Page 58 of My Forbidden Billionaire
All because of a stupid rule.
I just wish there was some way I could be with him and keep my job.
Suddenly, I have an idea.
“Hey friend!” Stephanie greets me. She’s sitting alone in the teacher’s lounge, scrolling on her phone.
The cold November morning light pours through the large windows as I take a seat next to her at one of the little round tables and can’t suppress a yawn. “Good morning, Stephanie.”
“Late night last night?” she asks.
“Umm … I guess I did stay up a little later than I usually do,” I confess.
“Really? On a school night?” She jokes as if I’m a student here and not a teacher.
“Why not? We’re all entitled to a little fun, aren’t we?”
“Do tell, then. What kind of fun was this? Did you stay up half the night grading essays or did you … do something else?” she asks poignantly.
“Come on, now, Miss Harris!” I reply although I’m joking myself.
“Jo, you look like you’re glowing. Honestly! And, in my humble experience there is only one thing that could be responsible for that.”
“Pizza?”
“Love.” She laughs. “Who’s this mystery man? Of course, only if you want to tell me, and if you’re comfortable. No pressure here,” she adds, and I know that she means it.
Her warm and comforting smile, as she sips a little more of her coffee, assures me that I’m safe with her.
Still, I cannot bring myself to discuss my feelings for Jacob even with someone as trustworthy as Stephanie. Let alone inside the school. The walls themselves could have ears and Ms. Abadie—an everlasting presence in the hallways—could be very well lurking outside the door right now, listening in. I choose to play it safe and keep it casual.
“Well, you are right,” I begin. “I do have my heart set on an incredible man … but … it’s not really important who he is,” I add quickly before Stephanie has a chance to ask me any more questions about his identity.
“That’s fine.” She smiles again. “All that matters is that you’re so happy with him. And, honestly, now that I’ve gotten to know you in these past months, I can safely say that he must be a stand-up guy.”
“Stephanie, that’s so nice of you to say … I’m so glad that I have you on my side. You know, sometimes I feel as if…”
“You mean with Ms. Abadie?” she asks, already knowing what I’m about to say.
“Yes. Honestly, before I came to work here, I was so excited. I mean, it’s such an extraordinary opportunity for me, career-wise.”
“Absolutely. Jameson is a wonderful institution not just for the students, but for us as well.” Stephanie nods.
“Sure. But since I started, and I suppose because of the treatment I received from Ms. Abadie, I just…”
“What? Have you changed your opinion?” she asks me.
“Not necessarily. I mean, not about the school itself. I still hold Jameson Juniper Hall in the highest of regards. I guess I just … I was expecting something else. Perhaps not all these office politics and teachers who are ready to blast everything and everyone in their way to get a promotion. It’s baffling to me,” I confess.
Stephanie contemplates my words for a few moments, and I realize that I might be even bolder and tell her about another thought I had. Just to see what her opinion is.
“I guess you’re right,” Stephanie replies. “The school is supposed to be just about the students but I guess that Ms. Abadie has, sadly, lost sight of that. Still, if you want my advice, don’t let it get you down. You’re a wonderful teacher, Jo, and the children love you. That should be all that matters! Well, that and this newfound love in your life that has got you looking like you just spent a week at Disneyland!”
“Actually, about that … can I ask your opinion on something, Stephanie?”
“Absolutely. What is it?”
“How difficult is it to get a transfer to another school?”