Chapter 4 Casual Sexual Partner

Livia felt a twinge of annoyance, both with her lack of resolve and because he knew her too well.

He was certain of her love for him, and that made her incapable of refusing him.

Livia didn't want to play into Angelo's hands. Turning her head away, she said, "I have a boyfriend."

Angelo snorted, "The real estate agent?"

"That's his profession. Don't be dismissive."

"I've never belittled any profession. It's him as a person I disdain."

Angelo pulled out his phone and played a recording.

"Mr. Bradley, if you hand over those listings to me, I'll break up with Livia."

"Aren't you two about to get married?"

"I don't want to break my parents' hearts."

"You don't like her?"

"I'm young and need to prioritize my career. Besides, weddings are expensive. It's clear to me that you two are a better match, so I'll just wish you well in advance."

After putting away his phone, Angelo said, "Boyfriend? He doesn't see you as his girlfriend."

Livia was boiling with anger yet had no outlet for it.

She couldn't blame Jonny for making that choice. She would have done the same if she had caught Jonny in an intimate tangle with another woman.

Adults had become adroit in using relationships for personal gain, and Jonny's tactic of leveraging a breakup to negotiate with Angelo was evidence that he understood Angelo's continuing entanglement with Livia.

"Looks like your marriage plans died before they could bear fruit," Angelo said softly, wrapping an arm around her waist and nipping at her earlobe. "Isn't it better to live in the moment?"

His breathing had become rapid, his hand slipping under her clothes, brushing her collarbone with kisses.

Livia was frighteningly lucid as she tilted her head back. "I don't want to play this game anymore."

The kisses on her chest faltered. Angelo looked up. Her gaze was like still water, devoid of any desire.

“Are you serious?” His voice was husky, tinted with lust.

"Yes." Livia adjusted her clothes that he had pulled apart and said indifferently, "This isn't right."

Angelo narrowed his eyes, "You want to end it completely?"

"Yes." Livia's voice was firm and certain, although her heart was aching.

She knew he hadn't tired of her yet, but their relationship was only physical, never emotional.

Angelo left angrily, slamming the door with a thunderous bang.

Livia straightened her clothes. She had to be ruthless and cut ties completely, or else she'd be entangled with him for life.

After finishing two morning classes and returning to her office, one of the teachers shared the news that a transfer student was joining her class.

Middle schoolers were already in their rebellious phase, and Livia's class was the toughest to handle in the school. Taking on such challenges as a new teacher had often reduced her to tears over those students.

Perhaps it was because her tears were so pitiable, coupled with her sincere approach to each student, her ability to joke, share heart-to-heart conversations, and become friends, these kids started to see her as a big sister and were willing to listen to her.

Now, with another student coming in, she feared a period of unrest lay ahead.

Within the time it took for her to sip a cup of water, the principal's call came through to Livia.

After hanging up, the teacher hinted to her, "I've heard the family is well-off, but the kid's a handful. The one handling the transfer process is a man named Angelo, and he seems like someone you don't want to mess with. Even the principal was bending over backward to accommodate him."

Livia furrowed her brow and made her way toward the principal's office, knocking on the door.

"Come in."

Livia pushed the door open. "You wanted to see me?"

"Miss Ashcroft, let me introduce Mr. Bradley," the principal said with a warm, affectionate smile.

Livia glanced in the direction he indicated and saw Angelo seated there, an air of arrogance about him, his gaze distant and cool.

Seeing him was a bit of a surprise, but she kept her composure.

It had been half a month since he had last left her place.

She thought she'd never see him again.

Next to him sat a boy who bore a striking resemblance to him, with the same rebellious spark in his eyes. Just like him, the boy was a bit aloof.

"This is Mr. Bradley's nephew, Luke," the principal explained. "He's been studying abroad, but starting this term, he'll be your student."

Livia didn't have the right to refuse. It was more of an announcement than an actual request.

She hadn't expected Angelo to have a nephew.

She wanted nothing to do with Angelo, but with the kid in her class and Angelo as his guardian, their paths were certain to cross again.

"Miss Ashcroft, as Luke's guardian, please contact me directly with any issues concerning him," Angelo stated in a detached tone, as if they were strangers.

Livia responded as if he were indeed a stranger.

Seeing this exchange, the principal quickly interjected, "Let's exchange contact information then. In case anything comes up, we can reach out immediately."

Before Livia could play it off, Angelo said, "Miss Ashcroft probably still has my number."

His look was challenging and less than friendly.

The principal stared at Livia, puzzled.

Luke gave Livia a second look.

Was the principal curious about how Livia knew Angelo?

Luke wondered why Angelo would have given his number to a woman other than a family member.

Walking out of the principal's office with Luke, Livia was in a sour mood.

"What's your relationship with Angelo?" Luke asked, sharp as a tack.

"There is no relationship."

Seeing right through her denial, Luke quipped with a knowing look, "The haste to deny it speaks volumes."

Livia frowned, ready to argue, but Luke strutted ahead with his backpack, saying over his shoulder, "If you're hoping to be his wife, don't bother. My uncle Angelo believes in staying single."

Frustrated, Livia's impression of Luke took a nosedive.

"I have a boyfriend," Livia lied, not wanting to embarrass herself.

Luke glanced back at her and suddenly laughed, "Guess I got that wrong. You're just not his type."

Livia walked past him, her voice even, "You don't know anything."

"I know plenty. Angelo likes innocent girls."

A pang hit Livia's heart, leaving her feeling dejected.

The first time she met Angelo, he remarked that she looked too sultry to be a teacher. How could someone with her looks be an educator?

He questioned whether a teacher who looked like her could truly do the job.

Livia knew then she had been judged by him.

'Questioning my qualifications as a teacher, and now he's sending Luke to my class. Isn't he worried I won't teach well?'

After settling Luke in, Livia returned to her office.

"Miss Ashcroft," Angelo called out from the office doorway, using her title for the first time. His posture was relaxed.

Livia thought he had left.

She put on an air of dignity. "Can I help you with something?"

Angelo straightened up. "Luke can be difficult and has a temper, so I'm asking you to please bear with him."

"People say nephews take after their uncles." Noticing a shift in his expression, Livia continued, "He's my student now, and I'll make sure he's well-taught. Of course, as his guardian, you should also set a good example for your ward. Teachers only play a supportive role. Leading by example is what really matters."

Angelo's expressive, periwinkle eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm just reminding you, don't go calling me for every little thing. Some teachers can be overly keen to get close to the parents, and tend to pick at the students' faults."

Livia was enraged.

She took out her phone right in front of Angelo, pulled up his number, and blocked and deleted it.