Chapter 14: Threat

'Marco… our relationship is against our school's rule… so what do we do now?", Divina opened up the topic first. Marco is still silent as he wrapped his arms around Divina. He sighed. 'I don't know too, my beloved. Among all the problems that you had to seek answers from me, this is the only one I couldn't answer. I just want to enjoy this moment with you right now. The fact that you loved me too, makes me happy so much. I've never been this happy in my life before.", Marco sincerely said. Marco is also confused. He is torn between his passion for teaching kids and his love for Divina. They are both important to him… but when the time comes that the school will find out their relationship, they would be asked to stop teaching. It will be difficult for them to find another job because of their tainted reputation. He doesn't want to destroy his beloved's future. 'Maybe the right thing to do is to keep our love a secret…", Divina eventually said. 'If that's the solution you want, for now, beloved… then so be it.", Marco answered as he doesn't know what to do too. Even though their relationship is kept in secret, Divina and Marco are still both happy together. They continue to make each other feel special and loved. They were contented with this kind of set-up and has been going on for a few months already. With their happiness and contentment, they also forgot about Alfredo, they hadn't had any news about him ever since he set Divina free… but one day, something happened that shocked the entire school. 'You evil witch! So you're that Divina Aljuego that my daughter has been talking about in this letter!", an old and fat woman suddenly yelled at Divina while she was teaching inside her classroom. This woman suddenly went to grab her hair and attacked her in front of the students. It was a big scene and had caused a commotion, some teachers beside Divina's room went over to stop the old lady. Marco saw it too and ran to put himself in between Divina and the old lady, accepting all the slaps and punches in Divina's stead just to protect his beloved. Marco tried to pull Divina away from the room so the students couldn't see the violence happening. 'W-wait… who are you madam?", Divina was terrified. She was still shaking from what the old lady had done to her. 'Who? Me?! How dare you ask who I am?! Here, read this letter written by my daughter! You evil witch!", the old lady continued shouting at Divina and threw the letter on her face. The old lady was full of hatred and wanted to attack Divina once again but Marco was in her way and he wouldn't budge. Once again, Marco received her claws and slaps. Divina tried to stop but Marco held her hands tightly so he could protect her. Divina cried then her eyes fell on the letter. She accidentally read what is written there while the old lady continues to attack Marco. Divina was shocked by what she had read. 'Why are you like that?! You couldn't believe it too, huh! You ruined my daughter's life! You're such a flirt! You are the reason why my daughter killed herself!", the old woman yelled and with extreme anger, she couldn't stop her tears. It was evident she was both consumed with hatred and grief. 'YOU! YOU KILLED MY BELEN!!! You killed my daughter!", the old woman yelled and cried. 'That's not true! Alfredo told me the truth! He was forced to marry Belen even though I am the one he truly loves! It was Belen who stole my man in the first place! I never stole any man from anyone!", Divina tried to explain but she was answered with a slap on her cheek which Marco wasn't able to stop. 'You seductress!!! Flirt! Witch!", the old woman insisted. 'Madam! I am sorry and I feel sad with the news of what happened with your daughter but Belen is desperate and you are just finding someone to blame. First, Alfredo is no longer my lover because Belen stole him from me, and I gave way. Second, it's your responsibility to take care of your child, to educate them of the importance of life! If there's someone to blame… it's you because you were the people around her. You were the ones who knows her more and what is happening to her. If there are misunderstandings or conflict between Alfredo and Belen, I am out of it already!", Divina defended herself from the old woman's accusations. 'And you still got the nerve to answer back! You have no manners! Remember this, you witch! I will make you pay for this!", the old woman angrily said. 'Madam, please forgive us but I would like to remind you that this place is a school. This is not the right venue for you to embark with this kind of discussion and act inappropriately such as this.", Marco tried to get in between Divina and the old lady's heated argument. 'Who are you to talk to me like that! Get out of this!", the old lady ordered Marco but he wouldn't budge in his position 'I am Marco Salvador, madam and I am the headteacher of this school. And I repeat, this is not the right venue to cause scenes such as this. Please understand that it is inappropriate to let the kids see this, they are too young to understand the reason behind this violence.", Marco calmly said. The old lady seems to realize as she looks around her. She found out that students from other classes and teachers are all around looking at her too. She felt embarrassed and was forced to act formally in front of Marco. 'But… remember this, Divina Aljuego. I'll see to it that you will regret everything you have done to my daughter!", the old woman threatened and left the area with her chin up. Just when the old woman had left, Divina let her tears fall. She had been fighting to stop it from falling earlier. Everyone saw her cry, her co-teachers, and also the students. Marco wanted to lock Divina into his embrace but he couldn't… there are too many people who will see. 'Divina, let's talk at the office. Now.", Marco said with full authority. Divina didn't bother to answer, she just wiped her tears and followed Marco inside his office. When the door had closed already, Marco went on to hug Divina tightly. 'Don't put it to your heart, beloved. Everything will be okay. I am here for you. I will never leave you. I will never ever let you go.", Marco's words and tone were comforting… too comforting that it made Divina cry again.