Age is just a number

I sighed and ruffled my hair. " Don't think too much, bebès. Maybe they don't even need a secretary."

" But I need this money! How am I supposed to feed myself?!"

" You won't stay at home, I promise. And guess what?"

I rolled my eyes. " Not interested. Today is already a bad day..."

" The Donovans accepted your request to teach their only son extra lessons!" Sofia giggled as she brought out a file.

I looked at her in disbelief. " This isn't a prank, right?"

" What kind of prank will make me print these expensive files, huh?"

I went through the files and saw Mrs Donovan's signature. " Yes!! Yes!!" I had been eyeing this contract ever since I came to this country. Being new and broke, getting a job as a homeroom teacher for the most powerful family in business and politics was actually a big deal. I didn't think much of it when I applied, since it was very competitive!

Their salary was 30% higher than some companies' secretaries', almost matching the salary of the company I wanted to apply for.

" You were chosen out of two hundred people, congratulations!"

" Two hundred people?" I asked in disbelief. " What's so special about the boy?" I frowned.

" Eh? You mean Kelvin?" Sofia chuckled. " I won't be surprised if you don't last up to a week. But you'll still get paid even if you fail to tame him. The Donovan family is special, that's why so many teachers want the job."

" You said I won't last a week? Why?"

" You're new here, that's why. He's just nineteen but has the temper of a twenty-five-year-old man."

" Are you serious?" I gasped. I was glad I met Sofia when I first came here, or who else would be giving me all these updates?

" I'm telling you," she giggled. " He used to skip classes in school, and he's the only heir to their company. That's why they want someone to teach him business properly."

" But don't you think he's too young for that? At his age, I was eating, sleeping..." Then I blushed, because I was crushing on Timothy too! I spent half of my youth loving him!

Sofia shrugged. " It's your own fault for thinking your crush would love you back just because he was nice to you. I'm glad it's not too late for you to come back to your senses. Things are different for rich people. He even has a younger sister, Greatness. She's just fifteen and already studying abroad. She's collected six awards at her age! So tell me, how many awards did you have?"

I blinked. " One."

Then she burst into laughter. " One award at twenty-five?!"

" Hey, don't mock me! If not for my ex, I would've gone far in my studies!"

" Well, just be patient with Kelvin. Don't go there acting like his elder sister."

I frowned and pointed at myself. " So am I not old enough to be his elder sister? Is a six-year gap a joke to you?"

" Ah, relax. That's not what I mean. I'm saying don't act bossy just because you're older. He's very arrogant and rude, I'm telling you."

" So how do you want me to act?" I crossed my arms. Why can't I spank his butt if I want to?

" Like a friend. I've seen him once, and I can tell he needs a therapist."

" Hahaha!"

Sofia sighed. " It's not funny. He's unserious too. Maybe he's just lonely."

" If he's lonely, why the fvck does he keep chasing teachers away? Shouldn't he be happy his parents are hiring people to help him?" Rich people are very difficult to understand and it's annoying how commoners keep trying to understand them!

Sofia ignored my question and pushed a file toward me. " These are the rules you must follow. You'll start on Monday."

" That's just the day after tomorrow, too fast," I sighed. I didn't even plan for that! " Well, I have no choice!" I said, scanning the rules. " No short skirts? No revealing clothes? Is he a bad boy or what?"

" I think those rules are for the 20–22-year-old female teachers. You're not exactly in that category since you're older, but still follow them to avoid problems."

" I'll wear my suit. I just want to teach him for six months to save up money. I'm not even interested in this job."

Only God knew how much effort she put into getting this for me. I looked at her and smiled faintly. " I should thank you, Sofia. You let me stay in your house even when you barely knew me. Thank you so much. Don't worry, I'll pay you back."

She stood up and cleared her throat. " After your poem, go wash the dishes."

" I won't spare you when I finally make it!" I snorted.

" Stop daydreaming about using the Donovans' money, baby girl. You might not even last a day before he fires you."

" Then I'll surprise you!" I grinned and stared at the contract happily.

" Ah, that would be better. There's a big prize for anyone who lasts a month," Sofia chuckled as she walked out.

I stared at the file in a daze. Why would he be that scary? Grabbing a pen, I sighed. I needed to make these six months work. I needed that money to stand on my own.

It's not like I lacked teaching experience. I graduated from a top university as a first-class student. Teaching a high school graduate shouldn't be a problem, especially in business studies.

After signing everything, I sighed in relief. Being chosen out of two hundred people was one success, but keeping the job was another battle.

Her phone suddenly rang. She checked the caller ID and frowned. I stayed quiet, waiting.

Then mocking laughter came through. " Embarrassed to talk?"

" What do you want, Rebecca?"

" Oh, you don't have to scare me with your anger. Don't worry, I'll take care of your husband... we successfully got married today, thanks to you."

" Oh wow, congratulations." I intentionally waited. If she said something strange, my phone was already on record and would catch it as evidence for the future!

" Yeah, yeah. Don't worry, I'll take care of him so well. I want to invite you to our wedding..."

" I'm busy. Let me give you quick advice as an elder sister. Marriage isn't about dick and pussy. Focus and make sure you achieve something with your husband, and don't think playing smart will last long." Then I hung up.

I didn't even know where the advice came from, but I would never show her weakness.

My mom once told me the most important thing in a relationship isn't sex or even love, it's happiness!

Once a couple is happy, they can overcome anything together. Love alone isn't enough. If one person isn't happy because of in-laws, cheating, or family pressure then even love won't save them.

Timothy wasted three good years of my life! No happiness, talk less of love!! Thinking about how he looked down on me, how he disgraced me, made me wonder how stupid we become when we love someone. I shouldn't have loved him more than myself. This was my lesson.

" Okay, okay, stop crying. You've got a golden job starting on Monday and today is just Saturday."