Her Sweetest Mistake (Amelia) novel Chapter 69

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Teacher–Taboo

Richard’s POV:

The fifth day of the trip had arrived, and I was exhausted. Not from the activities, but from trying to keep myself in control around Ariana.

She had been testing my patience all week, teasing me with her smiles, her little glances, and the way she made sure to sit just close enough that I could smell her perfume but not close enough to touch. I had told myself I wouldn’t let her distract me on this trip.

Mrs. Brown was a fellow teacher, a widow, and a woman who clearly had no shame in making her interest in me known. Every chance she got, she was touching my arm, laughing at my jokes, even the ones that weren’t funny, and making comments about how “strong” I looked.

At first, I ignored her. I wasn’t interested. But I wasn’t stupid either, I knew Ariana was watching. And I knew she didn’t like it.

Jealousy was written all over her face every time Mrs. Brown got too close.

I could see the fire in her eyes, the way her fingers tightened around whatever she was holding whenever Mrs. Brown leaned in to whisper something to me

And maybe, just maybe, I liked that she hated it.

Me and Ariana have, had our little Funtimes on this trip but each day I felt like something was goi go wrong, especially not that Mrs brown was all over me

But then, Ariana started playing her own game.

She started spending time with Michael.

Michael, one of my students. He wasn’t a bad kid, but he was too charming for his own good. And Ariana? She was practically glued to him.

She laughed at everything he said, touched his arm when she talked, and even leaned in a little too close when they whispered to each other. She wanted me to see it. She wanted me to get jealous.

And damn it, it was working.

Every time I saw them together, something inside me burned. My grip tightened around my pen during meetings, my jaw clenched when I saw her walking beside him, and when I caught her sitting next to him at dinner, smiling at him the way she used to smile at me, I nearly lost it.

She was doing it on purpose, and it was driving me crazy.

That night, I made a mistake.

After dinner, I walked out to the balcony of the hotel, needing some fresh air. The cool breeze didn’t do much to calm me down, but I stayed out there, trying to push away the thoughts of Ariana and Michael.

That’s when Mrs. Brown found me.

“Mind if I join you?” she asked, her voice smooth.

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Teacher–1dbog

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I shrugged, not really caring.

She stepped closer, her perfume filling the air. “You seem tense, Richard.”

I let out a small laugh. “Just tired, that’s all.”

She smiled and placed a hand on my arm. “I could help you relax.”

I should have pulled away.

I should have told her to stop.

But my mind was filled with images of Ariana laughing with Michael, leaning into him, whispering in his ear. And in that moment, I let my jealousy take control.

Mrs. Brown stepped even closer, her hands resting on my chest now. She looked up at me, waiting.

And for a second, I considered it.

Maybe this was for the best. Maybe Ariana and I were never meant to happen. Maybe if I crossed this line, it would help me forget about her.

I leaned in.

Just as my lips were about to meet hers, the door swung open.

I turned, and my heart stopped.

Ariana stood there, her eyes wide, her face pale.

For a moment, she didn’t move. She just stared at me, at Mrs. Brown’s hands on my chest, at how close we were.

Then, without a word, she turned and ran.

“Ariana!” I called after her, stepping away from Mrs. Brown immediately. But she was already gone.

Mrs. Brown looked confused. “What was that about?”

I didn’t answer. My mind was racing. My heart was pounding.

I had hurt her.

And the worst part? I had done it on purpose.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe now she would finally move

1. on.

Maybe now I would too.

But deep down, I knew the truth.

I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.

And I would pay for it. I knew I would.

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The last day of the trip arrived, and there were more activities. The students were excited, but Ariana was

distant

Mrs Brown tried to flirt with me, but I brushed her off. I had done that on purpose, she could be the one to make Ariana jealous. But my plan failed, and now I had made things worse.

We were going back home, and as the bus drove back home, the students said their goodbyes, thanked us for the trip, and then got off the bus.

Ariana got off the bus, but she didn’t say goodbye. She just looked at me and walked away. I followed after her and asked her what she was doing.

“I need time,” she said.

I tried to explain to her, but she walked away from me again, tears in her eyes. I tried to follow after her, but Mrs Brown had called me back, saying we had to work on a draft and give feedback to the principal.

I wanted to tell her to go to hell, but I couldn’t. The school was strict and any misbehavior from us would be noticed.

So I gave in, and went back to the bus. Mrs Brown had left, and the driver dropped me off at home.

When I got home, I drowned myself in alcohol. I was going to forget all about Ariana, move on and forget what she had done to my heart.

I thought about her all night, her laugh, her smile and the way she smiled at me in class. I love never admit it. It was too late, and I knew this was for the best.

I would

I passed out that night, drunk, my chest feeling tight. I didn’t know what that feeling was, but I did know I never felt this way before. The last time I felt this way was the day my wife died the same year we got married.

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