Chapter 10: Chapter Ten

“What were you two thinking, fighting like teenagers in the cafeteria?” Mrs. Lawanson demanded, slamming her fist on the desk. “How can you expect students to follow the rules when you both ignore them?”

“She started it,” Stella muttered, pointing at Meira.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Mrs. Paulinus,” Mrs. Lawanson shot back. “This kind of behavior could damage the school’s reputation if word gets out. Therefore, I’m suspending both of you until further notice.”

“But, Madam—” Stella stammered.

“Enough, Mrs. Paulinus,” Mrs. Lawanson ordered firmly. “Leave my office immediately. And Mrs. Gilbert…”

“She’s not actually Richard Gilbert’s wife,” Stella interrupted with a sneer. “She was never married to him.”

Mrs. Lawanson raised an eyebrow. “Should I take that to mean you instigated this, Mrs. Paulinus? This isn’t your first infraction, or even your second.” she stated.

“She hit me first,” Stella argued with a scowl.

“You insulted me first,” Meira snapped back. “It’s none of your business how many wives my husband has, Stella, but you just couldn’t keep quiet, could you?”

“Oh, look at this—” Stella’s nostrils flared as she took a step forward.

“Enough!” Mrs. Lawanson’s voice cut through the tension. “If you’re eager for round two, feel free to take it outside this office. In fact, outside of this school."

“Sorry, ma’am,” they mumbled, backing down.

“Have Nurse Tina check your injuries, Meira,” Mrs. Lawanson instructed.

“Yes, ma’am,” Meira replied, nodding before leaving the office.

As Stella moved toward the door, Mrs. Lawanson called her back. “So, what was that about Meira not being Richard’s wife?”

Stella glanced over her shoulder with a sly smile, then took a seat. “Let me tell you everything.”

Stella hoped that the scandal would become too overwhelming for Meira to endure, forcing her to resign. This outcome was exactly what Angela desired as well: to see Meira’s life utterly ruined.

******

“Haha! Did you have a fight with Roman Reigns, Mrs. Gilbert?” Thomas asked, chuckling as he noticed her bruised face.

“Who?” She looked at him, clearly puzzled.

“He’s a wrestler. Seriously, what happened to you?” Thomas pressed.

“I fell.” She lied, avoiding his gaze.

Thomas shook his head, smiling. “That fall looks like you got bulldozed by someone a lot stronger.”

“Your English is impressive, Thom,” she quickly changed the topic. “Didn’t you say you only finished junior secondary school?”

Thomas nodded. “Yes, ma'am. There wasn’t enough money to keep going.”

She tilted her head, curious. “What would you have wanted to be?”

He shrugged. “I wanted to be a doctor. My father passed away when I was ten, and that’s where my education stopped. Now, at twenty-six, working as a gatekeeper is all I have to show.”

“If you had the chance to go back to school… would you take it?” Meira asked gently.

“Of course!” His eyes lit up, but then his smile faded. “But who would sponsor a nobody like me?” His gaze drifted, noticing someone over her shoulder. “Oh, Mr. Cruz is here.”

Meira turned, surprised to see Raine stepping out of his car. She couldn’t turn away quickly enough, and he caught sight of her battered face.

“Jesus Christ, Meira! What happened to you?” He hurried over, concern written all over his face.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Cruz.” Thomas greeted him politely.

“Hey, Thom,” Raine replied distractedly. “Meira?”

“I fell.” She mumbled, looking away.

“This doesn’t look like a fall; it looks like you took a beating. Who did this?”

“Stella.” Meira answered, a hint of frustration in her voice.

“A man named Stella did this?” Raine’s confusion was apparent.

“No,” she sighed. “I got into a fight with Stella… you know, the blabbermouth I told you about.”

“Why?”

“She didn’t mind her business,” Meira muttered.

Raine nodded, understanding. “She knows everything, doesn’t she?”

“Angela called her,” she explained.

He clenched his jaw. “Then her husband will pay for her loose tongue.”

“Please don’t,” she pleaded, her voice softer. “I just want to leave all of that behind.”

Raine’s expression softened. “Alright. Have you seen a doctor?”

“The school nurse treated me,” she replied.

He handed her his car keys. “Go wait in the car. I’ll get the kids.”

“They still have twenty minutes,” she reminded him.

“I don’t care; we’re leaving. Just go wait in the car, Meira.”

She nodded. “Alright.”

Raine leaned forward, kissed her forehead, and left.

Thomas watched her as she turned to go. “He likes you,” he said, grinning.

“As a friend.” she replied.

“If you say so.” Thomas chuckled knowingly.

Meira rolled her eyes but immediately winced with pain.

“You okay?” Thomas asked.

“I’m fine.” She gave him a small smile and walked toward the car.

Raine climbed the stairs to the twins’ classroom, pausing at the door as he heard the teacher speaking to the students inside.

"Next week is Career Day, pupils. You'll need to come dressed as whoever or whatever you want to be in the future," Miss Johnson announced. "And you'll also be giving a speech about the profession you choose."

Gabe raised his hand, curious. "So, if I want to be an astronaut... I have to talk about it?"

"Yes, Gabriel."

"Er... okay, ma’am."

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted the lesson. All twenty-something pairs of eyes turned toward the door, where Raine stood, waiting.

"Good afternoon, ma’am," he greeted with a polite smile, as Miss Johnson looked slightly flustered.

"M... Mr. Cruz! Hi!" she stammered, clearly surprised. "It’s nice to finally meet you in person."

"Likewise."

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"I know it’s a bit early, but I’m here to take my godchildren home," Raine replied smoothly. "Gabriel and Ella."

"Oh, I didn’t know they were your godchildren!" Miss Johnson said, visibly impressed. "Of course, you can take them, Mr. Cruz. Do you have your homework written down, kids?"

"Yes, ma’am," the twins replied in unison.

"Then you’re free to leave."

"Thank you, ma’am." The twins quickly gathered their things and joined Raine.

"Have a nice day," he said, nodding to Miss Johnson.

"You too, Mr. Cruz." She waved as they left.

Raine took their lunch boxes and bags, carrying them as they walked out of the classroom.

"Is Mommy waiting for us?" Gabi asked eagerly.

"Yes, in the car," Raine replied.

"Cool," Gabe said with a big grin.

Their excitement, however, quickly faded as they approached the car and saw their mother’s expression.

"Mommy, what happened to you?" they asked, worry replacing their smiles.

"I'm fine. I got into..." Meira hesitated. "I got into a fight with Stella Paulinus."

“Why?!” they exclaimed, disbelief evident on their faces.

"She was being nosy and rude," she explained. "So, I slapped her, and she punched me.”

"Did you hit her back?" Gabi asked. "I hope you did."

"I could only kick her in the stomach. She caught me off guard," Meira frowned. "We were separated when the headmistress showed up."

"I've always known Mrs. Paulinus to be a busy body," Gabe seethed. "So, what did the headmistress say?"

"We're both suspended until further notice," she said, tears streaming down her face.

"What? That's not fair!" they objected.

"Uncle Raine, you have to do something," Gabi pleaded.

"There's nothing he can do," she sniffled, wiping her tears.

"I'll see what I can do," Raine assured her.

"Raine…" she began.

"Let it go, Meira," he said, shaking his head. "I'll take care of you."

"Thank you," she smiled softly.

"Let's just go home so Mommy can rest, Uncle Raine," Gabe said. "I'm sure she's hurting a lot."

"What about your outing?" she asked. "Don't cancel it because of me."

"It's okay," they said in unison. "We'll go another time."

Raine looked at her battered face and tsked, shaking his head.

"I need to teach you how to fight, Meira," Raine told her.

"I don't want to learn," she grumbled.

"You have to," the twins chorused.

Meira looked at their faces with a frown. "So, you're all ganging up on me, huh? Gabi, won't you take Momma's side?" she demanded.

"I'm sorry, Mommy, but Uncle Raine is right," Gabi said. "Just in case you get into another fight."

"I don't go around picking fights with people, you know," she complained.

"Just in case, Momma," Gabi said, trying to pacify her.

Meira huffed. "Fine."

"We'll start this Saturday," Raine grinned.

Meira wasn’t worried about herself now that everyone knew the truth, but she was concerned about her kids. She knew very well how cruel kids their age could be and didn’t want them traumatized by this.

"Gabriel, Ella… you'll tell me if anyone bullies you at school, right?" Meira asked, turning to look at them.

"We're not being bullied, Mommy. They wouldn’t even dare talk to us like that," Gabe replied confidently.

"I know, but you’ll tell me if anything happens, won’t you?" she pressed gently.

"Yes, Mommy," they nodded in unison.

Meira looked at their faces, hoping they'd truly speak up if they faced any trouble at school. Sighing softly, she turned back to face forward.

"Everything will be fine, Meira," Raine assured her. "I promise."

She managed a thin smile and nodded, though she didn’t believe him. He wasn’t a magician who could make her problems disappear. There was only so much his wealth could fix, and she had long stopped wishing this was just a nightmare she'd wake up from.

"Anyone want ice cream?" Raine asked.

"Yes!" the twins shouted excitedly.

"Meira?"

"I'm good," she replied with a small smile.