Chapter 1348
Audrey was momentarily stunned. Outstanding female teacher? The concept felt distant, unfamiliar. Still, as Alissa had said, it was undoubtedly a good thing. She just couldn't quite grasp why Oliver had chosen her.
"Oliver, I… I don't think I'm qualified," she stammered. "Alissa is much more deserving."
"Nonsense, Audrey. You've earned it," Oliver said, a warm smile playing on his lips. "Alissa is excellent, of course, but this particular award is limited to teachers under thirty. She's just a bit over the age limit. And among the younger teachers, you're the clear standout."
Audrey opened her mouth to protest further, but Oliver cut her off. "Come on, let's get your paperwork together. We need to get this over to the city education bureau."
"Now?" Audrey asked, surprised.
"Yes, they need it today," Oliver explained, seeing her bewildered expression. "Don't worry, we'll drop it off and come straight back. It's just a quick in-and-out."
A faint blush crept up Audrey's cheeks. She hurried back to her office to gather her things. Downstairs, Oliver's Audi was waiting. He was driving himself, so Audrey felt it would be rude to sit in the back. She opened the passenger door and slid into the seat.
The car pulled away from Sunset Valley High, turning left onto the road that connected Starfall Town and Harmony County.
Oliver drove, his eyes occasionally flicking towards Audrey. Even though it was nearing November, the weather was unseasonably warm, the temperature pushing eighty-six degrees. Young women in summer dresses strolled along the sidewalks, their bare legs a welcome sight.
Audrey hadn't opted for a skirt today. She wore a black and white checkered shirt and a pair of fitted jeans. She usually left the top button of her shirt undone, and in the heat of her office, she'd unfastened a second, revealing a tantalizing hint of cleavage. The third button strained against the swell of her breasts, threatening to pop open at any moment.
Oliver found himself increasingly drawn to her. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his gaze lingering on her a beat too long. He drove this route often, knew it like the back of his hand. He could practically navigate it blindfolded, so he wasn't worried about an accident.
This "outstanding teacher" award was a fabrication, a carefully constructed pretext to get Audrey alone. He'd initially planned to wait, to let her pride cool down a bit, but after that night at her house, he knew he couldn't wait any longer. He had to make a move. If Jason came back to Harmony County, Audrey's feelings for him might resurface, making Oliver's task that much harder.
Audrey sat perched on the edge of the seat, practically pressed against the door. She knew it was a futile gesture. If Oliver truly had something in mind, a locked door wouldn't stop him. She kept her eyes fixed on the road ahead, only occasionally glancing at him. Seeing him focused on his driving, she relaxed slightly. The confined space of the car felt suffocating, and she was acutely aware of the fragile barrier between them. She didn't want a repeat of what had happened before.
Oliver avoided unnecessary conversation, sensing her wariness. He knew that being too forward would only put her on guard. It was Audrey who, unable to bear the strained silence, finally broke the ice, asking about the award.
"It's a new initiative from the city education bureau," Oliver explained, his voice cheerful and reassuring. "The new director, Angus – he's the former deputy secretary of the municipal government – wants to recognize young, accomplished female teachers with strong academic credentials. You're the perfect candidate, Audrey. It's practically tailor-made for you."
Audrey's heart skipped a beat. Angus. They'd had dinner once, back at the teacher's college, and exchanged a few polite text messages afterward. She hadn't heard from him since and assumed their paths wouldn't cross again. Now, he was in charge of the education bureau. She couldn't help but wonder if this award had anything to do with him.
After submitting the paperwork, they stepped back outside to find a light drizzle falling. Audrey frowned. Oliver looked up at the sky. "It's nothing," he said with a smile. "Let's wait it out."
They returned to the office, but an hour later, the drizzle had intensified into a steady downpour. Darkness had fallen.
Audrey's anxiety grew. If the rain continued, she wouldn't be able to get back to Harmony County tonight. She hadn't told Kevin about this trip. Despite their current estrangement, she knew he'd worry if she didn't come home. She didn't want to give him another reason to mistrust her.
"Oliver, this rain doesn't look like it's going to let up. What should we do?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. She shot him a suspicious glance, then immediately chided herself. He couldn't control the weather.
"We wait," Oliver said, spreading his hands, inwardly delighted. He'd been concocting a plan to feign car trouble, a way to delay their return and book a hotel room. Now, the rain had provided the perfect excuse.
Just then, Audrey's phone rang. It was Kevin. He'd gotten home, made dinner, and was starting to wonder where she was.
She told him she was stuck in the city on school business and might not be able to make it back tonight. To avoid raising his suspicions, she said she was with some other female teachers, omitting any mention of Oliver.
After hanging up with Kevin, she called Alissa, relaying the same story. Alissa simply told her to be careful.
By eight o'clock, the rain was still coming down. Oliver decided they should eat. "Maybe it'll stop while we're having dinner," he suggested.
The education bureau had a guesthouse nearby. They borrowed umbrellas from the office and made their way to the guesthouse restaurant, usually deserted except during conferences.
Oliver booked a private room and ordered a few dishes. "Anything to drink, Audrey?" he asked.
"Mr. Jones, aren't you driving later?" Audrey reminded him.
"Oh, right," Oliver chuckled, realizing he'd been too eager.
After dinner, the rain showed no signs of abating. Oliver smiled. "Looks like we're stuck. Let's get a couple of rooms and get some rest. If it stops, we'll drive back. If not, we'll leave first thing in the morning."
"Okay," Audrey agreed reluctantly. She didn't think Oliver had planned this, and she couldn't very well ask him to drive in this weather.
Oliver got two adjoining rooms from the receptionist and handed Audrey her key. "The guesthouse isn't exactly the Ritz," he said with a smile. "But if you need anything, just let me or the staff know."
"Thank you, Oliver." Audrey entered her room and immediately locked the door, resolving not to open it for any reason.
She turned on the TV and sat on the bed, her mind racing. After a while, she went to the window to check the rain, but each time, she was met with the same relentless downpour. By midnight, she finally accepted that she wasn't going home tonight.
She changed into her slippers and lay down, wondering if Oliver was asleep. Suddenly, the phone beside the bed rang, startling her. She assumed it was Oliver and wondered what he could possibly want at this hour.
The phone continued to ring. Hesitantly, she picked it up. A woman's voice, sultry and suggestive, filled her ear. "Sir, are you looking for companionship tonight? We have students, housewives, businesswomen… all price ranges. We cater to all tastes."
It was a solicitation, a sex service. Audrey's face burned. She slammed the phone down, disgusted. She unplugged the phone from the wall, her heart still pounding.
The unexpected call had jolted her awake. She found herself strangely curious about the services the woman had described. Did men really… enjoy such things? She made a mental note to ask Kevin. He'd shown her that adult forum once; maybe it had similar content.
She turned off the lights and pulled the covers over herself, closing her eyes. She was used to sleeping next to Kevin, and his absence felt strange, unsettling. A hollow ache pulsed between her legs.
She pictured Kevin alone in their bed, probably masturbating. A small smile touched her lips. The image of his erection flashed in her mind, sending a shiver of longing through her. She slid her jeans down to her knees and, through her panties, gently pressed her fingers against her aching folds.
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