🦋 Chapter Two – Rumor 🦋
Anita glared sideways, a frown settling on her small oval face. Her brows were furrowed, lips slightly parted, and her hands rested firmly on her hips, irritation clearly written across her expression.
"Keep quiet!"
She yelled for the third time, finally catching the attention of all the students, who only then noticed her presence in the small classroom.
"Good afternoon, ma,"
they greeted in unison, standing up as she approached her desk. Her eyes scanned the young teens, who stood upright like soldiers saluting their captain.
It felt strange, and Anita frowned even more at the sight.
"Sit."
She ordered. They all obeyed, taking their seats with faint smiles.
"If you hear your name, answer so I can mark attendance."
She said, not trusting the little troublemakers before her.
"James."
"Present, ma," he replied, raising his hand.
"Julie."
"Present, ma."
"Sonia."
"Ese."
The roll call continued until she mentioned a name that received no response.
"Is Beauty in class?"
Silence.
"No, ma," Julie replied flatly.
"Did she inform anyone why she hasn't been in school?"
The class shook their heads. Anita sighed worriedly—it had been a week with no word from her.
"Bring out your Shakespeare novels. Let's continue from where we stopped yesterday."
Groans and complaints filled the room.
"Silence!"
She snapped, and reluctantly, they obeyed.
Staff Room
Anita walked in tiredly and headed to her desk, which was cluttered with books, albums of herself and her seven-year-old son, and a white laptop.
"How was class?" Bella asked as Anita sat down. The class prefect dropped off more books before leaving.
"Stressful," Anita replied with a tired smile, turning on her laptop to review test questions for the upcoming week.
"What time is it?" Bella yawned, staring at the wall clock.
"2:00."
"What's the hurry? Be patient," Joan said.
Bella scoffed and leaned back in her chair.
"By the way, Anita, have you heard the rumors?"
"Rumors? What rumors?" Anita asked, now interested.
"I wouldn't involve myself if I were you," Joan muttered.
Bella slapped the back of his head.
"Ouch!"
"Mind your business," she snapped before turning back to Anita.
"I heard Mr. Matthew has been fired. That's why he hasn't been coming to work."
"Didn't the director say he was on vacation?" another teacher asked.
Bella shook her head.
"That was a lie."
"Then why was he fired?" Anita asked.
Bella leaned closer.
"I overheard the vice principal talking about divorcing his wife. Apparently… Mr. Matthew was having an affair with her."
Gasps filled the room.
"That's disgusting," one teacher muttered.
"I knew he was a pervert, but not this bad," another added.
"This is shocking," Anita said quietly.
"Never trusted him," Joan added.
Bella shot him a look.
"Aren't you a man too? Why are you listening?"
"Don't men have ears?" he replied.
Suddenly, Joan stiffened.
At the entrance stood a gloomy figure.
"Matthew! You're back. How was your trip?" Joan said casually.
Matthew ignored him and walked to his desk, packing his things.
"Why are you packing?" Bella asked.
No reply.
"Is it true you were fired?"
Joan frowned, signaling her to stop, but she ignored him.
"Sorry, I heard students talking. I'm just curious."
Matthew stepped closer.
Bella smiled innocently.
"Well… judging by this, the rumors must be true. I hope you find another job."
Matthew let out a dry laugh, packed his things into a box, and walked out silently.
"That was harsh," Joan muttered.
"Don't pity evil," Bella replied coldly.
Footsteps interrupted them.
Mr. Barnabas, the vice principal, entered.
"Sir, what are you doing here?" Bella asked.
"As you've noticed, Mr. Matthew will no longer be joining us."
No one looked surprised.
"For now, Bella and Joan will handle his classes."
"What? Why me?" Joan protested.
"Stop acting childish," Bella muttered.
"We'll manage," she added quickly.
Barnabas nodded and left.
Silence followed.
"I don't understand how someone could cheat on a man like him," a teacher said.
"Obviously his wife did," Bella replied.
"Leaving?" Bella asked Anita.
"Yes. I'm needed elsewhere."
"Where?"
"My father-in-law is holding a church service. I need to be there."
Bella frowned.
"You still believe in religion?"
"I believe in God," Anita replied calmly.
Joan nodded in agreement.
"Not now," Anita said, grabbing her bag. "We'll talk tomorrow."
Outside
Her silver heels clicked against the pavement as she walked to her car. Her phone vibrated.
"Hello, honey," she said softly.
"How was court?"
She forced a smile.
"That's good… congratulations."
Her expression fell.
"You're not coming home again? At least attend your father's service—it's his first since the accident."
Pause.
"You're still not coming?"
She sighed.
"Fine. Talk later."
She hung up.
"Mrs. Anita, looking beautiful as always," Mr. Brown said suddenly.
She rolled her eyes.
"It's Mrs. Moses Anita. I'm married. Please find yourself a wife."
He smirked.
"Maybe not for long. You don't look happy."
"I'm not interested."
"Your husband is a corrupt lawyer. He doesn't have time—but I do."
She stepped closer.
"And aren't you corrupt too?"
Without waiting for a reply, she got into her car and slammed the door.
"My ears hurt," she muttered.
The engine roared to life as she drove out of the gate and onto the main road.
✅
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