Chapter twenty-one
The weekend was strange. I never saw or spoke to him again, and as the hours passed, I had the feeling that our moment on Friday had been a crazy dream of mine.
I had reason to hate him because he had offered me money, but I still couldn't stop thinking about him. We had something in common that we both liked very much: the twins; even if it wasn't a reason to bring us together, it was something that brought us closer.
I had often wondered how someone like him could be the father of such lovely girls, but during a more friendly conversation, I could see that father and daughters had more in common than the color of their eyes and hair.
“Fesora!”
I was forced out of my thoughts when one of my students started tugging at the hem of my apron.
“Hi, Lion!”
“Look!” He lifted the sheet as high as he could, and I noticed what he had done. It was a smudge of his hand with several colored droplets around it.
“How cool is that!”
“Right!”
“You're an artist.”
“You?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Bligado!”
“Why don't you try a more colorful and fun one now?” I loved encouraging my pupils because it was at that stage that they developed their main skills.
“I' m going !”
“That's it!” I gave him a clean sheet of paper, which he promptly got dirty with his stained fingers, but instead of getting upset, the little boy laughed.
I went to the back of the room while I watched all the children paint.
The twins were concentrating on their paintings, and since they had arrived, they had acted the same way towards me. I assumed that their father hadn't said anything about our brief moment. It was better that way, and I didn't want them to start imagining anything or cultivating any hasty thoughts about everything.
It wasn't because we'd eaten a greasy burger together that anything would happen between us.
“Plofessola!” Another of my students called me over to help distract me from my thoughts.
Was I supposed to hate him? He was an asshole. Or should I? Helena!
I'd better stop thinking about all this.
After the lesson was over, I helped the children collect their backpacks and lunchboxes and took them to wait for their parents at the usual place. As usual, Holly was at the gate, recognizing the family members and handing the students over to those who had permission to pick them up.
“Mary and Anne, come!”
When the twins got up to leave, I looked at the gate in the vain hope that their father would be there to pick them up. As obvious as it was, seeing the driver left me a little disappointed. A large part of me had hoped that Thomas would come as a simple excuse to see me.
There wasn't exactly a rule forbidding teachers from getting involved with students' parents, but it wasn't common. Deep down, I thought it would be better if he didn't show up so there would be no way for the principal to see anything or make any kind of interpretations about a relationship that didn't exist.
It didn't exist...
Those last two words kept echoing in my mind and made me think again that Friday was a dream.
“Helena!” called Holly after closing the gate as the last child passed through. “What have you been up to?”
“What do you mean?” I frowned as she came towards me and it was then that I realized she was carrying a white box. “What's this?”
“For you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mr. Lennox had the driver deliver it to you.”
“Mr. Lennox?” I repeated thoughtfully.
“Don't pretend you don't know who you are, funny girl.”
“Why would this man send me anything?”
“It's up to you to answer me.” She handed me the box. “It looks like quite a present.”
“I don't know...” I kept looking at the package and creating theories about what could be inside.
“You don't know, or you don't want to tell me?”
“It must be because of the work I do with his daughters,” I lied, but it seemed the most plausible justification.
“Aren't you going to open it?” She waited, curious.
After everything that had happened between me and Mr. Lennox, I couldn't expect anything, and I didn't want her to see anything before I was sure of what was there.
“Then.”
“But...”
“Do you need help with anything?”
“No.”
“See you tomorrow, then.” I leaned over to kiss her cheek.
I went back to the classroom, picked up my bag, and carried the box to the bus stop. As curious as I was, I waited to open it when I got home.
“Hi, Grandma!” I greeted her as I passed through the living room and went straight to my room, closing the door behind me.
I threw the bag on the corner of the mattress and arranged the box in the middle before undoing the bow and looking inside.
On top of a layer of tissue paper, there was a red envelope that was the first thing to catch my eye. Inside was a small note.
I thought about what we discussed and realized that I wanted to get to know her better. It's the first step before I decide on anyone else. That's why I hope you'll agree to go out with me tonight. I'll be by at twenty to pick you up.
In the box is a present that I hope you'll use.
Kisses.
Thomas
I put the envelope aside and opened the silk. There was a long black dress with a slit up the back. It was beautiful and very sophisticated and certainly cost a lot more than a month's salary. But the box didn't just contain the dress; it also contained a pair of high heels.
Why was that man doing that?
I was confused.
I wasn't the type of woman to be interested. It wasn't the luxury that had swayed me, but the fact that he wanted to get to know me better and had noticed me enough to be able to decipher my dress code.
One part of me told me not to fall into that trap, no matter how seductive it was, while the other wanted the opportunity to get to know him as if the barbs exchanged and the stories that came out about him weren't enough.
Thomas Lennox was a powerful lawyer and a senior partner in one of the biggest firms in the city. But also the father of two cute little girls and a man who had ventured into fast food because I said I wanted to.
I hated to think how bad I'd felt when he'd asked me what I was worth, but if he tried a little harder, I could put that incident behind me.
“Helena...” My grandmother knocked on the bedroom door.
I put my things in the box and went to open it for her.
“Hey!”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes.” I fiddled with my hair a little awkwardly. Thomas's attitude had impressed me.
“You arrived and went straight into the bedroom.”
“Sorry, Grandma.”
“If you're well, there's nothing to worry about.”
“I am,” I assured him.
“Good.”
“Maw Maw!” She turned away, but I called her back.
“What is it, darling?”
“Is it okay if I leave later?”
“Of course! I keep telling you that you need to enjoy life more.”
“Thank you.”
“Is it the same man as last week?”
“Yes.”
“I knew you'd hit it off.” He smiled mischievously.
“It's much more complicated than that.” I hugged my body as if I was feeling cold when I thought about the situation as a whole.
“It can be much simpler if you want.”
“We'll see, Grandma.” I walked past her and stroked her shoulder before going to the bathroom.