Marry Me

1. School trip to the park

May Daniels.

It took everything in my willpower to refrain from slapping that annoying bus driver. I had to constantly remind myself that my students are with me right here and slapping that ass across his face will only encourage bad behaviour.

His name was Mr Rogers, our minibus driver whom the school hired for today. Probably in his late forties and very friendly to my students. I'm a preschool teacher on an educational outing with five of my students between the ages of four and six. My students and I had eagerly anticipated this trip where we will simply walk, learn about nature and have small picnic-lunch.

Then, the driver came into the picture. But really? Was it so hard to look at my face instead of my chest when he spoke to me?

He took that moment to look away from the road to smirk at me. "And you don't have a boyfriend, Miss Daniels?" Did I forget to mention that he is very intrusive too?

"That's really none of your business. And keep your eyes on the road." I snapped, my patience stretched to the maximum. But not as loudly for the kids to hear.

"Alright, alright ... Erm we are almost here. What time should I fetch you all back?"

"In an hour."

I marched out of the bus, determined to have a good time with my students.

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Obviously the best part of the outing was the picnic. All the walking made my students and me ravenous. So the food disappeared within minutes.

"How long are we going to wait here?" Marianne, one my students complained. It wasn't surprising. Pre-schoolers are not well known for their patience.

"A few more minutes Marianne. Mr Rogers will be here soon." I smiled at her, internally cursing Rogers. It’s been nearly an hour and a half and he still wasn’t here to pick us up. The sun has gotten really hot, and it was making the kids antsy.

"But I'm so bored standing here!"

"Alright. Let's explore a little more until Mr Rogers arrive. Okay?"

"Okay!" My tiny students chorused, happy to do something other than waiting in an empty parking lot.

"Miss Daniels! Miss Daniels! What tree is this?" My youngest student called out in curiosity.

"It's a cherry tree, Robbie."

"Oompf!" That sound was so unexpected that I stood still for a moment unsure if my ears were playing tricks on me. A moment later another groan rang out painfully.

I whipped around to see where that horrible sound came from.

"P...please! I'll do anything!" It sounded like a man…begging?

"Did you guys hear that?" Marianne asked.

"Yes, I did!" Robbie exclaimed.

"Oh! Ahhhh!" That scream made my heart lurch. It was sweet little Anna, a timid child who rarely spoke.

She was standing a few feet away from me, shaking and staring behind a large tree. There were a group of guys standing near the dense trees. And my jaw dropped wide open when I realized what they were doing.

A poor man was tied to one of the trees as another tall man punched the hell out of him. Blood was dripping down from his nose and mouth, staining his shirt. There were three more watching, one bulky, one short and another slender.

They were all staring at us now and from where I was standing, I could feel that tall guy's fury.

Well too bad, because I was feeling furious too. First that perverted bus driver and now this?!

The rogue as I named him in my head said something to his friends. A few minutes later Mr Bulky and Mr Slender approached us.

I pushed my students behind me just in case. Anna too, who had ran to my side when the men started towards us.

"What are you all doing here?" It was the bulky guy who spoke.

"We are out on an expedition. I'm May Daniels, their preschool teacher." I answered with disdain.

"Okay lady. Just forget what you all saw and we can part happily. If not..."He trailed off, trying his best to be intimidating.

First thing first, I do NOT appreciate the man using the word, 'lady' even though I just told home my name. And secondly I'm not his servant to use that tone on me. And thirdly, was that a threat? Did I mention that I don’t do well when I’m threatened?

Nope. I can show him who's in charge.

"Sure. That shouldn't be difficult right?" I snarled. "But really..are you people stupid or what? You want to beat up a guy and you do it out in public?!"

"Not stupid. Just unfortunate." The slender one sulked.

My mouth slightly fell open. He was sulking?That was rather...unexpected. Upon close inspection, he seemed very young. Maybe around twenty?

I wasn't distracted for long though. The tall one was walking towards us and I could feel my anger reaching the peek at his casual stroll.

"How is it going?" He asked casually.

That wasn't going to work on me. His stance seemed aloof but I can see the annoyance in his eyes. Which for some reason made me even mad.

"What the hell is going on?" I snapped angrily.

He took a step back, blinking. Apparently I caught him off guard. Well good for him!

"I'm here on a school outing with my students. See, we have approval." I held out a piece of paper while resisting the urge to rub it in his face. "Then I see you people beating up a man and suddenly you are threatening me to keep my mouth shut?!"

Bulky and Slender looked at Tall. Maybe there was a trace of fear. But I was just too angry to care.

"Look here, lady..." Bulky started...again!

My hands badly wanted to knock some sense into him. Maybe teach him proper manners. "My name is May Daniels." I insisted.

"Okay Miss Daniels." Tall butted in. "You just have to ignore whatever you saw and you can go back with the kids. It's nothing much."

He had the audacity to shrug! As though this entire confrontation was meaningless. Maybe it was. But I was sort of worried about the guy they were beating up.

"What are going to do with that guy?"

"It's none of your business, lady." Bulky snapped.

I was about to tell him off when little Anna spoke in a shaky voice. "Miss Daniels? Can we go back now? These people are scary..."

I offered her small smile while my brains changed track completely. What the hell was I thinking? I was in a dangerous territory with five little children and I was doing nothing to protect them! Instead I was taking them along with me into trouble. Screw me!

I couldn't tell them that, of course. So I assured them instead. "Of course, Anna. The driver will be coming to get us soon, okay?"

Almost immediately I turned to Tall.

"Can I go now? I promise, I will just ignore whatever I saw. You're scaring the kids."

He nodded. I couldn't feel his annoyance anymore. Instead he was looking at me with curiosity. Maybe he's used to women falling on their knees instead of snapping at him.

Somehow I could feel that guy's gaze on me as we walked away. It was so eerie that I had to force myself from turning around to look at him.

"I didn't like those people, Miss Daniels." Marriane complained.

"Neither do I. But I don't think we will see them again."

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That night sleep evaded me like a b***h. The 'incident' at the park triggered something very unpleasant for me. My ex-fiancé’s words from almost three years ago.

"When will ever learn to be a normal girl? I'm sick and tired of your choice of lifestyle and of your independence, your temper and worst of it all, your curiosity! That's why I chose your sister instead of you. She is more suited for a married life than you. And you know what? Your Mom agrees with me!"

I had left home that day and I never turned back. The pain I felt was too much to handle. Why was it so bad to be different?

Damn…You know what? I'm not doing this again. This is how I am. Period. I closed my eyes, determined to sleep.

An hour later I was still wide awake. "Damn it!" I cursed my racing mind and decided to go for a jog. Maybe that will tire me out. Jogging always gave me a peace of mind. Never mind the fact that it was almost two in the morning. I live in a safe neighbourhood.

Forty minutes later, I jogged back into my driveway when a deep voice called out, making me jump out of my skin.

"Impressive stamina, Miss Daniels."

I turned around and came face to face with that rogue.