My Mister

Chapter 13

Sebastian paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded Mia with a curious expression. "Before we continue, Mia," he began, his voice gentle yet probing, "I'm curious to know more about your qualifications and what you can bring to the table."

Mia's heart skipped a beat at his question, a flutter of nerves stirring in her stomach. She knew that her credentials were not as impressive as Sebastian's, but she was determined to prove herself worthy of his trust and respect.

Taking a deep breath, Mia met Sebastian's gaze with unwavering determination. "Well," she began, her voice steady despite the lingering traces of uncertainty, "I have a degree in Education, with a focus on early childhood development. I also have several years of experience working as a paraeducator, where I've had the opportunity to develop and implement educational programs that cater to the diverse needs of our students."

As she spoke, Mia couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in her accomplishments. While she may not have the same prestigious background as Sebastian, she had dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her work, always striving to make a difference in the lives of her students.

Sebastian listened intently, his expression unreadable as he processed Mia's words. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he nodded in approval. "Impressive," he said, a hint of admiration shining in his eyes. "Your qualifications and experience will be invaluable to our collaboration. I look forward to seeing how we can leverage your expertise to enhance our program and make a meaningful impact on our students."

Mia felt a rush of relief wash over her at Sebastian's words, her confidence bolstered by his vote of confidence.

Sebastian's gaze softened as he shifted his focus to a more practical matter. "Mia," he began, his tone gentle yet businesslike, "I'm curious about your availability both during and outside of work. This program will require full commitment, and I want to ensure that we're on the same page."

Mia nodded, understanding the importance of his inquiry. "Of course," she replied, her voice steady as she met his gaze.

Sebastian's question about her availability outside of work made Mia hesitate, her mind scrambling for a response. She knew she needed to appear as though she had a life outside of work, even though the truth was far from it.

"Well, Sebastian," she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "I do have some commitments outside of work that might require my attention from time to time."

Her words felt foreign on her lips, a lie born out of the need to maintain a facade of normalcy. In reality, Mia's life outside of work was virtually non-existent. She spent her evenings and weekends alone at home, rarely venturing out into the world beyond the confines of her apartment.

Sebastian regarded her with a thoughtful expression, his gaze probing as if searching for any hint of deception. "I understand," he replied, his tone measured. "It's important to have a balance between work and personal life. Just know that this program will require a significant level of dedication from all parties involved."

Mia nodded, her heart heavy with guilt for deceiving Sebastian. She knew that her lie could come back to haunt her, but the fear of being judged for her solitary existence outweighed the consequences of her dishonesty.

As their conversation continued, Mia couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at her conscience. She knew that she would need to tread carefully, ensuring that her facade remained intact while navigating the demands of the program.

In that moment, Mia vowed to do whatever it took to keep up the charade, even if it meant sacrificing her own sense of integrity in the process.

Just as the weight of Mia's lie settled heavily on her conscience, the shrill ring of the bell pierced the air, signaling the end of their conversation. Mia felt a rush of relief wash over her, grateful for the interruption that spared her from further scrutiny.

Sebastian glanced at the clock on the wall, a small frown creasing his brow. "It looks like it's time for you to head back to the classroom, Mia," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "I appreciate our conversation, and I look forward to continuing our discussion soon."

Mia nodded in agreement, her heart still heavy with guilt over her deception. "Thank you, Sebastian," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of apology. "I'll see you later."

With a forced smile, Mia turned and hurried down the hallway, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridors. As she made her way back to the classroom, her mind raced with thoughts of the conversation she had just had with Sebastian.

Though she knew she had dodged a bullet for now, Mia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the pit of her stomach.

Sebastian's mind spiraled into a tumult of conflicting emotions as Mia disappeared from view. With a heavy breath, he leaned against the wall, his thoughts veering into dangerous territory.

Images of Mia flooded his mind, each more intoxicating than the last. He imagined tracing the curves of her body with his fingertips, feeling the softness of her skin beneath his touch. His pulse quickened at the thought of exploring every inch of her, of losing himself in the depths of her desire.

In his fantasy, he could feel the heat of her breath against his skin, the electricity crackling between them as their bodies intertwined in a passionate embrace. His heart raced as he imagined the taste of her lips, the intoxicating scent of her hair as he buried his face in its softness.

But even as he indulged in the fantasy, a voice of reason whispered in the back of his mind, reminding him of the boundaries he must not cross. Sebastian shook his head, banishing the illicit thoughts from his mind, but the memory of Mia's presence lingered like a tantalizing temptation, driving him to the brink of madness.

With a frustrated sigh, Sebastian pushed himself away from the wall, determined to focus his thoughts on more pressing matters.