Chapter 142Relationships
Lance Ortiz, even at sixty-plus, was a big deal in education. Word was, even the city's education chief had been his student. If Vanessa Wood could get in with him, it’d be way better than hanging around guys like Quentin Rodriguez.
Audrey Johnson, on the other hand, had no clue about Vanessa’s scheming. She just thought Vanessa loved attention but wasn’t mean. Audrey was still mulling over what Lance Ortiz had said. Her thing with Kevin had gotten clearer after that kiss. Just a little push and their feelings would explode. Audrey had been on edge, wondering if she should take the plunge.
But after hearing Lance, she felt like doing so would make her a terrible teacher. No matter how shameless Vanessa was, she hadn’t hooked up with a student. If Audrey got with Kevin , it’d be even worse.
When the training wrapped up, Lance Ortiz, flanked by some education bureau folks, headed for the door. Vanessa Wood bit her lip and followed. A few minutes later, she came back grinning, holding a piece of paper with a phone number on it. She thought today’s training was a win. If she could get close to Lance Ortiz, she wouldn’t need Quentin Rodriguez anymore.
As the conference room emptied, Audrey and Vanessa joined the crowd, noticing the office staff heading home. Vanessa sighed, "Man, working at the bureau seems so chill. Unlike us teachers, busting our butts for peanuts. Audrey, ever thought about using your connections to transfer to the bureau? You'd be a star there."
Audrey chuckled, "Nah, I like teaching. It's simpler, just dealing with students every day."
And she meant it. Even in schools, there was plenty of scheming among teachers. It'd be worse at the bureau. She wasn't into all that drama. Being a plain old teacher suited her just fine.
Vanessa, though, looked skeptical. How could someone with Audrey's looks and figure be happy as a regular teacher? Vanessa herself didn't want to scrape by. Her husband was a good guy but not exactly climbing the ladder. She had to find her own way.
Vanessa had already thought about ditching Quentin. Sure, she’d gotten some perks from him, but he was just another teacher. Even with his uncle, the deputy director, helping him, he might only make vice principal in five years. If she wanted to get into the bureau, she figured she might as well go straight to the source—Quentin's uncle.
But Vanessa had learned from her time with Oliver Jones. Being too forward just made her look cheap. Audrey, on the other hand, always kept her dignity, never acting too friendly, yet guys were all over her. Seemed like men liked a challenge.
As they stepped out of the education bureau, it started to drizzle. Audrey, without an umbrella, worried about getting home. Vanessa laughed, "Why go home? Remember, we’ve got dinner with the research office tonight. Let's grab a cab to the restaurant."
Audrey recalled Ethan Sanders mentioning that David Carter was treating the research office to dinner at Sky Hotel. She had been busy with class at the time, so she hadn’t paid much attention. She asked, "Why is Mr. Carter treating us? It’s not a holiday. What’s up?"
"Of course," Vanessa replied with a smug smile, leaning close to Audrey. "Word is, the school leadership is thinking about reshuffling middle management. David Carter’s position as head of the research office is on the line. He’s trying to win us over."
"Really? Mr. Carter is doing well. Why replace him?" Audrey was shocked. She usually stayed out of the gossip loop, so she missed a lot of what was happening at school.
"You don’t get it. Being head of the research office isn’t just about doing a good job," Vanessa explained, scanning for a taxi. "First, you need someone above you to support you. Second, you need your subordinates to back you. And you can’t step on anyone’s toes. David must’ve messed up his connections higher up, so now he’s trying to win us over. But it’s probably too late."
"I think Mr. Carter did a good job as head. Principal Jones should know him well. It must be a rumor," Audrey said, reflecting on how even a Youth position like head of the research office could cause such fierce competition. It made her appreciate how Oliver Jones had managed to stay principal for so many years.
"Ha! You think Oliver Jones is a good guy?" Vanessa sneered, wondering if Audrey was genuinely naive or just pretending. "Leaders think differently from us. You think the most capable person should get the job. They think about who can benefit them. With the news out about reshuffling, people will be lining up to bribe the principal. I bet his house will be crowded tonight."
Just then, a Santana slowly pulled up in front of them. Oliver Jones poked his head out of the window, smiling, "Training over? What are you chatting about so happily?"
"Principal Jones…" Vanessa was startled, unsure if he had heard her. She quickly put on a fawning smile and said, "We just left the education bureau and were about to hail a cab to Sky Hotel for a colleagues' dinner."
"Hop in," Oliver said casually, glancing at Audrey. "I'm heading to Sky Hotel too. It's raining, and cabs are hard to find. I'll give you a lift."
"Thank you, Principal," Vanessa said with a smile, quickly opening the door and getting in. She motioned for Audrey to join. Audrey didn't want to ride with Oliver, but seeing Vanessa already inside, she didn't want to seem rude. After a moment's hesitation, she got in as well.
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