"YOU ARE FIRED!"
Mr. Hawkins, the head of Smithson High thundered, his face purpling like a particularly ripe eggplant.
Nicki's eyes widened, her mind racing to catch up with the sudden turn of events. She took a step back, tripped over her own feet, and landed on the floor with a thud. "For what exactly?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of desperation and a dash of embarrassment. "What have I done?"
Mr. Hawkins' response was like a slap in the face. "You have broken the rules!" he spat, his eyes blazing with indignation and a hint of old-man grumpiness.
Nicki's face went pale, her eyes flashing with a mix of shock, anger, and a hint of fear... of looking silly on the floor. She scrambled to her feet, brushed off her pants, and stood tall. "That's not fair," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion and a dash of mortification. "You can't just fire me without giving me a reason... or at least a warning that my dancing skills might cause bodily harm."
The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension... and a faint giggle from the secretary trying to stifle a laugh.
"Miss. Nicki Cox, just look at you. Clumsy, crazy and full of folly. What made me think that someone like you could be a great ballet teacher for our students?" Mr. Hawkins asked rhetorically.
"Mrs. Stone, Sabrina Stone's mom, complained to me over the phone. You called her daughter a dummy for not being too good at the pirouette."
Nicki chuckled.
"Sir, I was only kidding about the whole dummy thing. Plus, we already forgot about it. So why is that a reason for me to stop working here?" Nicki spat.
"Shut up!" He snapped at her.
"You have every reason to stop. First, you're rude, second, you're irascible, third, you're always on your phone! I've heard many times that you never pay attention to the students' needs! All you care about is social media!" Nicki gasped.
"Who gave you that information?"
"You don't have to know who is telling me how incompetent you are. Nicki Cox, leave these premises before I call...the cops!" His eyes were fiery with anger and he stood up, his shaking finger pointing at the door.
Nicki was staring straight at him, still not being able to fathom why he'd fire her for such a petty reason.
Why she'd lose her job of 4 years all because she called a student dummy.
He noticed Nicki didn't look moved by his roaring.
"There's only one way to save your job, Nicki." He leaned over his table and whispered to her.
"What way?"
"Just one night. If you're not comfortable with coming over, it's not a problem. You can bend over this table while I give it to you hard from behind." Nicki's eyebrows furrowed.
"Mr. Hawkins, you are really insane."
His voice grew loud.
"What?! How dare you - "
"I'd rather eat a cake made with lava, than fill my mouth with your zucchini."
"Get lost, you bitch!" He cursed.
Nicki walked out proudly.
As she reached outside, she spotted a taxi and hastily got in.
"Hey, Gilbert. Where are you?"
"Coquette, what's wrong? You sound...offended."
"I've been fired."
"What?!" Gilbert exclaimed dramatically.
"OMG, babe, how? Why? What..."
"Where are you?!" Nicki half yelled.
"In..em..at..at a..park close to your place. It's our anniversary, remember?"
"Anniversary?"
"Yes, Coquette. The day we started dating. It's been three years." Gilbert replied cheerfully.
"Oh. It has. Wait there, I'll see you and explain everything."
"Okay, Coquette."
When she arrived at the park, she spotted Gilbert sitting on a bench and went to sit next to him. He startled on seeing her.
"You didn't even notice me. You were too busy on your phone." Gilbert put his device away and smiled at Nicki.
"I'm sorry, Coquette. I've been too busy lately. I was trying to submit the soft copy of my proposal."
"I really hope you get accepted, Gilbert. I can't believe I'm jobless now." Nicki said sadly, playing with her fingers.
"Tell me how it all happened."
"It all started with me receiving a weird letter and the next thing, I ended up in Mr. Hawkins' office and he just said I was fired, just like that."
"I asked why and it was all because I called a student dummy. We were actually kidding, Mr. Hawkins took it serious and now I'm back to being the roamer I once was!" Nicki was dejected, under the verge of tears.
Gilbert wrapped his arms around Nicki, consolingly.
"Babe, you don't have to. I know the last four years have been the best of your life. Being a high school teacher, not just that, the head teacher of the arts and dance group, a ballet tutor.... everything you've always wanted to be. But you don't need all of this. You're Nicki Cox, second daughter to Baron Cox, one of the wealthiest marketing firm owners in the country. You don't need a damn teaching job to survive when you have a dad like that."
"Gilbert, you should understand me better. I've always dreamed of being independent. And I thought those years of freedom would be endless. Until today." Nicki choked out.
"Nicole, I wanted to share something too but...." Nicki turned to look at him and freed herself from his grip with a confused expression.
"What the - Nicole?!" Nicki barked furiously.
She stood up, whipped off her sunglasses, and looked like she'd just been slapped.
Gilbert rose up too.
"I... I...Babe...just..."
"Shut the fuck up!" Nicki cried.
"Did you just say Nicole's name?"
"I...yeah...I mean..I didn't... I didn't..."
Tears escaped her eyes.
"What's going on between you two? You've been smiling at her lately. I'm curious," Nicki grabbed his collar tight.
"Tell me, jerk! What's up with you two?!"
"Nicki, let go!"
Tension hung in the air like a thick fog. Her voice was steady, but her eyes?
They were burning with anger and hurt. Guilt was written all over his face and awkward wasn't even the word to describe it.
"Coquette! You're here!" With a cheerful exclamation, Nicole Stewart, Nicki's best friend sashayed towards them.
She was a bit puzzled at the scene.
"What's happening?" Without hesitation, Nicki released Gilbert's collar, scooped up a handful of mud, and smeared it across Nicole's face.
"Eww!!!" Nicole expressed her immense disgust with a harsh shout.
"What has gotten into you, Nicki?"
"Shut up! You've crossed the line, Nicole! You've completely crossed the line! Getting into Gilbert's head to the point where he's calling out your name instead of mine? The same thing happened two weeks ago when we spent the night together and I assumed it was due to fatigue but now...it's getting too much. And I've heard rumors so, spill the tea. What are you doing behind my back, Gilbert?!" Nicki snarled.
"Yes," Nicole declared.
"Gilbert and I are...an item. For three weeks now. How do you expect me not to fall for a guy so sweet? Especially when we've been locked in a room together for a night. Do you think he's so stupid like you not to fall for someone he's been with for a night? Do you think he's that loyal? Look here, Coquette. For the record, this guy is mine. It's so strange dating someone for three years and you don't let him touch you. He has never even seen you stark naked. Do you think hugs and kisses are what a guy needs from his girlfriend? Sometimes, just rock him till he spills. Touches, caresses. Why are you called Coquette when you can't do all of that? Why should he be with you? He once told me how boring you are. This guy is too damned hot to be with a dull idiot like you."
Nicki stood there, speechless.
"You know what, move out of the way." Nicole pushed her slightly.
"This park date was initially ours. I love the sunset. I'd love it more watching it with my boyfriend."
Nicki sniffed, her reddish puffed eyes and cheeks hinting heartbreak.
"Gilbert, are you just gonna watch her say these things to me?"
"Yes, Nicki. Nicole and I have been dating since the day we were locked in the room accidentally. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you earlier, Nicki. I just thought I could hide it but...my feelings for Nicole are uncontrollable. Please try to understand." Gilbert spoke.
"Are you heck serious? Are you breaking up with me?" Nicki's voice was shaky.
"Yes, Coquette. I...I don't love you anymore." Gilbert watched her fall to the ground traumatized.
"Gilbert, look! A food truck. I'm hungry,let's grab something." Hand in hand, they walked away and left Nicki to sulk.
She let out a scream that was loud enough to shatter windows and crack the hard ground.
Kids ran for their lives and Nicki passed out.
~~~COX MANSION~~~
Nicki slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings. She was met with a sea of plush pillows and a soft, velvet bedspread. As she sat up, memories came flooding back. This was her room, from when she lived with her dad and Nora... four years ago.
Her gaze drifted to the front of the room, where Nora was busy stirring a cup of tea. Nicki's eyes widened slightly as Nora looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"You're awake. Have some tea," Nora said, crossing the room to hand Nicki the steaming cup. "Thought you'd need this."
Nicki took the tea, still feeling a bit disoriented. "Nora... what's going on? Why am I here?" she asked.
Nora sat down beside her, putting a comforting arm around Nicki's shoulders. "You've been having a tough time, too bad you didn't even hint us on your life update. I'm here for you, gal. Cry if you want to."
Nicki took a sip of the tea, letting the warmth spread through her. It was just like Nora to take care of her like this.
"Hipsy, my life's a mess."
"Being independent doesn't come easy, Coquette. There are days you feel trapped." Nora said sympathetically.
"I know right? I've been fired." Nicki dropped the bombshell and Nora's eyes widened.
"What? Why? Did you get into trouble?"
"No, Hipsy. I just refused that cheeseburger principal's zucchini on my first day and since then, he's been looking for a way to get me fired."
"OMG. I knew the outdoors wasn't too safe for you, Coquette. And your boyfriend? Did you call him?"
"We broke up." Nora couldn't believe her ears.
"You've been through so much, gal. When did that happen?"
At the park."
"The park the guards found you? They weren't mistaken when they said you were... traumatized." Nicki nodded.
"He's been cheating on me with Nicole. Turns out he's been meaning to declare the breakup before my job incident." She explained.
"Nicole? Your bestie? This is shocking."
"I never wanted to come back here, Nora, but thanks... I wonder if Dad even gives a fuck about me anymore." Nora chuckled and squeezed Nicki's hand.
"Of course, Coquette. He asked me to be by your side while he was out for work."
"Oh. I really can't wait to see him, Hipsy."
"Gal, the past few hours have been hell for you. Let's go shopping tomorrow. New dresses, bags...jewelry??" Nora tried to read Nicki's expression.
"Sounds fun but can we just take a walk?"
"Sure thing, Nicki. Anything to make you smile, 'cause, you're now a complete shadow of yourself. Remember that night I found your diary and you called me diarrhea? I couldn't forget that." Nora and Nicki burst into uncontrollable laughter, momentarily forgetting their worries.
"I can recall this clearly too, you had a crush on this guy who rejected you for having big eyes." Nicki reminded.
"What? Wasn't that Peter?"
"Yeah, Peter! You cried for three days straight and then hospitalized for a whole week." Nora giggled.
"I can't seem to forget the day..." Nora's phone beeped, interrupting them.
Nora picked up her phone, which was lying somewhere on the bed, and blushed when she saw the text message.
"Who's making you glow at the sight of his text?" Nicki wiggled her eyebrows.
"Forget it." Nora tossed the phone aside.
"Let's talk more - about your job." She changed the topic.
"I'm not speaking until you tell me who it is. I'm interested." Nicki smiled a little.
"Okay. If you insist. Its my boyfriend." Nora spilled.
Nicki gasped dramatically, sitting up straight.
Nora took a deep breath. "I met him... online."
Nicki's eyebrows shot up. "A dating site?"
Nora nodded, her cheeks tinging pink. "Yeah. We've been talking on video calls and texting, but... I've never actually seen him in person."
Nicki burst out laughing. "What? That's wild! What does he look like? Have you ever seen a picture?"
Nora playfully rolled her eyes. "I know, I know. Picture, right? I'll show you later."
Nicki grinned mischievously. "Oh, later? No way. I need to see this guy who's got you blushing."
Nora laughed, grabbing the cup of tea from Nicki's hand. "Stop it, Coquette. I'll show you, just not now."
As Nora put the cup away, Nicki teased, "Guess this one loves your owl eyes. Does he have a huge courgette?"
Nora threw a pillow at her sister. "Shut up!"
Nicki giggled, dodging the pillow. "Sure, sure. So, what's his name? What does he do?"
"His name is - " A loud knock disrupted the moment - again.
"Who is it? Come in." The head chef pushed the door and walked in, staring at her shoes.
"Miss. Nora, you have a guest."
"Oh. Is it Wincy?"
"Yes, it's Miss. Wincy."
"I'll be downstairs in a sec." The head chef left and Nora turned to her sister.
"Coquette, I'd like to introduce you to my buddy. Just..wait for me, okay?" Nicki nodded and Nora dashed out of the room.
Nicki hugged her knees tighter, a soft smile spreading across her face. She closed her eyes, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. She was going to be fine with Dad. She didn't need to prove anything anymore; the thought of surrendering to his guidance didn't feel suffocating like before.
Her gaze drifted to Nora's phone, lying abandoned on the bed. Nicki's curiosity got the better of her, and she picked it up, unlocking it with the password - Nora's date of birth.
She navigated to Nora's messages, her eyes landing on the chat with @hotboss.
As she scrolled through their conversation, Nicki's eyes widened. "Wow," she whispered, her cheeks flushing at some of the sweet texts Zachary had sent Nora.
She couldn't help but smile at the emojis and gifs peppered throughout their messages.
Nicki's gaze lingered on a selfie Zachary had sent, and she was breathless, her eyes locked on the handsome face staring back at her.
Zachary's piercing blue eyes seemed to sparkle even through the screen, and Nicki felt her blush deepen. She couldn't blame Nora for falling for him; he was stunning.
His thick eyelashes, his sensual lips, his sharp and defined masculine edged jawline, and his smooth clear complexion gave him a regal, rugged charm.
Another text popped in and that was when Nicki realized - she'd been staring at him for ten minutes.