Chapter One

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“Yes, I have a little boy in my class, he’s having a seizure. Could you please get here as soon as possible, he won’t stop shaking!” Elena Brooklyn cried out, her hand trembling as she fell to her knees, watching Thomas foam at the mouth.

In the middle of the class, Thomas had complained of feeling weak and not being able to write, and she shrugged it off. Now, here he was, lying on the floor almost lifeless.

Although the emergency call operator was still talking to her, she couldn’t fully comprehend a word she said. She was more focused on Thomas and if he was going to be okay.

The students in the class exchanged hushed whispers of worry, as the classroom aide pushed them into another class.

Soon, the paramedics burst through the door and into the classroom, lifting Thomas’s body onto the stretcher. Elena followed closely behind, hopping into the back of the ambulance as she held onto his hand, rubbing it soothingly with her thumb

. An oxygen mask was placed on him along with a medical device for his heart rate. Tears fell from her eyes, moistening her face as fear consumed her.

She couldn’t afford to lose one of her students right now. Her father’s condition was already there for her to worry about, she couldn’t have the burden and guilt of a sick student weighing on her mind now.

Once they got to the hospital, they quickly transported him into the ER, witch Elena rushing alongside him, gripping onto the stretcher. “Ma’am we’re going to need you to stop here.” A nurse informed, urging her to let go.

“I-Is he going to be fine?” She asked, her eyebrows furrowing in concern.

“Yes, madam. We’ll try the best we can, just remain calm. Nothing is going to happen to him.” She assured, before running off to catch up with the little boy being wheeled away.

Suddenly, a man started running after them frantically. It seemed as if he had just arrived and was rushing from somewhere. Elena caught him running from the corner of her eye and tried to flag him down but to no avail.

Upon reaching them down the hall, they kept pushing Thomas down the hall. Several nurses pleaded with the man to let them do their job, but he didn’t budge.

After a few seconds of unsuccessful persuasion, he returned to the seating area and took a seat right beside where she stood. “Fuck…” He muttered, burying his face in his hands.

She sniffled and his eyes darted upwards self-consciously, “Are…Are you Thomas’s teacher?” He questioned, straightening his posture. Only then did Elena take a good luck at this man’s face.

He was strikingly handsome with his piercing blue eyes, which were a perfect contrast against his tanned skin. He was much taller than the average man, and he had jet-black shoulder-length hair which was wrapped up in a low bun. His muscle flexed underneath his white shirt, tucked neatly into his blue suit trousers.

“…ello? Did you hear me?” He asked again, his voice louder now. Elena nodded nervously, raising her hands up to her chest, “Yes, yes I am. You are?” “I’m Alex, his father.”

Elena’s eyes widened in shock as she did a double take. This was Thomas’s father? She had never seen this man before in her life.

“Oh, this is such a terrible way to meet. I’m so sorry.” Elena pleaded, her eyes creasing in disappointment. Instead of being receptive, Alex snapped at her, “Couldn’t you have done your job properly?”

“I-I’m sorry, but this isn’t my fault,” Elena said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her head banged and she isn’t in the mood to be shouted at right now. Before she could say something else, the doctor called out for her and Alex followed.

“What’s the matter, Doc? How is he?” She asked, and he gestured for Elena and Alex to follow him. When they were in the room, they saw Thomas lying on the bed. He seemed to be rather weak, but he still managed to give a small smile upon seeing Elena, which she returned.

“Well, we’ve been monitoring his vitals. So far, so good. He might get discharged today, but he needs someone to take care of him well.” The doctor informed, looking down at the frail boy in the hospital bed.

Alex darted over to Thomas’s side, stroking his hair, “Hey, bud. How are you feeling?”

“I feel very tired, Dad. Am I going to be okay?” Thomas asked innocently, scared to see all the different wires and needles attached to his body already.

“Yes, you will be just fine now. You had a little accident in school and the doctor had to take care of you,” He smiled, “But we’ll leave soon, okay?”

“So, who will take care of me when the doctor is gone, daddy?”

“Well,” He took a hold of Thomas’s hand, “We can call your nanny to come take care of you. How would you like that, huh?” Alex grinned.

Thomas shook his head, “No, I don’t want Martha to come babysit me.'“ He pouted with an apparent frown on his face.

“Oh. Who would you like to stay with then?” Alex raised a brow, unsure if his son really knew what he wanted.

Thomas pointed behind him—right at his teacher, Elena. “Her? You want her to come stay with you?” He asked, making sure he understood Thomas right.

“Yes. I want Elena.”

“Buddy, that’s not possible. She’s a stranger—”

Thomas screeched, cutting him off, “Elena isn’t a stranger!”

“Alright alright, I’ll talk to her, okay?”

Alex turned back and found that the doctor had already left. Elena’s gaze was fixated on the father and son standing right before her.

“Elena. I have a proposal to make.”

“A proposal? I thought you wanted to yell at me again…” She retorted, biting her tongue to keep herself from spewing any more bitter things.

“You have to stay with me for a while.”