3 days ago...

"What's the matter?" asked Clara to Kenneth who seemed so confused and having second thoughts about something. Kenneth took his place in front of the class. His classmates seemed perplexed as well, given how he had been acting since early in the morning.

"Don't worry, everyone," spoke Mr. Travis, leaning against the wall and boldly sliding his hands into his pockets, "Your darling, Kenneth, will explain to you."

By the time he was prepared on speaking what he was about to say, Kenneth cleared his throat first and stood up confidently in front of the class. It seemed like he was about to blow a speech.

"Yesterday, at exactly 10:37 pm, Doctor Michael called me as he was on his shift. He told me about Zeus being hospitalized, fighting over life and death. He stated that Zeus was stabbed twice in his abdomen."

His classmates were startled and silent after he delivered half of his speech. He began analyzing his classmates' emotions, and he was delighted that, despite their silence, they looked unconcerned about what they'd heard. Mr. Travis was also taking note of the atmosphere in the classroom---to observe the class. He then was no longer surprised by their expressions, despite the fact that he had anticipated them to be like this.

"...And when I arrived at the hospital, they told me that Mortal was the one who saved Zeus by stopping the hemorrhage. For the pros, there's no problem with blood loss. Cons, his insides were severely damaged," Kenneth continued calmly.

For several seconds while Kenneth was taking his place forward, the silence continued. The peace lasted almost one minute as none of them showed their emotions through noise or words. It really showed that these students were confused about whether what they heard is true or not.

Following the long silence, Ruben raised his right hand and said, "Question!" And as it broke the room's quietness, they all paid attention as to what might his question be.

"Yes, Ruben," acknowledged Kenneth.

"Why was he stabbed?"

And this is where the questions started to pile up. With the breaking of silence, students began to prepare their questions as they were inquisitive as well about the current matters.

"If you really want to know the answer, you can ask this person since he might know the reason as well," Kenneth pointed to Mr. Travis who's just observing the class while leaning against the wall.

"I'm sorry, everyone. But I have to ignore that question. I respect one's privacy, including all of you," their teacher said, bitterly smiling with a very apologetic face. For a softie teacher like him, he felt awful for not being able to answer them.

"Okay, whatever. Just shut up and stand there forever," Emily frowned.

Mr. Travis just smiled like how he used to do before.

"And..." Kenneth said, his own voice sounding groggy and on edge. "I will ask all of you to be respectful to this man starting from now on."

As they all listened to the odd request, they felt a deepening confusion and anger.

"Question!" raised Peter.

"Yes, Peter."

"And why's that?"

"Sigh. Zeus' mother's company had gone bankrupt. Zeus has been hospitalized, making it hard for his mother to pay the expenses. We all promised that we'd aid each other no matter what, but we can't do it this time since we're under the supervision of the government and of course, bankruptcy and hospital bills require money," Kenneth glanced and politely pointed at Mr. Travis by putting his left hand on his abdomen as a butler would do to his master, "And this guy swore to death that he'd take care of things his way."

Students then looked at Mr. Travis like he's a whole puzzle that cannot be answered. They started to doubt that this is not a prank nor something set up since Kenneth seemed to be so serious about this all.

"... And as students and Zeus's friends, we cannot do anything since we don't have exemplary connections towards rich people. This is the least we can do to help Zeus---to have that guy be part of us."

Murmurs then have started. "Really now? Are you joking?"

"Right, you're the one who said to not trust anyone especially to those non-students in this room."

"And now, we have to treat this man as our own now."

As the complaints uproared, one thing they all had in common was that they all blamed Kenneth for being a failure and disappointment to the class.

Even if they began to whine around, they couldn't turn their backs on Kenneth since they have no choice but to be as one in the class. Not a single soul outside the classroom will help them. The thing that they need now will be cooperation, trust, and friendship.

Shaking head, Kenneth leaned against the blackboard behind him. "Don't get confused. I know you're all mad but that man right there..." he then again pointed at Mr. Travis, "... respected us from the start. And I want everyone to respect him as well."

Students just couldn't accept it that easily. The decision of one is the decision of all, and they were fine with it from the very start since they hadn't met someone like Mr. Travis yet before. But now that their opinions didn't match because of this unwelcomed teacher, the one whom they have known as their leader has more power than them, making them leave no choice. It resulted in a biased decision in the end.

The way they treat their teacher has a nose-holding feel to it as if their brains were rotting fish and their thoughts were equally foul.

"Question!" Janice raised her hand. "What made you change your decision? You're our leader so we followed you. And now you just made up your mind like that? Because he respected us?"

The way Kenneth's classmates reacted was too predictable that he had to endure all of the complaints and blames thrown upon him. "Of course, it's my fault at first, I admit that. I solely apologize. But right now, I am declaring that all of us have to show respect to him, whether you like it or not. Don't worry, I won't force you to do as I say though. But the rules have changed. Mr. Travis will be one of us now."

All seemed to be quiet and listening to him.

"As for Zeus, when he wakes up, let's not mention anything about this in front of him. He might rush away and look for his mother when right now, he's supposed to be recovering."

• • • • •

Yesterday at 11:00 pm: The night of Zeus's surgery. On the ground floor beyond the exit of the elevator, there stood Kenneth and Mr. Travis after they both were told by the nurses to wait a bit while they apply the surgery to Zeus.

Kenneth frowned, "What now? Why are you still here?"

It's just the two of them in the hallway, perfect for a private conversation. "Oh, don't be like that, my dear. I am here because I am his teacher. It's my responsibility to visit my student."

When a nurse passed by the two of them, Kenneth started to feel awkward as the nurse looked at them suspiciously.

"Sigh. Then, you should go now. I'm here now so get lost," Kenneth spoke, his voice becoming calm and almost on edge.

"Oh, before I get lost, there's something I want to discuss with you."

As the nurse went her own way and vanished from their sight, Kenneth began to feel irritated. "Really? Are you listening to me or not?"

As for Mr. Travis, that smile and patience of his never disappeared. "Keep it down, dear. There are patients here," his voice remained as warm as early spring as if his heart beat so steadily. He simply said this was his way of doing things.

"I don't care! Just get lost!"

"But before that..." It seemed like Mr. Travis didn't listen, rather he continued blowing what he was about to say, "I just want to tell you that... the mother of Zeus..." And when he said those few words, Kenneth jolted and gulped. "...Her company got bankrupt two days ago and Zeus didn't know that because they don't usually communicate with each other... Soon, their company will go down and will be banned, making all of the employees lose their jobs."

"W-What did you say?" Kenneth took a step back.

"My dear, Kenneth. I know you already know about this. I just want to discuss something else with you."

Now that he couldn't flee, he decided to stay and heed what his teacher had to say next. After all, it was meant to be a closely guarded secret. So, in the end, he considered not resisting since he might know anything else other than this.

"Darling... I know this is a huge favor but can I be part of your class? In that way, I can help you with everything I have," Mr. Travis asked, his voice was low yet he was pleading.

"What if I don't?"

"Then I can't help Zeus and his mother... and all of you. I want connections and permissions to all of my clients, including my students. The government won't allow me to make my own moves in the class if I don't have your consent yet."

When it all struck onto Kenneth's mind, all of those words, he was having second thoughts. "Can you just stop bugging us?"

"All right, dear. I know you guys can't handle this at once when all of you got personal problems to look at as well. Let me help. Let me know when you've finally made your decision."

After Mr. Travis was done stating his message, he took a step back and started to advance towards the entrance elevator, preparing to enter when the elevator opens up. Before it all happened, Kenneth wanted to approve the deal, yet he wanted to be convinced more so he asked, "What can I get in return?"

And before Mr. Travis laid a foot forward, he grinned more and stopped his way from advancing, and he thought, "I knew you'd say that, dear." It's as if all of this was planned. He predicted that Kenneth would want to be convinced.

He then turned and smiled at Kenneth, "I will give you 20 million cash, dear."

From the very start, Kenneth felt like there was something wrong with Mr. Travis that he couldn't help but be mad at him. And now that he's promised 20 million, Kenneth is even more dubious of his teacher. "What the---are you serious?" Even if he wanted that sum amount of money, he still wanted to be convinced.

"Yes, I am. If you want to get your 20 million, I will transfer it to your account right away after you make the announcement. You want to become a lawyer, right? Then let me help you, all of you."

Mr. Travis had already known his students' accounts. The school allowed every teacher to take charge of the accounts. The purpose of monitoring their accounts was to take the data and report it to the office every day. If the teachers went their way beyond the line, the government will never penalize them.

It's much disturbing--- going across the line and not getting punishments. The school's so majestic, yet they will meddle with everyone's privacy, which is not considered appropriate.

Yet Mr. Travis was different, the authorities have no idea that this teacher won't say anything regarding their accounts, and will never share any data with the superiors. Mr. Travis knew the protocols beyond protocols and law beyond the law. In the end, he decided not to at least go beyond this matter and respect his students' privacy.

"What the heck? Now, you're bringing that up." Being a lawyer was his dream ever since he was still young. He'd be even more pleased when he got the chance to get that money.

"Oh, my bad. So deal?" Mr. Travis was excited to hear Kenneth's affirmation.

"I'll think about it. But in the meantime, don't you dare take charge of the class without my approval. I'll let you know if I've already decided."

"Understood, dear."