Memory

Chapter 19

A month later

Jennifer P.O.V

Having the break room entirely to ourselves, I'm free to vent to Manolo about my distress as much as I please.

"It's been a month and a half since we went on a date. I highly doubt any man would wait that long to go on a second date," I groan, scooping a spoonful of chifrijo from my bowl.

Drinking his Coca-Cola, Manolo scoffs while shaking his head in disappointment.

"Jeni, if David can wait three years to go out on a date with you, then I'm a thousand and ten percent sure he can wait a month to go on a second date. You shouldn't doubt his feelings because it's very obvious he's serious about you."

Well, when you've been getting mistreated for so long, you tend to do that with every man.

Manolo has a point, though. After that fantastic night, David showed me I shouldn't doubt him, especially since David and Nicolas are entirely two different people.

"You're right....maybe I'm becoming too impatient," I sigh, leaning back in my chair.

"I would be too if someone gave me an orgasm that amazing," he mumbled behind his drink.

"Manolo!" I yelled, slapping his arm.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," he said, blocking my hits with his arms. "I know that's not the only reason you miss him."

"You kid too much. What if one of the staff members walked past and heard you?" I said in a low whisper.

"Jeni," he paused, placing his bottle on the table. "For one, they wouldn't judge you even if they did hear because you don't seem to notice that the other teachers are waiting for the day you and David get together. Hell, even the principal is waiting," he chuckled, giving me a playful smile.

"I know they wouldn't judge me for going on a date with David, but they might judge me for doing sexual activities with him on the first date, stuff like that. You wait until the seventh or tenth date," I say, having this uneasy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

The thought of our staff members judging me in silence sends shivers down my spine.

I'm not the type of woman to do something like that on the first date, but David looked so sexy in that outfit that night that it was hard for me to resist him. To make it worse, the cologne he had on was taking over every bit of common sense I possessed. To top it off, his eyes glowed with fascination yet desire, which lit a fire inside of me that I never knew I had.

It also didn't help that I had a lot of pent-up sexual frustration.

Shaking his head in disagreement, Manolo says this next, making the unease disappear.

"If you didn't know David at all, that would have been bad, but you've known him for what? Three or four years, so it's not like you had sex with a stranger. You did it with a man you've built a relationship with over time, and now the relationship is getting on a more personal level." he states, placing a hand on my shoulder. "In conclusion, there's nothing wrong with what yall two did."

"You're right. I didn't even think about it like that".

While continuing to eat my lunch, I begin to remember the first time I met David.

*Flashback four years ago*

"Hey baby, I'm going to be a little late coming home from work," I tell Nicolas over the phone.

"Why?"

"Well, there are some students whose parents are coming in a bit late to pick them up, and the dean asked if I could stay a little longer until all the kids are gone."

Nicolas didn't respond, all I could hear was the steady pace of his breathing.

"Um...baby?"

"Yeah, yeah, I heard you. Just don't be too late coming home in time to make me dinner, understand?"

"Yes, I understand," I pause, "I love you."

"Yeah, love you too. Now I have to go. My lunch break is over".

Before I even had the chance to respond, he had already hung up the phone.

Nicolas has been a bit cold-hearted toward me lately, and I'm unsure why. A few months ago, he used to be so sweet and caring, but now he's throwing these backhanded insults toward me, and acting like speaking to me for too long is a problem.

Maybe it's the stress he's been under lately due to some complications at his job.

Yeah, that might be the reason why...

Stepping back inside my classroom, I stride to my desk and take a seat.

I used this opportunity to grade some papers, which gives me some freedom once I'm home.

A little while later, one of my co-workers and new acquaintances, Manolo Cruz, walks in with a distressed look.

"Hey, Mr.Cruz," I say once he approaches my desk. "Is everything alright? You seem a bit pale."

"Hello, Ms. Gonzalez. Unfortunately, no. I'm having a family emergency and need to leave immediately, but I still have a student whose father isn't here yet," he answers, running his fingers through his hair. "I was hoping you could watch her for me. She's very quiet but as sweet as they come, so she won't be a problem for you," he assures, his eyes beaming with hope.

At first, I was hesitant and was going to deny him since I didn't want to take any chances by being late to make dinner since I already had six other students under my care, but at the same time, something in me told me to say yes. I don't know what, but I feel I should listen to my gut feeling.

"Sure, I can watch her for you, what's her name?"

"Isabella brown".