Chapter Two

What do you mean ‘Stay with you’?” Elena snorted, still from the shock.

Thomas kicked his feet, underneath the covers anticipating a reply, anything coming from Elena at the moment would make him feel better. He hoped that she would give him a reassuring answer.

“If you had actually done your job, I wouldn’t have to be asking you this,” He glared at her, his icy eyes almost boring into her soul.

“Unfortunately, what my son wants is you.” He crossed his arms impatiently as though he was waiting for an answer. What did he want her to say?

Elena’s fists clenched and unclenched by her side as she stared at the arrogant man before her.

So much for first impressions.

She rolled her eyes, her jaw set, as she glanced away from Alex and back at Thomas. “With all due respect, Thomas is my student. It isn’t proper to…to live with him, or whatever you’re implying.” She stuttered as she could visibly see Thomas’s smile falter.

“Miss Elena, please. Don’t you want me to get better?” The young boy asked, his eyes glossy with tears. His bottom lip trembled, even as he gripped the blanket draped over his fragile body tightly.

Elena stepped closer to Thomas with a sad smile. “I do, sweetheart. But, I can’t stay with you.” She frowned, bending over to see him eye to eye. “Tell you what, once you come back to school, I’ll give you VIP treatment.” She sheepishly smiled, as she extended a hand to him.

He groaned, still not complying with her wishes. “No, I want you to stay!” He grumbled, kicking his feet against the bed angrily. She had gotten used to his tantrums even in class and knew that it wouldn’t take long before he calmed down. He just needed a little space.

Backing up from the hospital bed, she felt Alex’s eyes on her. “I’ll be on my way now.” She gave a small, forced smile her cheekbones straining in annoyance. Gripping the handle of the door, she pushed out, exiting the room.

Before she could get far, she heard a thick voice cut through the air calling her back, “Elena.”

Her head whipped around to face Alex, whose brows were knitted together in frustration. He moved toward her in long, quick strides, his facial expression serious.

“Is anything the matter?” She asked, raising her eyes to look at him.

“Look, you’re going to have to stay with Thomas. He-He needs someone by his side right now, and you’re the best candidate.”

“I’m sorry, but I already told you I-”

“I’ll give you money. Is that what you want?” He pulled a bundle of cash out of his wallet, extending it to her. “It’s $1,000. Count it for yourself and see.”

Elena scoffed, staring at the money in Alex’s hands. She couldn’t believe it. Was he that obnoxious to try to bribe her with cash? “And there’s more. You’ll be paid on a weekly basis.”

“I don’t want your money, Alex. As much as I’d love to stay with Thomas, I can’t, especially since you seem to think that I’m incapable of taking good care of him.” She retorted, crossing her arms.

Alex’s facial features turned cold and he stuffed the money back into his wallet without another word. “That’s no problem, I’ll have to find alternatives.” He remarked, and with that, he spun on his heel and returned back into the hospital room, leaving Elena reeling in her own thoughts.

As she walked home, she thought about how things would’ve gone if she had supposedly agreed to his offer. $1,000 per week was not a bad deal, since she was only making $3,000 per month as a teacher.

But, still. He was cocky and obnoxious, she could never cope with him. After a long day, the sun was beginning to set, and she caught a ride on the bus, heading straight home.

She was too weak to do anything else, so she decided to just take a shower immediately. Afterwards, she had dinner and immediately went to bed, so she could get prepared for the next day.

~~~

The school bell rang, signifying the end of the children’s last period of the day. As they exited the class in a single file line with the teaching aide, they each waved at Elena, saying goodbye.

“See you tomorrow, Sammie!” She greeted the last student, waving her goodbye. She had some documents to work out and scrambled around for them on the desk. As busy as she was, she heard the sounds of shoes against the soft carpet in. She didn’t bother looking up, assuming that the aide had returned.

Instead, a huge basket was placed on her table. “Amelie, what is—?”

She looked up, her brows creased, only to meet Alex in front of her. “What are you doing here?” She asked carefully, looking down into the basket full of goodies and gifts, “—and what is this?”

He pocketed his hands into his trousers, shrugging casually. “Thomas requested I bring some gifts for you.”

“If that’s what this is about, I told you already I’m not interested.”

“All the nannies I’ve brought over, he denied them and wants you.” He raised his hands up in exhaustion.

“Even if it’s just a visit…” His voice went low, almost in a pleading, “He wants to see you.”

“What about his mother?” She asked, defiantly, still not in the mood to succumb to Alex’s wishes.

Alex stilled for a moment, his eyes going dark as he set his jaw tightly. Gulping, he cleared his throat, “She’s not with us now.”

“Oh?” Elena raised a brow, still indifferent about the whole ordeal. She cared for Thomas, but his father was intolerable.

Elena sighed, her fingers brushing against the edge of the basket filled with expensive chocolates, a plush teddy bear, and a handwritten card that likely came from Thomas. Her resolve wavered, but only for a moment.

"Alex,” she began firmly, lifting her gaze to meet Alex's piercing eyes, "I care deeply for Thomas, but this... this arrangement you're proposing—it's not proper. He needs a family, not a teacher playing nanny."

"He needs you," Alex interjected, his voice low but commanding. There was something in his tone that made her pause. "If you walk away now, you're turning your back on him.”

Elena flinched at the accusation, guilt gnawing at her. "That's not fair," she whispered, clutching the back of her chair for support.

"Life isn't fair," Alex snapped, taking a step closer. "You think I want to be in this position?”

"I'll tell Thomas you refused," he said coldly, turning toward the door.

"Wait," Elena called out impulsively, her voice trembling. Alex paused, his hand on the doorknob, but didn’t turn around.

"I’ll think about it," she said finally, her resolve faltering under the weight of Thomas’s smiling face in her memory.

"Good." His tone was clipped, but the hint of satisfaction in his voice didn’t escape her. "I’ll be in touch."

Without another word, Alex exited, leaving Elena alone in the silence of her classroom, her mind spinning with conflicting emotions.

She reached into the basket and pulled out the card, flipping it open. The unclear scrabble in it was unmistakably Thomas’s handwriting:

"Please don’t leave me, Miss Elena. You’re my only friend."

Her heart clenched, the image of his tearful eyes haunting her.

What was she going to do now?