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i really didn't plan to go to tonight's staff dinner, but then, here i am after being dragged by one and only kim jisoo.

as we entered the restaurant, "oh, isn't this a hanwoo restaurant? what's going on? i can't believe we're eating dinner in an expensive restaurant like this one." jisoo exclaimed.

"i heard the chairman stopped by today. maybe he decided to pay for our staff dinner." said one of other teachers here, mr. yang.

i abruptly stopped from my track.

the chairman?!

"ah, maybe? does this mean the chairman is coming?" asked jisoo.

no way..

i really hope he didn't attend this staff dinner.

"let's hurry up and sit." said jisoo as she reached for my hand and walked to one of the empty tables.

"okay."

as i sat and looked around, there was an uninvited glimpse behind me. none other than lee tae-yong.

"can i sit here? i'm pretty shy around people i don't know.." asked tae-yong while trying to pull an empty chair beside me.

"no. why don't you go sit somewhere else and get to know some of the other teachers?" i said firmly, really don't want him here.

he could ruin my appetite.

"don't be like that, chae! he said he's shy. sit down, sit down!" said jisoo shyly. ah, she really blushing hardly in front of him, huh?

be patient, chaeyoung!

one hour here, and you will leave the restaurant.

"thank you!" said tae-yong as he settled himself beside me.

"huh? oh oh! the chairman really came! chae, you've never seen our chairman, right? he's really attractive!" said jisoo while looking at the other way behind me.

"w-what?" jeon jungkook is here?!

yes, i've never knew who was the chairman is until this morning!

"take a peek! i only saw him once from far away three years ago. but since he's good-looking, i never forgot his face!" jisoo added cheekily. jisoo really had a good eyes for men, isn't it? looked at herself, she is also beautiful in person.

i turned around to 'take a peek' at the chairman.

no..there's no way..

the chairman wouldn't come to staff dinner like this.

the worst case is, we accidently made an eye-contact! ha, i suddenly remembered this morning event. i'm so nervous.

he's really here and that means i'm going insane! and why does he look so mad?!

i smacked my own head.

"what's wrong, chae?" tae-yong suddenly asked me, putting his hand on my shoulder.

you're choosing the wrong time and wrong person, tae-yong.

"take your hand off of me." i said angrily. how dare he touch me?

"okay.."

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as i tooked my seat, one of the teacher suddenly clap his hand and said, "may i have your attention? thank you for attending this staff dinner to commemorate the start of a new semester! instead of our usual principal's speech, we've asked the chairman, who has graced us with his presence this evening, to say a few words."

he didn't really have to. i really don't know what to say during these staff dinners.

maybe just give it a go?

"i think the thing i dreaded the most when i was in school was listening to the principal speak. there's no need to do something like that at a staff dinner. let's just eat as much as we want and enjoy ourselves tonight. thank you." i said, gulping a cup of plain water, full of authority.

i heard the school's staffs clapping loudly and very satisfied with my speech.

this is jeon jungkook they're talking about.

i also heard a teacher from chaeyoung's table said, "it was torturous having to hear the principal talk every time, so the chairman's speech was refreshing. he's so laid back!"

but, chaeyoung just hanging her head low.

i looked at her direction again. that man from earlier, he's with chaeyoung again. really, who is he?

are they always this close?

"mr. chairman, mr. chairman?" i was too focus until i was unaware that the principal is calling me.

"ah, yes." i turned to him. jungkook, you only see chaeyoung here, isn't it?

that's the main purpose. to see her.

"is the food not to your liking? you're not eating and you keep looking towards the entrance." he said.

"no, the food is exquisite. is the person sitting over there a teacher as well? over there?" i asked as soon as the principal talking to me.

all the teachers at my table turned to see the teacher that i meant.

ha, this is the great timing.

"ah, the man sitting next to miss park? he's a new teacher from myung-woon university." said the principal, introducing the man beside chaeyoung.

"ah, so he's a newbie." does she prefers teachers too?

"would you like me to call him over?"

this is too far from my expectations by calling him over, but i agreed upon him. as much as i despised the idea, i really want to know that new teacher really well.

"mr. lee!" called the principal.

i saw him walked towards us.

"did you need to speak with me?" asked him.

"i heard you're the new teacher from myung-woon university." i said, looking as charismatic as i can be.

"yes, i am."

"have a seat." i invited him. he looked so nervous?

"there's no reason to be nervous. i just wanted to talk to you to get a feel for how freshly graduated teacher think these days." i said, looking friendly as ever.

"ah, i see."

this is the time, jungkook.

"émile durkhem, who was the authority on educational sociology, created the sociological theory that emphasized integrity and coherence. didn't he say that education is influenced by the older generation to teach the younger generation since they aren't prepared to enter society?" i said.

"i'm sorry?" he looked really blank and scared. and maybe surprised by my statement.

"then, what are your thoughts on the rude gesture of putting your hand on someone else's woman's shoulder?" i added, asking a dead question.

the scene i saw just as soon as i entered the restaurant. he put his hand on chaeyoung's shoulder, really pissed me off.

everyone here was too stunned to speak.

they looked so nervous and scared especially him, mr. lee.

i smile, suddenly. do not want the situation to be more awkward. wasn't my acting great?

"haha, it was a joke." i said, smiling ear to ear, showing my dimples.

"chairman jeon, you really do know how to tell a joke! hohoho!" laughed the principal, really entertained with my 'joke' just now.

by far, i knew that my 'joke' was pierced inside that new teacher's heart.

"can you hold your liquor, mr. lee?" i asked him as i reached a bottle of alcohol in front of me.

"yes, a little.."

"then let me pour you a drink."

"ah, thank you. i'll pour you a glass as well.." he said.

"i brought my car tonight and i need to drop someone off as well. i'll stick to water." i said as i popped out the bottle cap.

"oh, i see. then i'll just take a shot."

i poured the drink inside his glass, looking at him sternly. he probably thinking he had done something wrong.

-

☁️☁️

"chae, are you really not going to have a drink?" jisoo asked as i was eating silently.

"yes, i'm not feeling well. i don't want to drink at all tonight." i said, looking as normal as i can.

are you crazy? a drink? for a pregnant woman?

jisoo knows nothing by the way.

"reaaaaaally?" she looked so drunk. her face is flushed, hiccupping non-stop.

"it's been cold lately. i think i might be catching a cold. i think i better head on home now." i said, giving a reasonable reason to escape from here.

"huh? then i should head out, too."

"you're not even done eating yet. it's all right. i'll just go." i stood up and took my bag.

"aww..but i'll have no one to talk to if you leave.." said jisoo, looking sadly at me.

suddenly, tae-yong came back. he also looked as flushed as jisoo. he drank a lot too?

but, this is a good idea.

"there's mr. lee coming back. you can have another drink." as i said that, jisoo's face brighten. probably happy that she will have an accompany and probably because the main reason is lee tae-yong.

"ooh, you're right! let's do that!" jisoo agreed. but, i kinda feel worried about jisoo being alone with this man.

"jisoo, i'm going to be straight with you." i said.

"what is it?"

"mr. lee prefers motels over taking trips." i whispered to her, feeling worried if someone else might hear what i said.

"hm? what are you saying?"

"he's unprincipled. he's a total wolf." i whispered again.

i am so worried that i didn't notice the change in jisoo's face. she laughed loudly as if i'm telling her a total joke.

"jisoo, that wasn't a joke!" i scolded her for getting unserious.

"hahaha! of course it's funny! if someone who looks like mr. lee turns out to be a total wolf, i'd welcome that with open arms!" said jisoo, still laughing at my 'joke' just now.

now, whatever happen, happens. i really don't care anymore, i've warned her.

"i'm telling you he has no principal." i added.

"haha, even if he doesn't, i do. that should be enough. you're so cute for worrying about me, chae!" she said, getting calmer after the loud laugh. honestly, i'm glad she said that.

"don't say i didn't warn you. good night!" i said as i turned and walked towards the exit door.

"okay, bye! get home safely!" she waved her hand as i left her and tae-yong alone.

i walked along the quiet path alone. yikes, it's cold. why is it so cold tonight? it's spring though.

i hugged myself, preventing the cold harm my body. i'm already shivering.

as i continued to walk, "are you heading home?" a voice suddenly approached me.

"ack!" i shouted, feeling scared and surprised at the same time though i knew who it is by hearing his voice and smelling his scent.

i turned around to see jungkook behind me.

"i'm sorry if i scared you." he said.

"ah, i-it's okay. yes, i'm heading home." i totally didn't hear him walk up.

"i'll take you home. let's go together."

"no, thank you. i'll just go by myself." i said as i tried to turn around, but suddenly he put his jacket over my shoulder, making me startled.

"have you done a lot of bad things? why do you get startled so easily?" he asked as he fixed the jacket he lends.

"you keep on surprising me." i exclaimed.

"you look cold. just keep it on."

huh?

"what were you doing out here?" he asked again after getting no response from me.

"i..uh..i didn't know where to go. i got lost." haa, why did i stutter?

he just looked at me, concerned.

"i have a really bad sense of direction, so this happens often when i go somewhere new." what am i even saying right now? i looked away as i'm feeling shy as well.

"that's great. i have an excellent sense of direction and i'm great at finding paths. i'm so skilled that i can even make paths where there weren't any previously. let's not stand out here and head to my car." said jungkook. did he just bragging in front of me?

"ah, it's quite all right.."

but then, he lowered his body so that our face are at the same level.

"if it wasn't for you, i wouldn't have even come here tonight."

what? why did my heart is beating so fast?

"didn't you want to have a conversation after more careful consideration? am i wrong?" he added.

ah, is that the reason?

"no, you're right. we should talk." if not now, then it will be more meeting each other in the meantime.

"then let's go to my car. it's a bit cold." he said as he turned and we walked towards his car.

"ah, but that doesn't mean i want my jacket back." he added.

"okay..let's move quickly. it won't do us any good if we're spotted together."