Get In My Car

Chapter 44.

Get In My Car.

Lyla Atelo.

Days turned into a week with me ignoring Sage at every turn. I needed to focus on why I was really here— to teach students and make money. I wasn't going to let my needs and desires take control of my thoughts.

"The principal was more pleasant while speaking to you this evening. What happened? Did the Golden boy come to save you from her?" Ivy teased as we stepped out of the conference room where we just had the last faculty meeting to finalize the camping trip discussion.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about, Ivy. Besides, how old are you? Are you joining the kids in all these mindless rumors?"

Her lips spread wider, curling into the brightest smile I have ever seen her muster. "You're cute, you know that right?"

The corners of my eyes twitched. I wasn't expecting that. "Now, where did that come from?" I looked away from her and stepped out of the doorway, allowing more of my colleagues to step out of the conference room. We were waiting for Cecilia who had to stay back because Michelle, the principal I mean, wanted to speak with her in private.

"You try so hard to hide that you have feelings for the boy, but it's clear as day. You think I don't notice the faint blush in your cheeks when we spot him across the hallway? Or when you get jittery as we near his class?" She chuckled softly. "Others may be against it, but I'm not. I find it sweet, even. At least you're protected by one person, while other teachers are protected neither by Michelle or him. A lot of teachers will kill to be in your place."

I didn't doubt that.

"Sage and I are nothing to each other." I stopped her before she continued. I still remember his cold words in the office from days ago. "We are just strangers. Well..." I shrugged, "Just a teacher and a student. Nothing more, and nothing less." The words tasted like paper in my mouth, dry.

Ivy gave me one last look before looking behind me. Her eyes fixated straight ahead, and I could feel a cold shiver running down my spine. He was here, wasn't he?

"Mr. Dominic." Ivy nodded at him, and my neck snapped robotically to face the man behind me.

His gaze casually swept my face before his eyes landed on Ivy. "I would like to see you in your office, Miss Ivy."

He didn't wait for her to speak as he walked past us immediately. Ivy's eyes were wide in shock, but she didn't stay a second longer with me as she took on her heels immediately, following behind Sage's broad back.

Suddenly, a coil of emotion swept through me. I was... jealous.

"Do you think he has gotten tired of you?" A small voice whispered in my ears, making me jump in shock.

The principal was standing right behind me, looking straight ahead as Ivy and Sage disappeared towards the corridor at the end of the hall. When did she creep behind me? Had she finished her meeting with Cecilia? Where was Cecelia anyway?

"What?" I feigned ignorance immediately. "What are you talking about?"

The principal gave me a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If Sage's type is older women, don't you think Ivy is better off than you are? Older but still has her succulent firmness everywhere. If both of you were ever placed side by side, contesting for beauty, who do you think would emerge as the winner?"

The words caught in my throat. There was nothing I could say to retort, but I wanted to try having the last say.

"Ma'am," I turned fully to face her with a sweet smile on my face. "It's wrong to join the crowd and assume something dirty is going on between your student and a teacher. What would that say about your image as the principal of this prestigious school? If there was any evidence to suggest that something was actually going on, why keep it instead of exposing it to the world? Or do you secretly admire this so-called relationship between your teacher and student?" I teased slightly, flashing my lower teeth as I watched her face morph into anger.

Cecelia came right behind her, clutching a set of documents to her chest with fear in her eyes. She looked between the Principal and I, making it obvious that she had heard our conversation.

"I was waiting for you, Cecil." I told her after staring away from the principal.

She gulped and shook her head timidly. "I'm fine. You can go ahead." Her eyes were saying the opposite, like she was pleading for me to help her out of the situation. "I'm not yet done with the work I've been handed."

I stared at her for a little while, contemplating whether I should help her out or leave the suffocating presence of the principal, and I chose the latter. Cecelia would be fine. I had a hunch about what the Principal wanted from her.

*

School was over an hour ago, but I still had a lot of things to wrap up. I breathed a sigh of relief as I stood up from my desk, looking out through my shuttered windows. The sky was already getting darker and students were already home by now. I quickly packed my things up and slung my little bag on my shoulder, heading towards the parking lot.

"I've been waiting for you." A cool, calm and collected voice said behind me.

I spun around at once, recognizing his voice just like I'd recognize the scent of my favourite food. My eyebrows furrowed together in a frown.

"If you had a question, the best time you could have asked me was either in class or in my office. Right now, I've passed my working hours, and I may malfunction and give you the wrong answers."

Under the early moonlight, I caught a glimpse of his small smile before he shook his head.

"I didn't come to ask questions, Lyla." He said softly, and something shifted inside me.

"Mrs. Lyla." I corrected him almost immediately.

His expression remained passive. "I've told my driver to take your car home. I wanted to apologize to you for the other night. I realized that I didn't use the right words while speaking to you."

"Then apologize. I'm waiting. It's late. I need to go back home and prepare my husband's dinner meals, bathe with him, and..."

"Don't..." He growled as he stepped forward, pushing against me and knocking the breath out of me. "Don't complete that statement, Lyla." His hot breath was harsh against my neck. "Just get in my car, please."