Teach Me How To Spell Love: Love 010

Episode 3

Teach Me How To Spell Love: Love 010

EP 3

"You see? When you don't argue, things are much easier," I said with a smile as I disinfected the wounds on his face.

Prem's POV

The way he treated my wounds was unexpectedly gentle and attentive.

I flinched as he used a cotton bud to apply disinfectant to the corner of my eye.

"Don't be whiny," he said softly, almost in a whisper.

Then he blew gently over the spot.

I froze.

I couldn't take my eyes off him.

His warm breath grazed my face, and with how close we were, I could feel the warmth of his body. For someone who had spent the past two days annoying the hell out of me, he was strangely careful now.

I didn't know what was happening to me.

My eyes followed every little movement he made as he cleaned the bruises. The same man who had made me lose face in class was now treating my wounds like I was something fragile.

I was enchanted.

"Here. Be careful next time," I heard him mumble.

He placed a decorative plaster over one of the smaller wounds.

I kept staring.

I didn't even realize when he pulled away and returned to his seat.

"So, Nong Prem, tell me. What should I do with you?"

His voice snapped me out of whatever spell I had fallen under.

I blinked and looked toward him.

He had already settled behind his desk, opening one of the drawers. He pulled out a file and placed it in front of him.

Why did he have to speak?

He just broke the spell.

I quickly put on a smug grin, hoping he hadn't noticed how long I had been staring.

"About what?" I asked.

"About the textbook and your bad performance in class."

He opened the file, scanning through the pages.

"You do realize that I'm now your level coordinator, right?"

He looked up at me.

The smile on his face practically screamed, You're done for.

I swallowed but immediately feigned indifference.

"Are you threatening me?" I asked.

His laugh came out low and mocking.

"I'm not. I have other things to do than threaten you. I'm just trying to tell you that two marks have been deducted from your already low score."

My entire body went cold.

I stared at him in disbelief.

"But you can't do that! I have low grades. I won't be able to graduate!"

I leaned forward, suddenly forgetting all about my pride.

He barely reacted to my panic.

"It seems you don't want to graduate, so I'm helping you fulfill your wish."

He grinned.

How could he?

I clenched my fists on my lap, glaring at him.

Was this man seriously enjoying my suffering?

"But if you do what I ask, you might graduate with high scores. You're still in your second year, so you have a lot of time."

I stared at him.

For the first time, I didn't know what to say.

---

Prem's POV

"D-Don't think you can blackmail me. I won't listen to you," I said before leaving immediately, not wanting to see his annoying face anymore.

Not after I thought he was kind.

Aish!

I stormed down the hallway, my mind still replaying everything that had just happened.

That teacher was seriously impossible.

---

Boun's POV

Actually, while I was waiting for Perth in the library, I had been cross-checking everyone's grades.

Something about Prem's academic record caught my attention.

He had been doing well during his first year, first semester. His grades weren't outstanding, but they were decent.

Then everything changed during the second semester.

His performance dropped, and so did his attitude.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at his records.

He hadn't simply adopted these behaviors for no reason.

Something must have pushed him.

That's why I had planned to pick on him.

I wanted to see what would happen when someone finally pushed back.

When I asked Perth to tell him to bring me the coffee, I lowkey suspected he would change my order.

That was so Prem-like.

But the way he acted today was different.

If he really wanted to graduate, why act so indifferent?

I closed the file and sighed.

"Nong Prem... what is going on with you?"

---

The next day

The same routine.

Park.

Sneak in.

Avoid being seen.

To everyone, I was just a nerdy teacher, and it was best to keep it that way.

So far, only Prem, as a student, knew where my office was.

And I always asked myself the same question.

Why did I even tell him where it was?

I was making my way toward the university building when—

"Au, P'Boun!"

A familiar voice called out.

I turned around, and a wide, sincere smile immediately spread across my face.

The student ran toward me and hugged me.

"Nong Ju... I never knew you were in this faculty," I said, surprised.

"No, no, Phîi. I'm here to drop off my boyfriend," he said, motioning toward a familiar student standing nearby.

"Good morning, Khun Boun," Mark greeted respectfully.

I smiled.

"You have good taste."

I glanced at Junior before returning Mark's greeting.

"Ahh, good morning, Mark."

"So you're an engineer?" I asked.

He nodded.

"I won't hold you up, but if you're free, come find me in my office. You know where to find me."

We exchanged goodbyes before I continued toward my class.

Okay, I know you all have questions.

Don't worry.

I'll tell you after class.

---

I opened the door and entered the classroom.

Everyone was unusually silent and organized.

Too organized.

It felt suspicious.

I narrowed my eyes at them, but they immediately began avoiding my gaze.

I looked from one student to another.

What were they hiding?

Shrugging it off, I stepped forward.

My foot landed on the portfolio.

Something was wrong.

Before I could react, it broke beneath my weight.

I almost fell, but thanks to my reflexes, I spun around and barely managed to regain my balance.

The entire class went silent.

I slowly straightened myself and looked around.

"I see."

My eyes scanned the room.

"Meet me after class."

The person knew themselves.

Today, I was teaching piano.

It was much harder than the guitar, but Bonnie seemed to know her way around the instrument.

Her fingers moved confidently across the keys, and I couldn't help smiling.

"Bonnie earns two marks for being the best performer," I beamed at her.

You know, there's this pride you get when your student is good at what they're taught.

It makes all the effort worth it.

"Sir, I tried too..." Film protested.

She wasn't jealous. No.

In fact, she was happy for her friend.

She simply needed a little boost.

I smiled at her.

"Of course, I haven't forgotten about you. You have one. The twins too, and your course rep, for trying. You have one mark each."

I glanced around the classroom.

Everyone seemed pleased.

Everyone except Prem.

He was the only one left out.

"I would have given you a half, but your behavior today makes me deduct it. You have lost two and a half marks."

I turned my attention toward him.

"Keep it up, and you'll get withdrawn completely."

Prem had the same reaction as yesterday, but he was good at hiding it.

That smug smile was threatening to surface.

I hid my own smile.

This kid really was something.

---

Later, class was over, and I headed toward my office.

As I approached the door, I noticed someone waiting outside.

Junior.

He was leaning casually against the wall, looking at his phone.

The moment he noticed me, he straightened.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Waiting for me?"

He smiled.

"Obviously, P'Boun."

---

I opened the door and gestured for him to enter, which he did.

"Yea, typical you," he said excitedly as he bounced onto the couch, taking in the features and furniture in my office.

I chuckled, watching him inspect everything like he had never been here before.

"Wait here. I'll go change," I said.

He nodded, and I hurried to do so.

When I returned, I handed him a bottle of water.

"You're not a guest, so help yourself. That's the mini-refrigerator, and there's a kitchenette to your left," I motioned with my hand.

He nodded, already making himself comfortable.

"That aside, how's your brother?" I asked.

My mood immediately soured.

"Hey, you don't need to ask about that jerk if it makes you sad," he said.

Here goes nothing.

Junior was the younger brother of my ex, and I was very close with him, as you could see.

"I can't. I'm used to it," I said, trying to smile.

But Junior knew me too well.

He sighed.

"You don't need to act tough with me."

He pulled me into a comforting hug.

We were always like this, so don't get it twisted.

"Saying this makes me want to make you my wife. Too bad I'm married," he joked.

"And you're not my type," I laughed.

We broke the hug, but remained standing close to each other.

"Thank you, Ju. I feel much-"

My sentence was cut short.

A hand suddenly shoved Junior, sending his back against the wall.

"Hey!"

I instinctively stepped between them, blocking the punch meant for Junior.

It landed directly on my lips instead.

I staggered back, touching my mouth.

Damn.

This kid had strength.

"Out of my office. Now!" I half-yelled.

But he didn't budge.

Ignoring him, I crouched beside Junior, who was still staring at Prem in complete surprise.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He nodded slowly.

"What was that for?" he asked, glaring at the enraged Prem.

"You're dating my brother, and you're here doing what?" Prem rambled. "Who knows what you did? And he's saying he wants to make you his wife!"

I stared at him.

What on earth was wrong with this boy?

I helped Junior sit down before reaching for some ointment. I knew the hit against the wall would leave a bruise.

But before I could apply it—

"No. You're not treating his wounds."

Prem snatched the ointment from my hand.

His gaze held something untamed.

Something I couldn't quite name.

But whatever it was, it would be a disaster.

I slowly stood.

"Prem. Give it back. Don't make me lose my temper," I warned.

He refused to move.

Junior looked between the two of us before sighing.

"Don't worry, Phîi. My boyfriend will handle it."

He handed the ointment back toward me but then seemed to think better of it.

"I think I should go. And again, that joke was what caused your breakup. I'm sorry. I shouldn't joke like that."

"Ju, it's not your fault. Just go and apply something before it gets worse."

He nodded.

"Okay."

Junior gave me one last look before leaving the office.

The door closed behind him.

Silence settled over the room.

I slowly turned around.

Prem was still standing there.

And judging by the look on his face...

This conversation was far from over.

---

Prem's POV

I knew I f****d up.

So, on my way to his office, I bought him an iced latte, just the way he liked it. I was about to knock when I heard muffled voices from inside.

Curious, I decided to listen.

"Saying this makes me want to make you my wife."

That painfully familiar voice made me freeze.

"Too bad-"

My thoughts stopped.

I couldn't think.

Who did he think he was to have such thoughts about P'Boun?

The coffee slipped from my hand.

All manners left me as I swung the door open.

They could have at least locked the door.

My eyes immediately landed on my stepbrother's boyfriend, standing suspiciously close to P'Boun.

I felt rage.

A lot of it.

Why the hell was he standing so close to him?

Before my brain could process anything, my body acted on its own.

I shoved him away and threw a punch.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, that annoying teacher stepped in and took the blow instead.

I am even more irritated now.

More pissed.

"What was that for?" Junior asked.

Oh wow.

Playing the victim?

But wait...

What was it for?

Why did I do that?

Not that I cared if he was cheating on my brother.

So why did I do that?

My brain worked faster than necessary, and I immediately pinned everything on him dating my brother.

Yeah.

That had to be it.

And now P'Boun was going to apply medicine to him.

In my presence.

I remembered how gentle he had been with me earlier, and something inside me immediately got riled up.

I snatched the tube from his hand.

The audacity.

How could he?

Now that Junior had left, I threw the tube at P'Boun.

"What the heck is your problem?" he asked.

Like, seriously?

Was he really going to ask me that after what he had just done?

"How could you?" I asked.

He looked at me, completely confused.

"Aish, forget it. I'm done with you."

I turned and stormed out of his office.

At least tomorrow was the weekend.

I wouldn't have to see his annoying face again.

Or so I thought.

Sweet broccolis, hope you're enjoying every bit of it?

Love you in every millennium joob joob