13 PART 13 ~ A CUP OF COFFEE FOR A PAINTING TEACHER

Briel walked cheerfully toward Jenny. She took Jenny's hand.

"Eh, Briel. How? Has your job been handed over to Mr. Gerald?" asked Jenny.

"Yeah, I'm so relieved. We don't have class today, do we?" asked Briel.

"Yeah, you're going home?" asked Jenny.

'Go home? Right, I don't have any activities anymore. But, do I have to go home so soon? I even just arrived. But I--"

Briel gasped when someone tapped her shoulder. Briel suddenly turned around, she saw the person who had just tapped her on the shoulder.

"What's the matter with you?--"

"Eh?" Briel gasped. Standing in front of her was her painting teacher.

"Mr. Gerald, there's a--"

"Oh, sir?" Briel was surprised when Gerald handed her the painting she had given him not too long ago.

"Take that, and keep your manners when talking to your Teacher! Don't leave while your teacher is still talking! Don't you know manners, ha?" Gerald looked at Briel sharply. He doesn't like people who are rude to him, especially if that person is a woman. Women should be cute, right? Then, why does Briel's attitude as a woman not look cute at all? Gerald thought.

Gerald turned around, he intended to leave Briel and Jenny.

"Wait, sir!" Gerald stopped in his tracks when Briel grabbed his arm.

"Are you a real man? If so, then women can become real women," said Briel.

Gerald frowned. Actually, what was one of his painting students saying? Why did Gerald suddenly become stupid? He couldn't understand the meaning of what Briel said. What does the painting's problem have to do with his male status? Of course, he's a real man. Why would Briel question that?

Gerald turned around, he looked at Briel while raising one eyebrow as if he was showing his confusion. He still didn't say anything.

"I never take back what I have given to others," said Briel as she handed her painting to Gerald.

Gerald was flabbergasted. Did Briel say that he was a man who begged Briel for something? Why talk to Briel as if Briel has made a donation but the person Briel wants to give refuses to accept a donation from Briel.

Gerald gasped. It seemed he knew how to deal with a woman like Briel.

"And I'm a real man, I also don't accept the things that I have given to others!" said Gerald.

Briel was flabbergasted. She patted her forehead. She didn't expect Gerald to copy her words.

'But he didn't take the initiative,' murmured Briel.

"What do you mean?" asked Gerald after hearing Briel's mutter.

Briel covered her mouth. She was a little surprised that Gerald heard her mutter.

"Um... That's it, sir. You are the best painting teacher I have ever met. I'm sure you will still be generous in accepting my painting even if it's a bit late," said Briel, looking at Gerald expectantly.

Gerald averted his gaze. He covers his face.

'What the hell is this woman? ' thought Gerald.

Gerald took the painting of Briel that was in Briel's hand.

"Okay, but it's not that easy. You're still guilty, and must be punished!" said Gerald.

Briel nodded casually. She already knew, surely her teacher would tell her to run around the field in the painting school area.

"Okay, I'll--" "Make me coffee, make it in the school kitchen. Make it with your own hands, and--" Gerald hadn't finished speaking.

"I can't make coffee, you'll be poisoned if you drink mine," said Briel.

Gerald looked at Briel sharply.

"I'm not done talking yet!" Gerald was annoyed.

Briel was silent. She looked at Jenny, who was silent. All the painting students there were a little scared of Gerald, including Jenny.

"Make me some coffee, and take it to my room. If I can enjoy your coffee, then I'll consider appraising your painting! Otherwise, I'll throw your painting away!" said Gerald threateningly.

Briel was flabbergasted.

'What kind of bad luck did I get? He's overkill as a painting Teacher! ' thought Briel was annoyed.

"Okay," said Briel and pulled Jenny to her feet. Briel and Jenny left Gerald alone.

Gerald sighed. He rushed to his room.

*** Time elapsed.

Briel and Jenny arrived in front of Gerald's room.

"Want me to come with you, Briel?" Jenny asked.

"No need, just wait for me here," said Briel.

"All right. Be careful, Briel," Jenny said.

Briel laughed. Jenny said it was like Briel was about to face the grim reaper. Even though Briel only delivered coffee to Gerald's room.

Briel stepped into Gerald's room. She approached Gerald's desk and placed his coffee on the table.

"Thank you, and please leave my room!" said Gerald.

"Only that?" asked Briel.

Gerald, who had his back to Briel, then turned and looked at Briel.

"Then?" Gerald asked confused.

"Um... My painting--"

"Do you think you are a special student who will get grades first than your friends? Of course, you will wait with them!" said Gerald as he glared at Briel.

Instead of being afraid to see Gerald's gaze, Briel was surprised to see Gerald thinking about something else. What Briel meant was, what about the painting? Will Gerald accept her painting and will rate her painting?

"Why are you still here? Is there anything else you want to say?" asked Gerald.

"No, I'm sorry," said Briel and left the room.

Gerald picked up his coffee cup, started sipping it, and was immediately flabbergasted.

"So she wants to poison me?" thought Gerald.

Gerald coughed his throat hurt after taking a sip of coffee that should have a sweet and slightly bitter taste. However, what exactly is given to the coffee? Why does it feel like that? thought Gerald.

"She's outrageous! Can't she tell the difference between sugar and salt?" Gerald grumbled. He really couldn't stop thinking about this one disciple of his.

"She's princess, huh? You guys young person can't even make coffee!" Gerald grumbled.

*** Besides that.

Briel and Jenny entered a restaurant. They sat down together and immediately ordered food. Briel was hungry. When she went to painting school, she didn't have time for breakfast.

"Briel, are you okay?" Jenny asked.

"Yeah, why are you asking that? Do I look unwell?" asked Briel.

"No, I'm just confused. Why did Uncle Bram let you stay outside?" Jenny asked.

Briel was silent.

"Yesterday, when I contacted you about a painting assignment, I came to your house. However, the housekeeper there said that you no longer live at Uncle Bram's house. Where do you live? May I come?" Jenny said.

"Do not!" said Briel quickly.

"Why? Do you live with a man? With whom? Did you end up liked a man?" Jenny asked.

Briel was taken aback by Jenny's question.

'What does it mean? Did Jenny think I was lesbian all this time? Gosh, what's with our old friendship?' Briel thought in shock.