Chapter 2 CHRISTMAS GIFT

Stepping out of the hotel, Maya wrapped herself tightly in her scarf, exhaling a long puff of white mist into the chilly air.

It seemed like she was having a streak of bad luck; even breathing seemed to invite disaster.

She had come to a friend's wedding, only to have her own reputation tarnished. Attending a wedding and running into a drunken man, who could be as unfortunate as she was?

A sharp gust of cold wind hit her face, making her instinctively shrink her neck into her scarf. It was too cold today! But the loss of her first night was an undeniable fact. What good would it do to wallow in self-pity any longer?

She was twenty-three, already an adult. She would treat this as a ridiculous mistake and erase it from her memory. Looking up, her gaze unintentionally landed on a massive outdoor screen.

"President Darwin, are you back in our country to explore new markets?"

"Why have you chosen to return to our country now? Your company in America is thriving."

"When can we expect you to grant an interview with our magazine?"

A throng of reporters surrounded the man, cameras raised, all eager for answers. The man remained silent, a faint, indifferent smile gracing his handsome face as he politely nodded to the crowd, acknowledging their presence.

Arrogant, indifferent, and elegant, yet not a hint of rudeness could be felt... Ah, it's that predatory man!

With a glint of sarcasm in her eyes, Maya lowered her head and turned away. Behind her, a crowd of women had gathered, young and old alike, all captivated and enamored by the man.

*******

Half an hour later, as she stepped into her home, a rich aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Margaret spotted her daughter and waved with a beaming smile, "Maya, come over and have some tea!"

Suppressing her earlier thoughts, Maya put on a smile, just like any other day. "What kind of tea is it?"

"Your dad and I just got back from our trip to Dali. The most famous thing there is Pu-erh tea, so we brought some back. It was so expensive!"

George Cooper chuckled, "So what if it's a bit pricey? What's important is that we get to enjoy good tea! That's what really counts!" At his words, Maya smiled gently.

The three of them gathered around the table, sipping tea as they listened to the amusing stories her parents shared about their trip to Dali.

Pu-erh tea is naturally strong and particularly rich in flavor. Since her dad loved strong tea, he had brewed a generous amount, making it quite bitter. But the bitterness also had its own flavor.

Maya had downed four large cups of the bitter tea. Glancing at her watch, she set down her cup and dashed into her room.

"What's wrong?" Margaret looked at her, puzzled.

"I have to work this afternoon! I'm almost late!" As she spoke, she stuffed her new gloves into her bag and hurried out of the room. By the time she rushed into the office, it was 2:30 PM, leaving her with just ten minutes before class.

She let out a sigh of relief. The high school she worked at was the top school in Springfield City and the best in the area. Every year, countless students try desperately to get in. With a good school came great benefits and treatment, but of course, the rules were also strict.

She taught literature to the Senior classes four and five, and she was also the homeroom teacher for class five. "Please turn to page 85 in your textbook. Today, we will analyze an ancient poem. I will read it first, and then you can look at the annotations below." Standing at the podium, she cleared her throat and gently began, "The cuckoo sings in the river's isle..."

"A graceful teacher, a good match for students." A clear and melodious male voice suddenly interrupted her. Instantly, the entire class erupted in laughter, turning to see where the voice had come from.

Ethan Darwin lazily rested his arms on the desk, squinting his attractive eyes at the sunlight streaming through the window. He recited, word for word, "The cuckoo sings in the river's isle, a graceful teacher, a good match for students..."

Laughter erupted in the classroom, and Maya couldn't help but join in, a helpless smile spreading across her delicate face as she called out, "Ethan Darwin!"

"Miss Cooper, what's up?" he replied, narrowing his eyes with a playful smile. Maya walked over and stood beside him, playfully pinching his ear as a form of reprimand.

"Come to my office after class."

********

In the office. Maya sighed, looking a bit exasperated. "Ethan, can you please stop causing trouble during class?"

"Miss Cooper, I think I've been quite well-behaved," Ethan said with a broad smile, raising an eyebrow nonchalantly. "My life is just too dull; I need some fun. Where's the Christmas gift you promised me, Miss Cooper?"

"Oh, you remember that better than anyone else. I've already prepared your Christmas gift, but there's one condition."

"What's your condition?"

Maya sat down at her desk. "I've been the homeroom teacher for Class 5 for a year now, and I've never seen your family at any of the parent-teacher meetings. You must have a family member come to tomorrow's meeting" She emphasized the word 'must'.

Ethan leaned casually against the desk, rubbing his nose. "Miss Cooper, that's a bit difficult for me."

"Well, if it's difficult, then forget it. You can go back to the classroom and prepare for your next lesson. And no Christmas gift for you," she said, picking up a pen and starting to prepare her lesson.

"Okay, I promise I will have my family member come, Miss Cooper, about the gift." he relented.

Maya's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she pulled out a pair of gloves she had prepared in advance and handed them to him. "Here's your Christmas gift, Merry Christmas."

Taking the white knitted gloves, Ethan flipped them over in his hands, a hint of dissatisfaction creasing his brow.

Noticing his discontent, she extended her hand toward him. "If you don't want them, just give them back. I stayed up for two nights to knit these gloves for you!" At her words, the corners of the boy's mouth lifted into a wide smile, and he stepped closer.

Though she was his teacher, she stood significantly shorter than he, only reaching his jawline. Bending down, Ethan unexpectedly grabbed Maya's hand. She froze for a moment, and before she could react, his warm, soft lips pressed against her palm, sending a tingling sensation through her. "This is my Christmas gift for you in return." he released her hand with a feigned air of a British gentleman and walked out of the office, his eyes bright.

It wasn't until his figure disappeared that Maya snapped back to reality. The sensation of his lips lingered in her palm. Thank goodness there were no other teachers around; otherwise, it would have been so embarrassing! He was just a high school senior, yet he acted like such a gentleman. What a mischievous kid!

Ethan's gaze remained fixed on the gloves in his hand. Once he turned the corner, he pulled out his phone, his voice cheerful and light. "Greg, it's me. Can you have my dad or my mom come to school tomorrow?"

"Young Master, neither Mr. Darwin nor Mrs. Darwin is available."

"My older brother just returned from the States. Have him come instead. And tell him if he doesn't show up, I'll make a scene."