2: Broken Ex Mate

Mariella's Pov 

I let out a sigh of relief, though my gaze remained locked on his. He seemed speechless, as his eyes bore into mine.

For a split second, his expression softened, almost hinting at regret - but then he looked away.

“I hope you are not still disturbed by the past. We were teenagers Mari.” He didn't spare me another glance, as he turned his back to me.

Teenagers? That's his excuse? 

He turned to me, taking a few steps closer as he said, “Mari, listen…”

“Mari? As in mousy Mari?” I scoffed lightly and he paused.

Just as the atmosphere between us mellowed, his voice wrestled through the air as he said-

“I will spend some time with my daughter as you've asked, if anything happens, do reach out.” 

That was all he said, as he walked through the door.

Why did I expect an apology?

……….

As I walked through the halls of the school, I paused when I saw some children gathered in the distance. 

“Tatiana, give it back.” A child screamed at Tatty.

The other child tried to grab a little teddy from Tatty’s grip, but Tatiana pushed her to the ground and started ripping the stuffed toy apart.

The girl burst into tears and tried to defend herself but Tatiana bit her arm.

“Tatiana Ricci!” I yelled, hurriedly ran over.

“Miss Mariella…” Becca's tears fell helplessly on her cheeks as she showed me her now plopped red skin.

“Oh Becca…” I gasped, hugging Becca as tightly as I could to pamper her.

“Apologize to her, Tatiana.” I held on to Tatty's hand and pulled her closer. 

She tried to release her tiny hands from my grip but it didn't help. Her face instantly became swollen as her eyes gathered tears.

Becca had stopped crying, waiting for Tatiana to apologize to her.

“If you don't apologize Tatty, I will take you to the principal, and he will call your father.”

There were only two people she feared the most, the principal and the mention of her father's name.

“I'm sorry…” She finally muttered after a long persuasion. 

The muscles of my heart clenched as I stared at her. She seemed like a troubled child, just before I could try console her a teacher interrupted-

“Did she bully Becca?” Becca's homeroom teacher walked up to where I was and looked at Becca's arm.

“My goodness, Tatiana!” 

“I'm really sorry Miss Jane.” I apologized but Jane frowned at me as she warned-

“Kindly keep your students in check, how is she wild at such a tender age?” Jane frowned at Tatiana as she took Becca away.

When I turned to Tatiana, I bent on my knees and held her closely, “What happened between you and Becca?”

Tatiana shuddered as tears trickled down her cheeks, “She wouldn't let me play with it, so I took it from her.”

“Ripping it apart wasn't the best way to go about it Tatiana, what would happen if someone ripped your toy apart? It's bullying Tatty, and I know you are better than that, right?”

She stared at me for a second and then wiped her eyes, “I don't have any stuffed toy. I've never had one. Daddy doesn't buy such things for me. He says I don't need such things and he doesn't take me out either saying it's not safe.”

I pulled her in for a hug and then gently patted her hair, “It's okay sweetheart. It's alright.” 

“I miss my mummy and daddy…” Tatiana whimpered.

I sighed, still patting her back gently.

After a long day, the children were dismissed leaving just the teachers behind.

After my conversation with Tatiana earlier, there was only one meaning to it, Leonardo Ricci needed to pay more attention to his child.

Without much thought, I knocked on the principal's office.

“Come on in.” 

“Mrs Brown, I love to have a word with you.” 

The principal stared at me as she packed up her bag, clearing her desk and ready to call it a day.

“Regarding Tatiana…” I pursed my lips, “Leonardo needs to be spoken to about his daughter's needs. I chatted a bit with Tatty today, and I think I figured out the issues with her.” 

The principal smiled and said, “You are her homeroom teacher, Mariella, shouldn't it be you?”

“But…” I tried to disagree but the principal walked out of the office.

I followed her immediately and she said, “No one would dare have such talks with Leonardo. Except for you, since you are Tatty's homeroom teacher, and I did hear that you were his mate.”

My eyelashes trembled, and I dug my nails into my palm as I remembered the pain of being rejected.

“You are suited for this Mariella.” The principal didn't wait for my response as she insisted, “You are going and that's final.” 

It felt as though my feet were rooted to the ground. The pain on my palm didn't help to drown the pain of the past.

After our last conversation, I never thought of crossing paths with him again.

Snapping her fingers in the air, the principal's voice pierced my ears, “Mariella!”

I batted my eyelashes as I stared at her, “Yes, Mrs Brown?”

“I asked if you needed a ride.” 

“Now?” I blinked profusely.

“When will you go? Next year?” Her brows furrowed.

“Of course not…” I muttered in a low voice as I walked behind her.

……..

My hands tightened on my purse as I approached Leonardo’s mansion. I pressed on the video doorbell and announced,

"I'm Mariella, Tatiana's homeroom teacher."

The towering iron gates opened smoothly, and instantly my eyes widened, taking in the luxury cars parked in neat rows and the men in dark suits standing all over the place. 

One of the men ushered me inside. 

I was led through a beautiful flowery corridor. The floors of the house were smooth and glass-like. I could see my reflection on the floor. 

We arrived at a little glass house, and instantly my gaze caught that of Leonardo's.

“So, what is it this time, Miss Mariella?” he asked, his voice cold and dismissive.

I forced myself to stay composed, “I wanted to discuss Tatiana’s behavior.” I kept my tone steady, without avoiding his demeaning gaze. 

“She’s been acting aggressively with other children, and it’s becoming an issue. After our last discussion, it didn't seem like you did anything from your end.” 

“If you are saying that I don't discipline my child, then you are wrong.” He walked forward, sliding his hand to his pockets. “Bullying you say?” He scoffed.

“Was it bullying? Or was she only defending herself?” He raised an eyebrow as if waiting to prove me wrong.

His expression further darkened. His deep eyes are somewhat studying my face, and his jaw tightened as the atmosphere around us somehow got tenser. 

“Leonardo, being strong isn’t about hurting others. She needs to learn kindness as much as resilience. The school has policies, and Tatiana needs guidance, not indifference.”

“She is a child Leonardo, not one of your underlings.” It seemed he had forgotten.

His eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could respond, the sound of small footsteps interrupted us. Tatiana ran in, her face breaking into a bright smile when she saw me.

“Miss Mariella, did you just get here?” 

“Yes Tatty, I'm about leaving now.” I smiled at her.

“But I just saw you. Can't you stay? We are about to have dinner.” 

I glanced over at Leonardo, he remained quiet, and his expression ice-cold. I couldn't guess what he was thinking.

“Please…” Tatiana begged, clutching my hand.

“Alright, Tatty,” I murmured, stroking her hair as she beamed up at me.

Dinner was unexpectedly pleasant. Tatiana chatted the entire time, her voice filling the empty spaces as I did my best to keep up with her stories and questions. 

Occasionally, I caught Leonardo watching us quietly. I couldn't tell if he was pissed or offended.

Finally dinner was over. Tatiana was taken away by her nanny leaving just me and Leonardo.

I looked over at him, he didn't utter a word the whole time. 

I clutched in my purse about to leave, but then I remembered Tatiana's words.

She misses daddy and mummy.

I haven't seen her mother around. Without a second thought I said, “Tatiana mentioned…that she misses her mother. I didn't see her the whole evening.”

 His face tightened. A flicker of something raw breaking through his steely exterior. 

“She left us for another man.” He said, “She abandoned her daughter.”

For the briefest second, he looked not like the powerful man I’d grown to loathe, but someone carrying a quiet, endless grief.