Death of a Bachelor (COMPLETED)

#48 Opportunity

Julien yawned and closed his laptop, his attention went to Simone.

“Can’t stop smiling, huh? And you just can’t stop staring at that ring” Julien said teasingly, his voice light and playful as he leaned back in his chair.

He watched her from across the quiet classroom, the usual noise and chatter replaced by a peaceful stillness. The sun filtered gently through the tall windows, casting soft light across the rows of empty desks. Simone sat near the window, completely lost in thought, her fingers gently turning the engagement ring around and around. The dreamy smile on her face hadn’t left since she walked in.

Julien raised an eyebrow, amused. “You’ve been staring at that thing for the past ten minutes. I’m starting to think you’re more in love with the ring than with the man who gave it to you.”

Simone laughed softly, finally lifting her gaze from the ring and looking at Julien. “I’m just… happy” she said, her voice warm but carrying a hint of something else — something more fragile. “And I already miss him.” A glimmer of sadness appeared in her eyes, like a shadow passing over the sunlight of her smile.

“Wow really in love” he replied sarcastically.

“Gosh, I really miss him” she repeated, ignoring the disgusting look at Julien's face.

The vacation seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye. One moment, they were relaxing together under the sun, and now, Lewis returned to his demanding racing career, jumping right back into the fast-paced world of Formula 1. Simone, on the other hand, went back to Paris, settling into her own routine.

Julien finally smiled gently, sensing the shift in her mood. There was a comforting warmth in his voice as he asked, “So, how does it feel to be Lewis Hamilton’s fiancée?”

Simone rolled her eyes playfully and leaned back in her chair. “You should ask him that question, not me.”

Julien chuckled. “Don’t worry, I will.”

“You better” she replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

For a moment, they sat in silence. The classroom was calm, filled with the distant sounds of laughter coming from outside. Simone turned her head and looked out the window. Children were running across the schoolyard, playing in the soft afternoon light. Their energy, their innocence — it stirred something in her.

“I really miss teaching” she whispered, almost to herself. “The chaos, the drama of little minions, teaching them about arts, just everything”

Julien stood up and slowly walked over to the window to join her. He followed her gaze and watched the children with a soft expression. “You still can” he said quietly.

Simone placed her hand gently over her baby bump and looked down, her thoughts drifting. Julien glanced at her, his eyes resting briefly on the curve of her belly.

“Well… maybe not right now” he added, smiling. “In your condition, it’s probably best to stay at home and just paint until your hands get tired.”

Simone chuckled, the sound light but tinged with longing. “Yeah… ”

Julien nudged her shoulder gently. “Shall we go?”

Simone turned her head and glanced at the clock hanging above the white board. It was already four o’clock in the afternoon.

She gave a soft nod. “Yes, let’s go.”

The two of them stepped out of the quiet classroom, walking into the soft afternoon breeze. As they exited the school building, a group of children playing nearby noticed them and ran over, their faces lighting up with wide, cheerful smiles.