"do you want to take a walk? should i dismiss the class at the end of the day instead?" tae-yong asked, still holding onto my hand to prevent me from falling.

"yes, that would be great. i'd also like you to send ji-hyo to come see me at the office." i quickly pulled away my hand from his grip.

"all right.."

i didn't ask for a lot of details, but it seems like this situation and how upset ji-hyo was this morning are related.

i absolutely believe this isn't her fault. it's ultimately mine for making an unfixable mistake due to some bizarre bravado.

and on top of that, ji-hyo isn't the type to spread rumors like that. something must've happened.

"you acted all cool and distant like you were better than everyone, but look at you now." i froze after hearing what tae-yong had said.

i turned to look at him, "what did you just say?"

"i'm not wrong though. you told me not to live my life like such a horny bastard. you said such horrible things to me and embarrassed me in front of everyone. but even if i'm just a horny bastard, at least i didn't knock up any women." he proudly said.

"was it you?"

"are you asking if i spread the rumor? i just happened to make a phone call. if i'm guilty of anything, it's that. granted, there was a kid that doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut standing around. but you can't fault me for that, can you?"

"why are you doing this to me?"

"give as good as one gets. that's my personal philosophy. don't tell me you forgot about what you did to me in college?" he asked.

"after that day, rumors spread through college that i was a player and an embarrassment to all men, until i took a leave of absence from college, i couldn't sniff a date with a woman. if my father hadn't told me to lay low because i had embarrassed the family, i would've done something to get back at you then. well, i think it worked out well enough. i never imagined you'd screw up so massively like this." he added.

i just kept silent, really don't know what to say and what to do anymore.

"this was honestly worth the wait. anyway, i'll dismiss the kids at the end of the day in your stead. you can take your time and get some air." he continued while smiling cockily.

i walked pass him without saying anything, leaving him alone.

heh, that petty bastard.

-

i tiredly turned off the alarm of my phone when it rang annoyingly.

it's seven in the morning, and i'm still here on my bed.

ah, i don't want to go to school.

like dust floating in the air, the rumors just wouldn't settle down.

for the first time since i had become a teacher, i dreaded standing in front of my students. my dignity as a teacher hit rock bottom, and i just wanted to hide from this reality.

it had originally felt like uncomfortable proposition, but now i couldn't stop thinking about it.

i woke up from my bed and took a quick shower.

jungkook and i.

we have doo-jool between us.

even if it isn't a marriage of love, couldn't we somehow still become a family and have a life together?

i worked hard to teach my students for roughly three years and i had a lot of pride and joy in my work as a teacher.

so to be perfectly honest, i want to borrow jungkook's authority, so i could teach a little while longer.

just thinking about it feels like i'm stooping so low, i need to make sure it stays a thought. i cannot go through with this.

marrying with an ulterior motive isn't just bad for jungkook and myself, but it would be bad for doo-jool as well.

i stood in front of my classroom for a while, having a deep thought about everything that happen to my life these days.

"aren't you going to go in?" tae-yong suddenly asked.

can't he just shut up? so annoying.

i sighed. i'll just try to endure for now.

i opened the door and stepped inside, greeting the kids, "morning, kids."

"good morning.." the atmosphere was so gloomy and i don't blame them.

"today's lesson.." before i could start teaching for today, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

"are you miss park?" a woman annoyingly asked. she's wearing all those expensive clothes but who is she?

"ah, yes..may i ask who you are?" i asked, carefully and politely.

"you don't know me? i'm do kyung-soo's mother."

kyung-soo? i peeked at her mentioned son at the back of the class.

"ah, hello, ma'am. i'm not sure what brings you here to the school today, but class is in session now, so if you could wait in the staff room-" before i could finish, she interrupted.

"what do you mean wait? how can i sit back and let you teach when you're clearly unfit for the job? you've got some nerve." she shouted.

huh?

"i want to continue this discussion in the principal's office." she added while pulling my hand harshly.

that's right. the students are watching. it'll be better if i step out.

"aren't you listening?!" she asked again, still pulling my hand.

"mr. lee, please take over the class." i told tae-yong before stepping out of the classroom.

"ah, a-all right."

"ma'am, let's go." the situation changed. now, i'm the one who practically dragging her towards the principal's office.

as soon as we got out from the class, she asked, "now just wait a minute, just what do you think you're doing?" pulling away her hand.

i turned to look at her.

i shouldn't just apologize for right now.

"ma'am, i'm very sorry for the concern i've caused." i bowed to her.

"do you think saying sorry is enough? you're supposed to be a teacher and yet you can't keep your personal life private and now bad rumors are spreading about you among the students." she said.

"you've got thick skin. how dare you show your face? you think you can just go on as normal and teach the kids? what a joke." and now she started to shout to my face.

i peeked to see the situation inside my classroom.

"i'm sorry, ma'am. but class is in session, so can you please lower your vo-"

"are you trying to tell me what to do?! i want you to come with me to the principal's office right now! there's nothing more to discuss!"

-

i was working on my important file when my phone suddenly vibrated.

ji-hyo is calling me.

isn't she at school now?

did something happen to her?

"hello?" i picked up the call.

"samchon, please help miss park.."