With long strides and a brisk pace, Jennifer walked toward the principal's office, while Harwan and Salman followed two or three steps behind.
However, the three of them stopped in front of the teachers' lounge when they saw Jennifer's father and Louis, who appeared to be greeting the teachers. Without hesitation, she walked in without even knocking.
Harwan and Salman exchanged glances behind her, both looking quite nervous.
"Jennifer... shouldn't you be—"
"Why are you here, Dad?" Jennifer interrupted. Her expression was visibly unfriendly. The sharp look she threw at Louis caused murmurs among the teachers in the room.
"Ah... maybe she's just nervous because I came without notifying her," Jennifer's father said, trying to ease the tension with an awkward smile.
It worked to a degree, as some of the teachers stopped whispering and turned their attention back to Jennifer, who still wore a deep frown and openly displayed her discontent with her father and Louis.
"Mr. Louis will be the new music teacher at our school. And..." one of the teachers glanced at Jennifer's father, who gave a slight nod, before continuing, "He'll also be the private tutor for our school's piano extracurricular program."
Jennifer scoffed at the last sentence.
"And just how great is he supposed to be?" she said, throwing a condescending look at Louis.
As Louis smiled, Harwan stepped forward and gently took Jennifer's arm. "Stop, honey, something's not right," he whispered.
"Relax," Jennifer whispered back, then returned her gaze to Louis. "We'll see how good he really is. I doubt this school would accept someone just because of a recommendation, right?"
She now looked around at the teachers as though searching for an ally.
Harwan quickly signaled Salman to help him pull Jennifer out of the room. Cold sweat formed on his face like someone deeply worried.
"Sorry about that. She ran out of meds," Harwan joked awkwardly before they finally left.
It wasn't hard for Harwan and Salman to drag Jennifer away, though they both instinctively leaned away from her when she began shouting.
"LET GO! LET GO OF ME!" Jennifer struggled, but lacked the strength to fight the two boys. Eventually, she surrendered as they reached the empty basketball court.
"Ugh... His interference is getting worse!" Jennifer complained the moment they let go. "I can't believe my dad had the nerve to bring that guy into school. A private music teacher? Who does he think he is? Is he really that talented—"
"Can you just sit down?" Harwan cut her off after taking a deep breath. He had been quietly listening to her rant while she paced back and forth.
Jennifer paused, then sat. She looked at Harwan with concern. "You're not mad?"
"Why should I be mad? If your dad doesn't approve of me, that's understandable. It's up to me to change his mind."
"Since when did you become so wise?"
Salman's jab earned him a tissue thrown by Jennifer, which landed squarely on his mouth. "You better keep quiet," she snapped, her eyes practically daring him to say more.
"What a hopeless couple," Salman muttered as he stood and ran, with Jennifer rising as if to chase him.
"Sigh..." Jennifer exhaled. "So, what are you going to do now?" she asked again, her eyes dull with worry.
But before Harwan could answer, the bell for the second period rang. The two of them walked back to class hand in hand.
Unlike when they had first started dating, no one batted an eye now at their public affection.
Except for Jennifer's father. His eyes bulged as he saw his daughter walking so affectionately with Harwan past him by the stairs.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Yup... Let him see. I'm sure he already knows everything anyway, probably through his spies."
"Spies?"
"Like paparazzi."
"Seriously?"
"I told you, don't bother trying to win over my dad. He's stubborn, selfish, and won't listen to anyone. Whatever he says goes. Simple."
"But that doesn't mean you had to act like that in front of everyone."
"If I didn't stand up to him, he'd think I'm weak and scared to challenge him," Jennifer replied. But this time, something was different.
Her words suggested she was ready to rebel to snap her father out of his ego. Yet, her tone and lowered head hinted at guilt.
"How about we take a trip to Bandung next weekend?"
"For what?"
"To relax. To escape from all this, even just for a while."
"You planning to drive? You don't even have a license."
"Don't worry, I'll handle that. Just say yes."
Jennifer stared suspiciously at Harwan's faint smile before finally nodding.
Their romantic moment ended on a sour note when they spotted Louis suddenly standing in front of their classroom.
"This guy again..."
Before Jennifer could charge forward, Harwan grabbed her arm. She turned to see him shaking his head gently.
"Ignore him," Harwan said.
Jennifer seemed to be struggling to contain her anger, but she closed her eyes briefly and exhaled. Then she took Harwan's hand.
"Alright, if that's how you want it."
"Good. Just pretend he's a lamppost," Harwan joked.
They walked slowly toward Louis, who was blocking the classroom entrance and surrounded by a growing group of female students.
"Move!" Jennifer snapped, annoyed by the girls blocking the way.
"Stop acting like children," Louis suddenly said.
Harwan and Jennifer turned around, fully aware he was talking to them.
"Excuse me?" Jennifer's expression changed instantly to one of disgust.
"Come on. You know this relationship won't last. What future can this guy offer you? Nothing. He's just a kid. And you're foolish enough to—"
Louis's words were cut short when Harwan suddenly punched him hard in the face. Several boys rushed in to restrain Harwan as he showed signs of going in for a second hit.