Teaghan #2
Her antics wouldn’t be rewarded. The school didn’t even need the damn funding as high as the tuition was.
The problem with Ms. Norwood was that she refused to see each student as a reward instead of an obstacle.
That was something no one with a mothering nature would understand.
I wouldn’t try and understand why she was acting as if she was above helping a young man that didn’t otherwise have help.
That would only lead to a headache. Children were innocent and no matter the circumstance needed patience, compassion, and someone to act like they gave a damn.
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“And did sparks fly then? Because honey, he’s grown man fine.”
“Missy, I met him via his son, not on a date. So, although he is extremely good looking, I was focused on that.” I wished our initial meeting was different, but maybe I had a second chance.
I would save that for another day. A man like him took patience as well.
He clearly had a lot going on and if I wanted to be a part of that, preparation was important.
I loved kids, but I didn’t have any of my own.
It was a full-time job on top of working a full-time job.
His time would be tied up and I wasn’t sure if I was capable of dealing with failed commitments and postponed dates.
“So there were sparks?” Missy could already feel the galaxy working in my favor.
She was tired of me not dating and letting love in.
Sure pain was never anyone’s favorite emotion, but she constantly reminded me of how wonderful I was and how much marvel I would bring to a relationship.
However, her advice was shut down right now after the last stunt she pulled.
“Of course, but you know I’m a genie in a bottle and you gotta rub me the right way,” I danced.
My youth was nothing to play with and I also took it very seriously.
This was my last year of play and I was going to take advantage.
Most considered me the Mother Theresa around the office because I was so good with kids and humble.
It was far from true. Outside of work I was adventurous, fearless, and free.
I continued to dance and move my hips until Missy’s face dropped in shock and humor.
Turning around my normally murky skin was a bright shade of red.
I caught him staring and licking his lips.
Being caught up in my own groove may have paid off because that was the look of fire and desire.
“Don’t just stand there join the fun,” I offered going back to winding my hips.
Missy cut the radio back on and “Fetish” played by Selena Gomez.
I had a serious girl crush on her, and this was my jam.
He was going to get this work one way or another.
“I don’t dance but I can appreciate the art,” he admitted. I cut the music off and got serious. He was either done or had a question. Houston had seen enough of my moves without paying.
“What a poor sport,” I joked. Houston was somewhat standoffish.
I liked the mystery, but this was a lot of mystery for one person.
The mystery was overwhelming. It was almost as if he wanted to be lighter and open, but something was holding him back.
We were strangers but something behind those beautiful eyes wanted to show someone exactly who he was.
My heart thumped thinking about listening to his problems until they vanished. I was up for a little pillow talk.
“Yea I hear that a lot, but my assistant and I wondered if you had some water or something?”
“Sure, follow me,” I brushed past him and my vagina thumped at the contact of my back to his torso.
Once I calmed the shivers down I led him and Malone to my office.
Hiding things was a habit I had. It was a bad habit I picked up from college.
College life changed me from the na?ve little girl that assumed everyone was raised with manners.
After being burned once I was now someone that hid everything.
I hid stuff so well sometimes I couldn’t find it myself.
If I wanted to keep something to myself it was my job to protect it.
That meant my heart, my emotions and my time.
Water bottles were no different in my world.
Inside the office, he walked around and looked at all my photos.
Most were of me, my parents, and a few achievements.
It was nothing interesting. But my best-captured achievements were of the kids I assisted in shelters, schools, and sometimes at home.
The money and the spotlight from the state didn’t mean anything if I hadn’t helped those that mattered in the process.
“It’s cute that you love kids like that. It takes a lot to get on a child’s level and instead of seeing them for the tiny monsters they are.”
“Thank you, it’s my life, and I suggest for anyone to find what they love and do the heck out of it,” I responded as I handed him and Malone waters and a light snack. They had been at it for a little while and I figured he was hungry.
“Thank you, Ms. Tea,” Malone said beaming and nudging his father who was staring like I had something protruding from my face.
I shifted on my feet because no one had ever cared about my profession or what I did.
Everyone needed someone in their corner to cheer them on and just say ‘good job’ sometimes.
I couldn’t say I had that. My mom Dionna congratulated me but most of the time she was being the messenger for my father.
It made me weak that he was fascinated with my accomplishments.
He seemed so intrigued with all that I had done and that made me want to wrap my arms around him and embrace him.
“Oh yea thank you,” he followed up.
“Don’t mention it, gotta take care of the workers, right?”
“Yep, I’m going back to my tablet,” Malone said, scattering away back to the waiting room. Malone was your typical kid, obsessed with electronics. We stood in my office side by side completely still while he stayed engrossed in my hanging photos.
“Those are my parents, Dionna and Frank LeJune,” I commented, attempting to continue the conversation. I was acting a little thirsty, but I couldn’t help but feel this magnetism.
“They must be proud,” he said, sipping his water as I watched intently.
“I guess so, but I don’t care either way, I love what I do.”
“Well if you love what you do it never feels like work,” he responded looking at me in my eyes.
Everything that came from his mouth made my grin stretch to my cheekbones.
Houston was absolutely right about that.
Finally, someone that understood what I was trying to convey.
This conversation was another confirmation.
He didn’t say much or anything philosophical, but it was always worth giving attention because he didn’t say much but when he did you wanted to listen.
“Precisely Mr. McGraw, did you find the problem?”
“I did. Wanna take a look? Or is that too gross for you?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
He also licked his lip like a jerk that thought he knew my life.
Rolling my eyes, I would show him that he was absolutely wrong about me.
I had dealt with this before. I was slightly offended and stunned because I thought differently of him.
“I’m a doctor, not a princess. Let me see,” I said, pushing past him.
He caught up with me and I followed him into the breakroom and disaster littered the floor.
Pipes, tools, and water were everywhere.
My OCD was ready to kick in and clean up.
He stopped me with a hand to my torso after catching my large eyes.
“I’ll clean all this up, princess,” he joked as I glared at him through slanted eyes. His joke was cute, but I wasn’t squeamish. I was an only child and had unfortunately grown up being forced to help my father around the house, “I had to take everything apart to find the issue.”
“It’s fine. I just have a slight case of OCD,” my hands went behind my back to keep from cleaning something or picking up the mess that was made.
Malone sat in a chair, giggling at our interaction.
I was getting flustered the more I looked at things strewn about.
Mess created confusion, and confusion created anxiety. I wanted no parts of it.
“A perfectionist,” he said, shaking his head.
“I’m not a perfectionist, but I do get a little antsy around mess.
Physical and mental,” I admitted with my hand now on my head in distress.
My life had been full of confusion. From my parents, to choosing a profession and to finding love.
If I could keep things from disarray, I did it. I controlled my space.
“Noted,” he replied, stepping over towards the sink, “How old is this building?”
“Old, but I couldn’t part with it. My father owned it years ago.
I just decided to renovate, but I didn’t renovate the pipes,” I sighed, dropping my shoulders.
I was partially hard-headed. When I purchased the building, my father mentioned that the pipes needed repair.
Today’s fiasco was all my fault for thinking I knew better and trying to save a penny.
I had to learn the hard way and was paying for it heavily. That was nothing new.
“How was it growing up with a silver spoon in your mouth?” he asked, instantly irritating me again.
Where did he get off judging me? He knew nothing about me and if this was his way of getting in, he was doing a shitty job.
Being the daughter of Franklin LeJune afforded me a wonderful life, but I was not a stranger to hard work.
He provided but I also made sure I knew how to hustle and make things happen for myself.
His money hadn’t provided me with everything I needed. I went for it all alone.