Chapter 18 First Time To Dance

After Mr. del Fuego finished all his appointments and meetings for the day, he was so excited to fetch Teacher Maria in school. He even bought a bouquet of white roses and a basket of fruits for her. He wanted to pursue Teacher Maria now that he felt that she was different from the others. She is pure and his mother liked her very much.

Before, he was just challenged by her, but now she seemed to capture his heart and his intention with her now is for real.

He messaged Teacher Maria that he was on his way to fetch her already. Teacher Maria was just waiting for Echo's message.

"Alright. Drive safely," she replied to Echo with a smile. She then locked her room and was about to wait for Echo at the school parking area when her co-teachers murmured on her side. "Wow, seemed like a new flavor of the month of Mr. del Fuego," Teacher Lira told her co-teacher. Teacher Maria overheard what her co-teachers were talking about her but she kept on walking and just ignored them.

She doesn't want to have any issues in school but it seemed that she can't control their mouth.

As Echo told her before, just ignored them.

When Echo's sports car arrived at the school's parking area, almost all the teachers and school staff eyed him and Teacher Maria. Gossip spreads out as fast as it could. Teacher Maria gets inside the car with her head down. She's a bit ashamed of hearing her co-teachers comments about her.

He gave her a bunch of white roses making her blush and when he gave her a basket of fruit, she frowns and asked him, "Am I sick?"

Echo smiled and told her, "No, I just wanted you to eat more healthy foods as you're too thin already," he smiled while talking to her.

Echo found something wrong with Maria. She was so quiet now compared to when they were together in Cebu during the National Teachers' Conference not so long time ago.

"Hey, why are you so timid now? Something's wrong? Did your co-teachers bully you?" Echo asks her continuously.

"Nothing. I'm just a bit tired," Maria replied to him. She better keep it herself. She doesn't want Echo to get involved with it. She will just ignore those bullies. Gossips usually die in the process.

Echo held her hand while he drives. "Do you want to unwind first before we have our dinner?" Echo asked her. He's worried about her silence. He knew something bothering her.

"It's ok. Let's just dine then send me home," she said. Although she's starting to love Echo, she doesn't want to have a bad reputation for her work. She is a dignified school teacher and she doesn't want to stain her name.

"Ok. I had a booking at Celestial Hotel in Lipa City. You will surely enjoy their food," Echo wanted to lift Teacher Maria's spirit.

Teacher Maria nodded and lean her head on the car's headrest. She closed her eyes giving a signal to Echo that she doesn't want to talk anymore.

Echo said, " Okay rest well Maria. I'll wake you up when we are there already," he fixed Maria's hair making her open her eyes and look straight at him. She felt electrocuted by his touch.

It was just a few seconds but it seemed that they were looking for years already.

Beep! Beep!

There were blowing horns from the cars at their back. Their senses came back and all of a sudden they smiled at each other.

Teacher Maria felt a little comfortable with him now. He uplifted her spirit now.

Echo smiled as going to hold his steering wheel again.

"Bad guys," he murmured while looking at his rearview mirror to see those vehicles who had blown their horns.

When they reached Celestial Hotel, the head Captain immediately assisted them and lead them to the reserved table for them. Echo's secretary arranged the booking well with a romantic ambiance and Echo praised his secretary well. "She knew my taste," he said to himself. He messaged his secretary then, "Good job. You will be getting your raised this coming payroll," he smiled while putting back his iPhone in his pocket.

Teacher Maria was so delighted and amazed with Celestial Hotel. It awakens the romance in her imagination and when she was about to thank Echo, they bumped their lips as Echo was about to whisper something to her while Teacher Maria raised her head to tell something to him something.

From the looks of the onlookers and guests in the hotel, it can be seen as they sweetly kissed each other.

Teacher Maria blushed and so with Echo. Echo hadn't felt this kind of electricity on his other dates and it was his first time and he wanted to kiss Teacher Maria's sweet lips over and over again.

He held Teacher Maria's hand and they started to dine. Echo doesn't want her to feel aloof from her.

They both enjoyed the food well and when the romantic music was played by the acoustic band, Echo asked her to dance.

"I don't know how to dance," Teacher Maria said and she was a bit shame since she was only wearing a simple dress compared with the other beautiful women.

Echo held her hand and invited her to come with him to the dance floor," No worries Maria, I'll teach you how. Just hold my hands and follow in my footsteps."

"Okay," Teacher Maria follows what he instructed and they both dance gracefully on the dancefloor making other guest ladies envy Maria.

Echo felt so happy being with her the whole time. Teacher maria also felt the same with her.

Echo whispered to her during their dance," I like you so much, Maria. Can you please allow me to pursue you?"

Maria was startled for a while. She can't believe that this gorgeous man in front of her is asking to pursue her.

"Me? Why me?" she asked.

"I like you," Echo smiled and repeat what he said to her. "Can I be your boyfriend Maria?" he wanted her to be his this evening as his girlfriend already.

"I don't know what to say?" Teacher Maria was still in a state of shock upon hearing Echo's confession.

"Just say Yes," Echo insisted while holding her so tight.

Teacher Maria was so overwhelmed. She loved him so much and all she can say is, "Yes," she said.

Echo was so happy to hear it from Maria.

"I promise to be a good boyfriend of yours from now on Maria. Thank you. I love you," he said and held her head and gave her a deep kiss in the middle of the dance floor.

They were now the center of attention for everyone. Others were applauding as they romantically danced and kissed at the end. Other especially women were so furious with Maria.