Secret Out: The Lustful Whisper

Critic Teacher

"Let me remind you of the rules again. Number one, the boss here is your Critic Teacher. Whatever they say, you do it. No questions asked. Next, you should be in your proper condition and attitude. You are carrying the school's name here. You should be mindful of your actions. Thirdly, be a teacher that inspires the students to learn, not to hate learning. You are a teacher, act like one. Before I say that last, do you understand everything yet?"

Everyone answered a little 'yes'. They were kindly listening to their adviser as if it was something crucial that they needed to survive in an apocalyptic world.

"And lastly, no romance in the school. Not teacher to student, and most especially not student teacher to critic teacher, which in fact is the most common problem that happens in this kind of internship. Do you-"

"Sir! I'm so sorry, I'm late!"

Everyone looked back and saw Keila running toward them. She looked stressed in the very early morning, and with her still dripping wet hair, they could infer that she had just woken up.

"Typical Keila," one of her classmates said.

"Keila, stop bringing your tardiness until here. That's so unprofessional. It's so embarrassing if that's the kind of impression you'll leave."

Keila, who was still catching her breath, clasped her hands in apology. "I'm sorry, sir. I forgot to set my alarm."

She overslept because she was busy at work last night. She was so exhausted that as soon as she came home, she made a beeline to her bed and fell straight into deep slumber, forgetting that the next day was the start of another internship.

Their adviser just clicked his tongue. "Come on, I'll send you now to Principal Hermosa. Make sure you look proper and smart, especially you, Keila."

Keila frowned but still fixed herself. She was blaming her alarm for not ringing when she needed it the most to wake her up, hence, ending up almost late. Just 'Almost' since they were still outside the school and had not started meeting the teachers yet.

"What did I miss?" she asked her classmate, Eloisa, as she clung to her arm.

Her adviser didn't repeat the rules again for her. He just dismissed them and beckoned them to follow him to the Principal's office where, apparently, the teachers were already waiting for them to be deployed.

Eloisa just shrugged and shook her head. "Nothing important."

Keila nodded and looked around. The school was just the typical spacious public school with a lot of high school students lurking around. She didn't know yet what grade she would be assigned to, but she didn't mind any. She could handle a class very well. She was awarded the Best in Demo back in her internship on-campus, so it wouldn't be much different.

When they arrived at the principal's office, the teachers were already waiting for them. Their adviser immediately changed into his friendly mien and greeted the Principal with the utmost respect. Keila also did the same with her classmates.

There were about twenty-five teachers from different subject departments. Keila couldn't entirely see their faces since she was at the back and was just looking down and merely listening.

"These are the future teachers from our school, Highlands University. There are twenty-five student-teachers consisting of 7 English Majors, 7 Science Majors, 6 Math majors, and 5 History Majors. I entrust these future teachers to you and I hope they get to learn a lot about their reality in teaching here."

"We'll make sure they'll be molded right, sir," the Principal replied kindly. "Anyways, the critic teachers are here as well and ready to be hands-on. Shall we assign them now?"

The deployment started, and Keila became keen on whoever would be assigned to her. She didn't know which was which among these teachers. All that she knew, they all looked professional.

"Psst, Kei. Someone kept looking at you," Eloisa said, pointing at the other side where the teachers were.

Keila raised her brow at her friend as she traced where she was pointing her hand subtly. It wasn't hard to see who it was—those eyes, she had encountered them before, not so long ago. Her heart almost dropped as she paled. Hell no...

"Keila Cervantes?" the Principal's voice called her name, but she couldn't focus now. "We have no more vacant woman English teacher, so I hope you don't mind working with Sir Daevid Vasquez. This is him."

Keila's nightmare stepped in front and smiled at them. She heard silent squeals and excitement, and not-so-loud comments about how handsome and hot this teacher was. He was an innocent charmer, unlike the last time she saw him at the bar where he was just free and explicit.

Keila felt a strong nudge on her arm, snapping from her thoughts and the flashback of that night that never failed to still turn her on. She realized that almost everyone was already looking at her spacing out. She immediately silently apologized and went in front as well to 'meet' her now Critic Teacher.

"I'm Keila Cervantes, sir. I hope we work well together," she greeted shyly, stretching her hand for a handshake.

"It's nice to know your name, Ma'am Keila." Daevid grinned and accepted her hand. It was firm and he even squeezed it twice. His words obviously had a double meaning, but Keila was sure she was doomed. "You'll learn a lot from me, don't worry."

Keila stared at him. This was her nightmare—her real life meeting the people she met in her double life at the bar. She didn't know how to act, and she felt like anytime, his mouth would open to spread the rumor about her.

"Get to know each other late. Let's get to Math majors..."

Keila immediately took her hands away and went back to her place earlier. She could still feel the eyes staring at her. She said before that she was already used to those, but this time was different. It was like she was under investigation, it was pressuring, it was making her conscious.

Daevid Vasquez was a good actor. He could smile, talk to the other teachers, and act professionally, but at the same time, he was staring at her. He didn't even falter upon seeing her, in fact, even looked thrilled that he saw her again. After that night last week, even though he gave them his number, she never texted him. Their connection was done, he had a taste of her lips, and that was all, no more repeat.

After the introduction and deployment, they were asked to come with their CT. Keila followed Daevid and the other teachers. Thankfully, no one asked about the weird tension between them. She couldn't imagine now being left alone with Daevid. What would he say? How would he treat her? Would he blackmail her to spread her job just like in movies?

"I have a class right now. Come with me and observe first. I will handle four sections. You'll meet them all today."

Keila nodded and avoided his eyes. Daevid was professional, and since he was a teacher, she probably had nothing to worry about. One more thing, he seemed pretty well-known in the school and among young girls.

"Hi, Sir Daevid!"

"Good morning, Sir Daevid."

She was walking side by side with him. The classes were already starting in all of the classrooms they walked by, so she bet they were already late. But there were still students who would greet Daevid loudly as if he was some sort of a celebrity.

"I see you're famous here," she told him when another class fussed about him passing by. "Are you a secret celebrity or something?"

Daevid glanced at her and chuckled. "Just most of the students' favorite English teachers."

Keila stopped herself from scoffing. She knew for sure it was because he was handsome and even young girls were crushing on him. She couldn't blame them, though. She also found him extremely attractive, but it increased ten times more upon experiencing how much of a good kisser--

No, no. She also had to be professional. She had to get her mind out of the gutter!

"We're here."

The class became loud when Daevid came in, but it instantly died down with just one hand gesture telling them to sit. It was awesome to watch. He could effectively control kids without any words.

"Good morning, class." The class greeted him back enthusiastically. "As you can see, I have with me my Student-Teacher Ma'am Keila Cervantes. She will be your temporary teacher in English-"

"Are you leaving, sir?" the others asked, looking like they would already cry. "No, don't leave."

"I won't, don't worry. I know you'll be kind to her, right?"

Keila smiled at the junior high students as they also enthusiastically greeted her. It was smooth and it also went well, meeting the other four classes. Daevid had some sort of power to manipulate all of them as he could instantly make them follow his words. It was fascinating.

After meeting all of the class, they were left alone again as they went to the faculty. The faculty he was situated in was small. There were only three tables, as if they were isolated. And that also meant that it would be frequent when they were left alone together.

"Please, sit, Miss Cervantes," Daevid said, pointing at the swivel chair next to his table. "I'll give you my schedule so you'll be aware. I will also provide you with a copy of all the lessons to teach for the class. Also, I handle the basketball team at the school every day after my last class, but you don't need to attend that. Do you have any questions perhaps?"

"Nothing much," she replied meekly. She already knew what she would do.

"Good. So this is the schedule and the..."

Keila was just merely staring at Daevid while he spoke. For some reason, her eyes always went down to his pink lips and the memories of that night. She never wanted anything to be repeated before than now, especially not with her make-out sessions. But with Daevid...

She was intrigued by the difference he posed in how he was at that time at the bar and now. There seemed to be a certain negative emotion at that time, while now, he seemed more vibrant.

"Miss Cervantes, are you listening?"

She batted her eyes and realized that she was again deep in her thoughts. But her eyes widened upon finding out that Daevid's face was so close to her, and... he was also looking at her lips.

Keila knew she should move. Anytime soon, there could be a student or a teacher who would join the faculty, but she didn't. She could even smell Daevid's fresh mint breath because of how close they were. Her heart was beating loudly, and something was urging her to move forward to let their lips meet, just like the last time.

Daevid moved a little, making their noses bump. Keila met his eyes, seemed to be asking for permission, and instead of answering verbally, she just closed her eyes. She felt his breath hitting her lips, and they were centimeters away from kissing when the phone rang.

They immediately jumped away from each other in surprise. Keila looked away and pretended to fix herself while Daevid immediately looked around, thinking someone was there. But it was just his phone.

Daevid immediately took his phone and stared at it for a second before looking at her. "Excuse me for a second. I'll just answer this."

"Uh, sure. I'll just... look for my other classmates."

Keila walked to the door and went out of the faculty room, but not without hearing him answer the call.

"Hello, baby?"