Are we meant to be ?

Chapter five

Scarlett's POV

What kind of question is that. I look at him, those serious eyes were staring into mine. "Who told you?" I look away and back at him again. "I overheard your classmates talking about it." Still maintaining eye contact with each other. "If you heard them talking about it, maybe is not a rumor." I stood up and about to walk away, wanting to end this conversation as soon as possible. "Why not?" He asked and I turned around and sitting back down. "I have commitments."

"What commitments ?" Who does he think he is asking me so much questions. I rolled my eyes and not wanting to answer his unnecessary questions. "Last time I checked, you're not my father." I stood up again waking away from him, back to the front counter. "And last time I checked, I'm your teacher." He was frowning and looked a bit angry.

"You're just a substitute." My voice was small, but still he heard me."Even so, I'm still your teacher and I need a good reason why you can't go." He continued "I want all my students to take this opportunity to get inspired and open their eyes to different types of beautiful art." He's looking at me with those beautiful blue eyes again, talking like he's some kind of motivational talker. "Sir... I have to work on that day. I promise my boss that I work a full shift that day. Now I really need to close up. Can you leave so I can do that?" I said all that in one breath, not looking at him. "How can work be more important than study?"

I was getting pissed at how he can say that so likely. "If I made a promise to someone. I intend to keep that promise." This time I walk into the kitchen, not giving him a chance to respond. He won't dare to come in the.... "I'm not saying you shouldn't keep your promise. I'm just saying maybe you can talk to your boss and work something out. Maybe reschedule the shift." He came barging into the kitchen like he owns the place.

"Sir, you can't be in here." I was about to push him out the kitchen but Sarah suddenly came into the kitchen. Sarah and Peter went out to have dinner with their parents and said they would come back before close up. "What's going on? Who is this?" Mr. Wallace's back was facing Sarah, he still looking at me, not caring who is talking at the back. "Sarah, I'm sorry.. he just came in.. and.." Peter came in standing behind Sarah. "Babe, why are you blocking the kitchen door?"

"Hey, who are you?!" Peter push pass Sarah and grab Mr.Wallace's shoulder and turn him around to face him. "Dude.. you're not suppose..." Peter was about to say something to Mr.Wallace but he was stunned when he saw who it was standing in front of him. "Caleb? Caleb Wallace?" Peter's expression suddenly change from anger to happy and excitement. "Peter? Peter Cage?" I was puzzled by this sudden change of event. "Wait... you two know each other?" I asked but nobody answer me. Peter pulled Mr.Wallace into a tight hug and they both started to laughing.

"Hey, man! How are you? I thought you were in England?" Peter asked Mr.Wallace still in a tight hug. "I came back last year, I wanted to contact you when I came back but I couldn't." They break away from the tight hug and Peter grabs Mr.Wallace's shoulder, guiding him out the kitchen. "You remember my girlfriend from high school ?" Peter pointing at Sarah who is now standing in front of the counter. I walked out the kitchen and stand behind the counter. "How can I not? You two are the golden couple during high school." Sarah laughed and went to hug Mr.Wallace. "You still look as stunning as ever." Mr.Wallace said and hug Sarah back. "You're still handsome as I remembered. How are you?" Sarah breaks the hug and went to stand beside Peter, linking her arm with Peter's. "I'm good. Opened up my own company when I decided to come back."

"What company?" Peter asked. "An architectural firm. CW Architects." Peter seem surprise when he heard the firm's name. "You mean THE CW Architects?" Mr.Wallace just looked at him and nodded with a smile. "Wow. That's a big company, they say your company landed the big project in Dubai." Mr.Wallace smiled "Me and my team landed it. Couldn't do it with them." He was being humble about it and it seems like he relies on his teammates. "Still congratulations, it seems like celebration is in order." Peter patted on Mr.Wallace's leg "Scarlett can you bring some beers over?" I suddenly looked up at them and find it hard to speak out any words. "Yea... sure..." I went inside the kitchen and grab a bucket, filled it with ice and stick six beers in the bucket. I bring it out and place it on the table in front of them.

"Thanks. Here, you should celebrate with us." Peter holding a beer in front of me, gesturing me to take it. I hesitate to take it but I took it. They all congratulate Mr.Wallace and kept chatting away. I was walking around to see whether there were things for me to clean so I won't have to engage in their conversation. But suddenly... "So, how you two know each other?" Peter was pointing his beer bottle from Mr.Wallace to me and back to Mr.Wallace. "Yea. What were you doing in kitchen?" Sarah smiled and soon became a grin. "Is not what you think." I know what Sarah was thinking about and I want to stop her from saying it and making it worse.

"Are you two dating?" No.. she went and said it out loud and came in front of me, hugging me jumping up and down. "No... we're not." I was trying to get out of Sarah's jumpy-hug. She got over excited "Then what is Caleb doing in the kitchen?" Sarah stopped jumping and gave me a puzzled look. "We were..." Mr.Wallace cuts in "I'm a substitute in her university." Peter and Sarah looked at each other and they both starting laughing.

"What? You're the CEO of CW Architects. What are you doing teach a bunch of kids?" Peter was still laughing and slapping his knee. He looks like he's going out of breath."Oh my god! This makes it even more scandalous! A teacher and a student." Sarah joins in the fun and laughed till tears come out. They are totally embarrassing me and I want to hide myself deep beneath the ground.

"Come on guys, long story short, mother asked me to do it." Peter suddenly stopped laughing and looked serious. "The witch is still alive?" Sarah hits his arm and stood up and clean the bottles. "Still standing tall and now she's the principle of the university. Hence why I'm teaching her." Mr.Wallace points his finger at me and looked me in the eye. I don't know why every time he looks at me with those beautiful blue eyes, I just want to dive in and swim in them. Wait... what am I talking about? Swim in his eyes? What load of s**t. I shake my head and looked away from him.

"Wow. It must be tough for you. Working for your mother." Peter stood up and patted Mr.Wallace on the shoulder. "Nah. I just work there twice a week." Mr.Wallace stood up and straighten his clothes. "You still haven't told us what were you two doing in the kitchen." Sarah asked again. Why do they have to ask so many questions? "I planned a road trip for my class and she's the only one who can't go because she promised you guys she will work this Saturday." Mr.Wallace just came out with everything. Sarah shrugged her shoulders "That's easy. I can ask someone to replace her that day then she can go to the trip." I just stood there stunned with my mouth open.

"I will now call out your name, please raise your hand to show you're present." Mr.Wallace was calling out names. I sat at the far back with Grace, putting on my earphones, closing my eyes. Grace pulled my right earphone down, I rubbed my right ear and looked at her "He's calling you." Everyone was looking at me. Awkward silence. I just raised my hand and not dare to look at Mr.Wallace. This trip has gone off to a great start.

Everyone was talking about the trip, some are playing loud music, some are gossiping. I was listening to my music and reading my book. Grace was debating with Nathan and Kyle on the latest tv shows. Few hours later, we reach our destination. It was the biggest art museum in New York. The building was old with histories, modern with the change within the years. There were a lot of children, adults, tour guides, tourist, young and old. We were separated into two groups, the girls will be lead by Miss. Portman and the boys with Mr.Wallace.

"I want you all to take a good look, jot down anything if you want. I want you guys to visualize what you want your assignments to be like. I want something different and out of the box. Something that represents you." Mr.Wallace gave us instructions and we went our separate ways. There were over two million art work in this museum. I was overjoyed to see different paintings, sculptures, different timeline histories, big and small masterpieces. I can't seem to lay my eyes on just one art work.

But one painting caught my eye. Portrait of Madame X . It was a woman posing in a beautiful black dress, the straps of the dress were jeweled. The woman was surrounded by rich brown background and furniture, which enhance her beautiful white skin even more. "That's Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau. She became one of Paris's conspicuous beauties, as she was a pale-skinned brunette with fine, cameo-like features and an hourglass figure." Someone spoke behind me, when I turned around Mr.Wallace was smiling at the painting and his eyes falls on me.

"I feel like this painting is speaking to me." Maybe I was crazy. "Yea. Everyone has that moment where they think the art is speaking to them. Maybe you found your inspiration." We sat down on a small bench in front of the painting. Our knee was touching but I didn't make a big deal of it "She looks so beautiful. The way she stands shows confidence.Two things that I don't have." I chuckled and just stared at the painting. "Maybe only one thing." I turned to face him, he gave me a warm smile that shows his barely visible dimples.

"What?" I asked him, demanding an answer. Does he think I'm beautiful or I have confidence? He looked away from me and stood up. "Nothing. Just continue exploring. I'm looking forward to your assignment." He just walk away and disappeared into the different hall.

Caleb's POV

"What?" She said, looked at me demanding for an answer. You're beautiful. I want to say it but I couldn't get myself to say it. I just stood up and walked away. I want her to know that she's beautiful and smart. Sometimes a bit shy but that's cute too.

Few hours later...

"Okay everyone. We are heading to our next stop. Please get on the bus and check to see if your buddy is with you." Everyone went on the bus and I went in last. I call out names and make sure I didn't leave anyone behind and we were off to lunch before going to a different museum. We went to a local restaurant that serves the best burgers. I used to come here with my dad whenever I get a good grade but then I grew up and we just stopped coming.

"Are there any healthier alternatives?" Lauren said, bring me back to reality. "I think they have a veggie burger." I look at the menu thinking what should I order. I saw Scarlett and Nathan still looking for seats. Apparently the restaurant was packed with people and there were no more seats beside my booth. I wave at both of them calling their name. "Scarlett. Nathan." They saw me waving and came towards our table.

"There's no more seats here, Mr.Wallace. I was thinking I could take Scarlett to the hot dog stand across the street." Nathan suggested and Scarlett was not even looking at me. "No. Sit here." Lauren suddenly cuts in and put her hand on top of mine. "Caleb, is just across the street, they can go get one." Lauren was suggesting something stupid. "No. Sit down and order." I took my hand away and went back to looking at the menu. "Can't you see that the young lovers want to share a hot dog? I'm I right ?" She looking up to both of them giving them a smirk. Nathan was laughing and he brings up his hand and lay in on Scarlett's shoulders.

"Nah. Just wanted Scarlett here to taste a good hot dog." Nathan was smiling at her. I was in rage. Why am I in rage? Just because Nathan wanted to take Scarlett to get a hot dog or because his hand was on Scarlett's shoulder. Either way I'm not letting them go anywhere but here. "Either you eat here or you don't." I was not looking at any of them. "Oh come on, Mr.Wallace. Is just a freaking hot dog." Nathan withdrew his hand and put them in his pocket. "Is fine, Nathan." Scarlett said and she put her hand on Nathan's arm. That made my blood boiled.

Nathan came close to my ears and whispered "Come on Mr.W, can't you see I'm trying to impress a girl here.Cut me some slack." I put down the menu and glared up to Nathan. "I'm not letting anyone of you going other places than here. You're my responsibilities. And I take my responsibilities very seriously. Is either you sit down or don't." Nathan rolled his eyes and walked away "This is bull shit." He shouts. Scarlett was standing there looking at me. I looked back at her but she just walked away.

"Do you have to be like this? They just wanted a hot dog." Lauren started lecturing me about young couples needed privacy and other s**t. I wasn't paying attention to her. I ate my burger that seem tasteless. Soon we went back to the bus and went to our second destination. The day just flew by and it was time to head to the hotel that was near to the last museum we visited. I booked two rooms. One for me and the boys and one for Lauren and the girls.

I used my own money to booked the rooms because I didn't want to take them to a motel which is less expensive but not worth it. The room can fit up to 10 person comfortably in one room with two bedrooms. The boys were fine with the room although some may need to sleep on the floor or on the couch. The girls was whining about not wanting to sleep on the floor so Lauren just decided to get another room. I put Grace in charge for the second room. I even asked Lauren to check up on them ever so often to make sure they were there.

The rooms was all on the same floor and just next to each other. It was late, I check with Lauren and all the girls are in their rooms and they boys were fast asleep since they had a long day. I went out to the balcony and was about to open up a can of beer. "You know that they charge your separately for that right?" I heard someone talking. I walk up to the railing and saw Scarlett leaning onto the railing on her balcony.