Second Life

Late Again

Hey guys, new story hope you really get into it. I've had this idea for a while, and am now just getting into writing it. Tell me what you think.     ~Lucy

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"Sweetie, does this happen often?" I looked over to where Liliana was coloring, at one of the many desks by the window of the classroom.

"No, sometimes I stay with Aunt Elena when daddy's busy." I tried to comprehend whether Liliana was lying or if her father was really just a busy single parent. Liliana's story, one that I didn't believe even when hearing it from none other than Liliana's Aunt, is one that no child should go through.
    Her mother had gotten into hard drugs after having gone into a deep depression and happened to leave Liliana home alone where she had been cooking. Not remembering to turn off the stove, as she had been high, was a big mistake that had cost her, her family and scarred Liliana for the rest of her life. The stove had been the cause of a fire and Liliana being about 5 at the time didn't really understand what it was she needed to do or what was really happening. Being the adventurous little girl that she was, she tried climbing up on the counter to see what was going on. When she fell off the counter reaching for something and was knocked unconscious from the fall, until authorities arrived and went into the house to find her in the kitchen, barely saving her from the fire. The fire had destroyed the kitchen, raging into the dining room and then spreading to the back bedrooms of the house. From the smoke inhalation Liliana had endured will being unconscious she now suffers from a mild case of asthma. Her mother was then taken into custody, and the judge revoked all of her parental rights and was sent to a rehabilitation center. So, for now it was just Liliana and her father and I didn't really think it was going to change from what Elena was telling me. Angelo was set of it just being them from now on, apparently not know if he could trust another women, if he couldn't trust Liliana's mother.

"Do you have a boyfriend Ms. Ava?" Liliana's sudden question pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned my attention to her "No, honey" I smiled "I don't have a boyfriend."  The question was a little odd for her to ask but I figured she just got bored of coloring, while waiting for Mr. De Luca pick her up. Which looking at the clock above the door was a little over 30 minutes since school had ended.

"My daddy doesn't have a girlfriend either." I choked on my breathe while looking over at her with a shocked smile. I didn't really know how to respond to a statement like that from her, I couldn't understand what she was implying.

"Well, why don't we call your daddy? See where he is, okay?" She smiled, nodding her little head while hopping off her chair. The adorable braids she was wearing bounced as she skipped over to my desk. "Do you know your daddy's phone number?" I asked her picking up the receiver and dialing 9 followed by the area code, she grinned and punched in the last 7 digits into the dialer. I went to give her the receiver but she shook her head, looking at her curiously I held the phone to my ear waiting for someone to answer.

"Hello?" A deep rough masculine voice answered on the opposite line. I had to tell my heart to reign in the pounding it was doing. Clearing my throat I responded. "Hi, yes is this Mr. De Luca?"

"Yes, can I ask who's calling?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I apologize I didn't introduce myself sooner. I'm Ms. Ava Fuentes, your daughters teacher here at Hillside Elementary school."

"Well hello, Ms. Fuentes how can I help you?"

"Um, well Mr. De Luca, I was just wondering when you were coming to pick up Liliana? As school was let out 45 minutes ago."

There was a long pause on the other line "Shit!" I held my breath wondering if I should respond "Mr. De Luca? Are you alright?" He cleared his throat across the line "Yes, I'm sorry. I'll be there in 10 minutes."

I go to assure him that it was no big deal, only to find the dial tone on the other end. He hung up? I slowly put the receiver back in it's socket and turned to see that Liliana had be watching me this whole time. I give her a small smile "He's on his way sweetie" "Okay" She turned walking back to her table looking unconcerned and returned coloring.

That was how Mr. De Luca found us exactly 10 minutes later on the dot. I rose from my desk hearing the door open and turned to greet him. I was meet by a 6'0 Italian looking man. From his light brown hair combed to one side to his dark leather boots, he reeked of masculinity. The way he stood so confident, the leather jacket snug on his bold broad shoulders. The sleeves just stretching over what you can see his bulging biceps down to the sexy way his hands were shoved in the pocket of his dark faded jeans. The badge handing off his belt and the slight strap you could see behind his arm that was cleaning holding something. This man was one very sexy man. His dark eyes grew intense when his gaze caught mine roaming his body.

Dear god, did he just catch me staring at him? My cheeks slowly heated at just the thought of being caught eye raping him in front of his daughter. I licked my suddenly dry lips dropping my gaze from his and turning around to help pack all of Liliana's things in her cute fluffy purple backpack.

"Okay Liliana, I'll see you on Monday sweetie? Don't forget to do your math, that's all we didn't do today, okay?"

She looked up at me with her sweet brown doe like eyes and nodded her head. She walked over to her father and hugged his leg while he caressed her head. He smiled softly down at her as she just giggled. It was an absolutely adorable moment. He stretch his hand out to her and she slipped her tiny one into his large seemly callous hands. His gaze then fell to me, once again. I felt nervous as he stared at me for a moment "Thank you for keeping her so long."

I smiled timidly "It was no problem at all, she's an angel." I let my eyes travel to Liliana as she clung to his leg and smiled lovingly at her. When I returned my gaze to Mr. De Luca, he had an odd look in his eye. Something I couldn't quite decipher, "Alright well, have a nice night Mr. De Luca."

"Thank you, you as well and please call me Angelo Ms. Fuentes."

I nodded "As long as you call me Ava." The corner of his mouth lifted up slightly before he nodding his head acknowledging my statement.

"Well, Ava it was nice meeting you. Goodnight" "Goodnight Ms. Ava" spoke up Liliana.

"Goodnight you two."  I waited until they left the room before I breathed a sign of relief, he was one intense man. I shook my head to rid myself of thoughts of Angelo before packing my bag and locking up before heading out to my car and heading home.

This is what I see as sweet little innocent Liliana De Luca.

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Well, that was it! Let me know what you guys thought, feed back would be great. xoxo ~Lucy