Please Be Gentle

A Glance Shared

Grace rushed to her tutoring session, skipping dinner. She didn’t even bother to buy anything on the way. With only a few bucks in her pocket, she had to save just in case she missed the last bus and needed money for a taxi.

The employer's home was a duplex in the heart of the city, a location where real estate was prime. Only the wealthiest could afford such a spacious place, and owning a 200-square-meter home here was not for the average person.

But none of this concerned Grace. She was focused on giving her best to help her students with their homework, doing her job diligently.

She rang the doorbell and immediately heard the familiar sounds of two kids bickering.

“It’s Grace, I’ll open the door!”

“No, I will!”

After a brief tug-of-war, the door finally opened, and two identical, cheerful faces greeted her.

“Let’s see who’s Sakura and who’s Peach,” Grace teased, scanning them with a smile.

“I’m Sakura, and I’m Peach!”

“Grace, you’re so silly! It’s been a month, and you still can’t tell us apart.”

Grace stuck out her tongue at their playful jab. It was a little embarrassing to be called silly by her own students.

“Grace, can we skip class today?” one of them asked, looking up at her with pleading eyes.

“Of course not, remember your mom told me I must teach you every day,” Grace said, shaking her head firmly.

“We won’t tell Mom if you skip the class! You’ll still get paid, right?” they coaxed in unison.

“No way, it’s a matter of principle,” Grace replied, her tone mock-serious.

“But Grace, please... today’s special. Our favorite uncle’s here, and we want him to teach us martial arts,” they whined, looking at her with big eyes.

Their antics almost made Grace soften, but before she could respond, a voice called from inside.

“Who said you could skip class when I’m here? Be a good girl and let Grace in,” the voice had an authoritative yet warm tone, a voice that somehow sounded familiar.

“Alright then…” Sakura grumbled, handing Grace her slippers.

Grace took the slippers, distracted as she tried to place where she had heard that voice before. She stepped inside without looking down at the floor.

Suddenly—“Ow!” Grace stumbled over a backpack, her body sprawling awkwardly onto the floor. Her arms and legs flailed out, landing in a rather ungraceful position.

Gabriel stood in the entryway, arms crossed, his face an unreadable mask. He looked at Grace with disapproval. Could someone so careless really be trusted to teach the kids properly?

“I’m so sorry! I forgot to pick up my bag. Are you okay?” Sakura hurried over to help Grace up, her face filled with concern.

“I’m fine!” Grace gritted her teeth against the sharp pain in her elbow, trying to wave off the offer of help. She didn’t want to cause a scene in front of the kids.

As she got to her feet and looked up, she was surprised to meet Gabriel’s gaze, his expression dark.

“Wait, it’s you?” They both spoke at the same time.

“Such perfect timing. Same words, huh?” Sakura teased, her voice full of mischief, while Peach giggled beside her.

“You two know each other?” Sakura asked, her curiosity piqued. “They’re both so good-looking, do you think a fairytale romance is about to unfold before our eyes?”

Grace... looks great, really great.

“Go to your rooms, both of you. I need to speak with your teacher,” Gabriel said, his voice cold.

“What are you going to talk about? I want to hear too!” Peach piped up.

“Oh, it’s obvious. They’re talking about love, didn’t you see how they kept exchanging glances?” Sakura grabbed her sister by the hand, dragging her into their room.

Once the kids were out of sight, Gabriel turned to Grace, his voice sharp. “Grace, I don’t think you’re suited for teaching them. Let’s settle up the payment for your sessions now, and you won’t need to come back.”