Bernard had already approved of his daughter's boyfriend since the start of the new year. At first, he still had a few doubts. But he managed to released them back into complete oblivion when she brought him home. Simon was an 18-year-old Korean student. He and Miranda officially became a couple in the first week of January. Now, in the middle of March, they shared their senior year with a positive attitude. They rarely dealt with dilemmas that could have tainted their relationship, and Bernard was grateful that his daughter didn't experience any hardships created by either her or her boyfriend.
Simon seemed innocent enough as a person. He was skinny and had short black hair that was reminiscent to the style popularized by mainstream celebrities in his home country. Furthermore, he did appear to be an attractive man, even adorable owing to his innocuous behavior. Bernard greatly admired him, and he always awaited the days when his daughter brought him home for their studies. They never managed delve deeper into their relationship, at least that was what Bernard had seen whenever he had been home.
Bernard never refused Simon's visits. He, just like Miranda, viewed Simon as a student worthy of recognition in their home. The forty-one-year-old man would never want Simon to feel unwelcome. As a matter of fact, Bernard would go even deeper than that. He wanted Simon to visit more often. Even more when his wife and daughter were not around. Bernard didn't know where this invisible spark came from. It just clicked in his thoughts back in February, and it became a common theme for when he wanted someone to be with. Bernard wanted Simon for himself. He wanted this young Korean man to offer a more intimate service. To accept a more submissive role for the breadwinner of the family. Bernard loved his wife, but he wanted someone else for company. And Simon would have fit the part almost flawlessly.
Bernard couldn't stop thinking about it. He yearned for his daughter's boyfriend. It could have been because of his harmless mannerisms, or even the hairstyle. But whatever the true reason would be, the temptation never ceased its expansion. Bernard needed the right time to make his move. But he didn't even know when it would be. Now, in the middle of March, he may have found it.
* * *
A mostly cloudy sky above the city of Monrovia still didn't change. The last days of winter included several rounds of rain drenching the entire state of California. Now, it seemed as if the storms would subside when spring would make its welcome return next week. At the moment, the weekday remained cool and tranquil. Since this was his day off, Bernard decided to spend the entire day at home. He stayed in his study room, sitting at his desk and listening to classical music on his stereo system. He had chosen Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 to keep a positive vibe. His wife had already left the house to visit her older sister for the rest of the day. Miranda and Simon were downstairs studying for an important test for science class. Bernard stayed quiet as he let the music soothe his mind. The orchestra and the solo piano never failed to keep him enlightened in the midst of his desperation.
He heard the front door open and close. A few moments later, his daughter showed up at the front entrance to the study room. Miranda told him that Simon had just left the house. She would also leave to visit her female classmates. She would be gone for a few hours, which meant that Bernard would be alone in the house. He didn't mind it at all. He told Miranda to stay safe before she exited the house as well. Bernard continued to listen to the Piano Concerto in silence. Simon's departure had disappointed him. He would have loved to have the twelfth-grader stay just a little longer.
The music ended, and Bernard turned off his stereo system. He went downstairs to grab a drink. But when he entered the kitchen, he noticed something on the granite countertop. A green-colored notebook lay in the corner. It didn't appear to belong to Miranda. Bernard checked by opening the notebook and flipping through the first few pages. He didn't recognize the handwriting. It could have only belonged to Simon. Bernard already suspected a mistake in Simon's part. The student must have forgotten to bring it home.
Bernard suddenly had a wild idea. He was under the impression that Simon would return to find his notebook. Bernard brought the notebook out of the kitchen and took it upstairs. He checked the time on his smartphone. It would most likely take a half-hour or less for Simon to realize his mistake.
And sure enough, the doorbell rang twenty minutes later. Bernard opened the front door and found Simon standing on the front porch.
The younger man smiled. "Hi, I think I forgot my notebook. I'd like to see if it's here."
Bernard asked, "Is it green?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Come right in. I think I found it."
He let Simon inside and said, "Follow me upstairs."
He led his daughter's boyfriend to the master bedroom, where he had placed green notebook on the nightstand.
He pointed at it. "Is that the one?"
Simon replied, "Yeah, that's the one."
He was so relieved to find it safe in this house.
Bernard picked it up off the nightstand. "What's this for?"
"It's for science. I need it for the big test tomorrow. Miranda and I are expecting to really ace it."
Bernard kept his eyes on the notebook. "This is really important to you, isn't it?"
Simon chuckled with amusement. "Of course, it is."
Bernard eyed him from top to bottom. He had already admired just how slim and handsome Simon really was.
"So you want this back?"
"Yes, please. I want it back."
Bernard set it back on the nightstand. "Alright, then. In order to take it back, you'll have to do something for me."
Simon grew a solemn expression on his face. "What would that be?"
"You want your notebook back? Give me a kiss."
Simon raised his eyebrows. "What?"
"Give me a kiss."
Simon's body began to shiver. "I don't know if I can do that."
"Yes, you can. This test is important to you. If you want to get a high grade, then earn it by taking your notebook back."
Simon appeared so shocked by Bernard's motives. He would have never expected someone like him to play this kind of dirty game.
