Creating a scandal was underrated. The world needed to know the truth behind the standing of a well-known family. There's a value in hiding that can change the opinionated people's perspective.
At first, I was clueless about what I mentioned above meant. Nor if I have reliable facts that would support my claims. Coming with Mira was the best decision I had ever made in my life so far.
My rebellious image in our school maintained the gap to getting close to studious kids. Thus, a mere objective for not following my principle occurred in a restaurant.
The Chairman reserved a long table far from others. It had six chairs for the student council members, excluding him. Mira came in late. The rest was already discussing matters unknown to us. My distance from their table was great, I could say. I was facing my back with a hoodie on. And I could hear their chatter loud and clear.
"The next semester will start soon. It's the last term for graduating students. What are your plans?" inquired the Chairman. The student council president had to leave the academy this year, too.
His name was Somsak. A transfer student, the same age as me, and a genius. He's famous for his height and small face, portraying him as a Thai actor. This was why most of his votes came from the girls when he ran for the presidential position.
"There will be a student election after the final exams, Mr. Chairman. The adjustment has been decided."
A beep attracted their attention.
"Um, sorry. It's mine. I'll check it quick," said Mira. My phone on the table lit up.
Message
From: Mira
Don't bother me rn! It's about choosing Persia as the next pres.
Talk about the matter at hand. The father went silent. Hence, I texted Mira with regard to it. Carefully, I glanced at him and whipped my head off his sight after a second. He clenched his jaw as he drank his juice. His thoughts were in a wander.
"Mr. Chairman?" The vice president, Zihan, broke the ice by asking, "Will the news die out if we never bring up her name?"
"Do this for me. She's been a bad influence on my daughter since they met." My heart thumped. Who was he referring to? The Chairman excused himself when his phone rang. He was going to walk on the aisle next to mine; I moved my body slightly to the left. I was startled, and it was put to rest as Somsak called him, accompanying the old man with concerns he'd like to discuss. The guy met my eyes. He gestured to the Chairman on the way to the smoking area.
My heart pounded. Catching my breath as I panted and controlled the sudden surprise with a mix of fear. The warm breeze of the night swayed my hair east. A hand tapped my back, and it was Mira. We walked home.
"It's strange. Everyone can sense that," Mira uttered in the middle of the serenity. The loud drum from my heart beat faster once again. Somsak's face appeared in my mind. The moment he looked at me. He knew all along, and I itched to know what they were.
"Say, can you give me Somsak's contact?" Mira moved away, a little alarmed. I softly groaned. "He's not my type." She passed me her phone.
"There are rumors that Zihan is his girlfriend. You already have outstanding records in the tabloid. Wanna add it with stealing someone's boyfriend?" My finger lightly pressed the save button and messaged the guy.
"Stop the bull. Might be better if the gossip has to do with Persia."
The Student Government members had a hunch that the Chairman had to do with Persia's onset. Who would not discern the apparent fact after putting a lot of pressure on her?
With the way Chairman spoke to Persia, we witnessed the optimistic, soft, aggressive hope of meeting his expectations in its highest form. The 'I have no inch of doubt you can pull this off.' And the broad smile, voicing out, 'Not on your life, you've failed. This is what's best for you," in a buoyant tone.
I had heard those exact lines more than ten times. What more to those who have a position to take charge at school?
Going home was all I could do as the long day passed—the unsatisfying results of not obtaining enough leads to finding Persia's whereabouts. However, I'd start with the person who's always dining out with the Chairman, Somsak.
"Did you buy it?"
"Here." He took the paper bag full of cat food in exchange for disrupting his morning schedule for the meet-up. I worked out one of his today's tasks.
He lived in the nearest suburban, about a 30-minute bus ride from school. It's not that far but for someone with a strict rule on using his time. Somsak already carried his handbag and a casual shirt with school pants on.
I giggled—what a funny guy.
He shifted his gaze at me and his phone while chatting with others.
"Speak now. I didn't come here to chitchat with you." I sneered and leaned closer.
"Is it true? You're having a secret relationship with Zihan, huh, Mr. President?" He frowned. I stepped away, surrendering my hands. It's not good if I annoyed him. This kind of guy, which I hated the most, had no care in the world and had no connections with him.
Look at him, warily watching an old man passing by who's wearing rundown clothes and torn shoes.
"He lives on the street. I sometimes gave him dinner when we cooked extra."
"That's how you helped him? Report him to the local authority. His family will come."
Easy for him to say. I was aware of Somsak's basic information from Persia. Every time Persia lodged in our house. Sometimes I forced her to start a long conversation even without me asking a question. Although, there were moments she would say something about the people she's usually with.
Somsak visited the house of the Jacob Family sometimes. The Chairman admired him and treated him like a son. As for Somsak, who lived with his mother alone ever since he was born, he embraced the loving treatment of the Chairman.
So, how could he say the homeless man's family would come for him? If his father, himself, left them with no good cause?
"You're talking about the cabinet covered with curtains?"
"Yes. Didn't you say the Chairman has a soft spot for you?' I hoaxed him. He's proud that the school Chairman favored him. Somsak clicked his tongue; He was mad.
"Do I look like I'm a pushover? That you can fool me with a lame disposition?" I lowered my head.
"Why are you getting mad? I just thought you'd feel good about it." He moved closer to my face.
"He makes me sick. I wouldn't have saved you last night otherwise." My heart raced. A similar apprehension I felt when our eyes locked. All of what Persia said they were all wrong. And I took them without checking the person in question.