chapter 16

Minji's pov

I leaned back in my chair, a slow smirk tugging at my lips as I twirled a pen between my fingers. Everything was falling into place—exactly as I had planned.

Diana and Abby were breaking. I had seen the cracks forming over the past couple of weeks, subtle at first, but now? It was unraveling beautifully. The little fights, the tension, the way Diana had looked so drained in class today… It was working.

I had been patient. Careful. A gentle nudge here, a well-placed comment there. It had been almost too easy to drive that wedge between them. At first, I was subtle—separating them in class, making sure Diana spent less time tangled in Abby’s arms and more time distracted by my presence. But then, I had been bolder, planting ideas in Diana’s mind with carefully chosen words.

"Not all high school relationships last, Diana. It’s natural to outgrow people."

"You know, I’m always here for you. I hope you know that."

"Sometimes people who seem perfect for us aren’t really the ones meant to stay."

And she listened. Oh, she listened. She never questioned me, never pushed back. Every time I offered a quiet piece of advice, she absorbed it like a sponge. And now, after today, after seeing her sitting alone—alone—with tears threatening to spill from those beautiful blue eyes…

I knew I was winning.

I pressed my fingers to my lips, exhaling a slow, satisfied breath. It wasn’t just about Diana and Abby breaking up anymore. It was about Diana needing me.

And she would.

She just didn’t know it yet.

I tapped my nails against the desk, my thoughts running wild with anticipation. The way Diana looked at me today—lost, vulnerable—it was exactly what I had been waiting for. She was slipping, slowly but surely, and soon enough, she’d have nowhere to turn except straight into my arms.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. About her.

I had convinced myself in the beginning that this was just a game—just a test to see if I could break them apart. But it wasn’t just a game anymore. It was an obsession. A craving I couldn’t shake.

Diana was different. Not just some student. She was the brightest thing in any room, with that perfect golden hair and those sharp blue eyes that made my chest tighten every time she looked at me. She was brilliant, confident, stubborn. But now? Now, she was breaking down piece by piece, and I was the only one paying attention. The only one who truly understood.

I leaned forward, gripping the edge of my desk, heart racing with the thrill of it.

She already trusted me. Already let me in more than she realized. It was just a matter of time before she stopped fighting it—before she finally admitted that Abby wasn’t what she needed.

That I was.

I reached for my phone, my fingers hesitating over Claudia’s contact. She’d call me insane for this. She already thought I was being reckless. But she didn’t get it.

Diana wasn’t just a student anymore.

She was mine.

She just didn’t know it yet.

After leaving school, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. Everything was falling into place, and I couldn’t stop the satisfied smirk that played on my lips as I walked through the grand doors of my luxurious apartment. The sleek, modern interior welcomed me with its soft lighting and pristine surfaces—everything in its place, just the way I liked it.

I slipped off my shoes and loosened my tie, tossing it onto the couch as I made my way to the kitchen. Pouring myself a glass of wine, I leaned against the marble counter, letting out a slow, pleased sigh. Today had been a good day.

Diana and Abby’s relationship was cracking, breaking apart right in front of me. And Diana? She had looked so lost in class today. So fragile, so in need of comfort. And I had given it to her—just enough. Just enough to make her trust me more. Not too much, just the perfect amount.

I picked up my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I landed on Claudia’s name. If there was one person who needed to hear about this, it was her. She had been skeptical of my plan at first, but she’d see it now. She’d have to see it now.

I hit call, bringing the phone to my ear as the line rang.

“Ugh, Minji, what now?” Claudia’s voice came through, exasperated but amused.

I grinned, swirling the wine in my glass. “You need to come over.”

“Oh god, what happened now?”

“I just need to talk,” I said, feigning innocence. “Things are going so well, Claudia. You need to hear this.”

A pause. Then a sigh. “You’re so dramatic, you know that?”

I laughed, walking over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the city below. “And yet, you love me anyway. So, are you coming or not?”

“…Fine. I’ll be there in twenty.”

I hung up, my smile growing as I took another sip of my wine.

Tonight was going to be fun.

Claudia arrived exactly twenty minutes later, just like she said she would. The second she stepped into my apartment, she gave me that look—the one she always did when she knew I was up to something.

I didn’t even give her time to settle in.

“Claudia, it’s working,” I said, practically dragging her inside and shutting the door behind her.

She raised an eyebrow, kicking off her heels. “Minji, I swear, if this is about her again—”

“Of course it’s about her,” I interrupted, my voice sharp with excitement. I felt weird, restless, practically buzzing with energy. “Abby and Diana are falling apart. I saw it today. She looked miserable, Claudia. And who did she turn to? Me.”

Claudia groaned, throwing her purse onto the couch. “Minji, you are a grown woman. Why are you acting like some lovesick teenager?”

I ignored her, pacing across the room, wine glass still in hand. “You don’t get it. She’s so close. She’s starting to see that Abby isn’t what she needs. I’ve been there, comforting her, guiding her.” I turned to her, eyes wide, manic. “And today? She almost cried in class. I made her stay after, and I helped her, Claudia. Helped her. And she let me.”

Claudia rubbed her temples. “Jesus Christ, Minji.”

“I mean, can you blame me?” I gestured wildly. “She’s so perfect. That golden hair, those sharp blue eyes, the way she looks at me when she thinks I’m not paying attention—”

“Minji,” Claudia cut in, voice firm. “You’re talking about an eighteen-year-old like she’s your soulmate.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “She’s not just eighteen. She’s mature, intelligent, different. And she’s already pulling away from Abby. You should’ve seen them today. The way they looked at each other?It’s only a matter of time before she realizes I’m the only one who really understands her.”

Claudia dropped onto the couch, staring at me like I had lost my mind. “This is actually insane,” she muttered.

I turned to her, my expression serious. “Claudia. It’s not insane. It’s happening.”

She leaned back, exhaling heavily. “Minji, you are obsessed. This is not healthy. This is not normal.”

I let out a sharp laugh, running a hand through my hair. “Normal? What’s normal, Claudia? Sitting back and watching her waste her time on some childish relationship? No. I’m fixing this.”

Claudia just stared at me for a long moment, then sighed, shaking her head. “You are so far gone.”

I smirked, sipping my wine. “And yet, you’re still here.”

She groaned, grabbing a throw pillow and throwing it at me. “Because I love watching trainwrecks.”

I just laughed, because I didn’t care what she thought.

Diana was slipping further into my hands every day.

And soon, she’d be mine.

I leaned forward, eyes gleaming with excitement as I refilled my wine glass. Claudia sat across from me on the couch, arms crossed, watching me like I was a science experiment gone wrong. I ignored the judgmental look.

"Okay, listen to this," I said, voice hushed like I was revealing classified information. "I’ve been strategic, Claudia. This isn’t just about separating her from Abby anymore—it’s about making her need me."

Claudia groaned, rubbing her temples. "Oh my god, Minji."

I ignored her. "First, I planted the idea that they wouldn’t last. Just little things—casual comments, subtle reminders that high school relationships don’t survive, that Diana is too mature for someone like Abby. And it’s working. She’s thinking about it, I can tell."

Claudia sighed. "Minji, teenagers fight. It’s not because of you."

I grinned, shaking my head. "No, no, no, you don’t see it. It’s not just fighting, Claudia. I’ve been positioning myself as her safe place. Every time Abby lets her down, who’s there? Me. When she’s upset, who comforts her? Me. I’ve been there, consistently, giving her something Abby can’t. Stability. Maturity. Real connection. She doesn't know she has romantic feelings for me YET"

Claudia stared at me, blinking slowly. "You are her chemistry teacher."

I waved a hand dismissively. "That’s just a technicality."

She looked at me like I had lost my mind. Maybe I had. But I didn’t care.

I leaned in closer, voice lowering conspiratorially. "And it’s not just emotional, Claudia. I’ve been separating them physically too. In class, in the hallways. Making sure they don’t have those little moments of affection, reminding them of school rules whenever they try. And the best part?" I smirked, swirling the wine in my glass. "Diana doesn’t even suspect me. She still sees me as this kind, helpful teacher. I’ve been playing the role perfectly."

Claudia shook her head, exhaling sharply. "This is crazy."

"Crazy?" I scoffed. "Claudia, this is brilliant."

She narrowed her eyes. "And then what? Let’s say they break up. What’s your endgame, Minji? You think she’s just gonna fall into your arms?"

I smirked. "Not right away, no. She’ll need comfort. Support. And who will be there?" I pointed to myself. "Me. The person who has always understood her. The one she can trust. And once she realizes that, once she starts to see me differently…"

I trailed off, grinning.

Claudia just stared. "You are unhinged."

I laughed. "Unhinged? No. Dedicated."

She shook her head, picking up her wine glass and taking a long sip. "Minji, this is either going to work or explode in your face so spectacularly that I’ll have to pretend I don’t know you."

I grinned. "Either way, it’ll be entertaining."

Claudia sighed, leaning back against the couch. "God help us all."

I leaned back, swirling my wine with a gleam in my eye, feeling the excitement pulse through me. Claudia might’ve thought I was crazy—maybe I was—but I was convinced that this plan was not only foolproof, it was genius.

"Okay, Claudia," I began again, leaning forward, conspiratorially, "I’ve thought this through to the last detail. Abby and Diana are fragile right now, teetering on the edge. I’ve already laid the groundwork—separating them physically, stirring doubts, making Diana question if Abby really understands her, if she’s mature enough to handle a relationship like theirs."

Claudia raised an eyebrow, sipping her wine with an exasperated sigh. "And you think Diana’s just going to suddenly see you as the better option?"

I smirked. "Not suddenly. It’s all about the long game. The key is to position myself as the stable force in her life, the one she turns to when everything else is chaotic. I’ve been planting those seeds of doubt, but I’m also nurturing the idea that I’m her rock, her safe place."

I leaned in closer, voice dropping to a whisper, as if I was sharing a secret recipe. "And then, when things with Abby inevitably combust—because let’s face it, they will—I’ll be right there to pick up the pieces. To comfort her, support her, show her what real, mature affection looks like."

Claudia set her glass down, giving me a level stare. "Minji, for one, you already kind of told me that, also, you’re talking about manipulating a teenage girl into falling for you. Do you hear yourself?"

I waved her off, dismissing her concern. "I’m not manipulating her. I’m guiding her. Helping her see the reality of her situation. She’s with someone who doesn’t truly appreciate her brilliance, her maturity. Someone who drags her into childish arguments instead of lifting her up."

Claudia pinched the bridge of her nose. "And you think she’s going to be grateful for your… ‘guidance’?"

"She will be," I insisted, leaning back with a self-satisfied smile. "Once she realizes how much easier things are when she’s with someone who understands her, who can actually meet her on her level, she’ll see that this was the right path all along. That I was the right path."

Claudia snorted, shaking her head. "You’re delusional. What if she just hates you for interfering?"

I shrugged, unfazed. "I’ve been careful. Nothing I’ve done is traceable back to me. To her, I’m still her concerned, caring teacher. The one who looks out for her best interests. The one who’s always there when she needs someone."

I could see Claudia’s doubt, her frustration, but also—begrudging admiration. She knew how meticulous I could be, how determined. And maybe, just maybe, she was curious to see if this insane scheme would actually play out the way I envisioned.

"You’re seriously committed to this, huh?" she said, leaning back and crossing her arms.

I nodded, eyes gleaming. "More than I’ve been committed to anything in a long time. And when it works—when Diana realizes what she needs, who she needs—it’s going to be perfect."

Claudia sighed, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "If anyone could pull off a master manipulator scheme like this, it’s you. But Minji, just… be careful. This is a tightrope, and one wrong move—"

I raised my glass to her. "One wrong move and it all falls apart, I know. But one right move, and everything falls perfectly into place."

We clinked glasses, Claudia shaking her head even as she laughed. "This is going to be a disaster."

"Or a masterpiece," I countered, grinning.

And I believed it—every word. Because for the first time in a long time, I felt alive. Driven. Ready to claim what was mine.

With a gleeful smirk, I stood up and strode across my luxurious living room, gripping the edge of the massive whiteboard I had been dying to unveil. With a dramatic flourish, I spun it around, revealing a meticulously drawn-out plan—arrows, circles, bullet points, even color-coded sections.

Claudia’s jaw dropped. “Oh my God, Minji.”

I grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement. “I told you I was prepared.”

The board was a masterpiece of strategy. On the left, a column labeled “Diana & Abby’s Relationship Weak Points” outlined every flaw I had observed—Immaturity. Miscommunication. Jealousy. Over-Attachment. I had even drawn a tiny sketch of Abby with a big red X over her.

Next to it, a web of arrows led to the “How to Accelerate Their Downfall” section.

1. Increase Doubt – Make Diana question Abby’s ability to understand her. Plant the idea that Abby is holding her back.

2. Enforce Distance – Keep them apart in school. No kisses, no holding hands, more rules.

3. Create Frustration – Subtle miscommunications. Make Abby feel unheard. Make Diana feel unappreciated.

4. Be the Comfort – When the cracks form, I swoop in. I’m the stable, mature, understanding one.

Claudia rubbed her temples. “Minji, you made a flowchart.”

“Oh, I made three flowcharts.” I pointed to the next section—“Diana’s Emotional State – Manipulation Timeline”—detailing how, over the next few weeks, I would maneuver myself into her most trusted space.

First, confusion. Then, reliance. Then, realization.

“This is psychotic,” Claudia muttered, but there was something in her eyes—was that impressed horror?

I ignored her skepticism, flipping to the next section labeled “Final Phase – Winning Diana” in bold red letters.

At the very end of it all, after Abby was nothing more than a regret of the past, I would be the only one left standing beside Diana. The one who had always been there, guiding her, supporting her. The one who truly saw her.

Claudia exhaled dramatically, waving her wine glass toward the board. “You have a literal battle strategy for seducing your student.”

I crossed my arms, tilting my head. “I have a winning strategy.”

Claudia just took a deep sip of wine. “You are so far gone.”

I smiled. “And I have never been more sure of anything in my life.”

Later that night, after Claudia had finally left—shaking her head at me like I was a lost cause—I poured myself another glass of wine, kicked my feet up on the couch, and opened my phone.

I knew I shouldn’t do it. I knew I had already spent far too much time fixating on her, but… my fingers moved on their own, tapping open Instagram.

Diana’s profile.

That perfect blonde hair. Those soft lips. That damn body.

Her feed was unfair. Some pictures were innocent—her with her friends, her laughing at something stupid. But then there were others. The ones that made my throat dry. A mirror selfie in a tight black dress. A beach photo from California, her skin golden under the sun. A casual shot of her in a hoodie and shorts, legs curled up on a couch, looking so effortlessly perfect.

I scrolled further, staring, analyzing. She had no idea how mesmerizing she was. How badly she—

OH SHIT.

My thumb had slipped.

I froze. My heart plummeted.

I had just… followed her.

Panic slammed into my chest like a truck.

No. No no no no.

I never should have been on her profile in the first place, but now? Now she was going to see it. She was going to know.

Frantically, I unfollowed her in less than a second. But the damage was done. If she had notifications on, she had already seen it.

I threw my phone onto the couch like it was cursed, running my hands through my hair.

God. What if she mentioned it? What if she asked me about it in class tomorrow?

I took a deep breath. Okay. Think, Minji. If she brought it up, I’d just act like it was a mistake. Maybe say I was clicking around and accidentally pressed it. It was believable. People misclicked all the time.

But what if she thought about it? What if she knew?

I groaned, pressing my palms into my face. This was not part of the plan.

And yet… somewhere, deep inside me, there was a thrill. A part of me that wanted her to see. A part of me that wanted her to wonder about me.

I shook my head. No. This was bad. I needed to be careful.

But no matter how much I tried to push it aside, the truth remained.

I had messed up.

And tomorrow… I’d have to face the consequences.

The next morning, I woke up feeling like I had swallowed a rock.

I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Diana’s name in my “Following” list. That moment of pure horror when I realized what I had done. The unfollow had been immediate, but it didn’t matter. If she had notifications on, she knew.

As I got ready, my usual routine felt off. My white blouse felt too crisp, my black slacks too stiff. Even tying my hair up felt… wrong.

I was distracted.

I tried to convince myself I was overthinking it. Diana had hundreds of followers—what were the chances she even noticed?

She noticed.

I knew she did.

The drive to school felt longer than usual. The moment I stepped into the building, my heartbeat spiked. My eyes scanned the halls, looking for her—looking to see if she was already whispering about it to her friends, if she was laughing, if she was wondering.

I swallowed hard. I had to act normal.

I made my way to the teacher’s lounge, ignoring the hum of students in the hall. I set down my bag, grabbed my coffee, and tried to calm my nerves.

And then, as I took my first sip—

The door opened.

And there she was.

Diana.

Blonde hair shining under the fluorescent lights, lips slightly parted like she had something to say. And she was looking right at me.

I almost choked on my coffee.

I covered it up with a cough, forcing myself to stand taller. Act professional. Act like her teacher, not some lovesick fool who stalked her Instagram at 2 AM.

She didn’t say anything right away.

She just… looked at me.

And for the first time since this whole thing started, I had no idea what was about to happen next.

I felt my grip tighten around my coffee cup as Diana stepped further into the lounge.

I shouldn’t have been staring. But how could I not?

She looked ridiculous today. Unfairly good. Like she woke up and decided to make my life harder. Her blonde hair was effortlessly tousled, like she just ran her fingers through it before walking out the door. She had on a fitted black top that clung to her perfectly, showing off her figure in a way that made my brain short-circuit. And that skirt—God. Black, short, hugging her hips just right, making her legs look too good.

I could feel myself getting warm.

I forced my eyes back up to her face. She was watching me. Studying me.

Did she know? Could she tell what was going on in my head?

I cleared my throat, shifting my weight to one side, trying to seem indifferent. “Did you need something, Diana?” My voice was too even. Too controlled.

She hesitated, her lips parting like she was about to say something—then stopping.

And then, she smiled.

It wasn’t a big smile, just the corner of her mouth quirking up, but God, it was enough to wreck me.

“I just—” She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. “I think you accidentally followed me on Instagram last night.”

I froze.

Every muscle in my body locked up.

This was it. This was death.

My throat was dry. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I didn’t even have an excuse prepared because why would I have needed one?! How was I supposed to explain a 35-year-old woman following her own student at nearly 2 AM?

Diana’s eyes sparkled, amused. She knew she had me.

I was completely, utterly, screwed.

I swallowed hard, forcing my face into something neutral. Something not guilty.

"Did I?" I said, feigning confusion, even though my entire body was screaming.

Diana smirked. Smirked. Like she knew exactly what was going through my head.

"Yeah," she said, shifting her weight slightly. "Late at night. Almost like... you were stalking me or something."

My stomach dropped.

"I—" I cut myself off. I needed to play this right. "It must’ve been an accident. My finger must’ve slipped."

Diana raised an eyebrow. "Slipped?"

I nodded, keeping my expression calm, even as my heart was pounding. "Yeah, it happens."

She just watched me. Like she was deciding whether or not to call me out. And the way she was looking at me—sharp, curious, playful—was making it very hard to breathe.

Then she shrugged. "I mean, you unfollowed me pretty fast. Maybe a minute after."

I froze again.

A minute? A minute? That was basically an eternity in Instagram time.

Diana knew. She was toying with me.

I had to regain control.

"I check my following list sometimes," I lied smoothly, crossing my arms. "It must’ve popped up, and I removed it."

She hummed, unconvinced.

"Mm. So it definitely wasn’t because you panicked and unfollowed immediately after realizing you made the biggest mistake of your life?"

My eye twitched.

She was having fun with this.

I forced a casual laugh. "Diana, I have no idea what you’re talking about."

"Sure," she said, her smirk widening.

I was dying.

Then she just—turned away. Like it was nothing. Like she hadn't just shaken my entire existence in under a minute.

"See you in class, Ms. Collins," she said over her shoulder, and then—just to kill me—she shot me a playful wink before disappearing down the hall.

I stood there, speechless.

I was in too deep.

I stood frozen in place, my mind racing to catch up with what had just happened.

Diana had winked at me.

I felt like my brain had short-circuited.

This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. I had spent weeks crafting my plan, playing my role perfectly, subtly pushing the distance between her and Abby, making her lean closer to me without even realizing it. And now—now—I had made the stupidest mistake possible.

I had accidentally followed her.

And worse? Diana knew.

I clenched my jaw, forcing my breath to steady.

I needed to get a grip.

I couldn’t afford to look shaken. I was Ms. Collins, for god’s sake. Diana’s teacher. I was supposed to be in control. Not standing here feeling like I had just been caught in the act.

I turned, walking toward my classroom with purpose, trying to shake off the encounter. But my body betrayed me. My hands felt clammy. My heart was still racing.

Because she had looked at me like that.

That knowing, teasing smirk. The slight tilt of her head, like she was just toying with me. The way she had winked, effortlessly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I pushed open my classroom door a little too harshly, stepping inside and shutting it behind me. I leaned against it for a moment, exhaling slowly.

God.

I had it bad.

And I hated that she knew.

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing to my desk. My laptop was still open from earlier, Diana’s Instagram page still pulled up.

Blonde hair. Perfect body.

And now? That smirk burned into my brain.

I slammed the laptop shut.

I needed to focus. I couldn’t let this rattle me. Not when everything was working.

But as I sat down, trying to collect myself, I found my mind wandering again.

Diana had looked good today. Too good.

Her skirt was shorter than usual. Or maybe I was just noticing it more. She had paired it with knee-high socks, her legs stretching endlessly under the fabric. And the way she carried herself—so effortless, so confident—was driving me insane.

And that lip gloss.

I had noticed it immediately. Lightly tinted, just enough to make her lips look even softer, even more kissable. I had caught myself staring during class—just for a second, but it had been enough. Enough to make me turn away too fast, to avoid her knowing eyes.

Because Diana knew everything.

And that was the worst part.

She knew I had followed her. She knew I had unfollowed too quickly. She knew I was avoiding her gaze.

And yet, she still looked at me with that amused glint, like she was enjoying every second of this.

I gritted my teeth, trying to force the thoughts away.

I needed to get my act together.

Because if I wasn’t careful—if I let Diana have the upper hand—this could all spiral very, very fast.

Class started as usual, but there was something different in the air. Tension.

I stood at the front of the room, trying to focus as I began the lesson, but it was impossible to ignore her.

Diana.

She sat there, looking too relaxed, twirling her pen between her fingers like she had all the time in the world. Her legs were crossed, her knee bouncing slightly, her lips still coated in that damn gloss that I couldn’t stop noticing.

I swallowed, gripping the edge of my desk.

This was fine. I could handle this.

I started writing on the board, explaining today’s topic—reaction rates, catalysts, something science-related, I barely knew anymore—but I could feel her eyes on me.

I turned around to check, and sure enough, there she was.

Watching me.

Her head tilted slightly, her expression unreadable, but her lips curved into something almost dangerous.

I ignored it. Or at least, I tried to.

I moved through the lecture, walking between the rows of desks, stopping every so often to check students' notes. When I reached Diana’s row, I hesitated for just a second before forcing myself to act normal.

“Are you actually taking notes, or are you just doodling?” I asked casually, leaning slightly to glance at her paper.

She grinned. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

My jaw clenched. That tone.

I wasn’t playing this game.

I sighed, stepping back. “Just make sure you actually understand this by the test.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll be just fine,” she said, her voice laced with something knowing.

I turned away immediately.

I couldn’t do this. Not now. Not when I still felt like I was barely holding my composure together.

I moved to another student, ignoring the way Diana laughed softly under her breath.

The rest of the class was painful.

Every time I glanced in her direction, she was already looking at me. Already waiting.

When I called on her to answer a question, she responded too smoothly, like she wasn’t even trying but still getting it right. Like she was just amusing herself.

And the worst part?

I could feel myself slipping.

I could feel the way my voice nearly faltered, the way my hands tightened into fists when she smirked at me.

When the bell finally rang, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

The students gathered their things, filing out.

But Diana?

She took her time.

She stood slowly, stretching her arms above her head before grabbing her bag. Then, as she passed by my desk, she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just enough for only me to hear.

“Nice save earlier, by the way. Next time you should like my pics.” she murmured.

I froze.

And then she walked out.

Like nothing had happened.

Like she hadn’t just ruined my entire focus for the rest of the day.