Page 22 of Sexting the Single Pakhan

I nod, taking another sip of my wine. “Oh, I see.”

“So, teaching, do you love what you do?”

I set the glass down slowly, surprised by the question. I wait for the usual follow-up “But don’t you want more?” look I’ve gotten from so many people over the years.

It isn’t there. Leonid’s expression is curious, genuinely interested.

“Yeah,” I say softly. “I do. I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was little. I love working with kids.”

I hesitate, the old reflex kicking in. “I know it doesn’t sound ambitious, but—”

“Don’t do that,” he cuts in, voice firm but not unkind.

I blink. “Don’t do what?”

“Be self-deprecating.” He leans forward slightly, forearms braced on the table. “Wanting to teach is as ambitious as any other dream. You’re shaping people, minds, hearts, and futures. If wonderful people like you didn’t exist, no one would be there to teach the children. Imagine what a world like that would look like.”

He says it so seriously, eyes locked on mine, no trace of mockery. I swallow. “Thank you,” I whisper.

He holds my gaze a moment longer, then nods once.

Our meals arrive just then, the plates steaming, the aroma filling the table between us. The waiter leaves, and we both dig in.

“So… about Alexei,” I begin.

Leonid tilts his head, giving me his full attention. “Go on,” he says gently.

I explain how Alexei has been acting lately, withdrawn, refusing to mingle with the other kids, and growing more aggressive by the day. “He’s smart,” I say, “one of the smartest in my class, but the way he interacts with his classmates… It’s concerning. I think it’s a cry for help.”

Leonid lets out a harsh breath, nodding.

“Has he always been like this?”

Leonid leans back in his seat, no longer eating. His gaze is distant, pained. “No. Alexei lost his nanny a year ago. She had been with us… with him, his entire life. He took her death hard. After that… he became withdrawn. We’ve gone through four different nannies since then. They always end up quitting because Alexei makes it hard for them to do their job.”

My heart clenches. “I hope I’m not prying,” I say softly, “but what about his mother?”

Leonid’s eyes darken. “She’s dead.”

I wince inwardly. No wonder the nanny’s death hit him so hard. I blink back the sudden sting in my eyes. “I… I’m so sorry.”

He waves me off. “No need. And I’m sorry that Alexei has made your job harder. I’m working on it.”

I shake my head. “There’s no need to apologize. That’s my job. I’ve had more difficult kids before. But I like to make sure my students are okay, and since I’ve been teaching Alexei’s class these past three months, I’ve noticed a pattern and thought it was worth mentioning.”

He nods slightly, eyes steady on me. “I appreciate it,” he says.

I swallow, then tentatively ask, “Can I… make a suggestion?”

“Go ahead,” he says without hesitation.

“I think… he needs more time with you. Bonding time. Even small things, such as reading together, games, and dinners. Just… showing him he isn’t alone, that he isn’t being abandoned. I know you’re busy, but you need to make time for him, and…” I quickly shut my mouth, realizing I’m lecturing him. “Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… teach you how to be a parent.”

He surprises me by smiling. “It’s okay,” he says. “A lecture well deserved.”

I blink, caught off guard.

“I appreciate your concern for Alexei,” he continues. “I’m working on cutting back, spending more time with him.”