My Plump Physics Teacher

Chapter 4

Nicole Narrating

I couldn't believe I was actually going to that man's house. My fate seemed like a joke. How was it possible?

My face was burning, and my legs wouldn't respond.

I went to the kitchen and couldn't eat, drank a glass of water, grabbed the car keys, and left the house. I got into the car, taking a deep breath, trying to understand how, after that whole scene at the bar, all that staring from him, which made me uncomfortable, I was going to have to enter this man's house and take care of his daughter?

Everyone knows the story of when his ex left him. I thought it was cruel to the child. I didn't care about him; they say he suffered and all, but I don't care, it makes no difference to me.

I felt for the girl, so small, poor thing. I knew she had this condition, but they never called me to take care of her, and I also didn't see his mother, who was the one taking care of the girl, and I wasn't going to approach him offering myself, since I never had contact with him, right.

I headed to his house with that strange feeling in my chest. The music played on the car stereo, but my mind was far away. It was at his house, the house of the boss of the hill. The man who yesterday looked at me as if he wanted to undress me with his thoughts.

I turned on the blinker and parked right in front of the house. Big, renovated, with a sliding gate and high wall. Everything very clean, very organized, no unnecessary ostentation, it was the kind of house that commanded respect just by looking at it.

I turned off the car and took a deep breath. Grabbed my briefcase, adjusted my blouse, pulled the mirror to check if my hair was in place. And it was. But my face, my face was burning just remembering his look at the bar. Damn it. That really messed with my peace.

The security let me in after I informed them I came to take care of the girl, they radioed inside the house and I heard my authorization coming from a woman.

I went through the gate and before gathering the courage to ring the doorbell, I took a deep breath hoping he wasn't there too, and that it wouldn't be him answering the door.

I rang the doorbell. It didn't take long and the gate was opened. A friendly lady, with her hair tied back and a tired look, appeared with a smile on her face. The spitting image of Urso. Or rather, he is the spitting image of her.

"Hi, are you Nicole?" she asks, already opening the gate wider.

"Yes, I am, how are you?" I extend my hand and she shakes it firmly, a genuine smile.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here, dear. Welcome. Come in, please. I'm Mrs. Vera, Urso's mother, but you probably already know that, right?" she says playfully and I confirm.

Hearing her speak like that, with that proud mother air, felt too intimate, making me nervous. I felt my face heat up immediately.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Vera. I have everything here, I just need to meet Sophia and understand the routine."

"Sophia is sleeping now, but it's almost time for her to wake up. Come, have a seat. Would you like some water or coffee?"

"A glass of water, if it's not too much trouble."

"Of course not!" she said as she guided me inside the house.

The house was beautiful—simple yet cozy. The scent of lavender in the air. Some toys in the corner of the living room, a television on mute playing cartoons, and a large sofa with cushions clearly arranged by someone who cares about details. Everything felt like home, and that moved me.

She brought me the glass of water, sat next to me, and started talking about Sophia. I listened attentively, mentally noting every detail: schedules, diet, medications, medical history.

"She is everything to my son. This girl saved him, you know? After what her mother did," she shook her head and sighed deeply.

I didn't want to intrude, but her pain was overflowing. And I can recognize when a woman carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. So I just listened.

"And he's a great father, Nicole. Very protective, very demanding. Just a heads up," she chuckled softly. "But with good reason, right? Our little one's health is no small matter."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Vera. I'm very professional, and I love what I do. I promise to do my best for her."

"I already like you, you know?" she said sincerely. "And look, I pray before each new appointment, asking for someone who truly cares to come. God sent you."

I smiled, not knowing quite what to say, but it warmed my heart. Being recognized like that, right away, was rare. Especially by a mother. I know how it is. And I respect it a lot.

"Come on, let's go to her room. She should be waking up by now," she got up and I followed her down the hallway.

The house was decorated with photos of Sophia. Her little room was pure delicacy. Pastel colors, stuffed animals, a crib, and a toddler bed with pink sheets and a cabinet with well-organized medications.

"Good morning, my love," she whispered, gently opening the curtain. "Look who's here to take care of you."

Sophia was beautiful. Small, skinny, with messy curly hair, the liveliest eyes I've ever seen. And when she looked at me, she smiled in a shy but sweet way.

My heart went out to her right then.

"Hi, princess," I said, crouching down to her level. "Can I take care of you?"

She nodded and hugged a stuffed animal. A little bunny.

"She's more cheerful today," Mrs. Vera commented, smiling.

I set up the mat, prepared the materials, and began her assessment with all the delicacy in the world. I got so involved that I didn't even notice the time passing by.

Sophia is a sweetheart, such a sweet child.

"Now, show me your foot," I say, laughing with her during the exercise, and she throws her foot up, and I clap my hands in celebration. "Hmmmmm, let's see if Sophia is good at balancing?" I use playful and interactive strategies so she doesn't feel pressured, but rather as if she's playing.

"Yes, I know, auntie," she says and stands up, trying to balance as I gently support her little body, smiling and completely focused on her.

And everything was going perfectly until I smelled that scent again. The same as in the bar. Strong, woody, intense.

I looked up, and he was there. At the door of the room. Shirtless, wearing black shorts, a chain hanging around his neck, and that look.

He didn't say anything. Just stood there. Watching me. Watching his daughter. Watching the way I touched her with affection, care, respect.

And I held his gaze back. Without lowering my eyes.

The tension between us was palpable, as if the air had become heavier. My heart raced, but I took a deep breath and continued my work. He wasn't going to intimidate me. Nor distract me.

But damn, that man was trouble.

"Well done, doctor," he said in a low, deep voice. Sophia laughed, and that's rare.

"Thank you. She's an amazing girl."

He nodded and stayed there, arms crossed, watching every move.

And I acted as if it was all normal.

But inside? Inside I was a hurricane, and I couldn't let him notice that.

The session continued, and I acted as if there wasn't a man sculpted by God — and carved by hell — standing at the door, staring at me. Total concentration, absolute control, at least that's what I tried to maintain. Because every step he took closer felt like the oxygen in the house was being shared with my self-control.

Sophia was incredible. Attentive, smart, affectionate. It didn't take long for her to open up to me, and when she realized we were going to play exercise, she already pulled the little bunny to the mat and joined in. With each of her progress, my heart tightened. So small and with so much to teach. I was already completely captivated.

"She has good muscle tone, Mrs. Vera, but we'll need to adjust some routines and review some exercises. I'll create a specific plan for her, very personalized, okay?"

"Feel free, dear. I trust your work," his mother replied with a sparkle in her eyes that seemed to see beyond my professional side.

She sat there on the mat with us to observe the session's development.

Meanwhile, he… he continued there, leaning against the wall, his eyes fixed on me. Not even trying to hide it. And when Sophia suddenly lay down in my lap, it felt like the world went silent for two seconds.

She placed the stuffed bunny on my shoulder and snuggled against my chest. Her little head nestled into my arm as if it was already a habit. Natural. Warm. Affectionate.

And it was at that moment that I looked at him. Unintentionally. Without planning.

And he had the most indecipherable expression in the world. A mixture of surprise, emotion, respect and desire. As if that scene had touched a place he didn't even remember existed within him.

I didn't look away. I held his gaze. And I swear, for a moment, it was as if only the three of us existed in that room.

"She's already adopted you, you know?" Mrs. Vera joked, with a little smile on her lips while folding some clothes in the corner.

"I'm already in love with her," I said without thinking, softly, stroking Sophia's hair, who was practically dozing off again in my lap.

"Then stay," Mrs. Vera said as if setting the perfect bait.

"Hm?" I looked up, surprised.

"Stay for lunch. It's almost ready. I made chicken stew with okra and bacon farofa. She'll love having you here when she wakes up again, and, honestly? (she gave a wink) So will I. It's the first time in months I've seen her so relaxed and comfortable," she said, catching me more by surprise with this comment than with the invitation itself.

Urso was still there. Silent. But now he had moved closer, standing by my side. So close that I could feel the warmth of his body. His scent. His energy.

"You should accept," he said in a tone that wasn't a request. It was a statement. Low. Deep. Almost a command.

I looked at him.

And for the first time, he smiled. Slightly. Without showing his teeth. Just the corner of his mouth lifted. That smile that says “today's not the day you'll escape from me.”

And I accepted.

"Only if I can help set the table," I replied, trying to keep my composure, with Sophia still nestled in my lap, as if she were already mine.

And he... he let out a low chuckle and ran a hand over his mouth, looking away for the first time.

Damn it.

This man is going to be a handful.

I can't get distracted, I'm here for my work, and I need to continue, this girl needs me.

I can't let myself be swayed by this man, because it's a one-way path to ruin.