Clutching a stack of documents, I hurried down the stairs. Nearly seven in the morning and I hadn't even made it to the school gates yet. Being on morning duty to welcome students meant the senior teachers would have their eyes on me all day if I showed up even a minute late.
"I-Tim."
I recognized that voice instantly. Turning just enough to catch a glimpse of his face, I ignored him and quickened my pace.
"Why didn't you stop when I called you?" he demanded.
"I'm in a hurry. We'll talk later," I said breathlessly, without slowing down. I hadn't gone far when a tall figure reached out and gripped my arm.
"Hey!"
The moment his skin touched mine, a jolt shot through my entire body. Memories of last night came flooding back in a relentless wave—his hands here, there... I remembered every single detail. Damn it.
"When I call you, you stop. Don't be rude," he commanded.
"I told you, I'm in a hurry. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I'm on gate duty this morning," I replied, refusing to look at him. Why would I? I wasn't ready to face him yet.
"Look me in the eye when you speak to me. Didn't your family teach you to maintain eye contact with your elders?"
He said it like an order, clearly expecting me to be intimidated. Not a chance. You want eye contact? Fine.
The moment I snapped my head up, my nose nearly collided with his cheek as he leaned down toward me. Of course it did—he stood at a towering 184 centimeters, while I was a very Thai-standard 163. How did I know his exact height? Like I told you—he used to be my crush.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Stop it, you idiot. Why are you pounding so hard? Why am I shaking like this? I really couldn't understand myself.
"Wasn't last night enough talking for you?" Jao Phat teased, strolling out of the dining room with that annoying, knowing grin. Don't tell me those brats actually heard us last night…
At the sound of his son's voice, the damn minister finally let go of my arm, instantly slipping back into his usual stiff, composed act. Tch.
"I was going to tell the two of them to go to school with you."
"You have a family car. Let them take that. I'm in a hurry, and besides, I don't want people at school getting the wrong idea."
I laid out my reasons, but those two didn't listen at all. They marched straight to my car and waited by the door, completely ignoring my protests.
"Do your duty as their stepmother," he said firmly, leaving me no room for an argument.