"What are you smiling about, Teach?"
Ever since she carried Dad's bag out to see him off, she hasn't been able to stop grinning. It got to the point where Jao Peem and I just exchanged confused looks.
"I am not smiling!" Her voice hit a pitch so high it could reach the clouds.
"Look, my dad is a dangerous man. If you let your guard down and fall for him, it never ends well. Trust me on this," I warned. I wasn't making this up; it was the cold, hard truth.
"And what is he really like? Your dad's personality, I mean."
"Is it that hard to tell? Cold-hearted, stubborn, and completely indifferent to other people's feelings. That's him in a nutshell."
"Whatever. It's not like I feel anything for him anyway."
"Oh, really!?" Jao Peem and I shouted in unison. As time goes by, it's becoming crystal clear—Ms. Kawinthida definitely has feelings for Dad!
"Anyway, do you guys have any plans with your friends in two weeks? On the weekend?"
"I don't know. You know we have more than just one subject, right? If we get hit with a group project, do you think we'd be shameless enough to just dump all the work on our friends? Besides, why do you assign so much homework, Teach? It's a literal headache," I said, acting all manly. "But why do you ask? Do you have a plan?"
"Your dad is taking me with him for work. I don't want to go alone, so I thought I'd invite you guys. If you're busy, it's fine. It's just Singapore—right nearby."
"I'm in," Jao Peem said, raising his hand.
"Hey! What if we have a group project?" I snapped at him.
"I'm not doing it. I'm going on vacation. You don't have to go, but I want to," Jao Peem said with his usual deadpan expression.
"And did Dad even give permission? You're just using us as 'cock-blockers,' aren't you? Why would you want us to ruin your honeymoon anyway? Seeing you two being all lovey-dovey makes me want to barf."
"You big-mouthed brat! Fine, if you don't want to go, I won't ask your dad for you. And you're right—I don't want to be alone with him. It's dangerous. Happy now?"
"Fine, fine. Just don't lose your heart to him. Don't say I didn't warn you when you end up crying a river, wet nurse."
"Why you...!" My teacher raised her fist at me before walking toward the car. "Get in! If you're slow, I'm not waiting, you hear!?"
Jao Peem and I have to follow our wet nurse around like lost puppies. It's only 6:30 AM. Back in the countryside, this was our usual wake-up time; there was no need to rush since traffic wasn't a nightmare like it is in the city. Everything here is so chaotic. To be honest, I'm still not used to life in the capital.
"Why don't you invite your sister to come along tomorrow?" Teacher suddenly asked. We weren't even halfway to school yet.
"Which sister?" I asked.
"Tongjai. She rides her motorbike in the sun every single day."
"Riding it every day won't kill her. Let her build some character. She shouldn't get too comfortable just because she lives in the house," I snapped. I don't like that girl. Period. She's got a history, but I don't feel like talking about it.
"Just admit you want to mess with her," Jao Peem chimed in.
"I don't want to mess with her! And why are you always taking her side?"
"I'm not taking sides. She hasn't done anything wrong. You're the only one who has a problem with her."
"The only one? She can't stand me either. Just looking at her face ruins my mood."
"Hold on, hold on. Tell me everything, sons. What's going on here?" my personal driver interrupted.
"Mind your business!" we both shouted in unison. You can probably guess the look on Teacher's face after that.
"Alright, alright! If you won't respect me as your 'mom,' at least respect me as your teacher!"
"Just drive," I said, ending the conversation. Dad's wife started muttering to herself under her breath. She was probably bored of arguing with me or maybe just gathering data for later.
"And I'm telling you now, Jao Peem—stay away from Tongjai. Do not get involved with her."
"Are you jealous?"
"Jealous of someone like Tongjai? She's just... Hey! What the—!"
Before I could finish my sentence, my head slammed into the front seat as our 'special' driver slammed on the brakes.
"Teacher! What was that for!?"
She didn't answer. She pulled the car over to the curb and jumped out. Jao Peem and I followed to see what was happening. There was some kind of accident up ahead. And what I saw was...