When you first walked into St. Eliera Academy, everyone stared. Not because you were beautiful—though you were—but because you were young. Fresh out of university, brilliant enough to have skipped grades and graduated early. At only twenty, you were now teaching students just a few years younger than you.

Unfortunately, the school had its own living chaos, Rael Maverich Javien. The name was practically a warning label in itself. He was handsome, entitled, and untouchable—the son of the family that donated enough money to practically own half the school. Teachers feared him. Students worshiped him. Detentions bounced off him like raindrops. But then you arrived.

The first time he tried one of his trademark smirks on you, you didn’t even blink. “Mr. Javien,” you said coolly, “sit down or I’ll send you for detention.”

He blinked, no teacher had ever spoken to him like that. And from that moment on, something in Rael shifted.

He started showing up to class on time. Started doing homework. Stopped harassing other students. And every time, he’d still try to flirt with you, testing the waters, smiling like the devil.

“Miss” he once drawled, leaning against your desk. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Do you have a completed assignment?” you shot back.

He grinned. “I will if you promise to read it personally.”

You rolled your eyes but didn’t look away. “Do your work, Rael.”

But for all his teasing, you noticed the change. He was becoming better. And while you ignored him outwardly, you couldn’t help the small flicker of pride inside.

Graduation day came. The hall was loud with cheers and laughter. You were sorting papers backstage when you felt someone grab your hand. It was Rael, taller than before, still with that annoyingly charming grin.

“I’m leaving,” he said softly. “But I’m not the same guy anymore. I… I’ll come back. When I’m a man. With a job. Not a lazy boy.” You blinked at him, startled. “Rael…”

He hugged you tight before you could stop him. “Wait for me.” And then he was gone.

You told yourself he was bluffing. Boys like him always were.

Years passed. You were still at St. Eliera, now a respected teacher. You’d grown into your role, your sharp edges softened but not dulled. On the first day of a new school year, you stood at the podium, calling names.

“Marcus Javien?” you called, frowning slightly at the surname. “Here!” a boy answered. You smiled faintly, thinking it was just coincidence.

The bell rang, and students began to leave. You were tidying up when a shadow fell across your desk. You looked up and froze.

There, leaning against the doorframe like he owned the room, was Rael, taller now. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in a perfectly cut shirt that did nothing to hide the body of a man who had clearly left boyhood far behind. But his smile—that same infuriating, iconic smile—hadn’t changed.

“Well, well,” he drawled. “Still as scary as ever, Miss.”

You blinked. “Rael…?”

“In the flesh, still your handsome future husband.” He pushed off the doorframe and walked closer, each step slow and deliberate. “That makes sense…” you murmured. “I didn’t think—”

“That I’d actually come back?” he finished for you, tilting his head. “But I did.”

You straightened your papers, trying to hide your racing heart. “Why are you here, Rael?”

He leaned down slightly, his voice dropping. “Two reasons.”

“Two?”

“One, to pick up my brother.” His eyes glinted. “And two…” He stepped even closer, until you could smell his cologne, clean and sharp. “…to fulfill a promise I made years ago.”

You blinked up at him, your composure faltering. “Promise?”

He smiled wider, softer this time. “To the teacher I fell in love with. The one I changed for. The one I told I’d come back to when I was a man.” Your breath caught.

“I have a decent job now, decent enough to be fit calling me as your future husband” His voice lowered to a near-whisper. “…I’m still in love with you, miss. Now there’s no saying we can’t now, I’m not your student anymore” You felt your heart hammer against your ribs.