Chapter 1
🌹Chloe🌹
“Every rose has a thorn.
But I chose to overlook yours.
Holding on to you is painful.
But it’s worth the pain.”
The hot air fanned my face and reminded me of the country I was in. After four years of stalling and studying, I was finally back home.
I rolled my bags behind me down the final stairs of the airport and was suddenly ambushed by a bunch of men who claimed they were cab drivers. Already feeling self-conscious, I decided to follow one of them. The man in front of me mumbled happily to himself and strutted towards the parking lot. My stomach churned, and I wondered if it was because of anxiety or fear. Or both, even.
The man came to a stop in front of a pretty decent car, calming my nerves. It was only a cab, an approved cab, so what’s the worst that could happen? Just as I muttered the words of encouragement to myself, my luggage was taken out of my hold, and someone grabbed ahold of my other hand.
“Sorry, man, she doesn’t remember I was supposed to pick her.” A deep masculine voice spoke.
Is this a joke? Wait. Am I getting kidnapped? I tried to take my hand out of his grasp, but he held it tighter, looking at me with a gentle gaze, like a soft warning. His soft brown orbs made my nerves relax, and I found myself following him even when my common sense was protesting.
Chloe, leave these two men and find another cab. Chloe!! My rapid heartbeats shut out what’s left of my common sense as I followed this mystery man. My one-minute fairytale was abruptly cut short when we stopped walking.
“I’m so sorry for that, but that guy wasn’t an authorized airport cab.” His deep voice sent me to whatever wonderland exists in this world and back.
“Oh, he isn’t?” wait.. What?! My senses finally kicked in, and I realized that I almost fell into a trap just a few hours into the country.
“No, he isn’t authorized.” He replied in amusement. He probably found my dumb self funny.
“The airport warned against boarding taxis that don’t have...” His ringing tone cut him off, and he looked at his phone and back at me. “I need to go; board those ones,” he said, pointing at a group of similar cars and walking away.
I stared at him—more like I ogled at him. He was dressed in a black shirt and ash suit pants.
I could’ve sworn he was straight out of a magazine cover. My stupid head forgot to even say thank you, and before I knew it, he was already far gone.
***
“Mother, tell me why I am here again.” I asked, looking at the kids with different crayons doodling on their drawing books. My mother sighed for the umpteenth time, but I couldn’t care less.
“Chloe, you’ve asked a hundred times already.” She said, rolling her eyes, “Your dad said you can resume work in two months’ time so that you can rest for some time before going into the business world.” She explained yet again, but I wasn’t having any of it.
“Rest! Exactly! This doesn’t look like a beach house or something,” I replied exasperatedly.
“Just fill in here till Martina gets back from her leave, which is next month, so stop whining.”
Before I could complain, she clapped her hands and got the children’s attention. “Morning kids,
This is your substitute teacher, Miss Chloe. Miss Martina will be back soon, but before that, Chloe will take her place.” My mother introduced me, and I smiled awkwardly at the children.
This is just great; note the sarcasm.
“Good morning, Miss Chloe.” They greeted me in unison, and I couldn’t help but stare in awe as their voices rang over and over in my head.
“Good morning, lovelies. How was your weekend?” I replied immediately. I could feel the smug look on my mother’s face even without looking at her; everyone knows I’m a sucker for kids.
***
“Bye, Miss Chloe.”
“Byee.” I kept on replying over and over again until there was just a boy left in the class. Adrian slowly packed his bag as he had his eyes fixed on the door, probably waiting for his parents.
“Hey Adrian,” I said, and he looked up at me with a small smile.
“My uncle will be here soon,” he said, and I nodded. “He’s busy. He has a really big office; that’s why he’s taking a lot of time,” he added, trying to reassure me. Maybe he could see the tiredness. on my face...
“I’m so sorry, traffic was bad.” A wave of recognition hit me so hard that I almost snapped my neck while turning towards the door. The owner of the deep voice that kept me up all night for the past week was standing right in front of my classroom.
“Uh.. It’s-it-” use your words, Chloe! “It’s fine,” I finally said after embarrassing myself.
“Uncle Louis!” Adrian yelled, running into his uncle’s arms—strong, muscular arms, if I may add. I took my time to study his features while he was busy with his nephew, and I couldn’t tear my eyes off his body. Especially his face. How is his beard so curly?
“Um.. Miss?” His voice snapped me back to reality, and I realized he was calling me.
“Oh, sorry,” I replied, feeling my face burn in embarrassment.
“Have we met before?” He asked, and I was about to nod immediately when he added, “This is not a pickup line. You look a little familiar.”
“Yep, the airport a week ago.” I said, and his eyes widened in realization.
“What a small world.” He said, and I smiled, “I was wondering if you got home safely that day.
This is just... Wow,” he smiled, and my stomach turned into a full-blown circus. His smile was.
angelic. I’m not a poet, but I could definitely write a poem about this work of art standing in front of me.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t say thanks that day. Thank you very much.”
“Louis,” he said, stretching out his right hand, and I paused for a second before shaking it.
“Chole!” I replied. I looked at our hands, and I wished I could just pause time and savor the
moment, but I had to work with my brain today. “I couldn’t imagine what would have happened that day. After four years, getting scammed isn’t the best welcome gift.” I added it immediately.
“Don’t sweat it.” He said and looked at his wrist watch, “I have to go. I fancy meeting you again.
Chloe,” he said before leaving with Adrian, who was waving at me.
“You too,” I replied, barely above a whisper. The way my name rolled off his tongue made it sound like it wasn’t my name but a heavenly word. If he’s going to be picking his nephew, then
This school is going to see more of my face.
If this isn’t destiny, then destiny doesn’t exist.
