Page 12 of My Spanish Love Affair

“That sounds... great,” I say, not wanting to jump in too soon since I do have a few questions. “What kind of classes would I be teaching?”

Carlos pulls out the folder he had been looking for and flips it open on his desk.

Apparently, he was prepared.

“It’s a mix,” he explains. “It’s a secundaria, so the pupils are between twelve and sixteen. There’s also an option to pick up some adult classes in the evenings or the summer break, if you’re interested in making some extra money. The school has been working with us to successfully place English teachers for years now, and they’re excellent at supporting trainees.”

I pause, letting his words sink in.

It sounds almost too good to be true.

“How soon would I need to start?”

“Ideally within the next two weeks,” Carlos replies. “It’s a quick turnaround, but the current teacher is finishing at the end of the month, and they’d like to have some overlap for a smooth handover.”

Two weeks. It’s fast, but I’ve always been impulsive -

Or at least, I used to be.

Before I lost myself in the monotony of my old life.

And this is exactly what I was looking for - a new adventure in a new city. I might have thought that it would be in Madrid, but while the city is beautiful, I don’t necessarily have any fixedattachment to it.

“It all sounds perfect,” I say, trying to sound professional and keep the excitement out of my voice.

Carlos smiles. “I was hoping you’d say that. Let me walk you through the details.”

He spends the next twenty minutes explaining the role, the salary and benefits, the school’s expectations and the steps to finalise the contract. When we finish, Carlos hands me a fresh folder with all the necessary paperwork.

“Take some time to think about it,” he says. “But not too long.”

“Of course,” I say, standing and shaking his hand again. “Thank you so much for your time.”

“Good luck, Olivia,” he says warmly. “Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll do great.”

I leave the office and step back into the bustling Madrid streets, but I can’t really focus. My mind is racing.

Valencia. A fresh start that comes with both a steady job and a discounted place of my own to live.

It feels like the universe is handing me an opportunity on a silver platter, and for the first time, I feel ready to grab it.

Chapter Five

Sofía is at the reception desk when I make my way back to the hostel, her ever-present smile lighting up her face.

“So,” she grins, “how was the meeting?”

“It went really well,” I say, coming to a stop and leaning over the desk. “The guy, Carlos, was so nice. He said there’s an opening in Valencia. It’s for maternity cover, so it’s temporary, but the pay is decent, and the job comes with discounted accommodation in the city.”

Sofia’s eyes widen with excitement. “Valencia? That’s wonderful!”

I’m admittedly relieved by her reaction, and my shoulders sag as a weight feels like it’s been lifted. I was a little nervous that she might tell me something awful and confirm that it was all too good to be true.

“It’s a beautiful city - you’ll love it. So, when do you leave?”

“Well, I’ve not accepted yet,” I laugh. “But they’d like someone in as soon as possible.”

“Wow, you have to celebrate tonight,” she tells me. “Even if it’s just with some churros and chocolate.”

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