"Are you mad?"

Sean said as he closed the car door. He helped buckle Catherine up. Seeing she didn't say anything, he smiled. Catherine has been looking outside from the window since she got in the car like she was reluctant to meet him.

​​

"Are you really mad?" Sean leaned over, locked the car window, and turned her face over.

"Are you jealous, Catherine?" asked Sean.

"No."

"Why do you ignore me?"

Catherine glared at him, "Look at what you did!"

"What did I do?"

"Don't play innocent with me."

Sean smiled, "I can't help it if I'm popular. But I can talk to the principal to prohibit others from sitting in my class."

"That's not necessary."

If the notification was released, Sean would become more popular. More students would be curious about him. Maybe they would wait by the classroom, just to look at him. Catherine hated it.

"It never occurs to me something like this would happen. I'm sorry for my ill consideration."

Sean couldn't help getting angry seeing Catherine stand in the corner, unable to secure a seat. He took the job to see her, not to see her suffer.

"All the girls like you."

They wouldn't approach Sean because he was too indifferent. If not, they already asked him out.

"I don't need it."

"But you're good-looking. They like handsome men."

"I only want you to like me."

Catherine turned away since she was flushed.

Sean didn't force her to say she liked him or pursued the question. He petted her head and drove off.

Catherine suspected he chose to teach her calculus, so he could take her home since the last calculus was on Friday.

"What did you major in?" asked Catherine.

"Finance and management."

"I heard you went straight to postgraduate school."

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"Impressed, right?"

Catherine thought of her GPA scores and had to say she had no academic talent.

"Why are you so good at math?" asked Catherine.

"It's nothing. I read it, and I learned."

That's the difference between a genius and a normal person, Catherine figured.

Calculus is obscure and difficult. But Sean's lecture was interesting and funny. All the numbers and symbols seemed vivid. Catherine wanted to hear more.

Math used to be the subject Catherine hated the most, not that she liked it better now. But she would preview and review the class because of him. She started paying attention. Even Ethel said Catherine became interested in calculus.

This was all because of Sean.

"This isn't the way home," said Catherine.

"We're going back to the family house."

"Is Antonio leaving tomorrow?" asked Catherine.

"Tonight."

Antonio didn't have to go until two days later. But he received an order and had to leave tonight for an ongoing mission. He would be gone for a while.

Every time Antonio had to report back to the military early, Ava knew he had to leave on missions. So she asked other family members to come back for dinner.

It wasn't that this was the last supper as a family. But no one could guarantee they returned safely and sound, especially Antonio. He had to lead combats.

Sean and Catherine were the last ones to come.

Ava asked them to wash their hands for dinner. Catherine sensed the gravity and tension of the dinner over the nice dinner.

"Let's dig in."

Catherine noticed that Amanda barely touched anything. Others weren't talking and laughing as they usually did. It was so stuffy and suffocating.

Bentley was the only one enjoying his chicken.

What's going on? Catherine wondered.

Antonio said, "Don't dwell on it. Enjoy supper."

Vivian said, "You'll be gone for months. You wouldn't make it for Christmas."

"I thought you're used to it, mom."

Antonio had to leave behind holidays whenever he was on a mission. Vivian would bring it up every time. To spare them the worry, Antonio said nothing about the mission. He just told the family he had to leave early.

But his family must have guessed Antonio would be on some dangerous assignments. They were gloomy.

"How could I? That time..."

"Mom!" Antonio cut her off. "I'll try and get back before Christmas."

Catherine couldn't enjoy the meal either. She guessed Antonio would leave for a mission, which must be tough.

That was why his family was so worried.

Antonio left shortly after supper.

Amanda stood in the yard for ages. Catherine thought about going over to talk to her. Sean grabbed her away.

"Is Antonio's mission dangerous?"

"I don't know."

"So you can't tell it to anybody, not even your family."

Sean petted Catherine's head gently.

"Amanda looks worried."

"She is there every time. It's okay."

"You can't get used to that."

Amanda had to worry about her husband every time Antonio was called away on duty. She waited at home, feeling anxious and nervous, not allowed to call him. Antonio wouldn't carry a phone on his mission.

Catherine grabbed Sean's hands, "Luckily, you're not a soldier. Or I'll be as worried as Amanda is."

"Are you worried I might leave you?" Sean's look was serious.

"Yes."

Sean held her in his arms, "We'll be together forever."

They held hands to enter the living room. As they were about to say goodbye, Vivian started cursing.

Catherine couldn't be more confused.

Vivian accused Catherine of inciting Sean to take the job offer at Kings College. But she had no clue he was going.

"Mom, I make the decision without telling Catherine. It's not her fault," said Sean.

"How come? You won't go to Kings College if it is not for her."

"What's wrong with being a teacher?"

A teacher is a respectable and serious profession.

"I'm not saying being a teacher is a bad thing. But you can barely manage your business. Is she that stupid? She can't graduate without your help?"

Vivian couldn't get over the fact that Sean pulled some strings to get to Kings College.

Catherine didn't know what to say.

Sean said coldly, "I'll take care of the business. And mom, don't meddle with my affairs."

"What did you say?" asked Vivian.

"Vivian, Sean is quite popular on campus. I think teaching is fine. That's another side of him."Catherine added.

"Shut up!" Vivian yelled.