Chapter 2

The first thing Jaina noticed when she woke up was the absence of the comfortable warmth she had felt before she had fallen asleep. There was no physical contact and no pleasant warmth that was radiated from another person's body. She stretched her arm out, hoping that Arthas was still there but she didn't find him in the bed.

There was no one. She was alone in the bed, the blanket still covered her body. Jaina groaned as she turned around and stared at the empty half of her bed. Arthas had already gotten up and was probably downstairs. Jaina let her head fall back on the pillow, her narrowed eyes rested on the ceiling.

The light was not turned on but the sun rays that shone through the roller blind illuminated the bedroom. She was tired. Tired and not motivated enough to get up. She just wanted to lay in bed a little longer but she knew she couldn't. She had to get ready for work. Even though she didn't want to get up, she did it nevertheless after almost ten minutes. She groaned as she left the bedroom and climbed down the stairs, walking to the kitchen.

Uther and Jasmine were already sitting at the kitchen table, both of them were eating their favourite muesli. It was not the healthiest muesli but it was the only muesli Uther and Jasmine ate. Jaina had tried to convince them to eat much healthier muesli but they had resisted. They had refused to eat anything until Jaina had given in and allowed them to eat their favourite breakfast.

Her children were as stubborn as their father. Arthas also sulked and acted up if he didn't want to do something or if he didn't get his will. He had done that at least when he had been very young and immature. He had often done that when he had been a little boy but at least he hadn't done that since he had become an adult.

Arthas knew that he wouldn't achieve anything if he would behave like this. His children, on the other hand, tried it often. Too often for Jaina's liking. She didn't always give in but sometimes she did. That had been the case when Jaina had tried to make them eat much healthier food for breakfast. Without success. If only Arthas would find the time to support her in such important matters. She was sure they would be able to convince their children together withouthaving to use other methods to make them stop eating these pieces of pure sugar.

Jaina approached her children and ran her fingers through their soft hair. "Good morning, sweeties."

"Good morning, mommy," they said in unison.

"How are you doing?"

"Good," they said.

"Did you sleep well?"

They nodded. Jaina smiled and caressed their heads again. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Did you sleep well, mommy?" Uther asked.

"Well, I didn't sleep as long as I should. I'm feeling a bit tired but I can do something about that."

"You mean the nasty liquid?"

Jaina knew what he was referring to so he nodded.

"Why are you drinking it if it doesn't taste good."

"It does, for adults like me at least. It's nothing for kids, so it's good that you don't like its taste."

Uther said nothing in response and just put another spoon full of cornflakes in his mouth. He chewed them audibly, not caring that his mother was regarding him while he was eating his meal with his mouth open. Jaina could see the cornflakes getting crushed by his teeth.

"Where is your father?"

"He is talking to someone but I don't know where he went nor do I know who he is talking to," responded Uther.

"Talking? Does he have a personal conversation with someone or is he talking to someone on the phone?"

"Phone."

"Alright," muttered Jaina and went to the coffee machine, finding out that Arthas had left her some coffee. She poured the hot brown liquid into a cup, blowing on it until it was cool enough for her liking. She took a few sips, a low moan escaped her lips as the delicious liquid flowed down her throat.

She had needed this so badly. She felt much more awake and fresher after a few minutes of waiting. The coffee served its purpose. Jaina emptied the rest of the cup and put it on the kitchen counter, walking back to the table. She took a banana and two apples from the fruit bowl in the middle of the table, eating them one by one while she sat on a chair and regarded her children.

Arthas entered the room a few minutes later. He already wore his favourite suit together with his favourite tie, his hair was made up in a ponytail. Jaina was not used to seeing him with this hairstyle but she had to admit that he looked good. He always looked good no matter how he made his hair. Even with short hair, he was pretty handsome.

"Good morning, my love," Arthas said as he walked over to her and kissed her cheek.

"Good morning, my dear," Jaina said in return. "Thanks for making me coffee."

Arthas smiled. "You are welcome."

Jaina was about to say something when the phone in Arthas' pocket vibrated. He had just received a message. Arthas sighed and took his phone out, looking at the screen after he had turned it on. "I can't even have a single free minute," he muttered and put his phone back in his pocket.

His gaze fell on his wife. "Can you bring the children to their schools? There is an important matter I have to take care off."

Jaina looked at the clock of the cooker. It was almost seven o'clock. "Well, I would have to hurry but I think I can make it in time."

"That would be nice if you could do that." Arthas leaned forward and kissed her temple. "I owe you something, J."

"You are going right now?" Jaina asked.

Arthas nodded.

"Kiss me goodbye at least."

Arthas' smile became wider. "With pleasure," he said and leaned in. He pressed his lips on hers, feeling her returning the kiss without hesitation. The kiss didn't last as long as Jaina had hoped for and was not as passionate as the kisses they usually shared but it was good enough for the moment. Jaina was satisfied with that kiss.

Arthas put a strand of hair behind her ear, caressing her cheek. "I'll try to get home earlier today but I can't promise anything. But next week, I will have more time for all of you." He put his hands on the heads of their children, caressing them. He kissed their foreheads and wished them a good day. He wished the same to Jaina before he picked up his briefcase from one of the chairs and went to the room's exit. He waved at everyone before he finally left the kitchen.

Jaina averted her gaze from the exit after a few minutes and looked at her children who had just finished eating. "We have to work together if we want to make it in time." Her gaze fell on Uther. "It would be nice if you take your sister to the bathroom and wash your teeth together. I will make your breakfast in the meantime and then I will help Jasmine getting dressed. You will get dressed and pack all the things you need in your satchel. I will check it before we go."

Uther nodded.

"I'm counting on you."

"I won't disappoint you, mother."

Jaina smiled at him and signalized him to get up. Uther did that and helped his sister from her chair. He took her hand and guided her to the bathroom. Jaina got up as well and took the necessary things out of the fridge. She made sandwiches for Uther and cut tomatoes and a carrot in slices. She put everything in his favourite lunch box and put it on the table.

Uther and Jasmine entered the kitchen a few seconds later. Jaina didn't hesitate to pick up her daughter and bring her to her room. "What do you want to wear today, angel?" Jaina asked as she opened her daughter's wardrobe.

Jasmine pointed at the red dress with white polka dots. "This one," she said excitedly. Jaina smiled. "So be it."

They left the room once Jasmine was dressed, meeting Uther who wore a blue pair of jeans and a green shirt on which a Lego figure could be seen. It was a red ninja who held a sword in its hands. "Would you guide your sister downstairs and help her put on her jacket?"

Uther nodded. "Of course I can. Even the shoes?"

"You can try. Let me do it if it's too hard for you."

The eight-year-old nodded. "I will give my best, mommy."

"You are so sweet."

Uther smiled and took his sister's hand, carefully guiding her down the stairs. Jaina was so proud of him. He did everything in his capabilities to help her whenever he can and he doesn't demand anything in return. He made her daily life so much easier. She didn't know what she would do if he wouldn't be as cooperative and helping as he was. She assumed that the stress would overwhelm her sooner or later. Due to her son, she was able to get through her stressful daily life. She was glad that she had him.

Jaina wished she could regard Uther guiding his sister much longer but she knew that their time was limited, so she didn't hesitate to walk to her room. She didn't need long to find an outfit she liked. She made her hair once she was done with getting dressed and finally regarded herself in the mirror.

She wore a purple skirt that reached to her knees, the first two buttons of her white blouse were open so that a good part of her cleavage could be seen. She was not afraid to show that she was a very attractive woman. She was a proud woman who was not ashamed of her body. But she didn't want to show too much that was the reason why only two buttons were open. She didn't want to distract her students but it still happened too often for her liking.

Jaina put on purple high-heels, sat her glasses on her nose and put her favourite necklace around her neck. It was a necklace with an anchor as a pendant which her father gifted to her after she had passed her final exams at the university. She stroked it absent-mindedly while she thought about her deceased father. Thinking about him still pained her after all these years. She still had not fully accepted what happened fifteen years ago. She still felt guilty. A tear ran down her cheek but it didn't smear her fresh makeup. Jaina wiped the tear away and regarded her reflection again, leaving the room when she was sure that everything sat perfectly.

She picked up her leather briefcase, in which were all the things she needed for work, and went to the ground floor. As expected, her children were in the entrance hall and were already fully dressed. "You did it," Jaina said happily and caressed the heads of her children. "I'm so proud of you."

Jasmine and Uther smiled at her, excitement was reflected by their eyes. It was obvious that they couldn't wait going to their schools. Jaina grabbed one of her jackets, a purple one, and put it on. She took her bunch of keys and the keys for the backup car from the key hooks and opened the front door, signalizing her children to leave the house. They did as they were told and regarded her mother while she locked the door.

Jaina walked with them to the garage which she opened by pressing a button on the small remote control that hung on her bunch of keys. The garage gate was not silent when it was lifted up. Jaina unlocked the doors of the black BMWand opened them, allowing her children to get in.

She fastened Jasmine's seatbelt and made sure that Uther's belt was tight enough but not too tight. She sat down on the driver's seat, making sure that all doors were closed before she strapped herself up and put the car key in the keyhole. She made one last glance at her children before she started the engine.

She drove out of the garage, closing the gate with the remote control. She waited until both sides of the road were free before she drove into the right lane. The drive to Uther's school didn't take longer than fifteen minutes. She held next to the pavement and allowed her son to get out of the car. Normally, she would bring him to his classroom but she was under time pressure, so she didn't enter the building with him. She handed him his satchel and kissed his forehead, wishing him a wonderful day. Uther hugged his mother quickly and kissed her cheek, waving at her when he walked towards the entrance. He met his friends in front of the school building and entered it with them.

Jaina got back in the car and drove to Jasmine's nursery school. Unlike her brother, Jasmine was too young to enter the building and go to her group room alone. Jaina had to accompany her. She picked up Jasmine's backpack from the rear seats and took Jasmine's hand, guiding her to the yellow building. They greeted familiar children and parents on their way to the room of Jasmine's group. The educator stood right next to the open door.

It was a female draenei with short brown hair. She wore a blue pair of jeans and a white shirt. She smiled at mother and daughter, signalizing the two-year-old to go in. Jasmine received a nod from her mother and didn't hesitate to rush into the room and greet her friends. Jaina's gaze rested on her for a few moments before it wandered to the educator.

"It has been a while since the last time you brought Jasmine to us. I thought your husband always does that these days."

"He usually does but he had to go to work much sooner than usual so he asked me to bring our children to their schools."

The draenei nodded. "He seems to be very stressed lately."

"He is. His work has become more stressful and demanding in the past months. He works longer every day than he has to."

"Running a company is not easy. I hope he doesn't overwork himself."

"I hope the same. I fear that his work will be too much for him one day. At least he promised me that he will work less starting next week."

"I hope for him that he stops working overtime. For his health and your private life. I bet he comes home very late every day."

A quiet sigh escaped Jaina's lips. "He does... I wish I could talk to you much longer but I have to go now if I don't want to be too late for class. I hope you don't mind if I go now, Leyane."

"Of course not," appeased the draenei. "We can talk when you pick her up later today."

"Sounds good to me," Jaina responded with a small smile on her full lips. "I'll say my daughter goodbye really quick before I'll leave."

"See you later, Jaina."

Jaina entered the room, finding her daughter playing with her friends. She called her name and the young girl didn't hesitate to rush over to her mother. Jaina squatted down and hugged her daughter, kissing her forehead. "Have a wonderful day, princess. I will pick you up as soon as I can."

Jasmine kissed her mother's cheek. "See you later, mommy."

Jaina caressed her back softly before she pulled away and walked to the room's exit. She looked at her for the last time before she left the room and then the nursery school. She went to her car and got in, driving to her place of work. She already saw it from afar before she even got close to it. It was a gigantic building complex which consisted of several magnificent constructions. The domed roofs were unmistakable and clearly visible from afar. Each building had such a roof, all of them were covered by purple tiles.

Jaina eventually arrived at the staff carpark, finding a free spot at the last row. She shut down the engine and grabbed her briefcase before she left the car. She looked at the watch on her right wrist, finding out that she had five minutes left to reach the room where she had to be. She walked as fast as her high heels allowed and finally reached the entrance. She ignored the whistles she received from the small group of young men near the entrance. She didn't have the time or the desire to scold them and tell them to get to their classrooms.

She entered the university wordlessly, spotting a few students that were still hanging out in the corridor although their classes were about to begin. She noticed the gazes some of them were giving her. Some students tried to hide it while others ogled her shamelessly. Jaina was aware that lots of students from Dalaran University found her very attractive. Males and females alike. She was considered as one of the most attractive professors. She was very popular among the students but also among the teaching staff.

Jaina had no time for the immature behaviour of these individuals. She was certain she wouldn't reach her class in time but that was no real problem. Most teachers were usually a few minutes late for their classes. Nevertheless, Jaina always tried to be punctual. She usually was. This day was an exception. She was greeted by loud noises when she arrived at the room five minutes too late. Her students were talking to each other loudly, most of them didn't even sit on their seats.

Only the top pupils and the arse-lickers sat obediently on their seats and didn't talk or do anything inappropriate. Smiles could be seen on their faces when they looked at her. It was obvious that her presence made them happy.

Jaina walked over to her desk and flung her briefcase on it, the loud bang silenced the talkative students. They didn't hesitate to get on their seats and look at their teacher. They had enough respect for Jaina to not ignore her and keep talking. They were smart enough to not stress her.

The first thing Jaina did after she had greeted her students was to check the attendance. Only one of forty students was missing and no one knew why he was not there. Some of them assumed that he had missed the bus or overslept. Jaina wrote a note in the coursebook and then began with her lesson.

It was faster over than expected. Jaina was very surprised when the ringing of the school bell interrupted her explanation. She looked at her wristwatch, noticing that eighty-five minutes had already passed. She finished her explanation and then dismissed her students. She packed her things together and walked towards the exit of the lecture hall as she caught sight on the notepad on one of the desks in the foremost rows. One of her students must have left it there.

She went to the desk, noticing that it was open. She saw a beautiful drawing of a bird that was accurate in every detail. It was a sparrow. The student had only used a pen to draw it but it almost looked as if it had been printed. Whoever had drawn this had great talent. She turned the page and looked at the next drawing. It was a drawing of the largest building part of Dalaran University. She found much more wonderful drawings when flicked through the pages. The motif changed from drawing to drawing. Animals, objects, plants, vehicles and many other things have been drawn.

But after so many perfect drawings came one which made Jaina wonder. It was a drawing of her head. It was much more detailed than the previous drawings. The student had put much more effort into that drawing than into their previous drawings. Jaina frowned as she regarded the picture. She turned the page, spotting another drawing of her. This time not only her head but also her torso was shown. The drawing itself was as perfect as the previous one.

Jaina leafed through the notepad, finding more drawings of her. A whole-body drawing, her in a bikini, her eating an apple, her lying on a desk in a very erotic pose while all buttons of her blouse were open and too much of her skin was revealed. Jaina felt her cheeks turn red. She quickly turned the page over, regarding the next drawing.

This drawing was different. Unlike all the previous drawings of her, she was not the only person that was portrayed. There was another woman drawn Jaina knew very well. It was another professor who was also a good friend of her. Jaina recognized her due to the long and pointed ears and the silver hair. It was no other than Vereesa Windrunner, her colleague and one of her closest friends.

The picture was colourized and showed her and Vereesa kissing. Both of them were naked and touched each other. Jaina's face became as red as a tomato as she realized where Vereesa's left hand was was something written in vector letters.

Jaina PRIDEmoore's secret love.

The word pride was coloured in rainbow colours.

It was a parody of her birth name. Proudmoore.

Jaina was stunned. Blushing and stunned. She couldn't avert her gaze for some reason. She couldn't stop looking at the drawing. She had to admit it was excellently drawn but that was the only positive thing she could say about it. This picture was more than just inappropriate. Her kissing another woman was not the problem. She had had her experiences with women in the past. She was tolerant when it came to same-sex relationships.

What she didn't tolerate was people making such naughty drawings of her. Especially when it also included her best friend. It could have been any other woman but that student took Vereesa off all female teachers. Everyone knew about their friendship and everyone knew that both of them were married to men. Jaina was asking herself why this student had chosen them for this inappropriate drawing. She was asking herself why that student was so obsessed with her. She would have appreciated one drawing or two but more than ten were too much. She found it creepy.

Jaina closed the notepad, not wanting to find out what else the student had drawn. She knew who sat on this seat. She had often caught him drawing in her lessons but she had never caught him drawing her. He must have hidden these drawings well from her.

Jaina had no idea what to do. She didn't know if she should crumple them and throw them in the dustbin. She had no idea if she should approach the student the next time she would see him or if she shouldn't say anything to him. She didn't know if she should tell Vereesa about it. She was certain that Vereesa would want to see it because she wouldn't believe it without proof. She could already imagine Vereesa's reaction. Her face would be as red as hers, if not even redder.

Should she tell Arthas about this? Or Vereesa's husband? How did that student know about her birth name? Did such a picture already count as sexual harassment? What about the freedom of art? Could she scold and punish the student for such a drawing? Would that be just?

Jaina had no idea. She found no answers to her questions. She didn't know what to do at this moment. She couldn't think straight. She needed some distraction. She decided to go to the staffroom and get some coffee, hoping that it would allow her to get a clear head. She put the notepad in her briefcase and left the lecture hall quickly.

She noticed the looks the students were giving her when she rushed through the corridor but she ignored them. She didn't need long to reach the staffroom. She opened the door with the fitting key and entered it.

There were four large tables in the middle of the room. Each of these tables consisted of four smaller tables which were put together. On each of these large tables stood eight chairs. Four on the left and four on the right. On the left side of the room were several cupboards filled with books, files and other useful stuff the professors needed. Next to the cupboards hang four whiteboards in the middle of the wall on which several documents, pictures and other pieces of paper were pinned.

The first thing Jaina did was to drop her briefcase on one of the settees that stood in the right corner of the room before she went to the small fitted kitchen on the opposite side of the room. She made herself some coffee and went back to the settees, dropping herself next to her briefcase. She had only the first double lesson behind her but was already drained. The lesson itself had not been stressful. She couldn't explain to herself why she felt so drained. At least she had coffee which would help her to relax.

She took a sip from her mug and stared at the opposite wall. She only averted her gaze when a familiar creature came in her sight. It was a male human with long fiery-red hair that was braided and reached to the middle of his back. His chin was covered by a goatee, his eyes were brown and his face was handsome. He wore grey trousers and a purple tunic. He held a cup filled with coffee in his hand and gave her a worried look.

"You look exhausted, Jaina. Was the first double lesson that hard?" he asked.

"Not really but... I don't know. I can't really explain why I feel so drained, Rhonin," Jaina responded. The thought of showing her colleague what she had seen crossed her mind but she decided against it. She needed more time to think about it before she would show it to anyone. If she would show it to another person, she would show it to Vereesa first. The drawing was also about her. She didn't want to show it to Vereesa's husband until she had shown it to her.

"At least you don't have to go through eight lessons every day like us. Being a mother has its advantages. Vereesa also has only six lessons every day because she has to take care of the kids just like you," responded Rhonin.

"I wish I could have more lessons but like you said I have to be home for my children. If only Arthas would allow me to employ a nanny... My daily life would be less stressful," Jaina said and took another sip of coffee.

"I think you already told me the reason why he doesn't want to have a nanny in his house," replied Rhonin. "Wasn't he afraid that the nanny would steal stuff from him?"

"That's one of the reasons but not the most important one. The nanny who had looked after him when he had been younger had been caught stealing and passing on information that had to do with the company of Arthas' family. The main reason is that Arthas' friends had bad experiences with nannies and it seems that they convinced him to not employ anyone. I tried to speak to him about this matter so often but I never managed to convince him."

A thoughtful look could be seen on Rhonin's face. "Hmm... Do you think I could convince him?"

"Well... Didn't you try to convince Vereesa to employ a nanny so that she could have more time for herself? As far as I know, she still doesn't want to employ a nanny because she wants to spend as much time as possible with your children."

Rhonin was silent for a few moments and then he sighed. "Well, yes... But that's something different. I could try to convince Arthas that most nannies are not like the ones his father and his friends had employed. I could even offer him to look for a good nanny. Arthas likes me so I think he would listen to me."

Jaina sighed. "The problem is that Arthas barely has time for his family these days. He is working too long every day. He promised me that he will be earlier at home starting next week but I'm not sure about that. He had often promised me such things and nothing has changed in the end. Something unexpected always happened when he thought that at some point that he would have less work to do in the future. Whenever he announced me something like that, either one of his co-workers got sick or quit. The last time he made me the same promise, he told me two days later that he had to fire his secretary because of sexual harassment."

"Let's hope that it will be different this time," Rhonin said quietly.

Jaina emptied her mug. "I wouldn't count on it but I still hope it will be different this time."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. If you ever need any advice, feel free to come to me. If you have any problem, just come to me or to Vereesa."

Jaina nodded and gave him a small smile. "I will, Rhonin."

The redhead returned her smile and then looked at the clock at the opposite wall. "The break is almost over, so we should go to our classes. I'll see you during lunch break. Vereesa will be there too I assume."

Despite the protest of her body, Jaina got up from the settee and took her briefcase. She wished she could relax much longer but she knew she had to go to her next class. She was looking forward to seeing Rhonin during lunch. She was looking forward to seeing her best friend even though she had no idea how to behave towards her. She still had no idea if she should tell Vereesa about the drawings or if she should keep it secret and talk to Arthas first. She would have to think about it if she had time.

Jaina gave her friend a small smile. "I will see you later, Rhonin," she said before he left the staffroom. Jaina left the room half a minute later but headed in the opposite direction, walking towards the room where her next class was.