Claire turned the doorknob and pushed open the door.
The scene that greeted her made her freeze in the doorway.
Two boys were in a heated argument over a toy car, each pulling at it with matching stubborn expressions.
Someone had drawn a ridiculous picture of the principal on the whiteboard.
At least that was what the words “THE PRINCIPAL” written above it claimed.
The woman in the picture had a huge head, tiny eyes and ears almost as big as her face.
A group of children had formed a circle in the corner whispering among themselves.
One boy was munching on a chocolate bar despite the clear “no food in classroom” rule visible on the wall.
None of them even glanced up when Claire entered.
“Class,” the principal announced, pretending not to notice the drawing on the whiteboard.
“This is your new teacher, Miss Anderson.
I expect all of you to make her feel welcome.”
A few heads turned her way but most continued their activities as if nothing had happened.
The principal gave Claire a tight smile.
“I’ll leave you to it then.”
Claire watched her leave, her mouth slightly opened.
Wait…
is this woman seriously leaving her here alone with all these…?
She sighed and stepped forward.
“Alright everyone, please take your seats.”
The children barely acknowledged her words.
Some continued their activities while others seemed to deliberately ignore her.
A girl with perfectly braided hair looked up from her seat.
“We’re already sitting,” she said sweetly though there was mischief in her eyes.
Claire looked closer and noticed the girl was indeed sitting, but judging from the way a girl beside her was still standing with an agitated expression and puffed cheeks, it was obvious the first girl was sitting on her seat.
When the girl saw that Claire had figured it out, she grinned and finally stood up, moving to her own desk as the other girl sat down with a huff.
Claire scanned the room and noticed a group of children still talking in the back.
She shook her head tiredly walked over to them.
“She shouldn’t have done that,” one boy whispered.
“But she always gets away with it,” another replied.
“My mom said we’re not supposed to talk about it.”
Claire stopped in front of their desk and leaned down to their height.
“What are you talking about?”
The children immediately pursed their lips, their eyes wide as if they had been caught doing something wrong.
They sat up straight and faced forward, quickly forgetting their conversation.
The class finally became quiet.
Claire walked to the front of the room, looking around at the students.
These children were nothing like the ones she had taught before.
They were spoiled, rude, and clearly not used to being told what to do.
She picked up the whiteboard eraser and wiped away the drawing.
Once the board was clean, she picked up the marker and began writing her name on it.
As she wrote, she glanced at the clock on the wall.
Only fifteen minutes had passed since she entered the room.
It felt like hours.
***
Meanwhile, in one of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods, large homes stood behind tall gates along quiet well-kept streets.
The area was known for its privacy and only a few cars could be seen passing through in the early morning.
At the end of one of the streets is a large modern house surrounded by neatly kept gardens.
Inside, Sebastian adjusted his tie in front of the mirror, his expression as cold and unreadable as always.
In the hallway, his assistant Leo was waiting with a tablet in his hand already reviewing the day’s schedule.
“The investors for the new project are waiting at the office,” Leo said.
“They’re expecting you by ten.”
Sebastian gave a small nod in acknowledgement.
As he walked into the main hall, his feet slowly came to a stop.
His daughter Sophie was lying on the floor, her school uniform scattered around her as she kicked her feet in protest.
“I’m not going to school!” she screamed, her voice echoing through the spacious hall.
“I want to go to work with Daddy!”
Chloe the housekeeper, stood wringing her hands nearby.
“Sir, she’s been like this for an hour.
I’ve tried everything.”
Sophie glared at the woman.
“You’re stupid!
I don’t like you!
You’re just a nanny.”
Sebastian’s expression remained unchanged as he looked at her.
“Get dressed.”
“I won’t!” Sophie shouted, her face turning red.
“The kids at school are babies!
I’m almost six.
I should be working!”
“You’re five,” Sebastian corrected, his voice flat.
“And you belong in school.”
Sophie crossed her arms clearly unhappy with his answer.
“I don’t want to go.
School is boring.”
Sebastian glanced at his watch before looking back at her.
“That’s not my problem.”
Sophie stared at him for a moment almost offended by how little he seemed to care about her complaint.
“Then I’ll be like you!” she insisted, scrambling to her feet.
“I’ll sit in meetings and tell people what to do!”
Leo cleared his throat from where he was now standing near the door.
“Sir, we really should leave.”
Sebastian looked at his daughter who was now standing with her hands on her hips, wearing an expression that reminded him of someone he knew very well.
A small familiar habit, though he couldn’t help noticing it, made the sight almost amusing.
He felt a familiar tug at his heart but pushed it aside.
“You have ten minutes to get dressed,” he said, turning toward the door.
“Or I’m calling your grandmother.”
Sophie’s eyes widened at the threat.
Her grandmother was even stricter than her father.
With a dramatic sigh, she grabbed her uniform and stomped toward her room muttering under her breath about unfair parents and stupid schools.
Sebastian nodded to Chloe who immediately scurried after Sophie to help her dress.
As he reached for the door handle, it turned from the other side and swung inward.
A beautiful woman stood in the doorway dressed in a simple but elegant outfit.
Her long dark hair fell neatly over her shoulders and her delicate features carried a gentle smile.
She looked at Sebastian for a moment before stepping inside….