I pulled into the parking lot of the school, turning off the car's ignition, I reached for my hand bag in the passenger side and dug through it.
Pulling out a pair of dark shades first, I pulled it on before proceeding to check my make-up in the rearview to see if it needed a retouch. I grabbed my red lipstick, proceeding to add to my already scarlet lips and smacking it a few times for good measure.
When I was satisfied with my look, I climbed out the car, slamming the door shut behind me and slinging my designer bag on one arm.
White snow crunched loudly under my stilettos as I made the short walk from my car into the building. I frowned at the sight of the snow, quickening my pace so I didn't have to be out there for too long.
The moment I stepped into the building I was greeted by one of Kindergarten teachers, her smiles wide and expectant. My huge shades hid my grimace because she gave no indication that she saw my expression.
“Ms Wilson!,” she grinned, falling into step beside me “You arrived just in time to watch the kids rehearse for the Christmas recital,” she beamed, her grin stretching taut across her olive cheeks and I rolled my eyes so far back into my head it was a miracle she didn't see it through my dark shades.
“That's none of my business,” I waved her off, stopping to look around briefly.
“Where are the twins, I need to be on my way,” I flicked my wrist, checking the time before turning back to look at her.
“They're rehearsing with the others,” my steps faltered at her words. “You need to hear them sing Ms Wilson, absolutely beautiful,” she gushed still oblivious to my rising anger directed at her.
“I'm pretty sure I made it clear that my kids won't be a part of any of the school's Christmas celebrations,” I said in a deadly calm voice that had her shuffling on her feet before stuttering out the next words.
“M-ms Wilson, t-the twins have been asking to join the recital and seeing as they were the only kindergarteners left out of the fun Christmas activities I thought I should let them join the others,” she finished in one breath her eyes wide with the uncertainty of how I was going to react.
I felt fury burn through my veins at her audacity. Slowly I reached for my shades, yanking it off in one go, I glared daggers at her and she seemed to shrink beneath my menacing gaze.
“You did what Mrs Preston!,” I seethed, taking a slow steps towards her trembling form as my figure loomed over hers.
“I-i didn't think–,”
“That's right, you didn't think!,” I spat in anger, watching as the color drain from her face. “You disregarded my wishes of not wanting MY kids to participate in some stupid Christmas recital!,” she jumped in fear as my voice raised an octave higher.
“I'm so sorry Ms Wilson, it was a careless mistake–" she sputtered.
“I don't care!,” I snapped, cutting her off mid sentence.
“Where are my kids, take me to them right now!,” I snarled and she jumped in fear, rushing down the hallway while I followed closely behind.
“They're in here,” she pushed the door open and the voices of the kindergarteners filled the auditorium. We descended the steps of the school's auditorium which housed rows and rows of empty seats on either side of us.
I grimaced at the sound of the kids' slightly butchered version of 'the first noel'.
As we descended towards the raised dais in the center of the auditorium where the children were positioned in a straight line with another female teacher guiding them.
I stopped, a few feet from the front rows, folding my arms across my chest as Mrs Preston rushed up the steps on the side of the dais, speed walking towards the teacher who paused and turned to her at the sound of her footfalls.
Mrs Preston leaned closer to the teacher and whispered something in her ear that had her whipping her head back to look at me with wide eyes.
“Mommy!,” an excited familiar squeal had my frown dissipating within seconds and I turned my attention to Olivia who had removed herself from the group and was now running across the stage towards the side steps to reach me.
“Slow down baby!,” I chuckled, rushing towards the steps to meet her halfway. I crouched with arms wide open as she literally came barrelling into me with loud giggles.
“Oh my, someone is excited,” I murmured, a soft smile pulling across my cheek as I rubbed her back softly before she pulled away and I brushed stray auburn tresses identical to mine behind her ear.
“Yes yes mommy!,” she was bouncing on her feet, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Did you come to watch Lucien and I sing the Christmas song?,” she asked, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity and I gritted my teeth in anger, my eyes flitting across the room to glare at Mrs Preston who cowered under my scrutiny.
This here was the reason I didn't approve of them singing in the damned recital in the first place. I turned my gaze away from hers and forced a sweet smile on my face down at my daughter, caressing her shoulder softly.
“Uhm baby where's your brother?,” I asked instead, choosing to ignore her earlier question.
“He's right there mommy, but I think he's hiding,” she says pointing towards the others and as I rose to my full height, I realized that my little Lucien was indeed hiding behind his teacher, I could tell from his little legs hiding behind the other teacher.
“Come on Lucien, mommy's here,” I called in a gentle tone but he still didn't move, I tilted my head to the side watching the teacher who still hadn't figured out my son was hiding behind her.
“I can see your little feet behind her,” I called in sing song voice that made Olivia giggle beside me as she continued to clutch her tiny hand to mine.
The teacher snapped out of whatever daze she'd been under and turned around to find Lucien behind her.
“Come on Lucien go to your mommy now,” she chided gently and he shook his head quickly, his dark curls bouncing with the rigorous motion and I sighed.
“But I wanna sing,” he whined, his small nose turning up in a stubborn frown that eerily reminded me of someone I'd rather forget.
“I know, but see your mommy's here, you wouldn't want to keep her waiting now would you,” she tried to convince him and for the first time he looked up at me then back to his teacher as if deciding the best course of action to take.
After what felt like forever, he nodded, albeit begrudgingly and started walking towards me. When he walked down the steps, he stopped in front of me, his frown still in place as I continued to watch him.
“Hey baby,” I murmured, ruffling his curls affectionately to cheer him up but he still seemed indifferent. I sighed, reaching for his hand and surprisingly he let me take it.
“I have an idea,” I grinned, “Why don't go get ice cream, what do you say,” I wiggled my brows when his eyes snapped up to meet mine and his frown dissipated at the thought of ice cream.
“Yayyy,” Olivia giggled excitedly while Lucien just nodded. “Let's not waste time then,” I said, turning to walk towards the exit of the auditorium, looking back briefly to give Mrs Preston a look that meant this wasn't over.
Stupid b***h.
***