Vivian's POV
There was Vivian's world, and then there was Ryan Terrell's world.
The two were so different that the fact that they had run into each other once in their lives was a miracle on its own. The event was not supposed to repeat itself, and yet it seemed that that was exactly what was about to happen.
"Are you sure?" Vivian asked, doing her best to keep the panic out of her voice. Melanie, one of her fellow teachers, nodded enthusiastically. Totally unaware of the fact that her source of joy was a source of panic for Vivian.
"Yep, I just saw him with the director. Apparently Ryan Terrell has been choosing preschools at random to donate funds to, and then visit. Today is our turn, isn't it great!" It really was not. Melanie, unaware of Vivian's true thoughts on the matter, did a little dance and then ran off. Shouting something about going to share the good news with the others.
Vivian watched her go, stuck in place as her mind reeled.
What even was her luck?
Out of all of the preschools that Ryan could have gone to, he had ended up choosing the one where she worked.
She had to come up with a plan and fast.
***
Hiding out in the school toilets like an anxious teenager was not her best plan. But seeing as Vivian needed a moment to herself in order to come to terms with everything, and then figure out a way forward. It was better than nothing.
Standing in the tiny space of the toilet stall, Vivian nibbled at her thumb trying to think of a way to approach the situation.
She could go back out there and be amongst the other teachers when they were finally called to greet Ryan. With any luck, the billionaire might have forgotten what she looked like. But just thinking of that did not leave Vivian with a good feeling.
She did not want their first meeting outside of their encounter to be in a room full of other people.
Who knew how Ryan would react. There was a chance that he would look right through her, but that was a slim possibility. Most likely, the man would blurt out not only that they knew each other, but exactly how they knew each other out of shock.
If such a thing happened Vivian was certain that she would die of shame. No ways, she could not go out there and meet him.
Cursing the fact that she could not pace in such a small space, Vivian forced herself to take a breath and think about the situation clearly.
As bad as it seemed, she did have one thing in her favor.
She was pretty certain that he had no idea that it was her particular preschool that he was currently in. Vivian just had to figure out a way to leave without him ever knowing that she worked there.
She would not be running forever, she just needed to be gone for that one day and then she would come back to work in the morning and be able to go about her life.
By that time Ryan would have moved on to other preschools, her decision to leave made Vivian feel like she could finally breathe.
Now all she had to do was come up with a way to leave that would not be too suspicious.
***
As someone who was used to seeing four and five year olds fake illnesses… badly. Vivian knew exactly what to do when it came to feigning her own ailment.
Clutching her stomach lightly and walking at a slow pace, she found her nearest colleague and quickly let them know that she would not be able to stick around. That she had come down with a stomach bug.
"It is probably from something I ate, it is best that I head home to deal with it," She got a pitying look from the other teacher.
"I am so sorry to hear that Viv. I hope you get well soon," After giving a slow head nod, Vivian made to move past her co-worker but Albert stood in her way.
"Are you sure you cannot hang on for a little while longer? I have it on good authority that the billionaire Ryan Terrell is in the building. It would be a pity if you did not get to meet him,"
It really would not be.
But since her colleague did not need to know that, Vivian gave him a crestfallen look.
"I know, it is a real shame, but if I try to force things, I am worried I might embarrass the whole school. So please tell the director how sorry I am," Giving her a sad look, her co-worker promised to relay the message, and just like that, Vivian was free.
***
After all of the effort that she had put into her acting. Running towards her car was not the best way to show how ill she was. But Vivian could not help but break character as she sprinted towards the vehicle.
She had nearly been caught while making her way out of the school. If she had not ducked into an empty classroom, Ryan Terrell would have seen her.
Getting into her car, Vivian quickly peeled off.
So busy making her great escape before her one night stand could see her.
Vivian never realized that as she was running as though chased by the hounds of hell, there was someone staring at her through one of the school's many windows.
That someone being none other than the man that she was running from…the billionaire Ryan Terrell.