CHAPTER 1: INTENSE DESIRE OF MR. MONTGOMERY

Via

I groaned as the sound of constant knocking cut through my fogginess. Blinking away the sleepy feeling, I raised my head and peered around. No way, not again. After another wild night out, I passed out in my car.

The knocking persisted, louder this time, waking me up even more. I let out a heavy sigh and looked at the source of the noise, expecting the worst.

And there he was, my older brother Christian, with a look of obvious irritation.

Ugh!

"Morning," I murmured, my voice scratchy from too much sleep and alcohol.

"Morning?" Christian responded incredulously, his arms folded tightly across his chest. "Via, it's almost noon. What are you doing sleeping in your car like this? And who's that guy?" he asked, pointing a finger at the person beside me.

I winced at his sharp tone, feeling both guilty and embarrassed. "Lost track of time—"

"You're arguing so early. Can't you do it later?" Justin, my boyfriend, quipped, his eyes flashing.

"Justin?" my older brother said in disbelief, swiftly moving to the other side of the car. "Open the door," he commanded firmly, a command I immediately obeyed. My eyes widened as he suddenly pulled Justin out of the car. "If you involve my sister in your mischief one more time, you'll be in big trouble with me," my brother said without emotion, then promptly got into the car.

Christian let out a frustrated sigh, his anger turning into worry. "Stop with this bullshit, Via. This can't go on forever. We've tried to understand you since Mom was gone, but this is too much. You're ruining your life."

My anger rose to the surface at his words. "Really? I’m already 23 years old, I know what I’m doing. And what about you, huh?" I shot back, my tone harsh. "Always acting as the ideal son, the responsible one just to have Dad on your side? Pathetic!"

Christian paused, startled by my quick outburst. “Via, this isn’t about me,” he started, but I cut him off.

"Isn't it?" I replied, my words driven by anger. "You're there all the time, doing great things. Meanwhile, I'm the failure and disappointment."

"That's not true," Christian protested, his voice pleading. "I only want the best for you."

I snapped, my chest bursting with emotion. "Yeah, well, maybe I don't need you to save me. Maybe all I need is for you and Dad to accept me just the way I am."

The air was heavy with the weight of our words, and silence fell between us. He was right; since Mom was gone, the sweet little Via had faded away. But I didn’t want to sulk in my room all the time, so I was trying to distract myself. But I realized how much I had pushed them away with my fears.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, the anger leaving my body as swiftly as it had come. "I didn't mean..."

"It's alright," Christian whispered, his gaze softening as he extended his hand to pat my shoulder. "We'll work this out together. Come on, let's get you home and sober up right away. Dad has been worried sick."

...

With a pounding headache from last night, I stumbled into the kitchen. The sight of our cozy kitchen made me feel better, and I headed straight for the fridge to get some greasy food to settle my stomach.

However, as soon as I pushed open the door, my appetite vanished instantly. Sitting at the table, laughing over a couple of beers and a bucket of wings, were my dad and our handsome neighbor, Alexander Montgomery. I had admired him since he moved into the neighborhood, But I'm just unlucky because he's already married, and what's even more unfortunate is that he's Justin's stepdad.

The scene in front of me made me freeze in the doorway, my heart pounding. My dad, normally quiet and aloof, was laughing loudly with my crush. What was he doing here anyway? Oh, right! It’s my dad’s birthday today. I almost forgot.

"There you are, sweetheart," my dad said, his smile widening as he saw me. "Do you want to join us for some wings?"

I faked a grin. "No thanks, Dad. I'm not hungry."

My crush, with his attractive smile and easygoing demeanor, chuckled at my response. "Come on, Via. Don't be shy. There are plenty of wings for everyone."

Despite feeling a whirlwind of emotions, I forced myself to smile politely. "Maybe later, Mr. Montgomery. Anyway, Dad, before I forget to greet you, happy birthday..." I murmured and smiled at him, then quickly left the kitchen before they could press me any further.

…

Alexander

I was that kid who never had to worry about getting what I wanted as I grew up. Using my family's wealth for my own gain just seemed natural. Being the favorite son among my three brothers was a blast. With plenty of houses and cars to pick from, life felt pretty sweet. But then came the regrettable choice of marrying my ex-wife, Amanda.

Just hearing her name gives me a headache. Even though she's 39, way older than me, she acts like a child. And now, she's seeing other men.

It wouldn't be fair for me to blame her. I can't pretend it is. I'll admit, I'm not perfect. Amanda eventually got her act together and left me with her son, who wasn't even mine. Another responsibility I shouldn't have had to shoulder after she left.

I'm just 28 years old. This isn't what I signed up for. At that moment, I could've been furious, but my guilt made me believe I deserved it.

Justin, her son.

He used to be such a studious kid, never missing a day of school and always bringing home straight A's. A real model student. But he changed after his mom left. Instead of hitting the books, he started hitting the party scene, meeting new girls every night.

I won't deny it—her leaving hurt me too. And to add insult to injury, my older brother snagged all my shares in every company that very same day.

Why? Well, in his own caring way, my dad decided to strip me of everything to impart a lesson. He wanted me to learn the value of hard work and finding joy in genuine things before he'd consider giving anything back.

At first, I thought it was some sick joke. I expected to wake up the next day and have it all back, but that never happened. Days turned into months, and months turned into years, yet I still hadn't regained even a fraction of what I once had.

Out of the blue, my dad showed up to check on my progress.

For three and a half years, I struggled to find something meaningful. I came close to giving up; I'd tried everything. Nothing around me held my interest, and Amanda took every chance to get under my skin.

Then I saw her. She's the daughter of a former workmate and neighbor.

"Maybe later. Anyway, Dad, before I forget to greet you, happy birthday..." she said and immediately left. Her dad started mentioning things, but my attention was already on her.

She's in a tank top and sweats, no makeup, her hair pulled back with a purple elastic band. At that moment, a peculiar, immediate emotional link sparked between us.

She was truly stunning. The longer I gazed at her, the more she seemed to radiate beauty. Her luscious black, wavy hair and those mesmerizing hazel eyes captivated me. The impact I had on her stirred up the most illicit thoughts in my mind.

Her hardened ni**les against her top didn't help. Her breasts appeared ample, more than enough to fill my hands. The sweat made her tank top translucent, revealing tantalizing glimpses beneath.

It was wrong. She was around the same age as my stepson.

Feeling this intense desire for her was just not right. 

I could only blame it on the fact that it had been a while since I'd been intimate. Yeah, that's the reason. That's why my gaze lingered on her shapely backside as she walked away. That's why I entertained thoughts of tearing away the ordinary fabrics she wore and placing her over the chilly kitchen counter. That's why I yearned to hear her moans, loud enough to pierce through the stillness of the house. 

Fuck! What am I even thinking?

I quickly snapped back to reality when my phone suddenly rang. Stepping out of Via's house, I checked the caller ID.

"Unknown," If it's Amanda again, I swear I'll lose it.

"What do you want, Amanda?" I answered, annoyed.

"Whoa there, buddy. I'm not Amanda, but hello anyway," the voice on the other end said, and I recognized it immediately.

It had been so long since I heard from this person.

"Hell no, Nathaniel?" I laughed in surprise. "Bro, what a surprise." I headed out to the backyard.

"Hey Alexander, how's it going?" he asked, and I heard some noises in the background.

"Good, good," I replied. "What's with the sudden call?" I settled into one of the outdoor chairs.

"Right, I'm calling about a job opportunity," Nathaniel says, and I raise an eyebrow.

"Okay, spill it. What's the job?" Maybe a fresh start and not being alone in the house so much could be good.

"I'm the new principal at Woodbridge University. Since you live nearby, I thought you might be interested in teaching math. We need a Pre Calculus teacher," he explains, and I mull over the idea.

Is it a good idea to work at the same school where my stepson and the girl I have feelings for attend?

"Yeah, count me in," I respond confidently, deciding to take the chance without hesitation.

"Great. The meeting is at 7:30 sharp, just before the school bell rings. See you there on time," Nathaniel says before ending the call.

Me, teaching math? Me, working in the same school as my stepson and Via? Who would've thought? Who would've guessed I'd be this close to Via yet feel so distant? Close enough to see her, but not close enough to reach out and touch her.