Chapter 2
Emma
“Bye Ms. Pierce!” all my students bid me a farewell. It was the end of a lovely Monday. The first day of school. I was an elementary teacher who loved teaching children. It was a passion of mine passed down from generations. I waved as all my students waved from me from their expensive cars.
I taught at one of the most prestigious schools in the state. It was filled with daughters and sons of CEO’s or even the mayor. What I love about these children is that they’re nothing like their parents. I walked back into my classroom filled with art made by my students and started cleaning up a bit.
Until I heard someone spoke. “You need any help Ms. Pierce?” I jumped as I pressed my hand upon my chest in hopes my heart would calm down. It was just one of my students. “Oh, Sophie you scared me. Where’s your parents?” I asked as I put down my papers and approached her. I sat in front of Sophie as she explained “My dad is late again. I thought he would send Rupert, our driver. But he promised he’ll pick me up,”
“And your mom?” I asked. She made a frown and said “Mom is in Paris,”
I didn’t like how distraught Sophie was. Sophie’s my star student. She’s the smartest and the most talented student I have. In fact, Sophie and her mom were going to deliver the welcome speech on Mother’s day.
“How about you help me make some decorations for Mother’s day?” I asked hoping it would bring her spirits up. I felt weight being lifted off my shoulders as I saw her beaming smile at me. She nodded with excitement.
Minutes bled into hours that it was almost six in the evening. Sophie got a bit hungry so I treated her to the nearest vending machine. But I was furious towards Sophie’s dad. He can be the President or a powerful billionaire for all I care, but that doesn’t excuse him. He’s a parent and he should be more responsible.
All the teachers were heading out so I decided to go and wait with Sophie for her dad near the parking lot. Ms. Clark who is a few years older than me decided to stay with me as well. Ms. Clark was one of the few teachers that welcomed me at this school while others simply don’t care.
“I’m sure your dad will be here any second,” I assured Sophie as she held on tightly to my hand. “Your father is a busy man Sophie. I bet he has a good reason why he’s late,” Ms. Clark added.
I rolled my eyes. Suddenly a black Rolls Royce rolled into the parking lot and this made Sophie jump up and down. The nice car stopped in front of us, Ms. Clark and Sophie had a smile plastered on their faces while I frowned. I felt more relieved that her father even arrived.
The windows were heavily tinted that there was no possible way to look at the people sitting inside. The window in the backseat rolled down and I was taken back by a very gorgeous man. For sure this can’t be Sophie’s dad?
“Hi daddy!” Sophie waved. Well, looks can be deceiving.
“Hi pumpkin, sorry I’m late. I was hold up at—” but I didn’t give him a chance to explain himself when I said “Mr. Baudelaire, may I please have a word with you?” The man’s eyes then gazed over at me as he lifted an eyebrow. “Dad, this is Ms. Pierce. My teacher!” Sophie said.
The man then closed the window and stepped out from his car.
Oh my word…
He was absolutely delightful. The lush, chocolate brown hair he groomed so carefully that had a rippling quality made my hands tremble with the need to comb his hair with my fingers. His roman nose complimented his strong defined face. Prominent cheekbones with a concrete jaw, and not mention his manly, peppered stubble. He had a devil-may-care outlook and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his entrancing silver eyes that were lit with a fire of passion. His height and shoulders screamed strength and power. And I bet that underneath that Armani suit is a body that’ll put Abercrombie models to shame.
“Ms. Pierce, did you ask me to exit my car just to ogle over me?” his teasing grin made me snap out of my trance. Oh boy, the urge to slap that stupid grin off of him was real.
“Mr. Baudelaire, do you know what time it is?” I asked him. He then adjusted his sleeve to look at his Rolex watch and said “It is a quarter till six, why?”
I smiled as sweetly as I could as I folded my arms in front of my chest. “Mr. Baudelaire, all the other students have gone home. Probably enjoying a fresh homemade meal while talking about their day with their families while Sophie had to eat from a vending machine! You have to be more responsible towards your child,” I scolded him as if he was just a student of mine. Other teachers who are on their way towards their cars stopped and watched us. I didn’t care if I was causing a scene.
“Ms. Pierce, if you haven’t interrupted me, I was just explaining to my daughter that I was late because I was held up at work,” he said calmly.
“I don’t care if you’re meeting with the President. Work is no excuse to be late to pick up your own daughter,” I told him as I shook a finger at him like he was some boy. I felt Ms. Clark grab onto my elbow to hold me back but I shrugged off her hold on me.
Sophie’s dad looked amused and surprised. Just to add fuel to the fire, his eyes traveled down my body and I was quick to react, “Mr. Baudelaire, my eyes are up here. Not only are you irresponsible but a perv—”
“Alright Ms. Pierce, I think Mr. Baudelaire understands what you mean. I bet it won’t happen again,” Ms. Clark butted in as she shoved me aside. I glared at her not because she shoved me aside but because she winked at Mr. Baudelaire.
“Sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Baudelaire, it was nice seeing you today.” Ms. Clark said as she practically stuck out her breasts to emphasize it. Sometimes I question my own gender.
“It’s no problem Ms.?” Mr. Baudelaire asked.
She stuck out her newly manicured hands and said “Ms. Clark,” she made sure that he heard the Ms. To make sure he knows she’s single and ready to mingle… with him. Mr. Baudelaire then smiled and said “Thank you Ms. Clark for your kindness, Ms. Pierce’s complaint will be fully noted,” He then turned towards me and said “See you around Ms. Pierce,”
He got in the car along with Sophie and sped off. Ms. Clark was all waves and smiles while the car sped down the road. I, on the other hand, was thinking how such good looks was wasted on a very irresponsible perverted man. Ms. Clark suddenly spun around to face me. Obviously, she’s displeased with my encounter with Mr. Baudelaire.
“What were you thinking Ms. Pierce?” she asked as she waved her arms in the air exaggerating her speech. “I was just telling Mr. Baudelaire that it was wrong of him to pick his daughter up at such an hour,” I explained myself.
“You know that Mr. Baudelaire is one of the most powerful billionaires in the country, right?” she asked. I give a curt nod and said “I don’t care if he was even the President himself. What he did was irresponsible and I will not tolerate such behavior,”
The whole night was filled with thoughts about how irresponsible Mr. Baudelaire was and his alluring stare. It was truly unnerving, to be frustrated with that person yet you’re captivated by him.
Next day had come and I was standing near the parking lot along with all the teachers waiting for our students to arrive. I was greeting a student of mine when all of a sudden I heard “Good morning Ms. Pierce!” Sophie’s voice chirped happily. “Good morning Sophie,” I greeted her back with a smile.
“My dad said he hopes we’re on time this time,” she said as she pointed at a certain direction. My smile quickly faded as I saw Mr. Baudelaire leaning on the hood of his black Porsche wearing sunglasses and he was grinning at me. I noticed that all the other teachers ogled at Mr. Baudelaire especially Ms. Clark.
His white shirt clung to his muscles emphasizing each and every bulging muscle. As he raised his arm to wave at me I couldn’t help but stare at his flexing muscles. He grinned once more and entered the car. I turned back to Sophie and smiled as I mumbled to myself “Show off,” If I wasn’t in front of young children then I would have totally flipped him off.
When the day ended I was glad to see the familiar black Rolls Royce right on time. I was expecting the back seat window to open to reveal the handsome man who irks me to no end. But I surprisingly felt disappointment as the passenger’s window opened and the driver told Sophie “Ms. Sophie, your father told me to fetch you,” Sophie nodded as she waved at me and entered the car.
As the car drove off, I couldn’t explain the feeling in my stomach. I felt as if I had just lost something. And I hated that it got me thinking of Mr. Baudelaire. Curse me and my woman hormones!
Today I was disappointed because I didn’t get to see Mr. Baudelaire.