"Pull it together, Mariely," she scolded herself as she faced her students. Despite the chaos in her mind, she had to be composed—especially in front of the children looking up to her now.
She quietly watched them. The students gazed back in silence. She sighed.
You need to smile. Don't drag them into what you're thinking about. That's your personal burden. She took a deep breath.
She forced a smile for the class, even though her mind was still in disarray from what happened the night before.
"Good morning, class!" She greeted cheerfully.
They greeted her back in return.
"No absences today?" she asked while checking the attendance.
The children shook their heads.
"That's good to hear," she smiled again.
"So, I have good news for you," she added, a spark in her eyes.
The students waited silently for her to speak.
"You had a removal exam, right? Well, I already received your math grades. Congratulations to everyone—no one failed. Your math teacher didn't complain either. And maybe tomorrow, you'll know who made it to the honor list."
Her students exchanged surprised looks.
"Oh? What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" she asked.
"Ma'am, we're just shocked. We're only in third year, and this is the first time we've heard of someone getting a 90 or above average," one of them said.
"So? What's wrong with that?" She chuckled lightly.
The student scratched their head, unsure of what to say.
"You should celebrate every progress you make. I can see that many of you may qualify for the pilot or top section next school year," she said warmly.
The class fell silent again.
"You know what? I'm proud of all of you," she added with a soft smile.
She needed to boost their self-confidence. As their teacher, who else would support them if not her? She didn't want them to end up like her—sometimes struggling to believe in herself.
"Alright, let's get started with the lesson," she said and stood up to begin the discussion.
After her class, she proceeded to another section. Once she finished teaching, she returned to the faculty room to work on the grade sheets. She had to get them done.
But then, yesterday's events came rushing back. Just when she thought she had forgotten, the memories returned—especially what he had said to her.
I will help you remember it. Those words echoed in her mind before he kissed her. She instinctively touched her lips, confused and shaken.
Her heart raced, her emotions spiraled—she couldn't understand why.
Is there something I'm supposed to remember? Did something happen between us? she asked herself.
No, no, no. That's impossible. You're just being emotionally manipulated, Faith. She tried to push away the thoughts.
But deep inside, something told her she was familiar with these feelings—especially when she was with Frank.
I need to avoid him. I'm scared, she whispered to herself as her mind unraveled.
She forced herself to focus on her work, ignoring the chaos inside her.
Suddenly, her phone rang. The number wasn't saved, which made her frown. She answered.
"Hello," came a man's voice. "It's me, your personal driver—Frank. Just text me if you don't have a ride."
Her heart beat faster upon hearing his voice. She remembered giving her number to his phone.
"Bye. Oh, and about yesterday… You didn't tell your brother I kissed you passionately? You're such a bad girl. Did you like it? Do you remember our little secrets before?" He even chuckled.
"I told you, I'll help you," he said.
She immediately ended the call without a word. She saved his number so she wouldn't answer next time. Her chest tightened. She didn't understand why it hurt so much.
Little secrets before? she wondered.
She remembered nothing. All she recalled was him insulting and belittling her.
"Faith, hey, hey!" someone called.
She turned. "V–Veron…" she muttered.
Veron frowned. "What's wrong? Are you feeling something?" she asked with concern.
She could barely breathe. Her emotions were overflowing but undefined.
"Faith?" Veron asked again, now visibly alarmed.
Meanwhile, Frank grinned after she ended the call. He looked around his office.
Will she be able to remember it? he wondered.
It's more fun to toy with a woman who has a past connected to me, he thought.
He waited for her text, but nothing came. He returned to his chair, glancing at his unfinished tasks.
He had to work—otherwise, his father would kill him. In the office, he wasn't seen as a son but as the company's vice-president.
He sighed. Time moved quickly as if it were racing.
He planned to pass by the school—maybe Mariely was still there and could ride with him.
He checked his phone—still no message.
Here I am, playing the good guy as her personal driver, he muttered, shaking his head.
He quickly left, deciding not to join Clover, who was surely off womanizing at the club. He drove to his mother's workplace.
When he arrived, he noticed a crowd. Curious, he got out and joined in.
Suddenly, he heard his mother's voice.
"Somebody, call the ambulance, quick! Please!" she shouted.
Alarmed, he pushed through the crowd.
"Ely!" Veron cried out.
When he reached them, he saw a woman collapsed on the ground, protectively clutching two children.
"Please, call the ambulance, now!" his mother commanded.
He rushed over and recognized the woman. Shock struck him—it was Mariely, unconscious and bleeding from her head.
"Frank! Take her to the hospital! We'll handle the kids!" his mother instructed.
"I'm coming too!" Veron quickly said.
He glanced at two young men—faces bruised, noses bleeding, clearly stunned by what happened.
"Excuse me, make way!" He called as he helped lift her.
He placed her in the backseat of his car. Veron followed, hugging the injured woman tightly, eyes welling with tears.
Frank drove in silence. Neither spoke—the events were too overwhelming. They headed to the nearest hospital, where nurses immediately took action.
Nadia looked surprised when their eyes met. She rushed to help upon seeing who the patient was.
Veron followed as Mariely was taken for treatment. Frank remained in the hallway, sitting in silence, trying to calm his racing thoughts.
Why did this happen to her? he wondered.