Even now, Mariely couldn’t stop thinking about what her brother and Nadia had said. Their words echoed in her mind, yet she didn’t have the courage to ask Nathan about it.

She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts heavy.

My brother worries about me too much… because I get weak around men.

She sighed, knowing it was true.

Talking to men—especially those her age or older—had always made her uncomfortable. Only her brother and father made her feel at ease. Even with her students’ fathers, she spoke as little as possible unless it was necessary.

Nathan understood her more than anyone. She managed only with childhood friends, yet she still couldn’t understand why it was so difficult for her.

I need to try… I need to learn, she thought. Nathan’s afraid I’ll fall for the wrong person.

But what if she really did fall in love?

Can I love someone… without losing myself?

The questions swirled in her mind until sleep finally claimed her.

*******

“Frank!”

Becca’s sharp voice jolted him awake.

He winced, rubbing his eyes. “Mom, relax,” he said with a sheepish smile.

She shook her head as she carried in grocery bags. “You’re acting like a child again.”

“I didn’t expect to see them at the supermarket,” he replied, trying to sound innocent.

“That doesn’t excuse your behavior,” Becca said firmly. “You’re stirring things up again. Behave, Zean.”

He shrugged and headed to his room, checking his phone. A message from his cousin popped up—an invitation to the bar. He declined.

He wasn’t in the mood.

His thoughts drifted back to Mariely.

Back in high school, she had been young and forgettable. But now—now she was Nathan’s sister. And that alone made things interesting.

The challenge.
The tension.
The history.

Frank smirked. This won’t be easy… but I’ll enjoy it.

The next morning, he spotted Nathan escorting Mariely to school.

He watched closely.

Nathan kissed her forehead before leaving, and Faith—Mariely—smiled softly. They looked less like siblings and more like a couple.

Frank chuckled under his breath. Nathan’s too attached. No wonder he’s overprotective.

He approached them with casual confidence.

“Good morning.”

Both turned in surprise. Mariely glanced quickly at Nathan, then looked away.

“Be careful,” Nathan said to his sister, deliberately ignoring Frank. “Wait for me this afternoon.”

She nodded quietly.

As she stepped forward, Frank shifted slightly, blocking her path.

“Excuse me,” she murmured, slipping past him and heading toward the building.

Nathan turned to leave, but Frank called out.

“Your sister’s grown up, Nathan. Why do you still treat her like a child?”

Nathan stopped but didn’t turn around. “She’s my sister. I’ll protect her—no matter what.”

Frank smirked. “So you won’t let any guy take care of her?”

“Especially not guys like you.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to prove I’m different,” Frank replied calmly.

Nathan turned back, stepping closer. “You’ve made a lot of women cry. If you hurt my sister again—I don’t care if we were classmates—I won’t forgive you.”

Frank laughed softly. “You know what happened back then. She and I had… a little thing. Maybe she forgot because you brainwashed her.”

Nathan’s eyes turned cold. “Don’t you dare mess with her again.”

Frank only smiled. “Let’s see how this plays out.”

Nathan didn’t reply. He walked away, got into his car, and drove off.

Frank watched until the car disappeared.

This is going to be fun, he thought. Let the game begin.

*******

At school…

“Good morning, class,” Mariely greeted as she entered.

Only a few students responded. The room was a mess.

She sighed. “Who was assigned to clean today?”

“It’s tiring to clean,” someone complained.

“Oh?” she raised an eyebrow. “So you think you’re too important to clean? Should I do it for you?”

“You’re the one who wants a clean room,” another student said rudely. “Then clean it yourself.”

Her patience thinned—until two familiar students stood up.

Neil and Rodel.

“We should clean,” Rodel muttered. “This room’s disgusting.”

She smiled faintly.

“I’m not doing this for you, Ma’am,” he added quickly. “It’s just really messy.”

“And if you don’t help,” Neil announced loudly, “you can’t enter the room. Anyone who does pays a hundred pesos.”

Groans filled the room, but slowly, students picked up brooms. Even Mariely joined them.

“You too, Ma’am?” Rodel teased.

She laughed. “Alright. I’ll help.”

Being called Ma’am still felt strange—but good. They finished quickly.

“Please keep it clean tomorrow,” she said. “The room looks brighter when it’s clean.”

“And because of that—you all get extra points.”

More groans followed.

“Yes, Ma’am. You’re so strict,” someone muttered.

She only smiled.

Later, Veron laughed when she saw the room. “Faith, your classroom was sparkling today.”

“We cleaned together,” Mariely replied.

“You’re really something else.”

They both laughed.

As Mariely waited outside, she reflected on her first week of teaching. It was exhausting—but fulfilling. She felt herself growing closer to her students.

I want to understand them, she thought.

“Come with me.”

She turned.

Frank. Again.

“I’m waiting for my brother,” she said carefully, stepping back.

He smiled. “I won’t force it. But next time—I’ll take you home myself.”

He waved and drove away.

A honk sounded behind her.

“Brother!” she called out happily.

“Sorry I’m late,” Nathan said. “Shall we go?”

She nodded and got into the car, relieved to head home.