Chapter 3

Maximus’ Point of View

For the love of anything that was holy.

Here I thought being a teacher was all easy and I’d come out smelling like a rose.

Turns out, it was more like horses dung.

I had never in my life thought teenagers were this rowdy and rambunctious, shameless even. Take the Sophomores for example. All throughout the period, I was getting snickers and snide remarks throughout the entire time and I passed it as them being annoying. When the class ended, a girl with thick frame glasses ripped something on my back and showed the note to me. One on my students had the audacity to discreetly slap a paper behind my back that said ‘This belongs to Carrie now’ with an arrow pointing downward. I guess that was meant for my ass.

I could only say it was a mixture of embarrassment and amusement.

The day was a myriad of unexpected things and when the day ended, I was eager to go home in anticipation of Fern's surprise.

I swung the front door open and yelled,"Babe, I'm home."

The house was dim and the only light source were the scented candles in various shapes and sizes placed in a glass container placed on a specific area; on the floor, on the table, on the staircase - emphasizing for me to follow to where it was leading to. The rest of the house was dark so it was obvious she didn't want me to go wayward. There were rose petal trails on it as well.

Curious at the same time excited, I followed the trail only to end up at our bedroom door.

I opened it and my breath caught in my throat.

There, my gorgeous Fern was sitting at the edge of our bed, crossed legged wearing the sexiest lingerie I had ever seen. The top was a corset, black and decorated with lace on the top edge of the material and on the bottom as well. Her panties were black and lacy too and it made my heart jump a mile high at how beautiful she looked.

Reluctantly breaking away from the sexy angel in front of me, I looked around the room to see that it was lit with candles as well. Rose petals were strewn across the floor creating a romantic ambiance.

I was still rooted on the floor, taking everything in when Fern spoke-more like purr if you asked me-to get my attention."Happy 2nd year anniversary, honey."

I blinked. Did I just space out? Ah hell. "Uh...happy, " I gulped,"2nd year anniversary babe." Now I sound like a complete moron.

She giggled and got up from the bed and sauntered sexily towards me, swishing her hips side to side like a temptress. She grabbed my hand and led me to the table where there was a bucket. In it was a bottle of Cristal champagne - might I add an expensive one to boot- nestled in between the crushed ice. She grabbed the bottle and popped the cork and the champagne oozed out spilling on the floor. She grabbed two flute glasses and poured one of each then handed me a glass.

She raised her glass to make a toast. "To us."

I smiled. "To us," then clinked the glass to hers and downed the drink in one gulp.

Fern giggled. "Easy tiger."

Placing the glass on the table, I wrapped my arm around her slim waist and raised my eyebrows, smirking lightly at her. "So, this is your surprise?"

She nodded and placed her flute on the table then faced me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, moving even closer. "Uhuh. I left early at work for this. Do you like it?"She asked, biting her lower lip.

I leaned in to bite her lower lip to pull it out. "I don't like it. I love it," I mumbled into her lips.

She giggled. "Good. How was work?"

I sighed."Dreadful. A lot of teenage girls had been hitting on me left and right."

She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Should I be worried that a teenage girl is going to steal my man from me?"

I chuckled. This woman was too funny for words."You don't have to worry about that Fern. I only have eyes for you."

All of a sudden, her playful demeanor vanished and was replaced with a serious look that meant business. "Max," she started.

I smiled, stroking her cheek lovingly. "Yes, Fern?"

She took a deep breath then uttered the words that nearly knocked me off my feet. "I love you," then she quickly added, "You don't have to say it back. I just want to let you know," she said in a rush.

My heart skipped a beat. This was the moment I had to say it back. It was now or never and the only way to find out...

"I love you too," I closed my eyes and waited for the burn searing in my tattoo.

There, a slight burn, quite faint but it ended all too quickly, seared on my left chest. Was that a bad sign or a good sign?

I casted my eyes downward to my left chest, to where my tattoo was. I checked surreptitiously to see if it glowed and thankfully, my button up shirt was three buttons undone so my chest was still visible. I frowned when it flickered weakly, like a busted light bulb. Was that supposed to happen? Was that supposed to glow like that? Did the curse break that confession?

"Max?"

I snapped my head up and saw Fern looking at me in a strange way. "What are you doing?"

Oh crap. Quick, make up something."Uh, my chest felt itchy so I checked what caused the itch." I said coolly and shrugged. Wow Max, real smooth dumb ass.

She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Now that you said you love me back. Why don't you prove it." then cast her eyes down to my crotch. Oh you naughty girl.

I grinned. "With pleasure," I said with all eagerness and swooped her up in my arms. She giggled holding on to my neck, walking towards our bed then I laid her gently as I came to the edge of the bed.

I know I should be worried about the reaction of my tattoo. I had no idea what to expect but for now, I had this gorgeous woman in my arms who loved me with all that she had.

But at the back of my mind, there was this nagging feeling that something went wrong.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Second day on the job and so far, it was getting worse. Girls wouldn't stop at nothing even though I already had told them I had a girlfriend and it was tedious on my part to fend them off, in a polite manner without hurting their feelings.

It was now 4th period so I had English with the Seniors. As far as immaturity goes, they were the worst of the lot. It was quite true that the older you get, the immaturity level would downgrade to a kindergarten level. Okay, maybe that was too much of a description but it amused me to some degree.

The final bell had already rung a minute ago so I took this chance to settle the class down and did a roll call.

I was halfway through the list when the door banged open. That could only mean one thing.

Pandora was late. Again.

"I told you to hurry up Nate but nooo! You just have to stop by the bathroom." Pandora complained, out of breath yet again.

I heard a sigh then a voice that I hadn't heard for 21 years spoke. I froze. No, it couldn't be."I had to take a piss Panda. My bladder was about to burst you know and I can't hold it in."

"Yeah yeah, whatever Natie boy. You always have a lot of excuses. Now I'm going to get detention because of you."

I slowly turned my head to the door and saw the person who left me 21 years ago. My younger brother.

"Nathaniel," I said, above a whisper.

He was about to retort back to her but stopped, his body went rigid. Slowly, he turned his head to face me and there, undeniably, his eyes widened from shock.

My baby brother, Nathaniel, was here. He was really here, in front of me, staring back at me with shock.

He still had his boyish charm that had ladies, from old to young, go gaga as far as I could remember. His dark brown hair was now styled in a faux hawk in tune to the century's trend. His dark blue orbs, similar to mine-a telltale sign that we are indeed brothers-was still piercing, but somehow, that sparkle wasn’t there anymore. It was replaced with a hard glint, making it cold and icy. His physique, however, had changed dramatically. He used to be lean but now he was filled out, not beefy or burly, just enough.

Immortality had treated him well.

I cleared my throat, trying to cover up my moment of weakness. "You're late Pandora. You know what that means."

She hung her head in defeat. "Detention," she muttered with a sigh.

Composing myself as though my world hadn’t tilted off the axis, I spoke as nonchalantly as possible as I stared at Nathaniel. "You must be Nate. Pandora's sidekick as she proudly said it yesterday," I said, chuckling."My name is Max Townsend and I am your new English teacher."

Nathaniel snorted, making me raise my eyebrows. Was my baby brother giving me an attitude?

“Is there something wrong Mr. Adams?”

"Um, sorry sir. A fly flew inside my nose that's why I snorted to get it out," he explained with a one shoulder shrug.

Really now?

I sighed."Pandora and Nate, you will have detention with me after school. I don't tolerate tardiness in my class." I said sternly to both of them. I couldn't afford to show weakness in front of my brother, not after he gave me that attitude.

"But I have football practice after school!" Nathaniel cried, glaring at me with hatred. Now he was giving me that heated look? What did I do?

Two could play that game, brother. I smirked. "Too bad you have to miss it. Now take your seats. After the roll call, we can begin with the lesson."

Nathaniel shot me another glare then motioned Pandora to walk, heading to their seats.

This was going to be interesting.