As angry as I've ever been in my life, no emotion could come close to the rage coursing through my veins as I stormed down the music hallway, towards the office. Flinging the door open, my face flushed three different shades of crimson; I completely ignored Mr. Hansen and tramped up in front of Rich's desk.
"You... you... you liar!" I screeched, pointing my finger him as Mr. Hansen raised his eyebrows and quickly exited the office, pulling the door shut behind him. "I cannot believe you!"
Furrowing his brown, Rich shook his head. "Elli, what are you..."
"You have a child!" I screamed, throwing my bag to the ground. "How in bloody hell did that one escape your mind Richard?" Shutting his mouth, he looked down at his desk.
"You heard my assessment," he said, stating it as fact. I was unable to any longer control my emotions as the tears poured down my face.
"What else have you lied to me about? Do you not really care about me? Am I just a good fuck?" I cried, enunciating the last word with a bitter dagger as I gathered my bag off the ground, shaking my head. "Don't even try, Rich. It's not worth it. I don't care."
"Eloisa, please, just listen."
"Why! Why do I owe you that courtesy?"
"I've never met her. She's three years old and I've never even seen her. I don't know where she is."
"Then why tell Headmistress about her? It doesn't affect your job!"
"But it does. Her mother works here."
The silence in the room was painful as I adjusted my skirt in an attempt to take my mind away from the current situation.
"Carol Leigh," he said softly. "We had an affair in university and she gave the child up for adoption."
"Well, it was probably for the best," I responded, wiping my eyes. "I have to go."
"Eloisa..."
"I think Miss Reynolds is more appropriate, Sir."
I could feel his eyes on my back as I glided out of the office, unaware and uncaring of the stares I was receiving.
But oh for silence, I dream aloud.
When I arrived home, he was already there, sitting on my front porch and petting my cat, Buttons.
"Traitor," I mumbled at the fur ball, bending and scooping him up. "Go home. I'm sure Masie misses you."
"I don't want to go home. Not in the mood."
"Yes, well, I'm neither in the mood for pleasantries."
Dropping the cat inside the threshold, I shut the door and crossed my arms, staring down at Rich as he stood and climbed up a step so that we were even.
"Eloisa, I don't want to go home to Masie, I want to be with you. I'm not in love with her."
"Don't lie to me. You're terrible at it."
"I'm not lying, dammit. I love you," he sighed, resting his hand on my arm, which I irritably brushed away, standing my ground.
"Don't... just stop. You don't love me."
"Fine. I'll walk away right now, and never be back, if that's what you want." Staring in my eyes, he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. "But I will miss you for the rest of my life." Blinking back tears, I nodded, returned his kiss and stepped inside my house.
That should have been the end. But, of course...
It wasn't.