"There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved"- George Sand

JEWEL's POV

6 years later

I went out of my car and gathered all my things before I locked it. I then looked at the side mirror of my car to inspect myself if I looked okay. When I was satisfied of what I saw, I marched towards the school gate.

The guard greeted me politely and I greeted him back. It was my 1st day of teaching here in Davidson Elementary school. After arriving here in Las Vegas 2 months ago, I was lucky to find a job in this unfamiliar place.

It was just two months ago that I decided to come back here in the US but instead of going back to New York, I decided to go somewhere else to start anew and now I was here, trying to live my life alone and away from all my problems, away from my controlling father.

6 years ago, I followed my father's decision to go to Switzerland because I wanted to forget all the painful memories. I continued my studies there and since I didn't know the language, my father decided to enroll me in an international school for me to quickly adjust while taking French lessons at home.

It was so difficult adjusting to a new life while still mourning the death of my baby and while my heart couldn't forget about a certain man but I tried my best to live again until the pain slowly subsided. When I already learned how to speak French, enough to communicate to the locals, I insisted to go to a local university which my father agreed later on. I was glad I did because I earned a lot of good friends which helped me a lot until I could spoke the language fluently.

Learning a foreign language was really hard but when you interact with the native speakers on a daily basis, then that would make a lot easier for you to adjust and learn.

****

When I was inside the campus, I went to the principal's office and we discussed about my schedule and other stuff. After my briefing with principal, Mrs. Bowen, she called someone on the phone. After a couple of minutes, a guy came in whom I assumed on of the teachers here. He was a good looking guy which seemed to be gentleman and kind. He had a smile plastered on his face as he looked at me.

"Mr. Rowland, this is Ms. Morrison. She is a new teacher here and she will be teaching the math and English subjects in the 1st grade students. She will be handling the section A to be precise so I want you to accompany her to her classroom and make a quick tour to the school while you're at it" Mrs. Bowen said to Mr. Rowland.

"Sure. Anyway, nice to meet you Ms. Morrison" He said as he extended his hand for a handshake which I gladly accepted. It was supposed to be just a quick pleasantry but when I tried to take back my hand, he didn't let go. I looked at him questioningly but he was still smiling at me.

When I tried to pull my hand away again, I sighed in relief when he let go of it. Not long after that, I and Mr. Rowland went out of the principal's office and as Mrs. Bowen ordered, Mr. Rowland toured me around the school. It was still early so we had enough time to do so.

While he was saying everything about each rooms and stuff, his stare never left me and I felt uncomfortable. He was nice and funny but at the same time, I felt uncomfortable with his stares.

"So tell me Ms. Morrison, why did you decide to become a teacher?" He asked out of the blue while we were at the hallway going to the 1st grade classroom. I just shrugged my shoulders.

"I just love children and I love teaching" I said matter-of-factly and he grinned boyishly at me. I wanted to ask him the same question out of curiosity but then we already reached our destination. It was now exactly 7:55 am and I still have 5 minutes to prepare myself before my first class. Some students were already inside the classroom, waiting for the time.

"I need to go to my class now. It's just 2 rooms from here. If you need anything, don't hesitate to approach me"

"Thank you Mr. Rowland" I said and smiled politely at him and entered the room. By now, it looked like all the students have already arrived. I went to my desk and put down the books and other stuff I was carrying on it.

"Good morning class. I am Ms. Princess Jewel Morrison. I will be your new adviser and I'll teach you English and Math subjects" I said in a friendly tone and they greeted me back. I looked around and I noticed one vacant seat at middle of the second row.

I was about to take the roll call when someone knocked on the slightly ajar door. I opened it and it was a beautiful girl. Her eyes were as dark as the ocean while her little eye brows were creased while staring at me. Her shoulder length sandy brown hair were on pig tails. I didn't know what came over me, but I had the sudden feeling to crush her to a tight embrace. I wanted to talk but my breath was caught in my throat. The little girl looked like she was mesmerized by me as well.

I heard someone cleared their throat and that made me snapped out of that trance-like moment between me and the cute little girl.

"Good morning Miss. I'm guessing you're the new teacher?" I looked at the person who spoke and she looked like the nanny of the girl judging with her uniform on. I smiled at her and nodded my head.

"Good morning. She's in this class too?" I asked the nanny.

"Yes. She's not in the mood again today and didn't want to go to school that's why we're late" She explained while scratching her head. The little girl glared at her nanny. I decided to get her attention.

"Hello darling. What's your name?" I asked while smiling at her but to my surprise, she just looked at me.

"Good morning" She mumbled passively before she walked passed me and went inside the room. She just sat on her chair without saying anything to her classmates. Her nanny looked at me apologetically.

"I'm sorry about that Miss. She's just in a foul mood because her father couldn't drive her to school but she's a nice girl" I just nodded in understanding and after she left, I closed the door.

"Okay class. Since it's my first day here, I want to get to know you by introducing yourselves to me one by one. Who wants to start?" I said cheerfully and the boy at the back raised his hand excitedly.

"Okay. You may start" I said to him and he began introducing himself. After him, the other students followed. I tried listening to each student and memorize their names.

"Okay, who else hasn't finished yet?" I asked the students as I looked around them. I knew it was only the cute little girl who arrived late who hasn't finished yet. I patiently waited for her to stand up on her own but looked like she wasn't interested to do so.

"Miss, Camila isn't finished yet" Sean, one of the boys shouted. I looked at the girl he was referring to and the girl glared at him. She looked pissed at Sean but then she stood up.

"My name is Amber Camila Montealegre. I am 6 years old" She said simply and then sat back to her chair. Montealegre....I slowly release the breath I didn't know I was holding as I heard her surname.

I shook my head at the memories that suddenly appeared in my head upon hearing her surname. I suddenly remembered his face and I felt my heart tightened. I heaved a sigh and brushed the thought away. I tried to smile.

"Very good everyone. Now, let's start our lesson" I said and began discussing what I've prepared for the class. While I was explaining the lesson, I tried to make it sound as fun as I could so that the children wouldn't get bored and it looked like they enjoyed our lesson. I also prepared some games to make them participate to the lesson and to my surprise, they loved it. Camila even participated willingly. When I asked them to have a seat work, everybody worked silently.

My eyes landed to Camila and she was looking at the other side while her head was leaning on her hand. She looked like she was miles away. I don't know what's with her. Whenever I looked at her, I had this strange familiar feelings towards her that I couldn't comprehend.

"Camila, are you finished?" I asked her gently. She threw me a glance before she continued her work without answering me.

****

During lunch time, I went to the canteen to buy myself a lunch. I was together with my co-teachers Helena and Lovely who insisted for me to call them by their first names. Helena and I are of the same age while Lovely is a year older than us. They were both friendly and approachable.

When we finished ordering our food, we went to the teacher's lounge which was at the second floor of the canteen. There were a lot of students at the canteen who were busy eating their food. Some were already finished and just playing around, while others were just talking to each other.

We chose the table which was at the corner. It was a nice place if you want to take a look downstairs and observe all the students' behaviors. Then I saw Camila eating but to my surprise, she was with someone who's not one of my students. She belongs to another class maybe. She was happily talking to the other girl she was with and she looked more adorable now that she's smiling.

I smiled inwardly and stared at her more. She looked really familiar. I have this gentle feeling towards her. When I saw her at the class like she was sad, that made my heart almost fell and I have this strong urge to wrapped her into my arms and comfort her.

"Hey Jewel. What are you looking at downstairs?" Helena asked curiously and followed my gaze.

"You're looking at Amber Camila Montealegre?" she said certainly.

"It's nice that she has a friend. She never smiled at my class a while ago" I mumbled. Lovely chuckled.

"Yes. That little one is feisty. She never warms up to anyone except to her friend Janina" She said and continued eating. I haven't started eating my food yet.

"Really? Why's that?" they shrugged their shoulders as a response.

"I don't know but her nanny once said that the girl is just lonely because her father is always busy" I felt bad about her and I could totally relate to her because I know what it felt like to seek for attention and love from your parents.

****

It was finally my last subject and it was with my advisory class again. When I entered the classroom, I heard a commotion. I quickly approached the students who were gathered in a circle at the center of the room.

"Give me my necklace back!" I heard a girl shouted angrily.

"What's happening here?" I asked them and when the other students saw me, they quickly went back to their seats except for Camila and Sean who seemed to be the ones fighting.

"Camila, Sean, why are you fighting?" I asked them firmly but careful enough not to let them think that I'm angry. Sean looked down. His right hand was behind him, obviously hiding something. Camila looked so angry and had tears threatening to fall down from her eyes. But to my amazement, she didn't let it fall down.

"Give it back to me!" Camila yelled again as she glared at Sean. I heaved a defeated sigh. Kids.

"Sean, whatever you're hiding behind you, give it back" I ordered him. He looked at me and I tried my best to look serious. He slowly extended his hand which was gripping something silvery. I frowned when I realized that it was a necklace. My heart pounded fast as I zeroed my eyes to the necklace. I couldn't see the pendant because it was in Sean's grip.

I was about to lean over to see and inspect it when Camila snatched it away from him. She looked like she was about to cry. My heart bled for her as I stared at her sad but angry face.

"Go back to your seat Sean. Camila, can I talk to you for a second?" She looked up at me and nodded her head yes. We went outside the room.

"Are you kay Camila?" I asked her. She looked down and didn't answer. I sat in a squatting position and held her hands. I almost gasped when I felt her soft warm skin. Why am I feeling this way?

"Camila, don't be angry. Maybe Sean is just teasing you"

"He tried to steal my necklace again. I hate him!" She hissed in a small voice.

"Don't say that Camila. Maybe he just want to take a look at your necklace" I said, trying to convince her.

"No! He tried to take it away from me for the 4th time now" She reasoned out. I heaved a sigh again and stood up. I opened the door which was just behind me and called Sean. He nervously approached us.

"Camila said you tried to take her necklace away from her for 4 times now. Is it true?" I asked Sean and he nodded and looked at Camila guiltily.

"Aren't you going to say something to Camila, Sean?" I coaxed him.

"I'm sorry Camila. I won't do it again" He said while fidgeting. Camila was glaring at him but then nodded her head. After I made them shook hands, we entered back to the classroom and then I started with the lesson immediately. 

****

Please support this story by letting me know what you think of it. Don't forget to leave a COMMENT, VOTE and SHARE this story. Thank You!