Her whole body melts, her mouth parting a little, awe etching her features, and I grin, I can’t help it.
“I just made you fall for me a little more, didn't I?” I confirm with a smirk and she scrunches her nose up before pushing herself away from me a little, causing me to place her feet back on the ground, and she says, “Go away.”
I chuckle as I cup her cheeks and gently run my nose along hers before pressing my lips against hers, which instantly tingle with her touch, and I murmur, “One week, darling, that's how long I'll give you, but don’t expect me to stay away from Lyra.That amazing little baby girl called me daddy today, and it is a role I will honor.”
Holly melts even further, and I can see the love she holds for me, but I also see the pain, the guilt.
“One week,” I remind her before pressing my lips hard and fast against hers, our tongues instantly touching, just to get my fill before I push away and walk out without looking back.
If I don’t go, then I’ll throw her over my shoulder.
One week, just one week.
Chapter 24
Holly – Three Days Later
Mrs. Violet clears her throat as she looks at me, then glances down at her notes and carefully moves her pen so it lines up straight with her pad. I’ve noticed she always does this precise movement when she’s nervous.
I didn’t want this meeting. I’ve tried to avoid it since I returned last week but the head insisted, wanting to ensure the school wouldn’t lose funding from the club after her mistake.
“How uh, how are you settling back in?” she finally asks, and I try not to roll my eyes.
I should be taking paint supplies to my classroom right now, getting the kids' desks ready for our art lesson, something they love, while they’re outside playing, but I’m not. I’m sitting in front of the woman who acts before thinking.
My head is still a mess as it is, I miss Alex and currently regretting asking for a breather because he is all I can think about even though I know I need this time to get my head straight, I really don’t need her crap as well.
“Good,” I reply curtly, and she winces.
“I messed up,” she says, and I raise a brow. She clears her throat, “I had angry parents and a distressed teacher, I didn’t think about the fact I’d never met Caleb’s mother, all I could think about was the possible lawsuit. I am so sorry I didn’t get to the bottom of the story first, especially when they brought up Mrs.
Jones’ name and not yours. The woman, Cheryl, mentioned her son's name, and your daughter's, and that is what I focused on instead, and I am sorry.”
I swallow hard and look down before I ask, “Sorry because you mean it, or sorry because you’re concerned you’re going to lose funding from the MC?”
Ace, who picks up and drops off the kids, mentioned several times that all I need to do is say the word, but I won’t. As much as Mrs. Jones has angered me and upset me, I wouldn’t do it to the kids.
It isn’t their fault that the adults are idiots.
“Because you are the best teacher on the premises,” she instantly states, “I mean, your kids actually cried when you weren’t here, some didn’t come to school, and parents complained more than they have in years. You are a valuable teacher to this school, and I am sorry that I didn’t look at the situation for what it was.”
I clear my throat but nod before I check my watch and see the kids will be coming in soon and I say, “Look, the club won’t pull the funding, I won’t let them because I love the kids and as much as it hurt, I love my job as well so I’m not going anywhere anytime soon,” I stand as her eyes widen in shock and I givethe woman a polite smile and admit, “I need to go set up the classroom ready for our art lesson.”
A small smile appears on the woman’s face, she nods and mutters, “Thank you,” and I nod before leaving her office, hoping to never sit in there again.
Shaking my head, I shut her door and give Mrs. Trivers a wave before heading to the supply closet to grab what I need, but as soon as I get to the door, I frown seeing it locked.
Crap.
Clearing my throat, I turn to head back to Mrs. Trivers when the woman herself rushes over to me, her eyes wild, and I frown again.
She was fine a second a go…
“Is everything okay?” I ask her as she stops beside me, breathing heavy.
“No,” she gasps, “Mr. Saint just came in from watching the kids and asked if I’d seen Lyra. She said she needed the bathroom but didn’t come back out, and that was ten minutes ago.”
My eyes widen, and true fear chokes me before we hear a giggle to our right, and we both look, finding Mrs. Jones leaning against the wall with a smirk as she looks me up and down, and a horrible feeling churns in the pit of my stomach, especially with the evil that shines in her eyes.
