Chapter 2.B
The phone rang loudly, breaking the silence in the living room. Huu Thang, Ngoc My’s husband, picked up the phone, his voice clear and full of the enthusiasm of a successful man.
“Hello, is this Cuong? Long time no see. Are you free this weekend? Bring your wife and kids over for dinner. My wife has just cooked a few signature dishes, I guarantee you’ll love them.”
On the other end of the line, Minh Cuong, Thang’s long-time business partner, laughed heartily: “If that’s the case, then nothing would be better. My wife, Hue Lan, has just transferred to the high school here to teach literature. I heard she’s a colleague of your wife. It’s truly fate.”
“Really? Great! Then it’s decided. I’ll have Huy pick you up Saturday night.”
The call ended. Ngoc My was sitting on the sofa, flipping through a fashion magazine, looking up at her husband. Her eyes flashed with a complicated look. Another gathering. Another role. But she quickly hid it behind a gentle smile.
“Your friend?”
“Yes, Minh Cuong. His wife just transferred to my school. Did you know?”
“Oh, Ms. Hue Lan. I heard about her. She teaches Literature.” Ngoc My replied in a monotone voice.
Saturday night.
The black car slowly stopped in front of Huu Thang’s house. Minh Khoi sat in the back seat, his heart burning with anxiety. All week, the image of teacher Ngoc My kept lingering in his mind. The way she bent down to teach, revealing her white cleavage peeking out from under her shirt. Her pure yet seductive perfume. Her sweet voice. All of it drove him, a seventeen year old boy in his prime, crazy.
Today, coming to her house, a feeling of both excitement and guilt invaded Khoi. He would see her in a different form, a normal one, not the stern teacher on the podium.
The door opened. Huu Thang appeared with a big smile and patted Minh Cuong on the shoulder. “Come in, come in.”
And then, Khoi saw her.
Ngoc My stood behind her husband, smiling and welcoming the guests. Today she was not wearing a stiff office suit. Instead, she was wearing a soft black silk dress that hugged her perfect hourglass figure. Her long curly hair was loosely tied at the nape of her neck, revealing her white neck and round shoulders. She was beautiful in a gentle, graceful way, the beauty of a family woman, completely different from the somewhat aloof charm at school. Khoi’s heart skipped a beat.
“Hello, miss.” Khoi mumbled, his face red.
Ngoc My nodded slightly, her eyes quickly glanced at her student, not revealing any special emotions. “Hello.”
Mrs. Hue Lan, Khoi’s mother, a beautiful but somewhat sad woman, stepped forward and shook Ngoc My’s hand. “Hello, Ms. My, I’ve heard of you for a long time, and it’s my pleasure to meet you. I’m Hue Lan, I teach Literature.”
“Hello, nice to meet you.” Ngoc My replied, the perfect smile still on her lips.
The dinner was a happy affair, at least on the surface. Huu Thang and Minh Cuong talked about business, occasionally clinking glasses of rice. Mrs. Hue Lan and Ngoc My talked about schoolwork and students. Quang Huy, Ngoc My’s son, was also sitting there. He looked thin, pale, and quiet, just quietly eating his portion. Khoi only glanced at Huy once, his mind now filled with the image of his mother.
Khoi could barely swallow anything. His entire mind was focused on the woman in front of him. He observed her every move. The way she picked up food for her husband, the way she smiled when she heard a lame joke, the way her red lips gently sipped the wine. Every action exuded a deadly charm in his eyes. She was someone else’s wife. The thought was like a knife stabbing at his heart, both painful and sickly exciting.
“That’s my son Huy,” Huu Thang suddenly spoke up, pointing at his son, his voice full of pride. “He’s in the same class as your son, right? He keeps praising Ms. My for being a good teacher.”
An unintentional statement.
But for Minh Khoi, it was like a thunderbolt.
Time seemed to stop. The loud laughter around him suddenly disappeared, leaving only the ringing in his ears.
Miss My…
Uncle Thang’s wife…
Quang Huy’s mother…
Huy’s. Mother.
The quiet, pale student sat at the same table with him.
Khoi felt a wave of nausea rise in his throat. He stared from Ngoc My’s beautiful face, to Huu Thang’s smug smile, then stopped at Quang Huy. His entire world seemed to collapse. The goddess of his dreams, the object of his most lewd fantasies, was not only a teacher, she was also the mother of his classmate.
The “game” that he and Quang Huy were secretly planning, that strange psychological therapy, suddenly took on a completely different color. It was no longer a conquest of a strange teacher. It had become an invasion of a family, a disguised incest .
He felt Quang Huy’s eyes on him. A cold, probing gaze, like a scientist observing a white mouse in an experiment.
And then, he caught Ngoc My’s eyes.
She was also looking at him. In those beautiful eyes like autumn lakes, there was no surprise, no confusion. Only a terrifying stillness. A silent confirmation.
The sudden shock left Minh Khoi speechless. He let go of his chopsticks, the sound of the metal hitting the porcelain bowl made a loud “keng” sound, lost in the midst of the cheerful laughter. All eyes were momentarily focused on him.
“Hey, what’s wrong, son?” His mother, Hue Lan, asked worriedly, reaching out to touch her son’s forehead. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Minh Khoi was startled, quickly shook his head, and picked up the chopsticks. “No, I’m fine. Just… a little tired.”
Minh Cuong, his father, was in high spirits, his face red from alcohol, waving his hand dismissively. “A young man is not tired! He must have been playing games all night. Look, my son is only big but he is very negligent in his studies.”
Huu Thang laughed heartily and patted his friend on the shoulder. “All kids these days are like that. You’re just worrying too much. My son Huy is no better, he stays in his room all day.”
The two fathers’ words unintentionally added fuel to the fire. They, in their complacency as breadwinners, were completely unaware of the earthquake that was taking place in the hearts of their children and wives. To them, this was just a pleasant dinner, an occasion to strengthen friendship and discuss children in a dignified manner.
Minh Cuong turned to Ngoc My, his sincere eyes were that of a father who was truly worried about his son’s future. He had no idea that he was pushing his son into the very tiger’s den that he had just discovered with horror.
“Miss My,” Mr. Cuong lowered his voice, looking serious. “I’m telling you the truth, my family depends on you for everything. My son Khoi, he’s at home and no one can take care of him. You’re the homeroom teacher, and you’re also an expert, I hope you’ll keep an eye on him, and be a little strict. Just treat him like the youngest in the family and teach him.”
Ngoc My slowly put down her glass of wine. A slow, elegant gesture. She looked up, looking straight at Mr. Cuong, but a cold gaze passed over Minh Khoi who was looking down.
“Don’t worry, Cuong,” her voice was sweet and full of responsibility. “This is my duty. I consider all the students in my class as my own children. Khoi is a smart student, he just isn’t focused yet. I will find a way to help him improve.”
“That would be great!” Minh Cuong was delighted. “If you need extra tutoring after hours, just arrange it. My family will cover all expenses so you won’t be disadvantaged.”
The offer, to the two fathers, was a perfect solution. But to Minh Khoi, it was a signed sentence. He felt his chest being squeezed by an invisible hand. After-school tutoring. What did that mean? He would have to stay at school, alone, with her. In her office. Under her control. The prospect made him shudder in sick fantasies.
Khoi’s gaze then turned to Quang Huy. But the corner of his mouth, just for a moment, slightly lifted into an almost imperceptible smile. A smile of triumph.
“Then it’s agreed!” Huu Thang raised his glass and concluded. “Come on, 1, 2, 3, cheers! Cheers to our friendship and cheers to your future!”
Glasses clinked. Laughter broke out again. The party was as fun as ever.