Memory

Chapter 4

Jennifer P.O.V

After some traffic and road rage, I finally reached Sussex Academy.

I found an available parking spot and then got out to gather my purse and breakfast to go inside and enjoy my food before I had to get my classroom ready for the school day.

"Morning, Jennifer," I heard in the distance, immediately knowing who that voice belonged to.

"Morning, Manolo," I greeted back, shutting the back door of my car.

"I see you got your usual breakfast again today," he jokingly said as he walked with me towards the building.

"You already know I need this to be fully awake and ready for the school day," I chuckled as Manolo opened the door for us. "And as much as I love the kids, they are extremely hyper, and I need to keep up with them."

"Yeah, the kids sure love to play around and cause trouble at times, but they still hold respect and love us," he stated as we went through the halls.

Manolo and I are very close friends. When I first started working at Sussex, I didn't quite know my way around here or didn't quite know how to handle all those kids throughout the day, so he helped me out through all that, and we became friends along the way. And I know it might sound sad and depressing, but he's my only friend and my secret friend since Nicolas thinks I shouldn't have anybody except for him, so if he found out I had a male friend, he would literally have a heart attack.

"So, how has the marriage counseling with Nicolas been? You said he's been demanding lately," Manolo asked as I paused in my footsteps.

I was trying to figure out a way to tell Manolo that me and Nicolas got into an argument about the whole marriage counseling thing without worrying him. 

"Well, um, you see, I did bring up how our relationship could use a little work, but he kept insisting that it didn't and that we especially don't need a counselor in our business. I insisted that we should at least give it a try, which led to an argument, and-nevermind," I said, choosing to keep more physical details to myself.

There is no way in hell I'm telling Manolo about the abusive side of our relationship because if he finds out, then that will lead to questions. If questions are not answered, that will lead to him coming to my house and confronting Nicolas about it, and then that will lead to things I don't even want to imagine happening to Manolo.

"Hm, well, how about I try talking to him about it because clearly, he needs to-"

"No, don't....I can do it myself and try again another time," I interrupted, knowing what he was about to suggest.

"Ok, ok, fine, I won't help, but if things get out of control, I'm going to butt in and help, alright," he said, giving me a warm smile, but in an instant, it turned into a smirk.

"No, Manolo, don't even suggest I get together with David," I said, already knowing where this was going.

"Come on, Jenni. If things don't work out between you and Nicolas, you can always try and get with David," he suggested anyway, nudging me on my arm. "And besides, I see how you look at him when he comes to pick up Isabella, especially your signature look away and smile technique," he chuckles as I punch his arm out of embarrassment.

"Let it go. We don't know if he is possibly married, has a girlfriend, or already has an interest in someone else," I say, trying to convince him there's no chance for me, but as usual, he doesn't listen.

"Right, sureeee well he can't be married because I've never seen a ring on his finger for as long as Isabella has been in this school, and as for him having a girlfriend, I don't ever hear little Isa or him mention anything about a woman in their lives sooo that's off the agenda" he shrugged then took his keys out to open up the teacher's lounge.