Reluctant Attraction I

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I was glad for my new job as a Home Economics Teacher at Marybeth High School because it was far away from Abuja; from David and the pain of heartbreak. I intended to become the quintessential Lagos girl and it seemed fitting to hang out at the club with a friend who was also my colleague after work. Today was my first day on the job and I had been happy with my transition until my unfortunate encounter with the school principal. I downed my second Smirnoff chocolate vodka and motioned for another. For once, I was thankful that I didn’t drive to the club. I could drink as much as I wanted to tonight. I was trying to drown my troubles in the alcohol but so far, my brain remained super clear and I still cringed at the memory of the verbal dressing down I had received from the pompous principal in the staff room this afternoon.

“Hey girl, forget it already! Everyone knows that Anthony Vera-Cruz is a condescending slave driver,” Sandra continued.

“Anthony who?” I asked vaguely while I watched the handsome guy at the next table as he talked intimately with his beautiful partner. It had been a long time since I’d been out on a happy romantic date.

“Anthony, our boss” Sandra said, breaking me out of my thoughts. "He’s like that with everyone. He always says exactly what he thinks without trying to be diplomatic.”

“The guy was such a jerk,” I agreed. “Why is he so mean though? He isn't that much older than we are is he? He spoke to me as though I was a dim-witted child!”

“He’s not even a real teacher,” Sandra said. “He just happens to be an extremely wealthy businessman who is rich enough to own a school and staff it with the best teachers and administrators to be found in the industry”

I choked on my drink and my eyes watered.

“He owns the school?” I asked. “I was just told indirectly by the principal and proprietor of the school that I am incompetent? Dammit!”

“Relax babes,” Sandra said, sipping her drink as I began my third. “He was just reacting because of your error with the burners. You have got a lot of time to show your mettle and prove that you are the best Home Economics teacher the HR team could have hired.”

“Yeah, but I'm sure it's gonna be difficult changing such an obnoxious publicly aired opinion” I replied.

“It will be alright Annie. Everyone experiences stuff like this with new equipment and the other teachers understood. Besides you didn't damage anything. Luckily, you wouldn't have anything much to do with the principal. He stays out of the way except to check in on specific reports from the administrators once in a while.”

I tried to accept all she said but after the nasty break up with David and the problems he had caused at the school I had worked in Abuja, I wasn't so sure of my capabilities any longer. The principal's disdainful address had made me doubt my ability as a good teacher. I flashed back to the way the staff room had gone silent as he had spoken harshly to me and relieved the hurt and humiliation all over again. He didn’t have to reproach me in front of all those teachers whose confidence I was yet to gain.

“Anthony Vera-Cruz,” I said in a bitter voice. “Is a nasty, arrogant, self-righteous, judgemental jerk who needs to learn how to talk to people. The fact that he is not even a teacher makes it obvious that he doesn't know much about the teaching environment.”

“Oh really?” said a deep voice from behind me.

Startled, I turned around and was face to face with the man I had just been venting about. I was a little woozy from my alcohol intake but there was no denying the stark reality of Anthony Vera-Cruz staring at me in a way that made it obvious that he had heard everything I had just said.

“Good evening sir,” said Sandra, as she picked up her purse and paid the waiter rather hurriedly. “I have to go because my baby sitter has to leave in a few minutes.” She flashed me an apologetic look as she took her leave, beating a hasty retreat.

“Damn!” I muttered under my breath wishing I could follow her. I couldn't without looking like a coward though. Anthony Vera-Cruz, simply stood there, a little too close to me for comfort, staring at me intently, waiting for my response to his query.

I had no idea how to respond. I tried to think up a quick lie but my brain which hitherto had resisted the effects of the alcohol suddenly seemed to have lost the battle. I was totally at loss for words but I also knew I wasn't gonna apologize because I meant everything I had said about him.

“I gather you are of the opinion that I don't know much about running a school because I don't have a degree in Education right?” he asked when I didn’t reply. I just stood there, staring up at him defiantly and waiting for him to relieve me of my job.

Just when I thought I was going to lose the staring contest, he chuckled, looking amused. His amusement left me confused but then I noticed that the smile changed his face completely. In place of the ogre was a rather good looking man. Laugh lines fanned out around his eyes and his thick eyebrows suddenly looked more interesting and less formidable. His dark eyes glittered with mirth and just like that, he no longer seemed scary and mean. Instead, he looked naughty and mischievous.

I drew in a deep breath. I had found him uncomfortable attractive when I had met him in the morning. Watching him laugh silently at me now, there was no doubt I definitely had a thing for this annoying man. I felt absolutely ridiculous admiring him and hating him at the same time.

He stepped a little closer and I felt a much stronger physical reaction to his proximity. I was beginning to feel light-headed and I was positive that it had nothing to do with the alcohol. Damn how much more confused could a situation get? Why was he having such a laugh at my expense? Why was I standing there feeling things I shouldn't? What the heck was wrong with me?

“Do excuse me sir,” I said, needing to leave before I said or did something I would regret “I have to go now.” He didn't budge, didn't move an inch and didn't break his amused scrutiny. I had to brush up against him as I pushed past. I felt a frisson of pleasure at the contact of my soft skin against his hard chest. "Damn, damn, damn" I muttered feeling his eyes drilling fiery holes into my back as I walked briskly away.

“Goodnight, Miss Stone,” he called after me. “See you tomorrow.”

To be continued...

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