I arrive back at the academy just as the first warning bell for lunch was over. Lunch had taken a turn for the worse. To find out that he flies back and forth between countries was not the issue. The problem was stumbling across the piece of information through a bunch of questions. I won’t and will not cancel my lunch date with Sanz just because he doesn’t like the idea of me being alone with another man.
“We are not in a relationship,” he said.
And that’s fine by me, it’s what I wanted. But the more time I spend with him the more these obscene emotions start to surface. For all, I know he could have a girlfriend, or a family back in Italy. The one thing I will never be is a ‘Home wrecker’. I sit behind my desk and dig my phone out from my purse and slightly change the plans for tonight.
Vanessa: How about we go out to Dynasty for a few quick drinks after work instead of staying in?
Hopefully, she will agree. But then and again this is Chrissy I’m thinking of.
Ding…
Chrissy: Ahhhh yeah! Are you for real? You do remember it is a work night right? J
Vanessa: Ohhh Ha-Ha-Ha. Yes, I do remember and I am taking your advice. Time to get out there and start living a little.
Chrissy.:YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!! I’m in for sure. Beats the one bottle of wine. I’m off at 5 pm, I’ll swing by and pick you up.
Yesss….
Vanessa: Just text when you arrive and I'll come out asap.
Chrissy: What have you done with my best friend? Whatever it was I’m glad you did; because I’m so liking this one better. lol.
I haven’t done anything with her, I’m just going to make a few adjustments to my life and start living it fully.
I switch on my computer to print some homework sheets out. I’m greeted with a Ping…
I have an e-mail.
______________________________________________
Sender: Luca Venturi
Subject: Apologies
Date: January 09, 2021, 13:06
To: Vanessa Maddison
My Tesoro,
Please excuse the way I poorly overreacted at lunch only a few moments ago. I have no right to determine who it is you choose to spend your time with us we have an agreement that this is a nonexclusive relationship. But I will ask you to please keep in mind that we do share something quite rare, Our Chemistry for one another. What I am trying to say is.
I’m sorry.
Yours Faithfully
Luca.
I stare at the email for a few minutes unsure if I should reply to him or just ignore the email altogether. I decide to answer his email after a moment’s thought.
______________________________________________
Sender: Vanessa Maddison
Subject: Respect
Date: January 09, 2021, 13:23
To: Luca Venturi
Luca,
I have come to realise that you seem to have some boundary issues where I am concerned and those boundaries need to be set straight. This Chemistry we have is just lust, as we know very little of each other and a relationship is not on the table. You travel between countries and that would have been useful information from the start. I thought after opening up and sharing some of my most intimate feelings with you as well as sleeping together you would have respected me enough to tell me. The reason why Sanz was waiting for me this morning, was because I messed up last night and we had to involve the police this morning. You would've known this if you hadn't rudely disregarded me. I thought we were equals. I guess I was wrong. And that’s all for me.
Goodbye Luca.
Nessa.
I hit… Send…………
I click out of my email and stand at the front of the class handing out the homework sheets as the kids start to pile through. I muster up a big happy smile just for them. When deep down happy is the last thing I feel. To be honest, I feel numb. Numb from my head to toe. And to think I’m a teacher. I can’t even get my shit together sometimes! I guess it is true what they say.
***Those that can't do, teach***
It's as if the phrase was meant personally for me.
***
Chrissy texts at five-fifteen to let me know she’s outside in front of the Academy. I finish reading the last lot of journals, leaving glittery stickers and small notes for each individual to let them know I've read their stories, and I thoroughly enjoyed them all.
I descend the Academy stairs and immediately spot Chrissy’s white Mercedes in the car park.
“Hey you, how was your day?” She asks as soon as I get into the car.
“Long and miserable," I confess.
"I messed up last night with one of my students' parents and we had to get the police involved this morning. Then Luca and I had a bit of a tiff during our lunch date.” I sigh. “I told him I was having lunch with the new headmaster tomorrow and he tried to get his driver to chaperone.” I can’t help but not keep the tone of a spoilt princess out of my voice.
“No……… He didn’t………….. Did he?” Chrissy snorted.
“You bet his sorry ass he did. And not only that, I just found out that he travels back and forth between countries for work.” I say pissed off all over again.
“So… ah…. What happened?” She looks at me wanting all the details while rubbing her hands together.
“I got up and walked out of the restaurant, he followed me asking what he had done. He was oblivious to the whole situation, then…. He had the nerve to say that we weren’t in a relationship. Throwing my words back in my face.” I look at Chrissy, and she seems to be enjoying this more then she should. But I carry on.
“I waved a taxi down and told him I'll see him around.” I scoff shaking my head.
“Nessa your growing bigger bitch balls by the day, you need to stop doing whatever it is your doing cause your ass is getting feisty as hell.” Chrissy shakes her head laughing.
“He sent me an e-mail.” I look out the window. “Apologising.”
“Really? Wow… I didn’t think he knew what the word ‘sorry’ meant.” She says sounding as shocked as I was.
“You and me both. I thought he respected me enough to tell me you know. We've been spending all this time together and he didn’t bother to mention it like it was no biggie.”
"You mentioned you messed up last night? What's that about.? Her eyes search my face with a worried look in her eyes.
"Ryder's dad accused me of trying to use the journals to spy on them at home with." Chrissy gasps in horror.
"Sanz heard Thomas raise his voice towards me and said something to him. When Ryder didn't show up this morning, Sanz called the police. Turns out they left in a hurry." I try to keep the torment out of my voice.
"That motherfucker!" Chrissy mutters.
“Men… I swear they think the female species were born to submit to their superior selves!” She growls.
“Yeah." I completely agree with her.
"Come on, let’s get out of here, and drown my soul with an amber liquid.” I pull my seat belt on, and recline my seat back right back, closing my eyes.