Page 14 of Teacher's Pet

It’s just one encounter. Outside of the classroom. Nothing more.

She’s a defiant woman, tangled in her own mess of issues, and I am her teacher. There are lines.

Ican’tcross them.

The last thing I need is to get pulled into her world, to get tangled up in something I can’t undo. She has to stay at arm’s length. She has to.

I force myself to push these thoughts away, but they linger, like shadows creeping closer, threatening to consume me if I let them.

I flip my wrist, glancing at my watch, desperately trying to focus on something else—anything else.

"Maybe some coffee will help clear my mind," I mutter to myself, the words hollow, the storm in my head still raging, waiting to swallow me whole.

The staff room mirrors the extravagance of the rest of the school. In terms of finances, the school seems to have no limit, as if its only concern is creating an image of wealth and prestige. The brand-new couches, sleek kitchenware, and high-end coffee makers make the space feel less like a simple break room and more like a small, upscale apartment.

I pour myself a large mug of coffee, the rich scent filling the air. Pressing the hot ceramic against my skin, the warmth seeps through, grounding me, forcing my thoughts to steady and focus.

“She does that when she’s hungry, baby,” a female voice purrs softly, almost teasing. “Echo warned you what days off would look like when I’m not home.”

I turn, meeting the gaze of a pretty brunette holding her phone, her lips curling into a playful smile as she notices me. She gives a soft wave, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“No, Roman. You can’t give her sweets. She’s trying to trick you. She knows her daddy will do anything for her, and you’re falling for it,” she laughs, a light, easy sound as she rummages through the counter.

Using a quick glance, I grab another mug, lifting it toward her, raising my brows in a silent question.

She nods eagerly, mouthing a quiet "thank you" in return.

“New teacher?” she asks with a smile, her tone warm and inviting.

“One of the new English teachers,” I answer, extending my hand toward her in a polite, professional gesture.

She scrunches her nose, rolling her eyes playfully as she takes my hand. “Roman, hush. I’ll see you both when I get home-"

She stops mid-sentence, her cheeks flushing a deep red. The sudden shift in her demeanor catches me off guard.

"You can’t just say something like that-" she stammers, clearly rattled by whatever was said on the other end of the phone.

Even from where I’m standing, I hear the loud, "Love you, Angel," spill from the speaker. It’s unmistakable that what he just said is far from school appropriate.

Her eyes flicker to the black phone screen in her hand, and she lets out a frustrated huff, as if this is a familiar pattern.

"Eden Briar," she says with a grin, a playful edge to her voice. "That lovely man on the other line is my husband, and he still hasn’t quite adjusted to the idea of me having male co-workers." She laughs, flashing a large, dazzling sparkler on her ring finger.

Any man who can afford a ring that big in Spokehaven isn’t someone to underestimate.

I stay silent, letting her words hang in the air. But she catches the amusement in my eyes and lets out a soft laugh, clearly entertained by her husband’s possessiveness.

"Damn it, Roman," she mutters under her breath. Pulling her phone out again, she quickly shoots off a text, her fingers moving with practiced speed. "I swear, he’s the reason the whole male staff avoids me like the plague."

With a hand resting on her hip, she flashes a grin that’s both confident and teasing.

"Don’t worry," she adds, her voice light, "he’s all bark, no bite."

I doubt that.

Something about the way she says it feels too practiced, too guarded.

"You’re new this year, right?" she asks, her curiosity piqued as she gives me a quick once-over.

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