Sira made his way to the new headmaster's office with a letter from his father.
Upon reaching the said office, he took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Come in," came the quick reply.
Sira entered the room that was once his father's office when he was headmaster of Julius College.
On the wall was a giant piece of art work his father had painted himself.
Standing before it with admiration was the new headmaster.
Dr Sutisan was studying it's intricate design and workmanship, he did not turn away until Sira came towards him.
He looked up and survey his visitor.
"Good morning, Headmaster," Sira began softly.
"Good morning, Mr Sira."
"I have a letter from my father for you, Sir."
A smile flickered over Dr Sutisan's mouth in acknowledgement as he took the letter from Sira.
"You make it sound like it's top secret."
Sira maintained a straight face in response to his remark.
"I see that you do not find my humor amusing, but thanks all the same."
Sira turned to leave.
"Please stay for a moment."
Sira turned around as Dr Sutisan regarded him with an indulgent eye before inquiring.
"Why did you become a teacher?"
"Teaching is my vocation. I am a teacher, first, last and always," Sira answers simply.
"Expect to see changes at Julius College and changes are usually for the better. But one cannot changes overnight."
Sira listened as Dr Sutisan continues.
"I will need the school's support together with the confidence of the teachers to make these changes happen."
"But you cannot give me your confidence unless you know me."
"That's correct," Sira acknowledged.
"So then we will have to get to know each other don't we? Which is a hard task because there is so many of you...."
After school and with his heart beating usually high, Wiwat arrives at the Central Embassy mall for his appointment with Arnon.
He had expected to find Arnon waiting, but there was no sight of him.
Wiwat paraded the less crowded mall looking around.
He walked past luxury brands, restaurants and cafes.
And still no sign of Arnon.
Wiwat went to the top floor where there was a large bookstore, he went inside and perused through the many books to kill time.
After an hour passed Wiwat grew angry.
Another hour passed and by this time Wiwat became wretched and indignant.
Coming out the mall, Wiwat hailed a taxi home.
While in the back seat of the taxi, Wiwat decided to end all interactions with Arnon.
He felt wounded and wrong because Arnon did not show up for their appointment.
He took out his phone and sent this message to Arnon.
"It was brazen of me to seek your company in the way that I have done. I will plead with you to forgive and forget me."
After pressing send Wiwat passed the rest of the journey home in wretched silence.
Harit came home and found his wife in the kitchen making dinner.
He placed his briefcase and a couple of envelopes on the countertop.
Soraya brought him a glass of iced water.
"What are these?"
She points to the the envelopes.
"Bank statements and an invitation."
"An invitation?"
Soraya looked through the pile and fished out the invitation.
She opened it and gasped.
"This is an invite to the most premier gala event of the season."
"What event is that?"
"It's an annual dinner dance hosted by the governor of Bangkok."
"I am sure everyone rich, exciting and famous will be there. "I think we should be there."
"I don't know. I have never been interested in those kinds of events," Harit tells his wife.
Wiwat arrives and and greets his parents.
"You were supposed to clean the family room this morning."
"I will do it after changing," Wiwat tells his mother.
"Hurry up dinner will be ready soon."
Wiwat nods before leaving to go up to his room.
After their son had left the kitchen, Soraya turned to Harit.
"Did you notice it?"
"Notice what?" Harit was genuinely confused.
"Wiwat looks a little disappointed."
"He does?"
Soraya nods.
"I wonder what happened today?"
All the teachers were invited to a brunch hosted by Dr Sutisan.
It was a type of brunch that came with champagne and a dress code.
Sira looked nervously around the private dining room for Tom as some of the teachers made a general movement towards the magnificently set buffet table
"I hope the brunch won't go on for too long," Net said while looking at his watch.
"Or else I won't be able to keep my date," he grumbled.
"You have a date?" Sira asked, smiling at Net's blushing cheeks.
"It's someone I met when I went to a chambers of commerce event and we arranged to go on a date," Net went on enthusiastically.
"We agreed to see each other tonight and I don't want to be late."
"Hopefully this brunch won't go on for too long," Sira said without much interest.
"I wonder if I could slip away? I don't think anyone would know I am not here."
Sira had his doubts.
"No one will but I am sure Dr Sutisan will notice your absence. Believe me."
"I think he would too," Net agrees.
"Are you still in need of moral support," Net looks at Sira as they headed to long elegant buffet table to get their food.
"No," Sira replies in small rueful voice, he saw Tom giving him a wink across the room.
Sira flashed him a propitiatory smile.
There was a soft shuffling of chairs at the table as they settled down with their plate of food.
Tom came over to their table.
"Hello, let me refill your glass," Tom Kisses the top of Sira's head as he reached for the empty champaign glass."
Dr Sutisan stood up and all eyes glanced at him.
Tom makes a menacing eye contact with him which he completely ignores.
Sira tightened his lips but does not look up as everyone had done.
Dr Sutisan rested his gaze wholly on Sira.
"This is a new situation for me but I am getting better acquainted day by day," Dr Sutisan begins.
"I will not prolong this speech. But I have observed everything. Julius has a great tradition behind it and I have much to applaud. But there are a couple of things I find deplorable."
A teacher asked: "What is it that you find deplorable?"
"Students have sleep deprivation because of heavy workloads," Dr Sutisan quickly answers.
"There is poor time management and disorganization with students struggling to keep up with study materials and assignments."
Dr Sutisan's attention flew across face of everyone present at the before resting disconcertingly on Sira once again.
"I have noticed a sense of elitistism among the students which fosters a sense of entitlement although some have argued it instills self confidence."
Tom brings Sira the refilled glass and stands behind his chair. He places his hands on Sira's shoulders.
Tom decides to put his point across.
"With respect headmaster, but I do not believe Julius College is as deplorable as you describe it."
Dr Sutisan quickly counters.
"Do you know how many students were expelled last year for alcohol and substance abuse?"
"No I don't," Tom returns coldly.
"20 students," Dr Sutisan answers confidently.
"What about the high profile employment tribunal two years ago involving a former teacher from this school who claimed he was asked to help famous politician's son to cheat during examinations?"
"That allegation was denied by the school," Tom interjected.
"Have you forgotten that later investigation proved other students were helped to cheat due t academic pressures?"
"All these things threatens the very reputation of this great school."
"Our task is to do all we can to make the reputation of this school above all reproach."
"Headmaster, I suspect you have already diagnosed the problems of this school to your satisfaction. So what do you suggest?"
"That's a good observation Mr Tom," Dr Sutisan smiles defiantly.
Through all of this Sira felt uncomfortable.
With Tom standing behind him, Sira had been placed in between their confrontation without his permission.
Sira also saw the suppressed grin on Net's face as Tom clashed with Dr Sutisan.
Did all of this have something to do with him?
Sira wonders.
"The first is to improve the relationship between teacher and student."
"The second is to reduce the workload on the students and then tach them effective time management skills."
"As educators we need to be vigilant to the behavioral misconduct or to issues a student may have so that the needed help may administered before the problem festers."
"We are entering into a new era. Times are changing so we must......."
Sira realized he had not heard a word of what was said.
Physically he was present but mentally absent.
Sira bit his lips when he head his name.
"I am sorry did you say something?"
"Were you not listening?" Dr Sutisan asked.
Sira looked around the room before speaking.
"I have a lot on my mind," he could feel the eyes all look in his direction.
"I would advise you put personal issues aside and focus your full attention here," Dr Sutisan regarded.
Sira remained calm and made sure his gaze do not waver.
A few questions were asked before the brunch came to a successful conclusion.
Net asked Sira in a lowered voice.
"What do you think of him?"
"Who do you mean?"
Sira pretended blankness.
"The new headmaster!" Net's tone was sarcastic.
"I think he is going to bring new changes to Julius College that's for sure," Sira answers blandly.
"I think you better watch out because he has set his sights on you," Net warns with a suppressed grin.
"What do you mean?" Sira asked as he cast a despairing glance at Dr Sutisan.
"I mean to say that he is not going to fall for your charms as other have done."
"I intend to keep out of his way," Sira resolved.
"That's a good idea. But Dr Sutisan is the type one cannot escape from if he decides it's you he wants," Net said with a wicked glint in his eye.
"We shall have see then," Sira was not fully convinced.
"Dr Sutisan, I suspect must be very dominant and passionate in the bedroom....if you know what I mean."
"You mean he has sex appeal?" Sira whispered so Tom would not hear them.
"Correct."
At Sira's home the the following evening, Tom arrives and brings a bouquet of white roses and a bottle of Whispering Angel for Sira.
The moonlight seemed to glint over the front garden and its trees.
They sat on a canopy swinging porch chair and talked.
"I like it when we spend time alone like this.," Tom said as he moved closer.
"I hope you are not upset by what happened earlier?"
"Let's just move forward. It was a little awkward but I am not upset," Sira explained.
Tom took Sira's hand.
"It's such a lovely evening."
Sira nodded with a relaxed smile as the cool felt like a caress against their skin.
"Did you hear that?" Tom suddenly asked.
Sira listened intently.
"I think it's the sound of a car engine," Tom adds.
"I don't hear anything," Sira turns to Tom.
"Maybe it's just my imagination," Tom relaxed into the cushion.
"I wonder if Dr Sutisan would fit in at Julius College," Tom went on musingly.
"I had the impression he would be older, like a contemporary of your father. What do you think of him?"
Sira frowned not wanting to discuss Dr Sutisan. Rather he placed his head against Tom''s shoulder.
"Let's talk about something else."
Sira realized their relationship has undergone a change during the past few weeks and he did not how he was going to cope with the new changes.
Tom reached into the breast pocket of his shirt and brought out a small velvet box.
"What is that?" Sira asked, yet desperately not wanting to know the answer.
Tom opened the box .
A platinum ring set entirely with diamonds gleamed up Sira.
"This is to show my commitment to us as a couple," Tom hesitated, then said quietly. "It's a promise from me you and our future together."
"I cannot marry you just yet...but in a year when I am financially sound and I can offer you security. I will ask for your hand."
"Until then I want you to wear this ring as a symbol of my love until I finalize everything."
"I do not know what to say," Sira paced.
"Why the need to rush things? Why don't we wait until a proper engagement is set."
Tom responded with a passionate kiss that sent Sira into confusion and even more desperation.
When Sira clumsily managed to break away from the surprisely strong kiss.
"I think we need to come down."
"But you know I am in love with you!" Tom exclaimed.
"That does not mean we should rush into things," Sira cried.
Tom's handsome face softened with agony which made Sira feel like he was betraying his love.
Sira spoke with a troubled voice.
"I am not trying to hurt you.....but I do not think we should rush into a commitment until everything is set."
"To me everything is set. But it seems that you are not sure of your feelings yet," Tom got up and returned the box back into his pocket.
"Tom....
Sira felt his heart bleed for Tom.
"You do not want to be with me isn't it?" Tom asked with his back to Sira.
Sira looked helplessly at his broad back.
"Please be patient. Try to understand that I need more time to be sure of my feelings."
Tom issues an ultimatum.
"I will give you three months to sort out your feelings. If by then you are still unsure, I will know that you never loved me."
Typical Tom blackmail. He had always been this way through their relationship when things did not go his way.
And there have been quarrels between them because Sira's own spirited pride that would not allow him to in without a fight.
Sira was still reluctant.
"If that's how you want it."
"You only have three months," Tom warned stubbornly before kissing Sira on the cheek.
As they walked to Tom's car, Sira felt bad for the way things had turned out.
Sira hugged him for a long moment as a pacifier for Tom's wounded feelings.
Tom got into the car and drove off.
After watching Tom leave, Sira turned and saw Dr Sutisan looking at him while sitting behind the wheel of his Porsche.
Had he been there the whole time? Had he seen and heard everything?
Dr Sutisan got out and approached Sira.
"Is your father home?" He asked.
"Yes, he is. Please follow me."
Sira led the way back into the house, his cheeks hot and scarlet as he felt Dr Sutisan's gaze burn into his back
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