Last Night:An EarnPete Fanfic

42. Net Under the Wire

Pete

"So, what did the board decide on the issue?"

I was looking at Mr. Anuwpart. All the while I felt Earn's hand over mine. I looked at him and I felt anxious more than I already was, seeing how relaxed he looked at the moment. I was still stunned about his father asking me to call him por as well. The current situation wasnt really helping.

"This issue was made known to us just this morning and there was really no formal complaint so we're still deliberating on sanctions or any further actions to do regarding the matter."

The president was quick to answer.

"Excuse me? Sanctions?"

Earn's father looked too calm to be really calm, I thought. I mentally rolled my eyes. Why did I feel more anxious now that he's here than when I was actually alone earlier?

"Per say, Mr. Anuwpart. I mean, there are already too many comments on the students' portal about this issue. The board can't just let this issue slide without taking any actions or we might look bad from the outside. You understand that, don't you, sir?"

BM4 spoke with the same air of authority earlier. I saw Earn's father smiled at him and I just thought, the board room quickly morphed into a battle field.

"Correct me if I'm wrong about this or we could actually verify this since I have my lawyer here with me, but, this issue about my son here and one of your brilliant professors dating couldn't be that much right? I mean, there's no law prohibiting student and teacher dating, right? Why would they be potentially sanctioned for it?"

The president replied.

"Well, sir, you are correct, there's really no law about it but since it had blown up and became an issue at the whole university, we're trying to look into the matter and decide according to it's impact."

Earn's father nodded.

"Indeed. I'm with you on that, but, don't you think you're probing the wrong people and issue here? Those pictures that were maliciously released were from private moments of these two. They didn't do it lasciviously out in the open, it's very obvious that someone fron this university had ill intentions towards these two. Now, being they belong to your university, dont you think they deserve to be protected and have the culprit be caught so as for this matter to not happen again?"

Everyone in the room fell silent. Is Earn sure his father is a businessman and not a lawyer? He sure talked as if he's in court. Frankly enough, I never thought of everything he just said.

I looked at Earn who still had my hand under the table. He looked at me and smiled and gave me a reassuring squeeze in the hand.

"We're also considering that angle, Mr. Anuwpart, that's included in our agenda to deliberate. And you're right, if indeed the culprit resides in this university, he or she needs to be caught for this thing to never happen again."

The president explained.

"So when can we expect the result of this deliberation, then?"

Our dean spoke.

"As soon as we  gather all possible information we might need sir, then, we'll get to the deliberation as soon as possible."

BM1 followed.

"And so as to be fair and square, we suggest that the people involved file a leave from the university while the deliberation is on going."

"My son is graduating, what will be his fate then?"

BM2 answered.

"He needed not to worry sir, as long as he can submit all the requirements for his finals then, there's no reason why he can't graduate."

Earn's father smiled.

"That's what I was waiting to hear. I had been sending this guy to school since forever."

Nobody dared to laugh until the old Anuwpart did. I laughed myself, not because of what he said, but because of the situation. Earn might had thought the same for he was laughing while looking at me.

BM4 spoke after everybody had settled down.

"Although, we might need to ask Earn for a private interview maybe later?"

Earn and I looked at each other, then to his dad and at the board.

"What for?"

He asked.

"Just so we can have a record of your statment about this issue."

"What kind of statement? Ask me now, I've got nothing to hide. I'm dating Pete. We're both adult and consenting and we're not breaking any rules or hurting anybody. This issue blowing up this way is unfortunate but I'm not guilty of anything so does he."

I didn't mean to, but I smiled as I watched Earn talk to the board. I chose right. That very moment, I realized, either way, I won.

I was brought back from my reverie when Mr. Anuwpart stood up.

"I guess, that's it. We have to go. We've bothered so much of your time by barging in here. It's just that, I've been so used to being called to the disciplinary office because of my son, I guess, that I develop an attachment that eventhough I wasn't called yet, I submitted myself already. Anyhow, thank you for your time, president!"

Earn's father shook the hands of everybody in the room before he bid his goodbye.

"Do you still need these two? I was hoping I could have a late lunch with them, anyway, they're on leave right?"

The president regarded both Earn and I.

"Of course, sir! Go along you two! We'll just call you when we need you."

Earn smiled and waiid and didn't wait for me to bid my goodbye properly before he dragged me out the room.

We were at the lobby walking behind Earn's father and his attorney. I was till in shock with everything that had happened that I almost bumped into old Anuwpart when he abruptly stopped and faced us.

I hastily let go of Earn's hand holding mine but my jerk boyfriend didn't budge. I gingerly smiled at the director.

"So, Pete? What would you like to eat?"