxes out and enjoyed the healthy snacks that was prepared by their moms or nannies. Some guardians were allowed to go in and attend to their children.

Reya was about to go back to her desk when little Tessie slightly pulled the hem of her blouse to call her attention. She slowly turned to look at her and smiled.

“Teacher, can you eat with me?” Tessie innocently asked. 

“Sure, Tessie...” Reya smiled.

*****

Thomas parked his car at an empty parking space and fixed his tie before walking out of the car and looking at the beautiful and astonishing campus view. It has been years since the last time he stepped foot in his Alma Mater.

This was the place where he started building his dreams, and where he met the girl who he vows to love no matter what, Veronica.

“Thomas! Why did you not notify us that you will be visiting?” Augustus, the school chair and director, greeted. “I did not have time to prepare goods for you,” he said.

The two went in for a hand shake and a man hug.

“There’s no need to, Augustus.” Thomas replied. “I only came to fetch my niece.” He added after pulling away from the hug.

“Oh! If that’s the case, I believe you came a little early.” Augustus chuckled. “There is still an hour before classes gets dismissed.”

Female employees and students could not take their eyes off Thomas who was standing beside Augustus. Who could resist the temptation of not looking at such a gorgeous and good-looking man?

“How do you manage to still be a head turner even at your thirties?” Augustus laughingly asked. “Could you perhaps teach me some of your moves?”

“I don’t know, Gus.” Thomas chuckled. 

“It just runs in the blood ‘ey?” Augustus replied then they both laughed.

To kill time, Thomas decided to wait at Augustus’ office while they tried to catch up by talking about the happenings in each other’s life.

“Woah! After years you’re still dating each other?” Augustus asked with amusement.

Thomas smiled and said “Well... I just can’t stop loving her.”

“So... the rumor about her dating the Salazar Heir is not true then, right?” Augustus asked.

Hearing that made Thomas’ smile slowly morph into a frown. 

“Oh! Sh*t! I’m sorry for mentioning that.” Augustus apologized when he noticed that how Thomas’ atmosphere turned dark and gloomy.

*****

The students carefully tidied their desk up for the class was about to dismiss. Some student helped in aligning the chairs and desk, while the others willfully erased the writings on the board.

This was every student’s second most favorite thing to do other than recess and nap time.

“Is everyone done? Is everything clean?” Reya sweetly asked.

“Yes, Teacher!” the student responded.

Everyone was now seated on their respective chairs waiting for Reya to say the magic words.

“Thank you for doing well today!” She smiled. “Everyone, class is dismissed,” she announced and the children cheered.

“Please go out in an orderly manner,” she reminded as the first row of students made their way to exit the classroom.

When all the students successfully made their way out, one of Reya’s co-teachers went in with a wide smile on her face.

“Gosh, Reya! Have you seen him?!” She enthusiastically asked. “Gosh! He just looks soooooo~ handsome— Oh no no! The word handsome is not enough!”

“What are you talking about?” Reya asked. “Who’s he? And why does it seem like you’re about to hyperventilate in pure bliss?” she asked out of confusion.

Her co-teacher, Josephine, paused and took a series of deep breathes to calm herself. 

“Girrrrrrl! Thomas Parri is here!” Josephine squealed. “You have to see him! He’s so d*mn gorgeous!”

For a moment Reya was lost for words. Who is Thomas Parri?

She blinked twice and confusedly looked at Josephine who looked like she was about to faint due to happiness any minute soon.

“Gosh! Don’t tell me you don’t know him!” Josephine exclaimed.

“Why? What’s wrong with not knowing him?” Reya asked in confusion. “Is he someone who can help me pay my debts?” She chuckled.

“Kind of...but he’s too gorgeous for you to not know him!” Josephine answered.

Reya just shook her head and chuckled. “I have far more important things to do other than admiring me.” She smiled.

“Now I understand the reason why you’re still single after all these years.” Josephine sighed.

Josephine was about to walk out of the room when a man showed up by the doorway. Just by a single glance, she already recognized who that man was, but Reya was too preoccupied with arranging the books on her desk to even care.

“Teacher, I’ll go now,” Little Tessie spoke.

Reya smiled at her and said “Ok then, see you tomorrow.” 

Little Tessie gave her a small nod before walking towards her Uncle Thomas.

“Hey baby girl, how’s school?” Thomas sweetly asked as he took her pink unicorn bag and carried it with one hand.

“It was great, uncle!” Tessie answered. “Teacher Reya allowed me to borrow her crayon because I broke mine!” she narrated.

Thomas smiled and gave the little girl a pat on the head and said 

“That’s good to hear.” Then, they walked towards the parking lot.

*****

Reya was about to close the classroom door when a man came running towards her direction.

“Wait,” he said as he tried to catch his breath.

“Yes, sir? How can I help you?” Reya asked.

Then she slowly turned to face him. She had to blink twice to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating when she got a good view of his face. He had a perfectly sculpted defined jawline, pointed nose, thin wide pinkish lips, thick eyebrows, and tantalizing blue eyes. Even from a far you could smell the scent of his masculine perfume.

He sure is handsome. Reya thought.

“Are you Reya?” Thomas asked.

“Yes.” Reya nodded as she slightly pushed her round glasses that slipped down to the bridge of her nose.

“Here.” Thomas smiled as he handed her the pink crayon. “My niece forgot to return it,” he added.

Reya stared at the pink crayon before taking it from him. She gave him a small smile and a nod.

“Thank you... though she can return it tomorrow,” Reya said.

“She insists, and... I thought that I should just take this opportunity to thank you for being nice to her.” Thomas smiled.

“It’s no big deal. I was just doing my job,” Reya replied.