Tbd

chapter one

**FLASHBACK**

I'm working at my desk. It's quiet I'm the school due to school being dismissed earlier. It's nice though. I get my work done easier with no kids around asking me when something was. I was exhausted. But I was happy with the job. I was good at it, despite not having much experience with kids. I look at my watch. shit. It was almost 8 o'clock. I knew the cleaners would come soon and I didn't feel like making small talk with them. I gathered my things and my purse and walked out the classroom, locking it behind.

I didn't realize my phone was ringing or buzzing, but I knew once I got into my car and had over 3 missed calls. I thought it was my ex husband, calling to ask me how I was doing because he couldn't handle the fact hes a cheating asshole who got divorced.
But it wasn't- it was a restricted number. I mumbled a few words under my breath, not nice words.
You see, my ex husband would typically call me with restricted numbers. So my first thought was that he was fucking with me. I sighed, and decided to call back. I put the car Bluetooth on so I could drive home. When the line picked up I was getting ready to yell at him, but it wasn't Carter. It was a voice of a woman. Not just any woman, my best friends mom- the woman who might as well be my mother.
"Olivia?" She said, her voice almost shaking. I began to grew worried something had happened.
"Hey Mrs. White. Is everything okay?"
I could hear sniffles, occasionally she would breathe heavily. Before I could question it, she spit it out.
"Katherine is dead. She was found an hour ago. She had been murdered after a break in."
I almost crashed my car. I had to pull over as I felt this wave of fear over me. "W-what?" I said, on the verge of crying.
"Shes dead honey." Her mom said practically hyperventilating and crying.
I couldn't phantom words. I physically couldn't speak. I was frozen on the side of the highway. I couldn't hear it anymore. I bursted out crying. To the point my face was red and I couldn't breathe. I didn't believe it. I thought 'maybe I fell asleep at my desk and I'm dreaming.'
This wasn't a dream, it was a fucking nightmare.

**PRESENT DAY**
It had been only a month since Katherine passed. After a funeral, a memorial service and multiple stops in the streets apologizing for some reason, acting like I killed her, I went back to work. I knew Katherine since I was a baby, she wouldn't want me depressed. She would want me to move on and get with my life. So I did. Barely.

It was a bright Wednesday morning. I had gotten up extra early to get coffee downtown. I am a incredibly organized person, so I typically look at my schedule for the day while I get some coffee.

• Work on numbers w/ a group of students
• Parent teacher conference
I re-read 'Parent teacher conference' about five times before declaring my fate. I hated parent teacher conferences. Having to deal with snobby and posh parents who think I'm not a good teacher. It's dreadful. But I have no way out of it.

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The school day went slow. But as soon as it reached 3 O'Clock, it was time for hell. My personal hell. I always went in last name alphabetical order. It was easier for me, especially since that was how I ran my class, alphabetical order.
30 minutes in, one argument, a few kids probably going to get in trouble and only one parent telling me "I'm sorry for your loss." I sipped my now cold coffee as I read who was next. Grant. Kaden Grant. Father of Chloe Grant.
Chloe was incredibly intelligent for her age. She was also absolutely gorgeous for a 6 year old. Her brown hair and hazel eyes made a lot of 1st grade marriages. I called in Kaden Grant. When my door swung open, I almost jumped. He was tall, muscular and had a few tattoos he tried to cover up. His eyes were dark, so was his hair. He didn't seem like a dad. Hell, he didn't seem like anyone. He was just the big mysterious man.
I cleared my throat and got up to shake his hand. I sit back down. "If I may ask, where is Chloe's mother?"
He sits down and leans back. "Shes a lawyer. Couldn't get out of work for this. Plus, we dont really get along." He chuckles.
His voice. Was deep. I almost jumped at the sound of his voice. He was so- god what am I doing?

"I see. Well we prefer to have both parents but it's alright. If you don't mind giving what I tell you today to Chloe's mother." He nods at my request. I nod back and smile.

"Okay, well I would like to start by saying Chloe is an incredible student. Shes intelligent, goes by the rules. I never have issues with her."
He smiles and nods. "That's my girl. Hows her grades." He asks standing up and walking around the room a bit.
I stutter a bit. "Uhm, well she is an incredible and fast learner. Mostly A's maybe one B first semester."
He nods again and smiles at me. "Well you seem like a great teacher." I almost blush at his words. God be FUCKING PROFESSIONAL Olivia.
"I appreciate it Mr Grant." He scoffs at my words.
"Call me Kaden please. He looks at me turning from the window. He begins to walk over to me standing above me now.
He looks down at me, raising my chin with his fingers.
I almost gasp at this.
"Your very pretty. When I first saw you I thought you were just another parent. Don't look like a first grade teacher that's for damn sure."
I look up at him, blushing now.
"Oh I- thank you." He moves some of my hair from my face. He smirks then removes his hand and walks back to his chair. I realive myself, catching myself trying to not blush.
"Well I think we're done right Miss Parker." He says in a flirtatious tone. "Although I could use a number from you right now."
I catch myself again, and simply nod and laugh a bit. "I'm sorry Mr-." I stop myself and remember. "Kaden. I'm sorry but I'm not allowed to have parents numbers."
He tsks. "What if I had it for reasons like my daughter." He says, staring at me.
I caved. I caved.
"Okay. Here's my card." I hand him my card and he smiles at me.
"Wonderful. I'll give you call gorgeous."
I see him out and wave goodbye to him and Chloe.
What. A. Fuckin. Man.