Chapter 5

“She’s here!” Luis gushed as I entered the classroom.

After putting my laptop on the table, my eyes roved around to check if someone was absent. Their bright smiles warmed my heart like the feeling of the morning sun touching my soul.

The sound of the door opening made their eyes turn to it. They showed different reactions to seeing the man who had set foot in their classroom.

“He’s very handsome. Who is he?” Carla fixed her eyes on him, smiling as if she saw an angel. “Is he your boyfriend, ma’am?”

I anticipated this to happen; some students would not recognize him. The new president was very private that there was no single picture of him on the Internet.

“He’s not—“

“Good morning, seniors!” he greeted them in his normal yet appealing voice.

“Good morning, sir!” they greeted back.

I pursed my lips as his face remained impassive.

“Oh, God! He’s hot!” I heard someone whisper from the first row on the right side.

Silently praying that he did not hear her, I cleared my throat to divert their attention to me.

“Class, he’s not a visitor. He’s our president,” I corrected them, resulting in mixed reactions.

A sheepish smile crept across Carla’s face as she stood up. Turning her face to Mr. Agrezor, she then closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“For what?” he asked, confused.

Carla rubbed the back of her neck and looked at me. I signaled her to take a seat, and she obeyed. Mr. Agrezor sat on the vacant chair in the first row, dark brows furrowed as he watched me doing nothing at the front.

“All right, class!” I started and looked away.

While most of the students were all ears as I gave them task instructions, some students could not take their eyes off him.

Leaving the room, Mr. Agrezor walked next to me. “I heard a guy student say you complete his day.”

I stopped in my tracks, as did he. Looking up at him, I knew he was up to something telling me that.

“I just want to remind you of the code of ethics, Ms. Escobar,” he said, lips curling into a cold smile.

“I’m well aware of it, sir.”

Ignoring what I said, he resumed walking. “Watch your actions. Don’t get into situations that will ruin your career and reputation.”

I tried to keep pace and looked at his face, trying not to clash with him.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Oh? So you’re aware that you ruined our family.”

“I didn’t ruin your family,” I said firmly, unable to control my emotions.

“I didn’t turn a blind eye to what you had with him. He cheated on my mom because of you. You disgust me, Ms. Escobar.”

I gripped my skirt with a trembling hand, but it was no use. “Do you have proof? You’re making baseless accusations, Mr. Agrezor.”

“I have proof.”

We went into the function hall, and I stopped before the stage. Trying to look fearless, I stared into his eyes and held out my hand. “Where? Show me.”

He took a step forward and stared back at me. “Bank transactions, photographs, and messages on his phone. Aren’t those enough proofs?”

Giving him a faint smile, I shook my head and dropped my hand to my side. “Those are insubstantial evidence. Are you sure you read the whole text thread?”

“Everything I read is enough,” he argued strongly and came closer to me, eliminating the distance between us. “So be careful, Ms. Escobar. You might lose your job any time.”

“You’re so unfair,” I exclaimed. “I hate you, Mr. Agrezor!”

“Fair enough,” he replied.

Pushing him forcefully in the chest, his back hit the wall, eyes twinkling at my impulsive behavior.

He walked past me and looked around the hall like nothing had happened.

“Go back to your class; I don’t need your company anymore.”

Looking up at the crystal chandelier, I successfully controlled my tears. Without any words, I left him in the function room alone.

It was dismissal time when I received a text from Faerie.

Faerie:

I’m in the parking. Where are you?

Me:

Walking in the hallway.

Faerie:

Okay. Let’s go to the mall before I drive you home.

I slid my phone into my pocket and walked faster. I immediately ran in the direction of her car, making sure that I would not bump into someone I despised.

“Are you running away from someone?” Faerie handed me a tissue, watching me with her eyes expressing confusion.

While I was buckling up, she started the engine, still waiting for my answer.

“It’s impossible to avoid him in this school,” I said.

“Enlighten me. Who are you talking about?”

“Aegeus Agrezor,” I sighed and looked at her.

“What happened?” With worried eyes, she held my chin and glanced at me.

“He’s the worst of all. I hate him to the core,” I snapped.

Listening attentively to everything I told her, I knew she was starting to hate him too.