Chapter 10

Accusation after accusation were being thrown Michelle's way, and she was trying her best to stay calm and act professionally. Some of the things that the parents and teachers alike were insinuating were downright insulting. She almost laughed when Mrs Baker, the biology teacher accused her of flaunting her goods to all the male in the school, young and old. The entire scenario was outrageous, and she couldn't wait to put it all behind her, and carry on with her day.

Principal Lacy Bishop, was applaud by the accusation that were being made against Michelle. She quite like Michelle, she thought that she was a brilliant teacher, who cared a lot about her students. She had never had any problems with her in the past, but it would be unprofessional of her if she didn't look into the accusations.

Lacy didn't want to believe that Michelle was seducing her students, but there were a few students who had come forward and claimed that she had. Then there was the way that Michelle dressed. Lacy wouldn't call her clothing inappropriate, but she wouldn't call them appropriate either. Most of Michelle's clothes were sexy, smart, but leaning more towards sexy. However, Lacy had a feeling that no matter what Michelle wear she'd look sexy in it.

Her hands were tied, she had to do her joy and investigate what was really going on. She couldn't have parents pulling their kids from the school, or risk a lawsuit. Her first priority was the school, she was just sad that Michelle might lose her job over it all.

In order for her to investigate, she had to put Michelle on paid leave. She didn't know how long it would take to sort the whole mess out, and to top it off she'd have to get a sub to come in and take over Michelle's class.  Lacy highly doubt that Michelle would still have her job at the end on the investigation. Faculty and board members would not want to upset parents by letting her continue to teach their kids. The entire investigation was just for show, they were going to fire her in the end. Lacy was saddened by it all.

"Calm down, please. Throwing insult and accusation at Michelle is uncalled for, let try and get to the bottom of this in a civilised manner."

It was like Lacy hadn't spoken, the parents were too furious. They were out for blood, they wanted her gone, and from the looks of it, they weren't leaving until they got what they wanted.

Michelle was sitting on the chair with her legs crossed, just listening to all the lies that were being told about her. If they thought that she was just going sit back and let them ruin her career, they were all in for a big surprise.

"It's disgusting the way she parades herself all over the school, in her too tight and too short clothing. She is deliberately trying to entice our children, and she calls herself a married woman, I wonder if her husband knows that she likes teenage boys."

Carol Brown, Josh Brown's mother said, casting disgusted looks Michelle's way.

"You should be ashamed." She said.

Michelle rolled her eyes, causing more of the parents to condemn her. Voice got louder in the room as parents and teachers alike, expressed their feelings towards the matter.

Michelle couldn't take any more of it, she'd sat and listened to them go on and about her. They were not only tarnishing her character, but they were also making her out as a paedophile, a person who preys on young children. She loved her students, and would do anything to protect them from harm.  

Standing from the chair she was sitting in, she spoke, addressing the entire room.

"I have been sitting here listening to all the lies that are being said about me. I have tried to be professional about it, and not let it bother me because I know that it is all unwarranted. But, to bring my marriage into your crusade to ruin me, now that I will not stand for."

She cast each and every member of the room a warning look, letting them know that she wasn't going to sit back and play nice anymore.

"Well, I never!"

One of the teachers exclaimed. The room started going again and Michelle was just about to walk out. She got as far as they door, and just as she reached for the knob, her husband walked in, followed by his best friend.

Michelle was happy to see him, she smiled and walked into his arms. Everyone in the room got quiet upon seeing Riccardo and Martin.

Riccardo turned to look at the twenty or so people that were in the principal's office and wondered what the hell was going on. The text he got from Michelle was very vague, it just said that she needed him at the school, and it was very important, that her job could be on the line.

He wanted to get answers from her about the detective she was seen with, but first he'd have to find out why the hell the people in the room, were looking at his wife like she just committed murder.

"Mr Giovanni, how nice of you to join us. Won't you have a seat?"

Lacy greeted him nervously. She was surprised to see him, and she could see that a few of the parents and faculty member who knew of him were also nervous and shock. 

She looked at Michelle in a new light, it never occurred to her that Michelle was married Riccardo Giovanni. She knew that Michelle's name was Giovanni, but she would never have guessed that she was the wife of Riccardo Giovanni himself.

Michelle was a simple woman, not the type of woman you'd expect to be married to a millionaire, and one of the esteemed members of the school board.

Riccardo just assessed the room of people warily. His wife leaned into him and he put his arms around her protectively. He might be furious with her at the moment, but only he had that right. She was his wife and he'd be damn if he let anyone treat her with anything less than respect.

Ignoring principal Bishop, he addressed the room, speaking to no one in particular.

"What the hell is going on? I was called out of an important meeting by my wife and was told that her job was on the line."

Turning to face the principal, he continued, letting his displeasure show in his voice.

"There better be a good reason as to why you would put my wife in distress. A lot of my investment and donation that I have made towards this school is because of Michelle. So, you should think long and hard before you reply."

The room was quiet, no one dare speak. James Lawson, not knowing who Riccardo was, pushed his was to the front and stood facing him.  He couldn't believe that she called her husband to come and right her case for her. He didn't care who the man was, he was going to make sure that Michelle was fired from her job and if possible, arrested.

"Look mister, I don't know who the hell you think you are, but I don't see what any of this have to do with you. Your wife is not who you think she is, she's been preying on the male students in this school and we're here to put a stop to it. She shouldn't be allowed to teach or be around children period, she should be arrested."

There were a few collective nods from other parents and teachers in the room. They were all draw courage from James bravery, but soon stopped when Riccardo levelled them all with a cold stare.

His eyes were steel when they looked upon James Lawson, and his words were unforgiving.

"Speak one more bad word about my wife and I promise you that you'll live to regret it."

The chill from his words travelled through the room, causing them all to shiver. The room was overcome with a dead silence and everyone averted their gaze from Riccardo. James took a shaky step back and hid himself away in the corner.

Lacy laughed nervously, trying to defuse the tension.

"What Mr Lawson is trying to say is, there has been a misunderstanding that we are quite happy to put to rest. Michelle is in no way being accused of any wrong doings. We all just want what's best for the students and the school. There have just been a few male students who have been saying that Michelle pays a little too much attention to them, and we are all here to sort it out. It's a simple matter, one can be sorted out to please all the parties involve."

Martin chuckled beside Riccardo, it never cease to amaze him how Riccardo could get people do fear and respect him without even trying. The entire scenario was so funny, he almost forgot about the real reason that they were there.

Riccardo did not have time to stand around and listen to nonsense, he had more important matters to deal with. He took her wife hand, getting ready to leave.

"See that it is dealt with quickly, and I expect an apology to be giving to my wife for the embarrassment that it has caused her."

He paused, turning to smile down at his wife, who smiled back.

"I trust that all of this will be cleared up by tomorrow, when Michelle will be returning back to work."

He didn't wait for them to give a reply. He turned with his wife and left the office.