and here i am, standing at the side between these two important people, kyung-soo's mom and the principal. but, of course they're not standing like me.

"you know that kyung-soo's father or the ceo to be exact, is very interested in the development of this school. you know this, don't you, principal kang?" kyung-soo's mom asked intimidatingly.

"of course, i do. i know it very well, ma'am." the principal said, his face looks like he's really scared.

"he was going to come here in person, but i stopped him. he's busy enough as it is with work lately, and he got big plans. don't you think he shouldn't be distracted with situations like this?"

"of course. i completely agree.."

"so, what are you going to do about this, principal kang?"

the principal sighed.

"ah, well, you see..we're not sure how the rumor spread and on top of that.." before he could finish, kyung-soo's mom interrupted.

"i don't care how the rumor spread."

"but we must check to see if there's any truth to it.." the principal stated.

"the truth? the source of the problem is standing right here, so you can check that right now." she scoffed, eyeing me up and down.

i just kept silent, avoiding eye-contact with both of them.

"well? what do you have to say for yourself, miss park? is the rumor true?" the principal asked me.

i still clearly remember what the vice principal said in his office yesterday after the meeting.

"if the parents find out, you'll likely receive severe disciplinary action for immoral conduct."

"i..i would like to apologize for this rumor since it is not a good influence on the students. if you wish to ask for my resignation because of this, i will do so. however, i'd like to take a leave of absence first instead of stepping down so suddenly since it would be difficult for the students to lose their homeroom teacher like this.." i said, avoiding the real question.

"geez, you're chatty. miss park, did you not understand the question? i'm asking you if the rumor is true or not." kyung-soo's mom asked me.

i looked at her intently.

"ma'am, is it important whether the rumor is true or not?" i bravely asked.

"what?!"

"didn't you say you came because you were worried about what the students are learning? if so, then i'd like it if we could keep on the focus on the matter at hand." i said.

"you've got some nerve! a-are you telling me to mind my own business?! you heard her, didn't you, principal kang? how can i have peace of mind knowing that woman is my son's teacher?!" she shouted angrily, standing up from her seat.

"ma'am, please calm down.." the principal said.

"if his father, the ceo, finds out about this, what do you think will happen?! do you know how much dae-sung corp is donating to this school?! if i requested that the board of directors held a meeting...!" she added.

i sighed. i just want this to be over.

the office door suddenly opened, and i turned to look who was entering.

huh?

and both of us are making eye-contact.

jeon jungkook?!

"ch-chairman jeon?! what an unexpected surprise!" the principal was obviously shocked too, running towards jungkook.

"oh, chairman jeon! i'd like to introduce myself. i'm.." but before kyung-soo's mom could finish her sentence, jungkook asked.

"principal kang, it sounds like there's a discussion about calling the board of directors to a meeting. is something going on?"

kyung-soo's mom stood awkwardly.

"ah, well..you see..why don't we sit first?!" the principal laughed.

but then, this jeon jungkook steps towards me and asked, "are you feeling all right?" putting his hand over my shoulder.

everyone here looked dumbfounded.

"w-what?" i asked.

"you said you weren't feeling well today." jungkook said.

"what are you d-"

"just play along." jungkook suddenly whispered to me.

i looked at him weirdly.

"secretary park, it seems like this woman here wants to call a board of directors meeting. can you adjust my schedule?" jungkook asked jimin, eyeing kyung-soo's mom.

i looked at jimin tapping something on his tablet and said, "you're booked solid until the end of may, sir."

"right? it'll be difficult to adjust it any further, right?"

jungkook suddenly clasped and squeezed my hand and he added, "especially since our wedding is in april. it was hard enough already for mr. park to adjust my schedule to accommodate the wedding."

my eyes snapped open.

"a-a wedding, chairman jeon?" the principal asked.

everyone here just as dumbfounded as me.

"ah, it seems chaeyoung hasn't told anyone yet. i asked her if she should just come out with it now since there's a strange rumor going around the school. but she didn't want to because she thought it might make the other teachers uncomfortable if they knew she'd be marrying me." jungkook said while looking at me lovingly.

he pulled me towards the couch and we sat down side by side.

what's going on?

"she's thoughtful like that." jungkook added.

"what? so you're saying...you..and miss park...the two of you...?" even the principal is out of words.

"yes, chaeyoung even wanted to keep the marriage a secret if she could. she finds teaching students to be fulfilling, so she was worried that marrying me would negatively affect her work life at school." jungkook told them.

"negatively affect? of course not! we would love nothing more if the woman who was to become your wife wanted to remain on staff at the school!" the principal laughed nervously.

"haha, is that so? although...it's unfortunate that the preposterous rumor ruined our plans. on top of it all, she seems to have been stressed out yesterday and today because of the rumor." jungkook seriously said.

the principal looked so nervous.

"uh..uh..w-well..y-you're right! i was planning on having this incident investigated to find out who spread such a nasty rumor!" principal kang quickly said.

"is that so? there's no need to go that fa-"

"no, we must get to the bottom of this! i'll make sure we find the person who is behind the rumor and make sure they never do something like this again!"

"since you're so adamant about this, principal kang, i'm sure you must do what you feel is right. since this is your purview, i trust that you'll take care of it."

"of course, chairman jeon! just leave it to me!"

"also..i'd like to hear why this woman wants to call a board of directors meeting." jungkook asked kyung-soo's mom who was sitting beside the principal.

she just listened silently, never lift her head the moment jungkook entered this office.

"ah, well, you see.." kyung-soo's mom stuttered.

"i hope you weren't trying to call a meeting because of chaeyoung? i wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but your voice was carrying well. i thought i heard something about dae-sung corp.."

jungkook turned his head to look at jimin, asking for further information.

"ah, it's the company that dae-han electronics contracted back in february. worth 70 million dollars, it's in the power transformer field." jimin said.

"ah, ah, that's enough. we're not at the office right now. but those contract terms are usually set for one year, correct?" jungkook asked again.

"yes, for the most part." jimin nodded his head.

i looked at kyung-soo's mom's pale face.

"is that so?"

but she suddenly stood up from her seat and made ninety degree bow.

"i'm sorry, miss park! i only listened to what my son had to say and it seems it has created this misunderstanding. please forgive me!" she said.

"ah, no.." i was about to talk when jungkook interrupted.

"chaeyoung, are you sure? your feeling haven't been hurt? you must've been embarrassed to stand in front of your students." said jungkook while cupping my face.

"what? no? i'm quite all right.." what is he even doing right now?

"i'm terribly sorry. i was just worried about my son's schooling. i acted rashly without thinking. i'd like to extend my deepest apologies." kyung-soo's mom added, still doing her ninety degree bow.

"as long as chaeyoung is fine, i'm fine as well." jungkook told her.

"it's truly fine, ma'am. please lift your head." i said guiltily. i just want this to be over.

"thank you.."

"then i'll assume there isn't anything else to discuss." jungkook stood up and held my hand.

"principal kang, i'd like to take her with me right now, unless there's something else?" jungkook asked the principal.

i stood up beside him, hand in hand.

"it's probably a bit much for her to teach her afternoon classes today, and i'd like to talk to her." jungkook added.

"ah, yes. of course. miss park, these past two days must've been upsetting for you. you should take the rest of the day off and i'll see you tomorrow." the principal said.

ah, well, i..

"then i'll leave the rest to you, principal kang."

"yes, chairman jeon."

with that the conversation ended and both of us leave the principal's office.

-

the silence between me and jungkook are really killing me right now.

there are a huge gap between me and him at the back seat of his car.

he just looked outside all the time. where was jeon jungkook inside the office earlier?

"how did you find out and come to the school?" i asked him, breaking the silence.

"i got a call from ji-hyo." he said, still not looking to my direction.

ah, i told her it was all right. but i guess she still feels bad.

"i didn't think she'd call you. i know you're busy. i'm sorry to have taken up your time. ah, i should've said this first..thank you for helping me. but a lie like that will get found out easily."

"no, it won't..because we'll be getting married in april."

i instantly looked at him.

what?