BENEATH THE FACADE

Chapter 8

BENEATH THE FACADE

Behind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secrets awaits.

CHAPTER 8

Emily's POV:

The following day was a Monday, the beginning of a school week.

I got to school quite early and soon the class was filled. I moved around to check who had not resumed and made a mental note to check up on them by the close of the day, as was the school's tradition.

As I stood in front of my classroom, trying to focus on the day's lesson plan, my mind kept wandering back to the man at the bridal store. I couldn't shake off the image of his sleepy eyes, broad shoulders, dimpled jaws and his charming smile that melted my heart.

I found myself wondering what his name was and wouldn't forgive myself for not asking, I wondered what he did for a living, and what had brought him to the bridal store. Was he getting married? Was he buying a wedding dress for his fiancee? Who was the lucky bride? Any woman who was getting married to him had won herself a lottery.

My students sensing my distraction began to stare and whisper to one another. Suddenly, I was snapped back to reality.

“Miss Emily”, they chimed in unison

My eyes widened as I realized how far gone I was. I felt a blush rise to my cheek as I struggled to compose myself.

Ace, my favorite student shouted with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “ Wow, Miss Emily you were totally zoning out! Who's the lucky man?”,he asked teasingly.

I laughed trying to keep it cool. “Oh, no one Ace. Just…um thinking about the lesson plan.”

But the whole class refused to buy the idea as Bryan interrupted. “Save it Miss Emily!”,he exclaimed. “We've never seen you smile like this before!”

My blush deepened as I realized I had been smiling, a radiant smile that had caught the attention of my students. I felt embarrassed and shy, but I quickly regained my composure, acting as the teacher, to bring the class back to order.

“Okay, it's okay”, I said laughing. “Let's be quiet, and get back to work before Mrs. Smart comes in to check on us.

The students giggled and oohed, but they settled down quickly, sensing my seriousness. However, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had revealed too much, that my students had seen a hidden part of me.

As the lesson continued, I found myself struggling to keep my mind on the task at hand. I kept thinking about the man at the bridal store, wondering if fate would ever bring us back again.

It was time for recess, it would be different from other days. I wasn't in the mood to step out. So, I began taking out the photos of my students pasted in a corner of the classroom to replace them with the others who were to have their birthdays in the new month as was the tradition.

Just then, Bryan walked into the class clutching his lunch bag, “Hi Miss Emily, you're not out for recess today?”,he asked, his brows raised.

“No, my darling Miss Emily has work to do”,I replied with my hands, grazing his cheeks.

“Can I help?”he asked

“Pleaseee”,he added as he clapped his hands together in a sign of plea.

“Have you had lunch?”,I asked

“Yes Miss Emily, I can show you my flask”,he said, pulling out his empty flask.

“Alright then, let's get to work”,I said after ensuring he had finished his lunch.

I continued taking out the old photos, while Bryan passed me the new ones.

“Look Miss Emily, Kyla had this photo taken at Freedom park”,he said excitedly

“Let me have a look”,I said as I collected the picture from him.

“Miss Emily, my father took me there just this weekend. He said we were having an alone time, I had all the fun.”

“Miss Emily you should try it out with your father or do you always have an alone time with your father too?”,he asked as he pulled my arm, to gain my attention.

But my attention was all gone as my mind flashed to the incident with my father during the weekend. It had been two full days and my father hadn't called or sent me a text. Instead of feeling emotional,my resentment only grew. I was sure he had not called because he hadn't noticed the merger document was missing.

My gaze returned to Bryan who was staring at me confusingly. It was then I remembered he had asked a question, “yes Bryan, fathers having alone time with their children is very essential for bonding”,I replied as I managed a smile.

He said nothing but nodded his head and returned the smile.

I hurriedly took out the rest of the old photos and replaced them with the new ones and soon we were done.

***

Nyla joined me on the bed, she had just finished breastfeeding Liam and put him in his cot. Soon, our eyes were glued to the screen in front of us, as Leo McCarey's film ‘An Affair to Remember’ played.

Suddenly Nyla's eyes welled up with tears as she whispered the words ‘ I miss him”,her voice trembling as she reached for my hand.