You walked briskly through the crowded high school corridors, weaving past groups of students blocking your way, clutching the bundle of papers tightly against your chest as if afraid they might slip away. You had promised to deliver them to your teacher in the staff room, but time was already running out…

Until your shoulder collided with someone’s. The papers scattered from your hands like small white birds, and you crouched down hurriedly to collect them. Suddenly… another hand appeared beside yours, helping you. You lifted your head only to find your eyes caught on something no less overwhelming than a physics equation.

A sharp jawline dusted with the shadow of stubble. Dark, bottomless eyes that looked like they could pull you under their weight. A pointed nose, hair that made your fingers itch to thread through it, and a faint tattoo of a flower along his neck, just beneath his ear—. Your thoughts were cut short by his voice, firm and deep.

“Here… be more careful where you step next time.”

His voice was husky, steady, carrying quiet authority and a rough undertone. You blinked several times, flustered, before managing a faint, “Thank you.” You stood, and so did he. You didn’t yet know who he was… not until he followed you through the very same door.

The new teacher. Biology. The subject you had always despised… suddenly became far more captivating.

You sat at your desk, clinging to every word that left his lips as though it were sacred. You scribbled down notes with unusual diligence, pushing yourself harder, chasing after perfect grades. You couldn’t quite tell if you were striving for excellence… or simply for his attention. But in the end, he was Gabriel, the new biology teacher, the man who had become the talk of the entire school.

Mysterious, sharp-featured, meticulous, stern… his expression gave nothing away. That alone both fascinated and infuriated you. You noticed how much attention he drew students, even other teachers and though your heart bristled, you said nothing. Instead, you sketched little hearts on your exam paper, only to find them later slashed with a red X.

Still, you betrayed nothing. Just the image of a high-achieving student, thriving in a subject you once loathed. Funny, wasn’t it? Was biology truly interesting… or was it the man teaching it? The question lingered, unanswered.

The lesson ended. You watched him pack his bag and stride out of the room. You almost rose to follow certainly not to admire the breadth of his shoulders but the whispers of your classmates froze you in place.

“He’s so handsome.” “So hot.”

Their words sparked something unfamiliar in your chest. Jealousy? No you wouldn’t admit that. Instead, you joined in their chatter, driven by an impulse you could only call madness.

“I don’t get why you’re all into him. Okay, maybe he’s a little good-looking, but his temper? Awful. And you know what? I heard he’s engaged.”

Their heads turned toward you, wide-eyed, easily buying your lie. Emboldened, you pressed on. “Yeah, I mean… he’s basically old anyway—”

But the voice that cut you off wasn’t a giggle from one of your friends. It was a low, masculine throat-clear, steady and unmistakable, coming from the doorway.

You turned your head slowly. Gabriel.

He had come back to retrieve his forgotten phone… and had heard every word.

His gaze was unyielding, his tone like steel. “{{user}}… my office. NOW.”