II.II Foundation Day

"Okay, kids!" Heather shouted with a commanding tone, her once meek voice now capable of carrying authority through experience. "Line up according to height!"

The redhead put her hands on her jacket's pockets as she watched her children do their thing, the boys and girls of 5-B displaying a heightened level of discipline and attentiveness. The proud teacher almost felt a tear escape her sapphire eye; she loved them so much right now.

The roofed basketball court was packed, students of various grades and sizes all lining up in front of the stage that was built on to the side of the court. It was decorated with the customary school colors of peach and black as balloons and drapes decorated the elevated platform. A big popped out lettering stood out at the back wall of the stage, displaying in bold letters 'Nancaan Elementary School's 25th Foundation Day!' 

Kind of tacky for this day and age, but still a more practical option since the students were still kids anyway.

"Hey teach," One of her more unruly students, Miles, called out to her. "who's the VIP anyway?"

"Someone that we can't afford to mess with Miles." The redhead answered, a serious tone apparent for others in her class to hear. "Not if we don't want to get in deep trouble."

"Trouble schmoble~ What's the worst that could happen?"

"Suspension. Expulsion." The teacher listed out, promptly shutting the black-haired youth down. "I'll be fired, for starters."

At the concept of her leaving the school, the atmosphere of the class promptly sombered. At least they took her seriously when it mattered.

"Relax guys, I trust you all not to pull off anything during the ceremony." The teacher placated, trying to lift up her children's spirits. "Besides, we still have other opportunities after this. Don't get so down."

"Yeah."

"Thanks, Ms. Red." 

Nodding to her kids with complete faith in their ability to behave, Heather relaxed as she observed the other happenings around her. Red rimmed glasses drifted to her left-hand side, the sight of a certain panicking colleague filling the redhead with smug amusement. 

"Hey, Heather!" Lined up just beside class 5-B, Alexa and her class 5-A formed up to their own proper formation. "Can I get some help over here?!" Well, as well as the brunette can make her students form a straight line at least.

"You can do it Ms. Dabachach!" A smirk formed on the redhead's lips as her friend got drowned out by the sounds of the ongoing chaos. "Your kids love you anyway!"

"Helly?!" 

Chuckling to herself, the smug teacher let her colleague sort out her own class. That's what she got for constantly calling her by that name. 

Besides, the program was just about to start. 

Taking her place just behind her bunch of angels, Heather put her hands on her pockets as an old balding man gingerly walked up to the podium. Mr. Xanthos, the school principal, took to the wooden podium's microphone, his peach-colored suit immaculately pressed as he addressed them with his usual, phoned in cadence.

"Dear Students, Guests, Faculty members. On behalf of the school's Board of Directors, I gladly welcome you all, to Nancaan Elementary School's 25th Foundation Day celebration."

Heather clapped with halfhearted intent, making sure that there was at least some applause that would ring out during her nominal boss's speech. It was a wonder why the old man would even show up at all, what with him constantly missing for the majority of the school year.

"As the current principal of our illustrious school, I warmly extend to all of you my heartfelt congratulations, for this beloved establishment has just reached its silver jubilee."

"Hey.." A hushed whisper took Heather away from the dull speech, her attention now going to the more interesting subject which was Alexa now standing beside her. "How is this guy not fired yet?"

"Beats me." The redhead answered nonchalantly, having long since been used to the whimsically corrupt nature of Midasean politics. "At least he's a prime target for my kids to dump their creativity on."

"In the 25 years of Nancaan Elementary School's existence, we have always prided ourselves to be one of the most competitive schools in all of Midas. Through the years this school has taught, raised, and bred countless talented and successful people, establishing its right to have the favor of the city council and the various sponsors that helped our school grow to become what it is today."

"Still.. He's barely even doing his job." The brunette whispered, the pair making sure that their gaze looked as attentive to the outside world as possible. "Can't we at least appeal to the board?"

"I don't think the board will even listen." Not if a man as incompetent as the principal in front of them was still a part of said board. "We'll talk later, old man's looking at our direction."

Nodding at her warning, the short-haired teacher cautiously went back to her own place behind her students. Best not get caught gossiping right in front of the old coot or they'll get another reprimand for not paying attention.

"Now without further ado, please welcome, one of our fine establishment's principal sponsors and guest speaker for today, the current COO of Alexandria Shipping Company, Mr. Dio Panagopolous!"

Light applause filtered the covered court as the principal returned to his seat, letting an admittedly handsome man walk in front of the stage. In true business fashion, he wore a blue suit and a black tie which hugged his features in all the right places. A silver pocket watch shone half-tucked into his left-hand pocket as he grabbed hold of the microphone. 

Heather raised an eyebrow as the man wore a seemingly warm smile, leading her to focus on his chiseled face. Even though she wasn't really the type of person to judge based on appearances, she can still admit that the man on the podium was still unabashedly attractive.

"Greetings, students, faculty. Thank you for inviting me to be your opening speaker for such a momentous occasion."

Immediately, the redhead found herself getting mesmerized as a melodious, tenor voice oozed through the speakers, charisma overflowing as he took to the podium like a fish to water. Heather felt her hands clench inside her jacket pockets, a nagging feeling making itself known to her. The teacher felt her heart quicken the longer she stared at the man speaking before them. It was strange..

She felt like something was about to happen.

"The 25th Foundation Day of the Nancaan Elementary School is a day of celebration, the celebration of 25 years filled with continuous hard work and exemplary standards when it comes to teaching what I consider to be the future of Midas."

Applause echoed throughout the court as his message visibly touched the hearts of the faculty, especially those that were teaching since the olden days. All the while, Heather tried to shrug off the nagging feeling currently building up within her chest. 

Why was she acting like this? She's certainly met a lot of people in her life and they didn't let off as much charisma as the man in front of them. The redhead can't exactly pinpoint why, but there was just something odd about this Dio that pushed old instincts back up to the forefront of her mind. 

The suspicious teacher's cheeks reddened, an unfortunate side effect of her heightened state. Heather hoped that her gut feeling was wrong, that she was worried for nothing, and that the man was simply just too skilled at public speaking.

"Today, our wonderful city boasts a remarkable economy, one that-"

Ruby and sapphire met piercing blue as the COO locked eyes with the redhead, his speech coming to a crawl as Heather reluctantly drank in the deep azure gaze of the man on stage. Immediately, a shiver went down her spine, a sinking familiar feeling clawing its way back up to her mind.

"May I ask, miss, what's your name?"

The man asked her out of the blue, ignoring the guffawing looks of her fellow faculty as he visibly drank in her form. Heather found herself brought forth to the spotlight, apprehension and embarrassment coloring her already blushing cheeks further as the students also looked towards her direction.

"Littman." The surprised teacher answered, composure still being held firmly as the uncanny COO descended the stage. Dio held the wireless microphone with an elegant grip, his eyes locking in on her own as he stopped just inches away from where she was standing. "Alice Heather Littman, sir."

"How exquisite,"

Alarm bells rang off inside her head as the gnawing familiar feeling kicked in at full throttle, adrenaline rushing through her body as Heather felt Dio's scrutinizing eyes land on every inch of her body. The redhead put a hand on her chest, her body having long since forgotten what it was like in a fight or flight scenario. His gaze... It was sickeningly nostalgic...

"May I ask for a date after this program?"

It felt like the scrutinizing gaze of a bonafide killer.

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