Last Night:An EarnPete Fanfic

41. Defense

Pete

Eight out of 10 board members were inside the conference room staring at me. My college dean was also in the hall. I had been sitting in there for almost half an hour but nobody ever dared to talk to me.

I just sat there waiting for them to tell me I was fired. Not that I would accept it wholeheartedly, but I thought, it would be better than just be stared at.

Finally, I heard the Public Info officer cleared her throat.

"So, Pete, can you enlighten us about all of this? When did it start? I mean---you and this student, Earn?"

I looked around each one of them. Is it really necessary?!?!

"We're not trying to be nosy. We just wanted to know your side."

Our dean was quick to say.

That I got.

I cleared my throat.

"Well, we met, even before he enrolled here. We didn't mean to, but when he started studying here that was when we got closer. And----you know the rest."

Board Member number 1 (BM1) spoke.

"You know very well he's a student when you started dating?"

I nodded.

"But you still went with it?"

BM2 said matter of factly.

"Yes."

It was BM3.

"You didn't think that this kind of scandal would happen in the future?"

I  nodded.

"I did. That was why it took us some months before we officially dated."

I heard my dean spoke again.

"I know that you know, that there's no law out there that prohibits dating between student and teacher, Pete. I also know that you're smart enough to have considered this matter before jumping into it. Technically, we can't do anything about it. Only if---this scandal didn't go out there."

The dean raised one of the littered papers.

"You understand that we have to do something about it right?"

I acquiesced.

"Yes, professor. But to be frank, I really hope, that, that something doesn't include punishing Earn by not letting him
graduate."

I heard BM4 chuckled.

"I suggest you think of yourself first, Pete, before you get anxious over someone else who might not be as problematic about this scandal as you are."

I gave out a polite smile.

"Professor, with all due respect, I can care for anyone I would want to care for. The reason why we are all here is because I chose to be with this person you suggested for me not to, so that's a moot point really."

Everyone in the room gaped at me except BM4 who looked like he was about to launched himself at me.

"There! That's why you're in this mess because of that smart mouth of yours! Since he's too confident, I suggest we just fire him once and for all. I bet he can easily find a job for himself!"

He was glaring at his contemporaries on the board.

"Calm down, professor. We came here to solve this issue, not create another one."

BM5 suggested.

I had heard stories about BM 4 being slightly homophobic, so I wasn't really surprised with his hostility towards me.

"I'm sorry if this issue had caused us all these mess, I would take all the blame for it, given I'm at the superior position, just let Earn be."

Everybody, except BM4 seemed to be considering what I just said. Finally, I heard the president spoke.

"Pete, I personally and professionally have nothing against you, but while the board is still under deliberation about this issue, I'm sorry to inform that you might need to render your leave of absence just until we sort this thing out. As for Earn, it's something we would discuss with him."

I gave out a genuine smile towards the president. I wasn't really expecting him to be this understanding over this. I guessed, leave was better than fired.

I was about to say something when the door to the conference room opened. I looked back to see four people enter. The president's secretary was quick to approach the table.

"I'm sorry, sir, I tried to stop them, but they were adamant to enter."

Everybody in the room silenced.

The president was quick to nod and dismissed the secretary.

"It's okay, no need to worry, why don't you bring some refreshments for our visitors instead?"

The secretary nodded and made her way out. The president in turn smiled and faced the older guy which he extended his hand to for a handshake.

"Director Anuwpart, what a pleasure!"

I blinked at the older guy. That was when I happened to see and  realized, Earn was one of the four people who barged in the room.

He circled to where I was and sat beside me.

"Are you okay?"

He was quick to ask me.

"Who? Why? How----"

My question halted when I heard the man  spoke.

"I'm sorry for barging in, but, my son told me he's in trouble and needed some help, I can't just let him be, can I?"

My eyes widened at what I heard. I looked back and forth from Earn and the older guy. That was when I realized, they two looked alike.

I gaped at Earn.

"What did you do?"

My boyfriend gave me an awkward smile as he scratched his head.

"Sorry. I might have called for a back up."

I resigned. I didn't know whether to kiss or strangle Earn right there. But he looked so adorable at the moment that I decided to chug on the water in front of me and finished the bottle at one go instead.

I almost choked when the old Anuwpart regarded me.

"Pete?"

I stood up and faced him.

"Sir?"

His hard demeanor softened and smiled at me. He extended his hand which I gingerly took for a handshake.

"It's so nice to finally meet you. Call me Por!"