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Chapter 3

Mia erased the white board. She’d done a revision of last class’ topic and now she was handing out pop quizzes.

“I know none of you are happy about tests.” She felt the sadness creeping into her as she looked at their long faces. Motherhood had made her a hundred times more sensitive to children. “But I promise you that this test is just for me to see who understands and who don’t.”

There was no reaction. Their faces somber, “I promise I won’t record this grade as an official test result.” She made her way back to the front of the class after distributing the papers. A chorus of voices erupted in celebration. Mia heard a few, ‘thank God’s’.

“Settle down, now.” She waited for the class to return to silence. “We shall start in the next five minutes, however, there is to be no conversations with your neighbours.”

She warned. “Take this time to settle your thoughts.”

“Yes, Eva?” Mia noticed that Eva had her hand was raised.

“May I use the washroom before the test begins?” Eva questioned.

“Sure, please come up to collect the hall pass.” Mia rummaged through the second drawer on her desk and pulled out the laminated hall pass.

As Eva was about to take the pass from Mia’s fingers, there was a knock at the class door. Everyone in the classroom averted their gaze to the visitor. The door separating

Mia’s class from the corridors of the school was clear, allowing teachers to see visitors before allowing them in.

The hall pass fell from Mia’s hand and Eva exclaimed, “What in the world.”

“Do you know him?” Mia turned her attention to Eva.

“That’s my brother.” Eva couldn’t keep her eyes from him. The fact that he was at her school unnerved her. She glanced back at another student and groaned.

“I didn’t know you had siblings.” Mia couldn’t believe that she was seeing this same man for the second time in a week. Not that she was complaining. He wasn't bad to look at, not at all.

“Just one.” Eva picked the pass up from the table. “But he moved out from home a good few years ago so he hasn’t really been around.” Mia nodded as she got up from her desk to welcome the guest.

“Uh, Mrs. Evans?” Mia pulled Eva’s attention to her. “If he has any requests please deny.”

“I do not understand.” Mia noted Eva’s continued silence and walked over to the door. She pulled it open.

“Good day.” She found herself blinking back the stars in her eyes as she gazed up at him from her five feet two inches height. She knew she saw him before but in broad daylight he was magnificent, not to mention that this time her brain wasn’t swirling around. He wore a pinstripe suit that hugged his broad shoulders and muscled arms.

“I am here to see Eva.” He wavered to the side to spot his sister in the classroom, she was standing by the teacher’s desk. “I am her brother, Harvey Regal.” He shifted all of the bags he had into one hand and extended the other hand to the neatly dressed teacher. Her hair was bunched up at the back of her head and she appeared blank, no emotion flittered across her features. He found her entralling.

Mia took his hand in a firm hand shake. She hadn’t meant to lower her gaze to view the structure of his hands. Nor had she intended to appreciative the sight of them, perfectly sculpted with prominent veins. It would seem Harvey Regal was blessed by the Gods in the looks department.

“Yes, she has indicated her relation to you.” Mia signalled Eva and she found herself at the door with them.

“I can give you some privacy.” Mia was about to walk back to her class.

“Actually, I’d really like to use the washroom before.” Eva looked at her brother and back at Mia.

“Go on, I’ll wait.” Harvey prompted and Eva dashed off down the halls. He wouldn't mind a few more moments with the pretty teacher. If he'd known the faces here were this pleasing he was certain he would have visited long ago.

“I think we have briefly met, before.” She tried to fill in the awkward silence.

Fuck. Did he already sleep with her? Surely, he'd remember. Then again, he had to admit that he often forgot.

“I-I.” Harvey pushed through his mental cabinets and wondered if he had ever offended her. She did look at him disapprovingly and it would make sense. She was attractive, even behind all that conservative clothing, he could tell. And he tended to have sex with attractive women a lot.

“At a business party earlier this week, I bummed into you and you helped me up.” She clarified, the corner of her lip quirked upwards. His features instantly returned to relief and Mia grinned.

“You seemed as if you were about the faint.” She swallowed the laughter rising in her belly. Men were all the same, there was never a woman they hadn’t offended and his reaction guaranteed his fear.

A small chuckle reverberated from his chest. It was so odd witnessing a man laughing at his own transgressions instead of being offended at another's observation of it.

“I remember now.” He had regained his composure and he was all confidence again. Harvey was drawn to her face the moment she let expression through and he knew he'd always want to see her entertained. She had one of those faces that you loved to look at, it was mesmerizing once it was expressive. He found himself becoming immersed in her.

“It’s a huge coincidence, running into you again.” He said, clearing his throat and hopefully the awkwardness. He'd never been ashamed of his reputation. He was who he was. “Is your arm okay?”

Mia glanced at the arm in question. She’d been taking it easy during her workouts due to the impact against him. “It’s fine. I wanted to thank you.” She hadn’t gotten a chance that night.

“No need.” He waved off her apology. “Actually, I have a request.” He thought about this motive for a second, but he needed information. He glanced down the hallway to see if his sister was in sight. Mia gave him an encouraging look and he wondered if he should use it for a more depraved motive.

No. He had to stay on track. He came here to be a good brother, not to hit on the hot teacher.

“Eva has revealed to me that she has a close friendship with a boy in her class.” He began and Mia instantly knew the boy in question, she nodded as the information flew in her head.

“Is it possible for me to meet him?” he questioned, his eyes locked on hers and he flashed Mia his best smile. Harvey was self-aware enough to know that his looks and charm often gave him an advantage with women. Was it weird he found himself questioning whether it was working with Mia. He hoped it did. More than just for teh sake of information.

Mia folded her arms and narrowed her eyes on him. Eva’s request starting to make more sense to her. “If your object here is intimidation, Mr. Regal, I suggest you continue this attempt with another teacher during another class.” She understood over protective family and she encouraged it especially for Eva’s age. However, she couldn’t let a grown man intimidate a twelve year old. She couldn't let him intimidate her.

“Intimidation.” Harvey repeated the word, more shocked by the teacher’s rebuttal than anything else. “No, no.” He attempted to gather his thoughts, “It’s more of an introduction.” he leaned closer, his eyes lowering to glance at Mia's lips.

“I don-” Mia began speaking but the sight of Eva making her way back to the class caused her to refrain from anything further. She checked her watch.

“The test will begin in two minutes.” She said to Harvey as Eva walked up to him.

“I won’t stay.” He said, handing the bags over to Eva. “Lunch and some of your favourite snacks.” Her eyes lit up.

“I could get used to this.” She said.

“How about I take you to dinner tonight? We could make it a weekly affair.” He offered. The look on his sister’s face brought warmth to his heart. Their mother was right. Eva needed them and he had to make the effort for her so that she knew what she deserved. He also didn’t miss the look of approval on the teacher’s face. It was the first time he saw her fully smile and he somehow wished he could see more of it. Hell, he was a man of action. He knew he'd see more, he wanted to.

“Really?” she questioned and he nodded. She rushed back into class.

“It was nice meeting you Mr. Regal.” Mia was sending him off.

“So, that’s a no to meeting the kid?” he asked for clarification.

“Very solid no.” she nodded, her hand already on the door.

“Can I at least know who he is?” he asked.

Mia considered. “His name is Reggie and he is the boy sitting to the left of Eva.” Harvey leaned his neck to look at the boy. “If it helps, the school monitors any relationships we are aware of and I can tell you from my observation all they do is talk. They are more akin to best friends.”

“Really?” he furrowed his brows.

“I really must start my-” her voice trailed off at the sound of her phone vibrating. “Excuse me.” She muttered and answered.

“Wait, slow down. What happened?” Her tone set Harvey on edge. He knew he should have walked away and let her carry on with her phone call and her class, but he couldn’t leave.

He saw her chest expand, “I’ll be there in ten minutes.” She hung up the call.

“Dylon.” She called out to the class representative. “Please go to the office and let them know I am requesting a supervisor for the remainder of the class.” Dylon scurried off past Mia and Harvey.

“Who knows, the substitute may grant your wish to meet Reggie.” She joked. “If you’ll excuse me Mr. Regal, I have a few things to organise before I rush off.”

Harvey nodded as she walked back into her class. His eyes lingering on her before he decided to leave. This teacher has sparked his interest and not because of his sister. He wanted to see more of her, way more. Preferably, a less clothed version.

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