The Mafia King’s Teacher

Chapter 3: Chance

Lisa was tired the next day. She was up late, marking the assignments, and then she was woken by a screaming Emily. Lisa had thought her nightmares had passed, but it became obvious that they hadn't.

"Shhh, it is OK!" Lisa kept signing and she sang a lullaby. Even though Emily had not been able to hear it, she was able to feel the vibrations as she had led on Lisa's chest. It had soothed her enough to make her relax and fall asleep. 

Lisa was still in the morning fog when she heard a far too cheery voice in front of her. "Good morning, Miss Mitchell!" She looked up and was surprised to find Matt standing there with two coffees in his hand.

"You? What are you doing here and how do you know my name? " Lisa said, her eyes narrowing.

"I confess, I read it in your children’s books yesterday." Matt said.

"So, you know, I used a fake name?"

"Yes!"

"And is that not a sign that maybe I don't want to talk to you?"

"Ahh, I like a challenge! A double espresso? " Matt said, holding out a takeaway cup. From the research that Simon had done, he knew it was her favourite drink.

"No, thank you!" Lisa said politely as she continued walking.

"Come on, you look like you need it." Matt said

"Thanks!" Lisa said sarcastically 

"I am just saying you look tired. Were you up late last night? "

"I am a teacher. It comes with the territory. Which means, I am used to it! "

"So not with a man then?"

Lisa stopped and looked at him. "Yes, I was with a man. We spent the night having mad, passionate s*x in a variety of positions."

Matt smirked and said, "Lucky Man! Tell me what he is like. "

"Nothing like you!"

"Well, variety is the spice of life. Speaking of which, how about dinner tonight? " Matt said as they arrived at the gates of St. Paul’s school. 

"Thank you, but, again, no. Now, if you will excuse me, I really have to get to work! " Lisa said as she walked into the school.

"Have a good day, Elizabeth!" Matt called.

"It is Lisa, actually!" Lisa said without turning around, and she heard Matt laugh as she walked into the red brick building.

Lisa’s morning classes went well, but Lisa was dying for a caffeine kick. She went into the staff room and started to make a cup of coffee. 

"Ah Lisa, something came for you." Sonya, said. Sonya was a buxom blonde and a reception teacher at school. Everything about her screamed motherly, and she was Lisa’s closest friend at school.

"For me?" Lisa said, surprised. She could not remember ordering anything.

"Yes, have a look! I am desperate to know who sent it! " Sonya said, pointing to the table. Lisa noticed a large box on the table and opened it to find a complete lunch, including sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps, drinks, and even small, delicate cakes. "Oh, wow! Can I have a cake? " 

"Sure, help yourself!" Lisa said, opening a note.

"Dear Lisa, I thought you might want some lunch. Maybe one day I can join you! Have a good afternoon. Your Matt. Who is Matt? " Sonya asked.

"A pain in my arse!" Lisa said with a sigh.

"Hmmm, fine have your secrets, but I will eat this because it is delicious!" Sonya said as she popped a crisp in her mouth.

"Yeah! Let everyone know they can help themselves! " Lisa said as she took her coffee mug and headed back to the classroom.

At five, Lisa said goodbye to the other teachers and headed home. A man was waiting for her at the gate, and she sighed.

"Hey Lisa, did you have a good lunch?" Matt asked cheerfully.

"You know, this is bordering on stalking. I should call the police! " 

"You are free too. In the meantime, it is Friday night, so how about dinner? " Matt asked.

"You are not going to give up, are you?" 

"Nope!"

"And if I do have dinner with you, will you then leave me alone? After all, your curiosity will be satisfied. "

"What do you mean?" Matt asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Come on, you are the type of man who enjoys the chase but wants nothing serious. Am I right? " Lisa asked.

"Why don't we have dinner and find out?" Matt challenged.

"Fine, one dinner. But it can't be tonight, I am busy. " Lisa said. Her plan was simple: one dinner, where she would behave extremely weirdly and he would run a million miles away. Problem solved! Yes, she would make him regret asking her out! 

"Excellent, I promise you won't regret it! Can I drive you home now? Matt said, motioning to the black Volvo. Lisa was exhausted and she was tempted. Matt, seeing this, said, "Go on, I promise I am not a murderer!"

"OK, but I warn you, any funny business and I will break you like a glow stick from the 90s! " Lisa warned, and Matt chuckled.

"I have no doubt!" Matt said, knowing how unlikely it was. Matt had spent many years as a fighter and was very confident in his abilities. They got into the car, and Lisa sighed with relief. "What is your address? I presume it is not the block of flats you took me to yesterday? "

"You are right, my address is 156 Rainsbrook Road," Lisa said as Matt typed it in.

"OK, here we go! So, how was your day? " 

"Fine, the children were surprisingly well behaved and we did some drama. I suppose I should thank you for the lunch. " Lisa said, whilst looking out the window.

"Did you like it?"

"Yes. So, what line of work are you in? Something that annoys people, I am guessing?"

"Ouch! I am in business. I do a bit here and a bit there. " Matt answered.

"What a wonderfully illuminating answer!"

"You are most welcome! So, what type of food do you like? Indian, Chinese? "

"Tasty food! " Lisa said with a small smile, and Matt burst out laughing 

"OK, I deserve that. But seriously, any preference? " Matt asked as he parked up outside her house.

"Anywhere, see you at seven?" Lisa said with a sickly sweet smile.

"Of course, I look forward to it!" Matt said

"Not half as much as I am!" Lisa said as she slammed the car door shut. "Not half as much as I am!"