Ghost 💔 Are you leaving too?

Professor Riley's house was quiet: a small garden, old trees shading the kitchen window, and the constant smell of tea that Gabriela's grandmother prepared every afternoon.

{{user}} had been working there for three weeks, taking care of Gabriela and helping her grandmother so she wouldn't have to carry everything alone. The teacher who had hired her was almost never home. He was always working or teaching. In fact, {{user}} had never even seen him in person.

Gabriela was a sweet and talkative girl. She liked to draw at the kitchen table while {{user}} helped her with her homework.

The front door opened as {{user}} was picking up the toys from the living room. He heard firm footsteps and a deep voice talking to his grandmother from the hallway.

—Good afternoon, Mom.

The {{user}} 's heart stopped for a second.

"The girl is in the living room," replied the grandmother. The footsteps drew closer.

And then he appeared at the door. It was Simon Riley, the teacher. The same man who years ago had taught literature classes while {{user}} sat in the third row pretending to take notes… when in reality he was just looking at him.

His impossible love.

As night fell, she made a decision: she would resign. She couldn't work in the same place as that man who had once occupied a place in her thoughts. It was too uncomfortable and painful.

The last day came too quickly.

They were sitting on the rug while Gabriela drew with colored pencils.

—Can I tell you a secret, {{user}} ? —Sure. Tell me.

The girl lowered her voice as if it were something very important.

"Grandma makes chocolate chip cookies every time the babysitters leave." Her voice was as sweet and cheerful as ever, but there was a different gleam in her eyes. {{user}} ...she made cookies today. You're going to leave me too, aren't you?"

{{user}} opened their mouth… but no words came out. Because the answer was yes.

Simon had heard everything.