Chapter 1

"I want security in my office now," a loud manly voice boomed over the phone at the front desk of Eric technology inc. 

"Please sir, it will never happen again please spare me," a little brunette woman could be seen begging at the feet of a man.

'That's what they always say but when they are doing it, they never think of the consequences,' Eric thought.

"What's taking them this long," 

Eric Adams asked over the telephone again, he was already very irritated and pissed at listening to the bitches plea.

'What does she take me for, if I hadn't caught her and taken countermeasures I would have lost a big contract,' he thought angrily.

What he hated most in his life were cheaters and backstabbers.

"Sir, you called for us," security immediately rushed into the office.

"Take this thing out of my office, and if you see her anywhere close to my building, disable her legs," Eric backed out the order.

And without wasting as much as a minute the secretary was dragged out of his office and thrown out of the firm.

Going to the little cabinet in his office Eric picked up a bottle of whiskey and pulled it into a glass, and gulped it in a go to calm down his nerves before he was disturbed by the vibration of his phone, displaying the headteacher's name.

"Hmmm," Eric signed.

***A Few Hours Ago***

Seated in a large conference hall, different businessmen and women were waiting for the final part of their bidding which was contract evaluation and award.

Seated across Eric Adams was his biggest competitor, David Anderson. 

Plastered on his face was a taunting smile which Eric paid no interest to.

Everyone was busy discussing one or two with their partners, preparing themselves before the conference began.

"How are you doing Eric, my friend?" Anderson suddenly asked out of the blue, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"Feeling all high and mighty," he continued when he was ignored by Eric.

He was about to say something else when the investors arrived, and he could only click his tongue in annoyance.

'Wait and see after I bag this contract if he will still have the cheek to be this arrogant,' Anderson thought to himself

 And the presentations began with everyone briefing and explaining their proposals.

And it was finally Anderson's turn to present.

Standing up proudly he began his presentation and not to Eric surprise everything he presented was exactly what Eric had earlier prepared for today.

"We have modernized the model of the game where users send in their thoughts about what they feel about and also we have beaten down the budget to 50 million dollars. I hope you sign the contract with us." David Anderson briefed confidently

While he was done presenting, he turned to look at Eric to see his facial expression but was shocked to see him still seated calmly.

Why was he not moved? He had paid his secretary a nice sum of money for her to get him a copy of the contract Eric had drafted for today, Anderson thought of getting back to his seat.

"Mr. Eric Adams it's your turn?" The investor said and to Anderson's dismay, Eric's presentation was different from what he had been given.

It was way better and by the looks on the investor's faces, they were very pleased with it.

Seated back down he looked at his opponent David Anderson who sat down quietly on his seat looking confused but trying to cover it up.

"Thank you all for your efforts and contributions but after much consideration and evaluation of all your proposals, I and my fellow investors have concluded that Eric technology inc. meets our demands and we decided to sign the contract with them," the investor declared and the meeting was adjourned.

Turning to look at Anderson, Eric loved the look of shock and confusion on his face. "How was it, Daniel Anderson?" Eric asked, his voice full of mockery.

Anderson was speechless; he didn't know what to say.

Seeing the man at a loss, Eric left him alone. Before coming to the meeting he had caught his secretary making secretive phone calls.

Unknown to her, he has been keeping a close tab on everyone after he noticed someone had gone through his files.

And boom he caught them before they could jeopardize his months of hard work.

Moving out of the hall along with the investors, Eric didn't wait even a minute to share any pleasantries with anyone, he has to deal with that leach which he calls a secretary.

Punching the table was the only thing Anderson could do. He had everything well planned but how did things turn out like this?

Everyone in the hall looked at him as if he had gone mad.

 ***

" Auntie Amanda!" One of the students shouted.

Amanda recognized the voice immediately, she quickly looked in the direction of the voice.

"Morning Nina, how was your night?" Amanda asked the Little girl who was walking by her mum's side.

"I'm good, Auntie Amanda," the little girl replied cheerfully, showing her teeth.

 Good morning Amanda," Mrs. Robinson said, smiling brightly.

" Morning ma'am, how was your weekend," Amanda said, walking towards Nina's class with her in her hand.

"It was fine, thanks.

" I'm late for work, I need to start going now." Mrs. Robinson giggled.

"Alright ma'am, see you in the afternoon" Bridget replied.

Mrs. Robinson quickly blows Nina a kiss while she walks away from the school.

"Morning Miss. Amanda" Another voice said.

"Good morning Mrs. Anderson" Amanda replied, with a smile on her face.

Many parents kept greeting her as she walked Nina to her class. They loved the way she smiled and how calm she was around their kids.

Amanda continues walking until she gets into Nina's class. She dropped her on her seat and bent down to her size.

" Nina, I have to go now, I will check on you later," Amanda said, smiling at Nina.

" Pinky promise? Nina said, raising her small thumb to meet up with Amanda. They always do this every morning.

Amanda quickly brings out her thumb to stick it with Nina. "Pinky promise," Amanda replied.

Amanda stood up and swung her body walking out of Nina's class.

After being sent away from home she picked her up here in California, which was teaching.

Seeing the kids all cheerful, happy, and bubbly was more than enough to make her heart full of joy.

She made her way to the staff room where the other teachers were. She walked toward her desk, dropped her bag on the table, and quickly moved to the center of the room to sign on the register placed on the table.

She greeted all the teachers one after the other, and after 5 minutes of exchanging greetings, she finally settled on her desk.

She brought her lesson note to see the classes she's taking today. 

Zion height is a small school located a few distances from Amanda's apartment. The school is short staffed which makes Amanda take up to four classes in school.

Amanda started glancing through her jotted note before she was disturbed by the ringing of the intercom on her desk.

She quickly picks up the call and responds politely.

" Good morning, Amanda Smith speaking," She said, still skimming through her jotting note.

"Morning Miss. Smith, 

" I would like to see you in my office…" the voice trailed off.

" Okay ma'am," Amanda said, smiling.

" Finally," Amanda thought to herself.

Amanda quickly drops her jotting note and stands up, rubbing her hand together in anticipation of renewing her contract as a full-time teacher.

She walked quickly outside the office and walked toward the Head teacher's office.

" Knock knock knock,

" Please come in," The head teacher answered.

" You asked me to see you ma," Amanda said, smiling.

" Yes, please take your seat." the chubby-looking woman with Harry Potter glasses on said.

Amanda takes her seat across from the head teacher, leaning towards her.

"Thank you," Amanda said, making herself comfortable on the chair.

"You must be aware of the present state of the school?" the headmistress asked, and Amanda nodded in affirmation.

"We had a meeting about it where the school budget was readjusted, and to this, I'm sorry Miss. Smith, the school can no longer renew your contract." The woman said, avoiding eye contact with Amanda.

" What happened, did I do something wrong?

" Please I will readjust, just give me more time to prove myself_," Amanda said, looking at the headteacher with her eyes wide open.

" No Amanda, you are a great teacher, you've done well within these two years, and you are one of the best teachers, but the school is on the edge of bankruptcy. 

"We need to do away with a few teachers, for now, we won't be able to pay you if you are here" The headteacher explained.

Amanda bowed her head, she couldn't process what she just heard. 

" But I don't even know what to…" Amanda trailed off.

" Am sorry Amanda, 

" Once the school gets back on its feet, I will contact you, and please if you need any recommendations for any job, I am ready to do it. The kids will miss you" The headteacher said, holding her tears.

" Thank you ma," Amanda stood up, she dragged her feet towards the door. 

She walked back to the office, said goodbye to her students, and decided to go back home early. 

Amanda's breathing quickened as she walked towards the apartment.

" Why am I so unlucky? I thought I had found my long-lost peace. Why must I face difficulty again?" Amanda kept asking herself several questions as she walked home.

She keeps remembering all that she faced in Texas at the hand of her stepmother before she finally sent her out of the house without a single explanation. She was invited to California by her best friend, Juliet.

She met Juliet at college. The two have been best friends and they live together.