Chapter 11—Secrets cannot be hidden forever
2115 Words
The Vescari Manor had never felt so alive.
For years, the enormous house had been filled with silence.
Dante spent most of his time either in his study or away handling business that Adriana had learned not to ask about.
But now there was another presence in the house.
Adriana.
Her arrival had changed the atmosphere in ways no one could quite explain.
There were books appearing on the coffee table. A small vase of flowers on the dining table. Her shoes beside the entrance. Her laptop and teaching materials occasionally scattered across the sitting room whenever she worked late.
Even the house staff seemed happier.
In the kitchen, Adriana is busy preparing.
“Mommy, what are you doing?”
Theo asked while we is doing his homework.
“I am making you and Dante lunch tomorrow.”
“Wow! I will pack lunch tomorrow.”
Adriana smiled and showed Theo the lunchbox; it was pretty, too.
“Wow! I love it!”
“Here, taste this?”
Adriana asked Theo to taste the food.
“What is going on here?”
Adriana and Theo was surprise so see Dante at home.
“Daddy, you came home early.”
Theo excitedly greeted Dante.
“Of course, I want to see you.”
Dante looked at Adriana and smiled. Seeing her there is indeed refreshing.
“What are you doing?”
“Mommy made us lunchboxes for tomorrow.”
“Lunchbox, for us?”
Dante was surprised to learn what Adriana did; Adriana, on the other hand, was shy; she wanted to disappear.
“I just want Theo to have a packed lunch like his classmates. I made extra and thought.”
Adriana turned around and saw Dante behind her; their proximity was so close.
“Ah! Mr. Vescari.”
“I told you to call me Dante.”
Adriana pursed her lips together and looked away from Dante; she moved away from him.
“Thank you, Adriana!”
His sweet voice echoed in Adriana's ears; she felt her ears heat up.
“You’re welcome, Dante.”
Dante smiled after Adriana called her by his name. He could get used to this kind of situation.
If this is what marriage feels like, then he wants it.
“Mommy, I want to go to sleep.”
Theo called Adriana as he rubbed his eyes.
“Okay! Come here!”
Adriana hugged and picked up Theo and carried him.
“Say good night to your Daddy.”
“Good night, Daddy!”
“Good night, Theo!”
The three of them said good night to one another. The family of three is indeed making the manor warm.
After Adriana put Theo to bed, she headed downstairs to clean up. Just to see Sebastian doing it.
“Allow me to fix that”
“It is all right, madam. Please rest now.”
“Please do not spoil me; I can help.”
Sebastian smiled and looked at Adriana.
“Your presence is already giving so much, madam.”
‘What do you mean?”
Adriana was surprise on what Sebastian said.
“Since you came here, the little master and Mr. Vescari seem to smile more than before. Thank you for that.”
“I didn’t do much; I am just here for Theo.”
“That is very important, as Master Theo is the heart of this place.”
Adriana slowly understood how the household operates. The cold exterior of the manor is only for Theo’s protection.
Everything around this place revolves and works because of Theo.
The morning came; Theo woke up happily as always.
“I will show everyone my lunch today.”
“Do not get too excited”
Vincent teased Theo.
“Hmm! You are just jealous, Uncle Vincent, because Daddy and I have lunches.”
“Oh! So boss has lunch as well.”
“We better go, Theo.”
Adriana said, holding Theo’s hands, and they reached the car.
“See you later.”
Dante said to both of them.
“Are you going home early again, Daddy?”
“Yes!”
“Yeah! Maybe Daddy and Mommy can tell me a bedtime story later.”
Dante and Adriana looked at each other as Theo said that.
“Sure, I will join your bedtime story later.”
“You do not need to do that, Dante,” Adriana said
“Why not?” Dante asked
“We get energetic with the storytelling, Daddy.”
That morning was pleasant.
At Redwood, classes are busy until lunchtime comes.
Theo hadn't meant to say it.
It slipped out during lunch.
“My mommy made my lunch today.”
His classmate looked at him.
“Your mom?”
Theo nodded casually, still eating.
“Yeah. Ms. Adriana.”
The boy frowned.
“Ms. Adriana? Our teacher?”
Theo suddenly realized what he had said.
He froze.
“She's my mommy.”
His classmate burst out laughing.
“Our teacher is your mom?”
A few other students nearby heard and turned toward them.
“That's not funny,” another boy said.
Theo's face reddened.
“I'm not joking.”
“Sure you aren't.”
“She's not your mom,” the boy teased. “She's just our teacher.”
“She is! My Daddy and Ms. Adriana are married.”
Theo clenched his fists.
The laughter grew louder.
“You're making that up!”
“You don't even have a mommy!”
The last words struck something inside Theo.
Before he could think, his fist connected with the boy's face.
The classroom erupted.
“THEO!”
A teacher rushed over as the other students began shouting.
Theo stood frozen, breathing heavily, his eyes filled with anger and embarrassment.
“I told him the truth,” he whispered.
By the time Adriana heard about the fight, the entire school seemed to know.
She was walking toward the administration building when she heard her name being called from across the courtyard.
“Mommy!”
Adriana stopped.
Her heart dropped.
Theo came running toward her.
“Mommy!”
He threw his arms around her waist.
The courtyard went silent.
Students stared.
Teachers stared.
Even the staff members nearby exchanged shocked looks.
Adriana looked down at Theo, completely stunned.
“Theo…”
He looked up at her, his eyes already filling with tears.
“I told them you're my mommy.”
Adriana's heart tightened.
She glanced around.
There was no taking it back now.
Everyone had heard him.
A few students began whispering.
“That's his teacher.”
“He called her Mommy.”
“Is she really his stepmom?”
Adriana gently placed a hand on Theo's shoulder.
“Come with me.”
But before she could move, the principal's voice stopped her.
“Ms. Adriana. My office. Now.”
The principal shut the door behind them.
Theo stayed outside the principal’s office, waiting for Adriana.
Adriana was alone to face the consequences.
“You understand the seriousness of what happened today?”
“Yes.”
“Your student assaulted another child.”
“I know.”
“And he openly referred to you as his mother in front of the entire school.”
Adriana remained silent.
The principal's expression hardened.
“You are his teacher, Ms. Adriana. Whatever your relationship with his family is outside this school, you cannot allow it to interfere with your professional responsibilities.”
“I didn't encourage him to fight.”
“That isn't the point.”
“Then what is?”
“The perception.”
Adriana's jaw tightened.
“He called me Mommy because he trusts me.”
“And that is precisely why this situation has become inappropriate.”
She stared at Principal Vines.
“I have done nothing inappropriate.”
“You got married to a parent of the school in secret; what do you want us to think?”
Adriana said nothing.
“You are emotionally involved with the student.”
“He is a child.”
“And you are his teacher.”
The principal leaned forward.
“I am giving you a warning. If another incident like this happens, your position here may be terminated.”
Adriana's face fell.
“My job?”
“Yes.”
The word struck harder than she expected.
“I've done everything you've asked of me.”
“And yet your personal circumstances are now affecting the school.”
Adriana lowered her eyes.
She had worked too hard to lose her career over something she hadn't even planned.
“I understand.”
“I hope you do.”
Dante had concluded his long meeting and headed back to his office.
“I think little master is right. I am jealous.”
Vincent exclaimed as he opened a*****e-bought lunch.
“Better get yourself a girlfriend then.”
“Not for me.”
Dante opened the lunchbox and found it interesting. The contents of the box were just simple food he already knew, and yet his heart felt so warm.
Suddenly, his phone rang, and he saw Redwood on the caller ID. He immediately answered.
“Hello!”
“Daddy!”
It was Theo’s voice crying on the other side of the call.
“Theo! What happened?”
“Please come to the school; Mommy and I are in trouble.”
Theo said while crying.
Dante immediately stood. His expression darkened upon hearing those words.
“Mommy is being scolded in the principal's office because I accidentally called Ms. Adriana Mommy. I didn’t mean it; the other students are teasing me for being motherless, so.”
Dante's expression changed completely. He picked up his coat.
“Okay, Theo, just wait there; Daddy is coming.”
Dante felt a wave of anger in him.
How dare these people hurt his son and wife?
Adriana came out of the principal’s office.
“Mommy!”
Theo hugged her.
“Are you alright, baby?
Adriana asked.
“I am sorry, Mommy. I broke my promise.”
Theo cried as he said that.
“It is not your fault; it is alright. Mommy will take care of it.”
“I called, Daddy, earlier cause we are in trouble.”
“What!” Adriana replied in shock.
“Adriana!”
Dante walked in.
Every conversation stopped.
He crossed the hallway with a calmness that somehow made his presence more intimidating.
Adriana's eyes widened.
“Dante, what are you doing here?”
“I heard what happened.”
Her expression fell.
“This is my problem.”
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“This became my problem when my son was involved.”
“Dante—”
He walked past her and opened the principal's door.
The principal stood.
“Mr. Vecari.”
Dante looked at him coldly.
“I understand there was an incident involving my son.”
“Yes.”
“And I understand that you have talked to my wife about other things.”
Ms. Vines, the principal, hesitated.
“Mr. Vescari, Adriana is an employee of this school. It is normal protocol to call her out for doing certain actions.”
“What actions? Are you perhaps referring to our relationship?”
“She is Theo’s teacher; that is a conflict of interest if she is also her stepmother. I am merely giving her a warning.”
“About her job?”
Silence.
Dante stepped closer.
“If Theo broke a rule, discipline Theo.”
His voice hardened.
“If he assaulted another student, I'll deal with my son.”
He glanced toward Adriana.
“But you will not make her responsible for a child's mistake.”
The principal swallowed.
“This is a school matter.”
“Then handle it as one.”
Dante's gaze turned icy.
“Do not use my son's behavior as an excuse to threaten my wife’s position as a teacher at this school. She is not doing anything wrong.”
Adriana stared at him.
Dante turned toward her and held her hands.
“We are leaving school early. I do hope by tomorrow you and your human resources have sorted things out. As I will bring this matter to my lawyers.”
Dante said coldly, and he and Adriana got out of the principal’s office.
“Theo, let’s go!”
Dante called Theo. As they walked down the hallway, she finally whispered,
“You didn't have to come.”
Dante looked at her.
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
He paused.
“Because you're family.”
Adriana said nothing.
Neither did Dante.
But behind them, somewhere in the school, Theo was still telling anyone who would listen the same thing.
Adriana was his mommy.
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