Blake Owen

The bell rang indicating it was already closing time.

The parents started coming in to take their children and the students going to school went out of the class.

"Henry Own, your dad is outside. He is waiting for you inside the car." one of the security guards came to inform Henry.

"We should go together so that I can tell him about that," I told him. I carried my bag and held his hand in mine. We walked out of the classroom to the parking lot.

"That's my dad's car," Henry said as he pointed to a black Bentley.

"Okay, let's go over there." We walked to the car and I knocked on the mirror. Carefully and gently. Be careful not to break it. I don't have a dime to give if I damage it.

He whined down.

"Thank you, Miss Maxwell. Get in Henry " He said.

Henry got in.

"Can I have a moment with you, sir?" I asked him.

"Me?" He asked. No, not you but the person beside you, dumbass.

"Yes." 

"Okay." He said as he got down from the car.

"I am so sorry for the disturbance but Henry told me so many things. I am so sorry if I am interfering in your family matters." I apologize so I won't sound offensive.

"It's okay, go on." He said.

"He told me what your girlfriend is always telling him. Henry is barely three and if he keeps on experiencing this. He might have a toxic and traumatic childhood experience while growing up so I think you should look into it. He is one of the brightest students in my class. So please, make amendments." I said.

"I don't think you have to be interfering in my family business but I will let it pass because you have apologized beforehand." He said sternly.

"I think I have the right because I am his teacher. I should care for his well-being, not only teach." I told him.

"Miss Maxwell, please don't provoke me, or else, I will report you to the school authorities and I will make sure you get sacked." He threatened.

"I don't think I have said anything to provoke you. I am just looking out for my student who is your son." I said aggressively.

"You are trying to tell me I haven't performed well as a father." He said angrily. I observed him from head to toe. He looked so unkempt. Who knows if he is into drugs? I pity Henry. He doesn't have a good father.

"Whatever you say but I didn't say that," I told him arrogantly.

I hate the fact that he is bothered about what I told him.

"Excuse me, I have better things to do." He said as he opened the door of his car and drove off leaving me dumbfounded.

He is a jerk.

Blake Owen is a jerk. Prick.

Thank God I know his true behavior right now.

I went home after my little argument with a parent. I showered and retired to bed. This was the job I told Mr Robinson about. Sleep. I need to sleep to forget my sorrow.

Blake's point of view:

"Your teacher is rude," I complained to Henry but he kept mute.

"I will have to report her to the school authorities, I will have her sacked," I said angrily.

"Please Dad, don't do that. I was the one that told her to tell you." Henry pleaded.

I drove through my house gate.

"You should have told me instead, Henry," I said.

"I did it several times, Dad." I parked my car and carried him on my lap.

"I am so sorry. I will tell her to change towards you. She will change, okay? She will be your mom and one day, so I will tell her to mend her ways, okay?" I glanced at him. He is the piece of gift she left behind. He is my life.

"Okay, promise me, you won't report my teacher. I like her." He begged and I smiled as I kissed his forehead.

"Okay, I won't," I assured him.

"Thank you, dad." He kissed my cheek.

"But I won't tolerate insults from her, next time," I told him.

"Let's go and play a game inside." He suggested.

"Don't you have homework?"I asked him.

"I can do that later." He said. I drove to my parking lot and parked my car and we got down from the car to the mansion.

"Is she home?" Henry asked.

"No, she isn't," I responded. He entered the mansion with excitement.

I know that Adalyn and Henry will later get along.

My phone rang and I picked it up.

"Have you decided already?" My friend, Cesar, asked.

"No, I haven't," I told him.

"Why?" He asked.

"It is too soon. How I will get married when it is just a year and a half since she died?" I told him.

"I think it is time for you to move on. I am very sure she wants you to be happy again. Please make your decision very fast. We are running out of time. I will call you later." With that, he hung up.

How will I just get married like that when I just lost my wife not quite long?

That unfortunate day was like yesterday.  She told me she wanted to buy wine for my birthday and I declined but she was so stubborn that she went against my words and left the house. Minutes later, I was called and my wife was involved in a tragic accident and she died immediately.

I wiped my tears. Seriously, I have been stuck with that memory since I couldn't let go.

I haven't moved on. All I do is be engrossed in my work, take care of my son, and busy myself with alcohol anytime I am free.

I started dating Adalyn almost four months ago. She was my childhood friend who my mom almost forced on me but I married the person of my choice instead and now, my mom wants us together and we have been dating for three and half months.

We might have been dating but I barely got close to her. I always feel like I am cheating on my wife, Allie.

I went to my room with two wines after calling Henry's nanny to come over to take care of him.

I drank until I passed out.

I think this is the life I chose for myself.

***

I woke up with a headache. I went to my drawer and took a painkiller. I used it with a glass of water. I went to the bathroom and took a shower, then after that, I went to my closet and dressed up for the day.

I went out of my room after that.

"Good morning, sir." Henry's nanny greeted me. She must have slept in this place.

I kissed my baby's head as I sat on one of the kitchen stools.

"Good morning," I replied to her.

"What's for breakfast?" I asked her.

"Waffles." She replied to me.

"Oh! That's nice. I am so sorry you're doing the work you shouldn't be doing." I apologized to her.

"It's nothing, Mr Owen." She smiled at me. She served me the waffle with honey syrup. I dug in.

"I am done eating. Let's go, daddy." Henry rushed me. I am even at just half of my meal.

"Okay, okay. Let me just finish eating, okay? I am so hungry." I pleaded with him as I swallowed the portion in my mouth.

"Okay. Eat fast or I will be late."  He instructed.

"Thank you," I told him.

I finished eating seconds later.

"Have you used your drugs?" I asked him.

"Yes, I have." He got down from the stool and went out of the kitchen. He came back. I think he forgot something.

"Bye, Willow" he waved at her and went out of the kitchen. Woah! See pure love.

"Goodbye, Willow," I said to her.

"Goodbye, Mr Owen." She replied. I went out of the kitchen to the parking lot. I opened the door for my boy and he got in. I went to my side and I got in. I started the engine of the car and drove out of my compound.

I dropped Henry off at his school and went to my office to start my daily activities. I texted Adalyn to meet me at my office so I could discuss her marriage.