"Do you have a pair of scissors?" Frank asked Mariely.
"I'll do it. And I'll just cut it like this," she replied quickly.
"What are we doing with these?" he asked.
Mariely scratched her head and handed him the scissors. "Just cut the edges here," she said, pointing to the lines on the certificate.
He simply nodded. "Okay."
She really hated bringing work home. It always made her feel anxious that she might not finish it. But tonight, she stayed behind to organize her room after working with her students earlier. Since it was getting dark, she sent them home and continued finishing the certificates by herself.
They worked silently, cutting the certificates she planned to give out tomorrow.
She was really proud of her students.
I hope they keep working hard on their studies.
"You're handling the last section, right?" Frank suddenly asked.
She nodded.
"Mom's aware of this?" he asked again.
"Yes. She told me to let the kids join the recognition. Besides, they worked really hard," she replied.
"You really love your students, don't you? You're practically giving your life to them—even after what happened to you," he said, shaking his head.
"Well, that's how it is. You have to love the profession you studied for," she replied. "And… teaching is fulfilling."
She was caught off guard. She realized she was actually chatting with him now.
Is he actually being decent today? she thought to herself.
She glanced at him—he looked serious as he carefully trimmed the edges of the certificate, which turned out to be the last one.
"What?" he asked when he caught her staring.
"Did something possess you today? You're being suspiciously nice," she teased.
"I've always been nice," he said, handing her the finished certificate. "All done."
"Thanks."
She signed the certificate. She'd have it signed by the school head first thing tomorrow.
"Your mom's always up early, isn't she?" she asked while still signing.
"Yeah, she's always early," he replied casually.
She nodded. "All done."
She packed up her things and placed the finished certificates in a brown envelope.
"I'll wait for you outside."
Outside? she thought. The area outside was already dark, and she didn't want to walk to the faculty room alone to get her stuff.
"H-Hey, wait," she called after him.
He looked at her, confused. She was a bit embarrassed to admit she was scared. "What? I need to go outside anyway. There are streetlights," he said.
"C-Can you walk with me to the faculty room? I just need to grab my things," she said. She already knew he'd tease her afterward.
"Fine," he replied shortly.
"T-Thanks," she mumbled.
He waited outside her classroom so she could switch off the lights. As she did, a chill ran down her spine—but she tried to stay calm.
He was still waiting outside. She carried the envelope with the certificates—she'd store it properly later. They made their way to the faculty room.
"I'll just be quick; please wait," she said to him.
He nodded. She placed the envelope on her desk and gathered the rest of her belongings so she could go home. She locked the faculty room behind her.
"Shall we?"
"Yeah." They walked side by side.
If he hadn't come to my room, I probably would've sprinted down the hallway just to get out of the school quickly, she thought.
They reached the gate, where the guard was stationed. She greeted him politely. Frank walked quietly to the car, and she followed.
It was almost 7 p.m.
She messaged her parents to let them know. Then she turned to Frank.
"Aren't you hungry? My treat," she offered.
He laughed. "Really? But… I'd rather eat something else."
"You're so annoying! I was going to treat you and—"
She didn't finish. He kissed her, surprising her.
"Really? You're still not used to me kissing you?" he said with a smirk.
She was stunned, eyes locking with his. He kissed her again—and she responded, as always. Their kisses always felt intense and passionate.
The feeling was so familiar—like her body and heart had already memorized this. She wrapped her arms around him.
"F-Frank, please… We should go home now," she whispered after the kiss.
"But I still want to kiss you, Mariely," he said softly—then leaned in again, completely devouring her lips. She didn't resist—she gave in to his deep, burning kiss once more.
She held him tightly, and again, they stared into each other's eyes, sharing a kiss that only the two of them understood.
"Let's go. We still need to eat," he whispered into her ear.
Her cheeks flushed. She nodded.
They sat together at a local grill. And the longer they spent time together, the more she began to accept what she was feeling for this man.
She was falling for him—again.
Ever since they crossed paths again, her heart had been confused. She didn't know whether to fight her feelings or give in.
After dinner, Frank drove her home. Before she could get out of the car, he kissed her again—and she kissed him back.
She felt like she was being trapped in that kiss.
But she held herself back.
"Take care," she said gently.
"Yeah, you too."
She walked away quickly, trying to calm her racing heart. She was finally home.
****
"Ely, you're home late tonight," her older brother asked.
"Ah… I just had to finish something at school, brother," she replied.
"Really? School? Or were you with Frank again?" he asked immediately.
She was startled by the question. "W-We didn't see each other today."
"Didn't see each other? So you do meet up?"
"Gill, why don't you let your sister eat first?" their mother said with a sigh.
He didn't press further. "Have you eaten?" he asked gently.
She nodded. He looked her in the eyes and brushed her hair away from her cheek.
"Were you with Frank?" he asked, calm but firm.
She didn't answer.
"Fine. I'll let it go… if you really love that… man," he said. "I'm always here for you, no matter what happens."
She gave him a tight hug. He couldn't help it—he'd seen this before. She had always loved that man, even if he'd once succeeded in erasing the memories.
But what could he do against the heart? Once it decides, nothing can stop it.
"Are you and Frank dating now?" he asked.
"Please don't lie to me, Mariely," he added softly.
"I— It's not like that, brother. He just… walks me home. Does that count as dating?" she asked.
I knew it. I knew he was the one bringing her home.
He hugged his sister even tighter.
"He kissed you, didn't he?" He asked again.
She was stunned but slowly nodded. "M-Many times," she admitted.
"So that's why you've been crying sometimes?"
She nodded again.
"No matter what happens… no matter what situation you find yourself in… I'll always be here for you, okay?" he reassured her.
"Y-You're not angry?" she asked, teary-eyed.
He kissed her on the forehead. "Go change your clothes. We'll talk after."
She nodded and went to her room.
He couldn't stop what was coming anymore. He wouldn't even be surprised if one day they ended up in a relationship again.
He was scared—scared that she'd be hurt again… by the same man.
He remembered how hard she cried when Frank broke up with her.
She loved deeply. That was what scared him most.
Gods, what should I do? he asked himself silently. What should I do now?
He already saw what was coming. And deep down, he feared that his sister was falling—once again—for the same man who once shattered her.