Chapter 452: His Sudden Resignation
Ruediger put down his phone before reaching for Lariette’s arm. He glanced at her screen, where Nora’s message was displayed. The content was simple, but enough to surprise anyone who knew Mr. Eastwood.
"Wanna call your colleague to ask more?" Ruediger asked lowly, "It’s better than just texting."
Lariette nodded, grasping her phone tighter, "You’re right. I wonder how she knew. Wait, I haven’t checked our group chat."
Lariette immediately opened the school group chat. She had just realized the latest message from Principal Smith fifteen minutes ago, informing the other teachers about Mr. Eastwood’s departure from their school.
Perhaps because it was still too early, or most were preoccupied with their break, only a few teachers responded to the announcement. Nora was among them.
"Principal Smith didn’t explain why Mr. Eastwood left," Lariette told Ruediger, her eyes gazing on the screen, afraid that she would miss any message, "I’ll still call Nora."
Lariette glanced at the tiny digital clock on the phone screen. Their boarding time would be in another half an hour. It should be enough for a quick check with Nora.
Without leaving the couch, Lariette tapped on Nora’s number. The call was connected before the third ring. Her gaze shifted to Ruediger by her side while greeting her colleague before cutting to the chase.
"Nora, it’s me. Mr. Eastwood quits, really? The principal didn’t say why."
"Lari!" Nora’s voice rose, "I knew even before the announcement. Actually... I saw him at school yesterday."
According to Nora, she learned about Mr. Eastwood’s resignation by accident. She went to school yesterday to get some items she had forgotten before their break.
Nora chanced upon Principal Smith and Mr. Eastwood having a meeting. The two men, especially the one in question, didn’t really hide anything about the shocking topic.
Even though neither Principal Smith nor Mr. Eastwood warned Nora not to spread the news, she kept it quiet. She immediately texted Lariette once the principal dropped the announcement. After all, all three of them were in the same faculty.
"Mr. Eastwood told me it’d be our last meeting," Nora exhaled a sigh, seemingly unable to believe the news despite being its bearer, "Well... He didn’t tell why he resigned. He also rejected the principal’s offer to hold a farewell party."
The crease on Lariette’s forehead deepened as she listened to Nora. She suppressed a sigh, thinking the senior teacher’s departure was indeed because of an emergency.
Mr. Eastwood was a relatively private person. Even though the news came as a surprise, Lariette thought it wasn’t weird that he didn’t share the reason. Not everything had to be revealed.
"I’m going back to Velondia. At the airport now," Lariette cast a look around the lounge, finding only a few seats were occupied, "I’m not sure, but I might check on him once I’m back."
"Sure! Tell me if you know anything. Ah, only if he allows it," Nora reminded. She still remembered that Mr. Eastwood had just moved into the same apartment as Lariette.
"Alright. I’ll keep you updated. Let’s see how it goes."
After ending the call, Lariette finally sighed while slumping on Ruediger. He outstretched an arm, resting it across her back before pulling her even closer.
"Let’s see. Maybe he’s home," he traced a circle on her shoulder with his thumb, voice soothing, "He’s been here only for a term, right?"
She hummed. As she tilted her chin up, she looked at him, "Yes. Mr. Eastwood replaced a teacher. He joined us after the previous summer break."
Within a few months, the senior teacher had already tendered his resignation. None of them, except for the principal, knew the real reason.
Eventually, the surprise receded as Lariette and Ruediger were busy with boarding. As they were on the flight, more chats popped up in the group chat, but none of them came from the man of the hour himself.
When they arrived at the apartment a few hours later, Lariette and Ruediger went to Mr. Eastwood’s unit, but it was empty. As they thought he might still be in his hometown or somewhere else, they returned to their own unit.
The pair was resting on the couch after dinner when, finally, Mr. Eastwood made an appearance in the group chat.
Lariette immediately noticed it as she was scrolling through her phone. By this time, tens to over a hundred messages had flooded the group chat.
[Mr. Eastwood: I’m sorry for being late. My connection’s weak in this area. I know this comes as a surprise. Thank you for being good colleagues for the past few months. I’ll cherish my time at Blossom Phoenix Middle School]
After the general message, Mr. Eastwood responded to a few other previous texts. One of them was sent by Lariette when she asked if he was already at the apartment. He simply replied that he was still out of the city.
Lariette tossed her phone aside as she huddled with Ruediger, voice drowsy, "It’s clear he won’t tell why. Well, it’s fine. Should I get him a farewell gift?"
Mr. Eastwood’s actions implied that he wouldn’t disclose the reason for his resignation, thus Lariette wouldn’t probe deeper. Still, she wondered whether she should get him something as a token of appreciation.
"Maybe your principal has an idea," Ruediger brought up Principal Smith, "Is it common for the school to give one to the departing teacher? We can get him another one as his neighbors."
"Hmm, that sounds nice. Let’s think what to give him later."
Mr. Eastwood hadn’t been in this city for too long, but Lariette had worked together enough with him. She didn’t think that he would move away again, but the possibility still existed.
A yawn escaped Lariette’s mouth. Her eyes glistened as drowsiness hit her. Ruediger’s soft, amused chuckles rang above her before he slipped one arm under her knees while the other supported her back.
"It’s bedtime, my love."
"Hmm..."
The hallway lights were sprinkled on Ruediger’s back as he carried Lariette to the bedroom. Silence filled the apartment as the night went on.