Chapter 1

I squeezed my eyes shut, and tears ran down my cheeks freely. The pain was excruciating; I wanted to shout, but I didn't want to make a scene.

Sniffing into my hanky, I opened my eyes as I heard one of my colleagues, Marissa, whisper behind me. "Can't she stop acting like she's part of the Agrezor's family?"

I wanted to turn myself to face her, but I stopped myself. Most of the employees of Hasse, parents, teachers, and students were present at the burial ceremony of the school's president, and putting myself in another scandal was like committing suicide.

The staff of the memorial park opened the casket for the final public viewing. His family came near and cried in silence. I took my steps to see him for the last time, making the crowd start to murmur.

"Daddy," I mumbled. "Don't worry. I won't leave my job whatever happens." I wiped my tears off my cheeks while looking at his lifeless body.

"You slept with my husband, yet you call him daddy? Don't you have any shame?" Mrs. Agrezor whispered enough for me to hear.

Slowly, I faced her and was shocked to see her next to me. Anger became visible in her soft mien.

"Stay away from my family," she enunciated each word harshly like gunshots to my chest. "Monday will be your last day at work. Pack up your things and never come back. You're no longer welcome at Hasse."

"Sorry, Ma'am, but I won't do what you tell me—"

She slapped me hard, and the crowd gasped in shock. It took only a second before I felt the pain. Someone grabbed my arm away from the public, and tears sprang to my eyes again as I recognized the guy. He was one of the late president's nephews, Lester Agrezor.

We stopped under the big Narra tree, and he squeezed my shoulders. "Look at me, Amity," he said in a husky voice.

I blinked before looking up at his face. He had an attractive height, probably 5 or 6 inches taller than me. His eyes clouded with worry, staring into mine.

Gingerly wiping the tears from my face, he sighed. "Hush, I'm right here. Where's the fearless Amity I know?"

I slid my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Stroking my hair just like he always did, a boy's handsome face clicked in my head. I cried my heart out, remembering that face, and I was thankful Lester let me cry this time.

"My uncle's death caused her extreme distress. Mrs. Agrezor still can't accept that he's gone," he whispered.

Mr. Agrezor's memories came flooding back, and a sob escaped my mouth. "He told me he's not going to leave me."

"People leave in different ways, Amity," he said, making me cry even more.

Monday came, and I was feeling feeble. I couldn't walk fast in the hallway like the usual. The sharp stares of some employees were blatant and insulting, as if I did something evil to them.

I went into the faculty room, and the teachers fell into silence, giving me the same energy I felt outside—like I was an outcast.

"She has no shame. Mrs. Agrezor fired her but look, she's still here," Marissa said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Walking past her table, I knew I had ignited her temper. I even saw her in my peripheral that she was to confront me, but one of our co-teachers stopped her. Ignoring her, I checked my schedule and realized that I had to catch up on some paperwork Mr. Agrezor had left me.

Clasping my hands, I closed my eyes as I felt the lump in my throat. Mr. Agrezor loved me like his own.

I immediately wiped my tears away and looked at our picture on my desk, his arm wrapped around my shoulder, smiling warmly at me. One of the photography club members took this candid shot last year during Hasse's founding anniversary.

"I'll be strong just like you want me to be," I whispered.

Composing myself, I rose from my seat and picked up the pile of request letters Mr. Agrezor told me to review.

I went to the library and checked them one by one. Setting the alarm, I put it on vibration mode. I marked the requests that needed immediate attention.

When my phone vibrated, I left the library and went to my first class.

"Please get a sheet of paper for your first activity today," I instructed. The students needed to do the task before proceeding to the discussion.

"Ms. Escobar, smile! Mr. Agrezor doesn't like you frowning!" James shouted.

My eyes roamed around the four-walled room seeing the whole class smiling at me. I shook my head, and my lips curled into a smile.

"Woah!"

"Finally!"

"Your smile brightens our day," Aris rose from his chair and gave me a rose. "They say we are created equal, but I disagree. You're still gorgeous even when you frown," he said, using her soft feminine voice.

Yes, Aris was an incredibly handsome gay.

Their noise and laughter filled the room. Holding back my tears as the whole class gave me roses, I sighed.

"Thank you," I muttered.

"Anything for you, ma’am!" they said in unison.

I knew what would happen next; it was all over the news. But still, I would keep my promise to the late president. His son would take over his position tomorrow as the new president of Hasse—Aegeus Agrezor, the youngest son, known as the living monster.