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 snorts. “You are getting poorer each day.”
“Life of a teacher,” I say. I shift my attention to Jason and say, “You still need to win in the regionals before you can go to the nationals. Why are you so happy?”
“Because the five of us? We all got first place in our category.”
Okay, I will admit. That’s a pretty good result.
“In that case, we will ask for extra coaching from you,” Jason adds.
“As you can see, I am busy with Alinn for the science quiz tomorrow. And I have this little mo—“ I cough, and Lukas glares at me. “I mean, I have Lukas to tutor.”
“We will really behave. Besides, this place is quieter than our assigned school paper room.”
“You have your school paper adviser, right?”
“We do. But, Teacher Cassie, she’s not like you. She can’t come up with new ideas.”
“Now, you are just patronizing.”
“No promised treats on restaurants, too.”
I laugh. “Okay, then. I’ll try to find time, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Thanks, Teacher Cassie! You’re the best!” Jason shouts before he dashes off.
“Well, I think I will be off too. My exams will start soon,” Lukas says and leaves the room.
****************
The science quiz competition comes with a performance during the awarding ceremony. As expected, Alinn got first place, which means she will move on to the regionals.
My phone vibrates. I glance at it and see that it’s Lukas, asking if he can show himself today. I groan, and it doesn’t escape Alinn’s notice.
“Are you okay, Teacher Cassie?” she asks.
“It’s just Lukas who is pestering me to come here.”
“Uh-uh,” she says and keeps silent. She still hates Lukas. However, I need to do this because Lukas passed all his exams yesterday.
“You don’t think you can forgive him?” I ask.
“You’ve seen what he’d done to me,” she answers.
Well, I did, and it’s very wrong. “I think that it’s not just about the kiss, though. Lukas has done a couple of things that made you angry?”
We shift our attention to the stage. It is a wooden platform that is elevated by only a meter. When the performers are done, the enormous hall becomes silent again, and with the audience chattering, the hall echoes like a vast empty church. I can also hear the excited murmurs of the students. There are almost a hundred of us coming from different schools.
“I hate him because he spits on you.”
I frown. Alinn heard about it? “Ah, that. He went unconscious after that. I kind of lost myself and punched him,” I say, grinning. “Not something a teacher should do, mind you.”
“I still hate him for having the gall to do that!” She turns toward me, her eyes flashing in anger. “He even keeps on pestering me at school!”
“In what way?” I say.
“He’s always annoyingly following me around, and the other girls are starting to notice me! They also thought they could bully me! You have no idea how much I try to bottle it all in just so I won’t burst into fury!”
I smile. This girl. We really are alike. “You are being bullied? You know that you can talk to me about it.”
“Don’t worry, I am okay. Bullying is something that I can handle. When I can’t, I will come and ask for your help… in secret.”
“Does Lukas pester you as well?”
“Not that way! One time I told him that I want to drown him in honey, and then I will leave him alone on the school grounds so ants will crawl all over his skin!”
“Ah, you are so angry that you want to torture him?”
“And do you know what he said?!” she huffs angrily. “He says it’s a great idea! I can be the ant, he says. Better yet, we reverse it. I am the honey, and he will be the ant. Because, according to him, ants eat honey!”
Oh, that perverted little monster. “I understand,” I say. I pat Alinn’s head, and she starts to calm down. Maybe Lukas is correct. She really looks like an adorable little puppy.
Once she calms down, I say, “The young man is insufferable, huh?”
“He is,” Alinn responds this time. Her tone is soft and gentle again.
I watch as the principal of the host school climbs the stage. Her shoes make a clacking sound against the wooden floor. She expresses a long congratulatory message before she starts with the actual awarding.
“First place, Alinn Avery!” she announces.
Alinn stands up, and applause erupts again. She strides towards the stage, and I follow her. When she receives the certificate, pictures are taken.
“Alinn Avery will compete in the regionals held a month from now. Further details will be released soon.”
Alinn takes my arm and whispers, “I think I want some meat today, followed by some delicious, sweet drinks. The ones with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.”
“That’s pretty specific,” I say. “And I think I know just the place.”
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
The moment Liam and I step out onto the floor for our first dance as husband and wife, the room erupts in applause. All our family and friends are here to witness and celebrate our fake love. Even my parents, who are standing like silent sentries in the corner, applaud my supposed-to-be joyful day, including the man I had chosen. Liam and I move gracefully around the room to the lilting music. Our movement is in perfect harmony with one another. Looking into Liam’s eyes, I am reminded of the first time I had seen him in the police station. He enters the room angry back then, but I am more furious about my cheater ex-boyfriend. And yet, even then, I find him handsome. We move together to the center of the hall. He places his hands on my waist and pulls me closer to his body. I take a deep breath as I feel the desire welling inside me. I know that I’ve become oblivious to the eyes of those watching from the fringes. I am already lost at the moment in this faux wedding. When I told my