Chapter-1

As she entered her classroom, she felt the warm embrace of peace and comfort that her home can never give her. It always feels like a cloud nine with every hug and kiss that these kids give her. It makes her remember how right her decision is in life. She doesn't care about all the treasures and the money of this world. All she wants and cares about is her happiness and she can only find happiness in these kids.

"Good morning, Teacher Ivy." Greeted by one of her students with a sweet smile on his face.

She replied by waving at him while smiling. As she went in front of her students, she always realized how all her sacrifices are worth it. Seeing them learning step by step makes her heart full of joy.

"Good morning class, I am Ivy, your teacher for this school year," Ivy said while writing her name on the blackboard.

"So, for today, we-" before she even finished her sentence a pretty and cute little girl with her hair in a bun raised her hands.

"Yes, Little cute girl?" She asked sweetly.

She walked towards her, bowing her head making it obvious that she's shy. "Are you single, Teacher?"

She was taken aback by what she said but She still remained in her posture. "Of course, why are you asking?"

"My daddy is single and I like you so much because you're very pretty and kind. So do you want to be my Mommy?" Looked straight into her eyes patiently waiting for her answer.

"Hmmm, Hahaha. What is your name, love?" Ivy asked as she laughed nervously.

"I am… Lily. Lily White." Lily answered.

"Well, Lily. I just can't marry your dad that easily but I still can be your Mommy if you want me to." Ivy said to her hoping that she'll agree to her terms.

"Okay, Mommy!" She exclaimed and then returned to her seat smiling from ear to ear.

As time passed by, she did not realize that the children's parents were now outside of the classroom waiting for them. She bid her goodbyes with kind of a pinch of pain in her heart knowing that it's the end of the day and she has to see them again tomorrow.

One by one each student was fetched by their parents or guardian. She was busy helping them fix their bags so that they can now go. As she was putting a pencil case in a bag her colleague, her best friend popped out, out of nowhere.

"Ivy," Natalia said, looking directly into her eyes.

"Holy Moly!" Ivy exclaimed, putting her hands in her chest showing how shocked she was at what she did.

"Hey teacher Ivy calm down. That's what happens when you consume too much coffee," she said laughing.

"You should have seen the look on your face." She added.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Ivy replied while laughing with her.

"Let's eat lunch already. I am starving." Telling her while giving big puppy eyes.

She chuckled at what Natalia did because she knew she is a sucker for puppy eyes. "Okay let's eat."

They entered the cafeteria and ordered their meal. Ivy chose a chicken salad and a bowl of mashed potatoes with a yogurt drink partner with it. Natalia chose a burger and nuggets with a can of soda.

As they walked towards an empty seat Natalia gave her a judgmental face questioning her menu for lunch today. Ivy shook her head while chuckling at her best friend's reaction.

"God Ivy! Why are you eating like that?" Natalia asked with her left eyebrows raised.

"I want to eat healthily, okay? This is the last thing I can do for my dad because I do not want nor am interested in his company." She replied while drinking her yogurt.

"And that! You are so weird. You can have anything you want in this world but you decided not to. Why?!" Natalia asked dramatically.

Ivy gave her a small laugh before replying. "Well, I am not really interested in money. I have grown up enough and I am really after my happiness. Money can't buy happiness."

Natalia looked at her shocked. "Are you insane? Money can't buy happiness because money is happiness," She said while chewing her burger.

She shook her head showing her disagreement with her best friend's statement.

They finished their meal and headed to each of their classrooms. As she walked towards her room, she saw a man in a suit entering the room. She quickly ran thinking that he was some bad guy. To her surprise, he went to Lily, the little pretty girl who asked her to be her Mommy earlier. She did not enter but kind of eavesdropped on what they were talking about.

"Hi, baby! I am so sorry for fetching you late." He said sweetly, trying to cuddle her.

"No! You were late daddy, everyone's gone. For sure you forget to fetch and you have to be reminded by your secretary." Lily pouted not looking at her dad.

"Baby no, I am really sorry. Daddy was just busy and I had to do some stuff." He uttered trying to get her to look at him.

Ivy knocked a little before entering, smiling at both of them. "Hey, Lily. At least he fetched you even with his hectic schedule. You should go now with your Dad." Ivy told her while smiling.

"Okay, Mommy Ivy. By the way, this is daddy. His name is Asher White," She smiled and packed her bag.

Ivy saw the glare of the man in her peripheral vision with what his daughter said.

"So, Mommy huh?" Asher asked sarcastically.

Even with the feeling of intimidation inside her she tried to hide it and answered him looking directly at his eyes. "Well, she asked me if I can marry you and I told her I can't but I still can be her mommy."

He looked at her displeased with her answer and replied very authoritatively. "Stay away from my daughter."

She looked at him with a snobbish reaction. She went to her table without telling him anything because she knows that she will end up fighting with him if she talks about anything right now. But she thought that she would withdraw her no to her daughter's proposal if he's a little bit kinder. But he is not, thank God she said no. She said in the back of her mind.

Lily had finished fixing her bag and that so called Dad Asher immediately pulled the little girl out, she did not have time to bid her goodbye even.

"It is not my intention to replace the mother's child nor steal her away. Good Lord, why does he really have to say that? What a rude person, thankfully her child wasn't like him." Ivy continued to murmur.

She fixed her classroom and cleaned it to prepare for the class tomorrow. While cleaning, she saw a sheet of paper below Lily's seat. It was a drawing of a woman, the child, and a guy who she thinks is her Dad with a Family word in the upper right portion. She smiled or maybe chuckled a little and kept it in her bag.