How did she end up sleeping here…?
His sharp gaze landed on the small figure curled up on the woven rattan bed, looking so comfortably asleep that she didn't even notice someone standing there watching. Not that it stirred any… other kind of interest just hunger for food.
Tod thought she had come for the usual reason: to ask for more time on debts, offering herself in some compromise like those scenes in dramas. Even so, here, Luk Tan was the only thing that made his heart race, feeling more thrilling than anyone else who had ever come close. But from what he'd seen, most people approached him only because of his money or his looks.
BANG!
The homeowner slammed his knee into the table, the sound making the small figure who had dozed off spring up, hair a mess, looking left and right before raising his head to meet the tall man already staring down at him.
"Sleeping here to pay off your lottery debt? No more credit this time, teacher."
"Uh… you… you're Tod? Why?" The slender fingers pointed at him, confused.
"Why? …Don't tell me you didn't know this is my house. Want to do it again? Sorry, I'm busy these days. Once I clear things up, we can talk about it." Even as he said that, the tall man approached and wiped the small one's face. The little teacher pushed back with his arms, glancing around nervously, afraid someone else in the house might see.
"You're talking nonsense… that day I just lost my temper a bit. I didn't mean anything by it," a quiet whisper meant for just the two of them.
"Oh really? Then why are you here, teacher? Not in your uniform… looks like an elementary kid."
"Stop looking at others like that with those lewd eyes… you… you're Teng's father, right?"
"…Why?"
"I need to talk with Teng's parents. I have to gather information about the kid since no one will speak. That's how I ended up at this house. I didn't know it was you… Is the kid's mother here? I want to talk to both of you together." The small teacher said exactly what he was thinking. Tod didn't refuse, which annoyed him a little. That night, he said there were no kids or spouse… or maybe he meant they weren't home?
"If you came to investigate, you'd know we have nothing to do with each other. How could you see us together?"
"Then… I'll talk to you first."
"Go ahead," Tod muttered, pacing around irritated while grabbing something to eat. He'd never had to handle a kid before—his parents always helped, and he knew that the kid's mother's side often skimmed money from his family under the guise of giving it to the kid.
"Normally, who takes care of Teng?" The little teacher followed the tall man as he scooped this and that onto a plate, unable to sit and have a proper conversation, even though this was important.
"I don't know. Just came back from abroad," the deep voice dismissed casually, before shoveling food into his mouth, oblivious to the glint of anger forming on the smaller man's face—one who loved kids, while the other seemed utterly indifferent.
"Since returning, have you ever seen your son?"
"I've been busy. Don't remember."
"Do you know how Teng sleeps, eats, or who looks after him?"
BANG! Tod slammed the table, glaring at the small figure with a hard stare, despising being cornered and interrogated.
"Hey! Who gave you the right to yell at your own creditor? Or do you think you can trade… anything with a creditor to clear all the debt? Dream on! "I'm not as nice as my mom!"
Luktan tilted his head, staring straight into Tod's furious eyes without a hint of fear. Everyone had their reasons, but not everyone thought the same way. The idea of using oneself to settle a debt had never crossed his mind. Their first encounter, their first night together, was just about desire and release with someone they liked. But this lottery boss, coming back to look down on others while being a terrible father himself, was enough to make anyone want to kick him!
"This is a separate matter between us. You can't mix it with your child's situation. I'm one person, but your child is not just anyone. You should take responsibility. Lukten has been neglected, growing up lacking warmth, and do you even realize that? Lukten is selling lottery tickets in the classroom. People taking him to and from school change constantly because nobody cares. Do you know how lonely he must feel, having to stay at my teacher's house so many times? Don't you feel even a shred of guilt? You… don't care at all. You're way too cruel!"
The words poured out, a furious lecture aimed at a selfish parent, a reminder that wealth and size didn't give someone the right to oppress others.
"Hey, teacher! Shut up! Lukten is under Mani's care. If you want to know why Lukten turned out this way, go ask her. We have nothing to do with this. We only messed around and she got pregnant. My side ended it back then, and our parents sorted it out. Do you know how much money my parents paid to settle that nonsense? Stop acting like you know everything!"
"'That nonsense'? Lukten is your child. If the other side isn't taking care of him properly, why don't you bring him back?"
"Why would I do that?!"
"Well…"
"Take the time you spend meddling in other people's business and go pay your debts!"
The shout thundered through the room as if trying to blow the smaller figure away.
Crash!
Tod kicked the table, pointing at the audacious teacher. But Luktan bit his lower lip and tilted his head, holding Tod's gaze defiantly.
The dark-hearted man raised his fist, as if ready to strike, but the little teacher didn't flinch, continuing to stare. Tod turned away and slammed a post with a deafening thud before storming out of the house, fuming.