Chapter 5 - THE TEACHER BEHIND THE UNIFORM
Clara returned to work in January.
Not because Tony demanded it.
Because she insisted.
He offered her paid leave.
She refused.
He offered her a different position.
She hesitated.
Then asked:
“Doing what?”
Tony smiled.
“Something that doesn't involve cleaning up after people who don't appreciate you.”
Clara folded her arms.
“That's a surprisingly large category.”
He laughed.
She smiled.
Then looked down.
“I used to teach.”
Tony nodded.
“I know.”
Her expression changed.
“You investigated me?”
He smiled faintly.
“I asked questions.”
“That's not better.”
He laughed again.
Tony leaned back.
“Why did you stop?”
Clara's smile faded.
“My mother died.”
He went still.
She continued.
“My father fell apart.”
A pause.
“Then he started gambling.”
Tony said nothing.
“I tried to help him.”
She looked down.
“But the debt kept growing.”
Tony studied her.
“Do you want to teach again?”
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“Then you should.”
Clara laughed sadly.
“It's not that simple.”
Tony looked at her.
“Why not?”
She smiled faintly.
“Because real life doesn't work like one of your business deals.”
Tony considered that.
Then nodded.
“Fair.”
For the first time, he didn't try to solve her problem with money.
He simply listened.
And Clara found herself talking longer than she intended.
About books.
Students.
Poetry.
The little classroom she once loved.
Tony listened to every word.
And when she finally stopped, he smiled.
“You should have seen your face.”
She frowned.
“What?”
“When you talked about teaching.”
He looked at her.
“You looked happy.”
May you like
Clara swallowed.
For the first time in months, she remembered what happiness felt like.
