Until Forever Wasn't Temporary

Redwood School… Adriana arrived at Redwood School at least an hour before the class started. She hadn't expected to be hired as a preschool teacher since she hadn't taught in three years. “Good morning, Ms. Hartley.” The principal of Redwood, Ms. Nora Vines, greeted her. “Good morning, Principal Vines.” Adriana smiled and greeted Principal Vines as they entered the halls of Redwood School. “I hope you find your commute from your home to Redwood fine. The school schedule is very strict here at Redwood.” Principal Vines tapped her pen on the clipboard as she spoke to Adriana. “Thank you for your concern, Principal Vines. I found the commute alright, and I hope to make a good impact here at Redwood.” Her voice expressed determination as they reached the classroom where Adriana would take her place. “Your resume and academic background are exceptional, and that is what we need here at Redwood. I think you will indeed make a good impact here.” Adriana smiled as she prayed for this job after her divorce and left with nothing. This is her only chance for a new life. “I almost forgot to mention the sons and daughters of Redwood School came from prominent and wealthy families. I hope you can manage them, as you might encounter some behavioral concerns and attitudes.” Principal Vines had a strict tone in her words; she looked at Adriana with vigilance and seriousness. “I understand; I will work hard and be careful.” Adriana applied to Redwood School, knowing already the details. After all, before her divorce, she dreamed that one day her child would enroll here at Redwood, but it didn’t come true. Adriana Hartley was only thirty-three years old when she got a divorce. Her ex-husband and best friend betrayed her as they had an affair behind her back; the worst situation was that her best friend was now pregnant. All she ever wanted now was to forget her past, move on, and live a new life. Inside a moving car, Theo was crying and mad at his father. “I hate you, Daddy." Theo was crying and having tantrums. “Stop crying. Theo and Uncle Vincent will be the ones to fetch you later. Sorry if I cannot do that today.” Dante massaged his temples as Theo was crying, making his head ache so much. He hadn’t had a proper sleep yet after his midnight work. “You promised me that for the first day of class you would be the one to fetch me after school; you lied to me, Daddy." Theo continued crying out loud. Dante wanted to reprimand him, but he couldn't, as he indeed broke his promise to his son. “Do not cry, little master; we will go to an arcade later. I promise.” Vincent was driving towards Redwood School while convincing Theo to stop crying. “Promise, Uncle Vincent? Theo asked. “Yes! So stop crying now, and please make peace with your dad," Vincent replied Theo wiped his tears and looked at his father; Dante, on the other hand, stared at his son. “I am sorry, Theo. I promise to make it up to you," Dante replied. “Okay, sorry for crying, Daddy," Theo replied. Dante Vescari is the head of the Vescari family, but to Theo, he is just Dad. Taking care of a child is difficult, especially for a mafia boss, but what can he do? They reach Redwood School; many people are there for the school opening. As Theo and Dante got out of the car, all the crowd's attention was on them. “Daddy!"Theo held his dad’s hands tightly. "Do not worry, Theo; it is alright," Dante replied. Dante glared at the people staring at them. This was never new to them, but he did not want Theo to be subject to this kind of situation. “Isn’t that Dante Vescari, the head of the Vescari family?” Whispers said, “I heard they are doing illegal business.” Whispered another. “So that little boy is his son; where is the mother?" Whispers spoke. Dante looked at his son, who was clinging to him tightly. As they entered and reached the classroom. “Be a good boy, Theo," Dante said “Okay, Daddy!” Theo replied. “Uncle Vincent will fetch you later, but we will have dinner together,” Dante replied “Promise?” Theo asked “Promise, so be a good boy and have fun,” Dante replied. Theo smiled and nodded at his father’s words. He entered the classroom and left Dante. “Are you worried? "Vincent asked “Not really, I know Theo can handle this," Dante replied “Hmm! Let’s go!" Vincent replied “Make sure that our people will surveil this place,” Dante replied “Understood!” Vincent replied Dante Vescari is no ordinary man; he is the head of the Vescari family. They own the Vescari Capital Group, which is considered an elite investor in real estate, technology, infrastructure, and hospitality. Behind the curtain of their vast wealth is their underground lending business; countless people from all walks of life who need and crave money come to them. Dante understood for a fact that Theo was the sole heir of his entire business; he might be cold, rude, calculating, and manipulative, but his son comes first above all. No matter what happens, Theo will always be the center of his universe. Looking at the busy children, Adriana was excited to finally meet them. They filled the class with charming, interesting, and intelligent young boys and girls. "Ms. Adriana, look at my drawing.” A young girl called out. “I drew our house. Look, Ms. Adriana.” A young boy said. Adriana smiled at the children. “What a pretty drawing you have. I love all of them.” Adriana cheered. Even though with the cheerful atmosphere in the classroom, Adriana saw a young boy in the corner drawing and coloring on his own. He never smiled or interacted; he was just in the corner, tucked away from everybody else. Adriana glanced at the attendance sheet. Theo Vescari. I had listed no emergency contact under his mother's name. Only his father. Dante Vescari. Adriana frowned slightly. She had a classroom full of six-year-olds to manage. "Good morning, Theo." The boy looked at her. His eyes were dark and strangely serious for a child his age. "Good morning, Miss Hartley." His voice was quiet. Adriana smiled. "Would you like to join the others?" Theo shook his head. Adriana crouched beside his chair. “What are you drawing there? "She asked Theo looked at her and studied her face. He didn’t reply and just continued to draw. “Okay. You do not need to answer me," Adriana replied. Theo once again looked at her. "Are you going to leave too?" The question caught her completely off guard. Adriana's smile faded. "Why would you think that?" "Everyone leaves." She didn't know what to say. For a moment, she saw something familiar in his expression. That fear. That quiet expectation of being abandoned. She knew it well. Her divorce had taught her that sometimes the people who promised to stay were the first ones to walk away. But Theo was only six. He shouldn't have to understand that yet. Adriana reached for a box of colored pencils. “How about you let me draw something, too?" Adriana said. Theo nodded, and the two of them colored the drawing Theo had been working on. “How about we draw our family members, Theo?” Adriana said “I would like that, but I have so many family members?” Theo replied. “How many are we talking about?” Adriana asked “Well, my dad, my uncle Vincent, my aunt, our butler, and dad’s staff.” Theo continued to talk about people in his family, which amazed Adriana even more. “You have many people in your family, Theo; your house must be noisy,” Adriana said Theo then shook his head. “No! They are too busy to play with me," Theo replied Adriana felt the sadness in Theo’s tone; she then placed her hands on his head, and she ruffed his hair. “It is alright; you can play here with your classmates and me," Adriana replied Theo's face lit up, and he smiled at Adriana’s reply. He then nodded and shyly continued his drawing. The day at Redwood School has ended; the students are being picked up by their guardians, except for one. Theo was at the school entrance waiting for someone. “Is your fetcher not here yet, Theo?” Adriana called “He is just running late, Ms. Adriana,” Theo said “Okay! Then let us wait for him here.” Adriana replied. Theo smiled and nodded. The long wait was over; a black Mercedes car stopped by the school. Theo saw a man come out of the car. “Uncle Vincent.” Theo shouted and ran towards the man. Adriana looked at them, and she let out a sigh of relief as Theo’s father arrived. “How is my little master doing?” Vincent asked. “I am alright. Is Daddy home?” Theo asked. “He is on his way, so we better get home now," Vincent replied “Wait, I need to say goodbye to Ms. Adriana," Theo said “Ms. Adriana? ” Vincent uttered as he looked at the woman. Theo approached. “Ms. Adriana, that is my uncle Vincent; he will fetch me today,” Theo replied Adriana smiled and greeted. “Good afternoon. I am Ms. Adriana Hartley, Theo’s homeroom teacher.” She introduced herself. “Hello, I am Vincent Bellire, Theo’s uncle.” He introduced himself. “Well, Theo, better go home now. See you tomorrow.” Adriana said. “See you tomorrow, Ms. Adriana.” Theo cheerfully greeted her. Adriana then waved goodbye and headed inside the school. Vincent then carried Theo in his arms. “Little master, is she a new teacher?” Vincent said. “I think so; she is very nice to me. I like her," Theo replied. “Good to hear you have a person you like,” Vincent replied “Ms. Adriana said that I can play with her and the other children in school. So I like her.” Theo replied. Vincent smiled, but at the back of his mind, he knew he needed to report this to Dante. Theo rarely likes people, and for him to get attached to a stranger is something else. Adriana considers today a success, as her first time back to teaching was easy and smooth. She went home to her apartment with her Chinese takeout for dinner. Her apartment was small and relatively different from the house of her former husband. As she walked towards the mailbox, she already saw a court envelope. “Finally!" she uttered. Adriana hurriedly went up to her apartment. She placed the takeout on the table. She hurriedly opened the envelope. Here we grant the official and finality of the divorce of Ms. Adriana Hartley and Mr. Daniel Lewis. Adriana felt a tear roll down her cheeks; it was not sadness but relief, as her divorce is now final. At least she is free. “Thank you, Lord!” Adriana utters She can now do everything she ever wanted, something her ex-husband didn’t allow him. Adriana then approached the tabletop; she then reached for the ring and stared at it. “I will never get married again. I will choose myself this time around," Adriana replied. She opened the trash can and threw away the ring. She is now truly free. At the Vescari Manor, Theo was busy talking about his teacher, Ms. Adriana. “Ms. Adriana is pretty and nice; she played with me and the other children in the classroom and me.” Theo said while he was having dinner with his father. “Ms. Adriana? Is this a new teacher at Redwood?” Dante asked. “Yes! I think so; she doesn’t look familiar," Vincent replied. “Hmm! So you like her, Theo?" Dante asked. “Yes! We colored all that long, and she even greeted Uncle Vincent earlier," Theo replied. “Really!” Dante replied, staring at Vincent. “She is not scared of Uncle Vincent, not like the other teachers,” Theo replied “Hahaha! Your Uncle Vincent is just being cautious," Dante replied. “I hope you get to meet her dad; you will like her too. I am sure of it," Theo replied. Dante became intrigued, as Theo never showed his enthusiastic side to a stranger. Yet again, to a new teacher. “Have you looked at this new teacher?” Dante asked Vincent. “Yes! Her name is Adriana Hartley. She is a new teacher at Redwood School; she graduated from college at Harvard University,” Vincent replied. “Anything unusual about her?” Dante asked. “No criminal record, no debt, & no loan. The only thing unusual about her is she is a thirty-three-year-old divorcee.” Vincent replied. “Divorced? How unique.” Dante replied. “Apparently she got married after graduating college to a man named Daniel Lewis, but then they got recently divorced," Vincent replied Dante stared at his whiskey, and he was thinking. “Let us just observe the situation in the meantime. If Theo likes her and she will not do any harm, then let her be," Dante replied. "Understood," Vincent replied “If you like, you can go see for yourself this Ms. Adriana Hartley,” Vincent said. “Is she that interesting?" Dante asked “Well, Theo is interested, so you better be as well,” Vincent uttered. As much as Dante does not want to get involved, Vincent is actually right. If Theo is interested, he should be as well, as his son is his priority. “Fine, tomorrow I will bring and fetch Theo to school,” Dante replied. “Understood. Will inform Sebastian as well,” Vincent replied and left. Knowing for a fact that his presence is something Theo’s school does not welcome. He is indeed curious about this Ms. Adriana Hartley person. Dante once had the perfect life; after Theo’s birth, his wife tragically passed away from childbirth. At first, he wanted to move Theo away from all the dirty business of the Vescari family. He even enlisted his sister to adopt Theo, but after seeing the newborn Theo, he could not be apart from him. Theo is now in his life. The center of his life and love. He did his best to fill in the gaps of the missing mother figure. He showered Theo with gifts and attention, but he knew that was not enough. He knew Theo was growing up differently from other children around him, and he wanted to give him a normal life. What is even normal in the first place? He is rich! Powerful! Intelligent! But why does it feel like anything he does is not enough to care for Theo? What does even Theo need? He might have made Vescari Capital Group from the ground up, but those that even matter? Theo is more important. No more! No less!