Elona’s POV
My heart was sitting in my throat figuratively, staring at the photo of Mr Monroe and me, his lips pressed against my shoulder in an intimate way and my expression was way too inappropriate in a sexual type of way which would get us in trouble. I looked at Mr Esau. I had the urge to pee because this was not something to play with.
“This is a photoshoot with The Dakota Agency. This is for a perfume brand and I can assure you that there is nothing going on between Elona and me. It was strictly professional,” Mr Monroe defended us and Mr Esau took a seat. I kept my breathing steady and not freak out.
“That is still inappropriate, Monroe. She is your student. What will the board say about this? They will see this and there is nothing anyone can do about it because it’s already out there in the world for everyone to see,” he said sternly.
The walls were beginning to close in on me and I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly through my mouth. I cannot panic here. “There is nothing that is inappropriate when it’s a job.”
“I’m eighteen, and I am of legal age. It’s a job and it pays. If the board sees anything wrong with someone’s job, then they are at fault. They won’t recognize me because my eyes are closed, and they don’t know a student like me. I am one of hundreds at this school. I don’t think they will see it. I believe you can keep this a secret,” I swallowed, yet the panic lingered. I felt Mr Monroe’s eyes on me too.
“I cannot stop anyone else from seeing it and they will talk. I suggest you both decide how you will handle this. The next teacher or student might even report this because they see you both every day at this school, and they know you just by looking at you. I don’t want this school to get a bad reputation and I don’t want students to go to other schools because their parents might think that we are allowing these things to happen between a student and teacher. I will have a meeting with you both tomorrow morning. Sort this out as soon as possible. That is all,” Mr Esau reached for his phone at the end of the desk and I turned around, and walked out of the office, Mr Monroe following after me.
I reached the hallway as I breathed to calm myself, everything else was muffled around me, “Hey,” a hand gripped my wrist and I turned to look at Mr Monroe, who looked at me with so much concern. “Everything will be okay,” he cupped the sides of my face, his gaze penetrating into me as if he was looking into my panicked soul. All I could do was nod, “Just breathe,” I closed my eyes and I reached for his hands on the sides of my face and held them in place. Inhale. Exhale. “That’s it, keep going,” he encouraged soothingly.
I was beginning to calm down, but then I snapped my eyes open, and then I pulled away from him, his hands falling to his sides. “That wasn’t right, not here in the school hallway,” I turned and Spooky stood there with his phone in his hand and I rushed down the hallway. Spooky’s expression was that of confusion.
“Elona, what happened?” he caught up with me as we exited the school building.
“Everything happened.” I let out a breath, still trying to be calm.
“Can you slow down and tell me?” I stopped and so did he. Concern and confusion was etched on his face. “It might be that photoshoot, isn’t it?”
“So now everyone will see it and know,” I stated, “And yes, that was the issue. It’s inappropriate. Why did I continue with that photoshoot when I saw Mr Monroe there participating in it? And now I don’t know what will happen to me. I’m so close to graduating and I hope I won’t be expelled,” I sighed.
“This is a shitty thing to be in. You are all over social media ads too. There will be eyes on it. There will be talks, so prepare for gossip,” he warned me. I saw Mr Monroe approaching from afar, most probably on his way to the parking lot. “Let’s go,” I said, and then we started walking.
As we walked down the street to our houses, we passed Tristan’s house, but he was standing by his car, looking down at his phone. There was another car parked in the driveway. Perhaps he had visitors or something. What if he had moved on? I shouldn’t even feel jealous or hurt about it. I made my decision and that was not to get back together with him. But I still love him more than anything.
“Maybe I should just stop with the agency until after graduation because I cannot risk anything like this,” I said. I glanced at Tristan, and he looked up at us. He scowled at me. If looks could kill.
“I think he knows about it,” Spooky said, but then Tristan crossed the street and walked towards us, looking between us both. Tristan saw the photoshoot in person, but now it’s all over on the internet, I suppose.
“Where are you going?” Tristan asked Spooky.
“I’m walking Elona home,” Tristan nodded and then glanced at me.
“If you need me to drop you at home, then I will gladly do that,” he said.
“There is no need, I can walk to the hotel myself,” Spooky replied.
“Very well,” his eyes fell on me again, “I hope that you are careful with Monroe because I hate to see you get expelled from school. I think you are enjoying seeing me this way and this situation won’t be good for either of you,” he said, and he was barely even containing the anger that was threatening to spill. “I hope that you can see why I tried to stop you from going into this industry. Luca is a dangerous man, and you are fucking blind to see it. But you don’t care about my opinions or that I’m older than you and know what is best. You made your choice and whatever you do, there are consequences. I love you, but I wish that you had thought about this photoshoot at least. This might become huge,” he said before he walked away, leaving Spooky at my side.
He was correct, this might be huge, and now I cannot stop my panic. All I can do is endure the gossip at school and hope not to be expelled. What the hell have I gotten myself into?