Chapter 2: Luke

Luke Ashton squirmed in his seat, his impatience growing with each passing minute. The meeting was dragging on, and his unease about leaving his kids with a stranger - their teacher, Ms. Eleanor - was gnawing at him. Despite her kind demeanor, she was still a stranger. What had possessed him to send his children to her care? He should have considered alternative arrangements. Yet, deep down, he knew he had no other choice. He needed to find a reliable caretaker, and fast.

"Mr. Ashton, are you still with us?" Mr. Weldon's voice cut through his reverie, forcing him to confront the meeting he was trying to escape. His gaze snapped back to the room, his eyes narrowing slightly as he struggled to refocus "No, Mr. Weldon, my mind is elsewhere," he confessed, his brow furrowing in irritation. "My children have be dismissed from school hours ago, and we're still stuck here. It's almost six." He glanced at his watch, the ticking seconds mirroring his growing anxiety. A headache was brewing, and he knew it.

"With all due respect, sir, we're nearing a conclusion." another associate ventured, "I'd estimate we're mere minutes from wrapping up." 

Mr. Ashton snorted, incredulous. "Minutes? You said the same two hours ago. I've indulged you gentlemen long enough." He pushed back his chair, the sound scraping against the polished floor. "Whatever decision you reach will be subject to my review tomorrow. I have more pressing matters to attend to." With that, he snatched his blazer from the back of his chair and made a swift exit, his heels clicking authoritatively as he strode out of the boardroom and into the waiting elevator.

The elevator descended, its smooth motion a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him. He stepped into the dimly lit underground parking garage, quickening his pace, his footsteps echoing off the cold concrete as he made his way to his Audi. The soft leather creaked as he slid into the driver's seat, his fingers flying across the screen to input the address Miss Eleanor had sent.

As the GPS sprang to life, he felt a creeping sense of dread. Gruesome scenarios began to play out in his mind - his children suffering at Miss Eleanor's hands. Each terrifying image propelled him to press the gas pedal harder, his heart racing with dread. He sped through the streets, the city blurring around him as he prayed silently: "Please, God, let them be safe. Let me find them unharmed."

As he turned onto Miss Eleanor's street, the sky darkened with rain clouds gathering like an ominous storm. He pulled up to a charming pale blue house, its white picket fence a stark contrast to his racing thoughts. "Looks normal," he muttered, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart. Stepping out into the drizzling rain, he jogged up the steps to the porch, running a hand through his damp hair.

Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door swung open, revealing Miss Eleanor's stern face - the protagonist of his darkest fears. Her brows were raised, arms crossed, and eyes blazing with annoyance. "An hour max?" she mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. He knew he had no defense, but his priority was his children's safety. Ignoring her question, he asked, "The kids? How are they?"

Eleanor's expression softened slightly, and she stepped aside, allowing him into the warm embrace of her home. The interior was cozy, with lavender wallpaper and soft white lighting, creating a calming ambiance. His gaze landed on his children, curled up on the couch, fast asleep, with a blanket draped tenderly over them. For a moment, his fears dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief and gratitude.

He turned to Miss Eleanor, his eyes cast downward in shame, regretting his earlier doubts. But when he met her gaze, he wished he hadn't - her glare was still piercing. His eyes wandered to the dining room, where the table was a mess of leftover pastries and cakes, frosting bitten off in a way that could only be Cory's handiwork. She had fed them? His gaze returned to Miss Eleanor, who looked like she was still seething.

"Miss Eleanor, I'm so very sorry the meeting—" he began, but she cut him off.

"Yeah, yeah, the meeting took longer than expected. That's not what I'm upset about," she said, her voice firm but laced with a hint of worry. "I thought you might have left the meeting and gotten into an accident. I tried calling you several times, but your phone was off. The children were worried, and it made me restless. I only managed to put them to sleep recently."

He stood there, confused - she wasn't angry about him imposing on her, but about his thoughtlessness in not keeping her informed.

"I'm sorry?" he said, still unsure.

Miss Eleanor scoffed. "Don't apologize to me, apologize to them," she said, pointing to the children, who were cuddled up together on the couch.

His gaze softened, and he walked over to the couch, leaning down to tuck Nora's hair behind her ear and ruffle the boys' hair, kissing their heads. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Rory stirred, gazing up at him sleepily. "Dad?" he asked, yawning.

"Yes, sport, it's me," he replied, his gaze shifting from his son to Miss Eleanor.

Rory stood up, careful not to disturb his siblings, and reached for his glasses, putting them on. "When did you get here?" he asked.

"Just now," his father replied.

Rory stretched, still sleepy, and asked, "Are we leaving now?" His father nodded. Luke's gaze fell upon his son's oversized sweatshirt. "What is he wearing?" he asked Miss Eleanor, who explained, "The rain caught up with us, so their clothes were wet. I lent them some of my clothes to keep them warm."

Luke's gaze roamed over Miss Eleanor's petite frame, clad in a cream woolen sweater and blue shorts. She wasn't as big as he was but still much bigger than his five year olds. Her face colored with embarrassment at his lingering stare. Luke quickly apologized, "I'm sorry for staring and also for making you get caught in the rain."

Miss Eleanor nodded and headed to the washroom to fetch the children's clothes. Rory changed, and Luke stopped him from waking his siblings. "Leave them, they must be tired," he said, gently lifting Cory into his arms. He asked Miss Eleanor for help with Nora, and she agreed.

Eleanor accompanied him to the car, the only remnants of the rain being the puddles on the ground. She stood by as he tenderly settled the sleeping children into their seats, his movements gentle. As he finished, he turned to her with a genuine smile. "Thank you so much for today. I really appreciate it," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. Eleanor's gaze drifted to Rory, who was waving goodbye, and she smiled warmly, waving back.

Mr. Ashton cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "We'll be on our way. Goodbye, Miss Eleanor, and thanks again," he said, getting into the driver's seat. Eleanor nodded respectfully, and he started the car, driving off with a lingering smile on his face.