Chapter 150 - A Trip to School (4)

21 January, Dominic's School, City K.

Lexi, turned to Matthew and said "We need to head inside."

Matthew nodded, and following Lexi's lead the two of them left the milling group who were discussing what had just happened and headed towards the school's administration building to go to the principal's office.

Upon reaching the school's reception , firmly stated to the receptionist "I am Dominic Yao's mother Lexi Yao, and this is his step-father Matthew Rong. We urgently need to speak to the principal about a number of matters, including Dominic's behaviour."

"Miss Yao, you need to make an appointment for that, and the earliest we can give you an appointment is in three weeks," came the receptionists reply.

Given their discussions over the weekend, Matthew was fully aware of how Dominic's behaviour had been deteriorating over the last couple of weeks. He promptly said "Ma'am, my name is Colonel Matthew Rong. As my wife said I am Dominic's stepfather. We need to speak to the principal as a matter of urgency, about multiple issues, including Dominic's behaviour. Ask the principal if he can spare us fifteen minutes now, or I will have no option but to call my superiors or potentially the country's president who is a family friend and make this a matter of national security."

Hearing the words 'national security' the receptionist turned white. Those two words were the reason the school refused to allow children of military members to attend. From what she remembered Dominic Yao had been attending school here since pre-school, and his mother and uncles when they were children also attended the school.

But, it appeared that this Matthew Rong was only Dominic's step-father so maybe the issue was not as significant as it first seemed. However, rather than doing nothing, she stood up and headed into the principal's office for him to verbally tell her that he would refuse to see them.

As the receptionist left, Lexi turned to Matthew and said, "There was no need for that."

"Lexi, you know as well as I do, sometimes you need use the power you have to get a result. And to be realistic we both know what has happened with Dominic's behaviour the last couple of weeks cannot continue."

"True, but that does not mean that I like what you just did."

"If it helps Dominic, you do not even have to ask about throwing about my position, just do it."

Before Lexi could respond, a gentleman in late fifties or early sixties came out of the office and said "Colonel Rong, my receptionist relayed your message. We do not take kindly to parents threatening staff members, but I can spare you a few minutes of my time. If you follow me."

He turned and headed back into the office, with Matthew and Lexi heading in after him. Shutting the door behind them, Matthew carefully helped Lexi sit down, and waited until the principal sat down before sitting himself.

Matthew said "Sir, do not think I was buffing in my comments about there being potential national security reasons for our visit. It is the absolute truth as I hold a senior position at the local military base. You would know that the area south of us is an area where there are numerous issues that are frequently reported in the media. Plus, I understand you know what happened to Dominic a few months ago."

"We do Colonel and Mrs Rong. Dominic has been a different child since then."

Lexi added "This school has been the constant in Dominic's life, and taking him to a new school, which in addition to my brother's and I attending, Matthew and his brother Phillip…"

"Phillip, Phillip Rong as in the CEO of JL International?"

"Yes, that Phillip," quickly responded Matthew, observing the school principal's face. Shock, then a deep dread passed across his face. Matthew knew there was no way that the school would want to lose the money that JL International donated for scholarsh.i.p.s for less fortunate children, as it allowed the school to promote themselves as providing opportunities to less fortunate children.

Matthew continued "As we are both former students at this school we know what it can deliver for Dominic. My job lets me have access to significant scientific research material and I have spoken to a number of experts who have confirmed how important that is in something like education for a child who has been through what Dominic has."

"We," with that Matthew looked at Lexi, and turned back before continuing "want to ensure that for him. My position also means that I am aware of the issues south of here that could have a military implication. With that and what happened to him means we know the importance of ensuring that he has appropriate protection in place, for himself and the potential impacts on national security.

"My superiors have made it clear that for Dominic and the Schools protection we have to assign a guard to be on campus when he is here, but perform a security check on the school to identify potential issues. They instructed me to advise you and a redacted, non-secret copy of the report will be provided to the school. At the moment, Dominic's guard will be someone from the base, but they will rotate to minimise issues for you. However both my brother and my wife's brothers have started the process to arrange a civilian team for the longer term. But I can reassure you, that either group will only step in when there is a threat to Dominic, otherwise they will watch."

Lexi, squeezed Matthew's hand to indicate to him to stop. She then continued "I assume school policy as to children leaving the school grounds remains?"

"Yes Mrs Rong, a child is not allowed to leave the grounds unless accompanied by an a.d.u.l.t."

"Unless it is my husband or myself, we will notify the school each day who will be picking Dominic up. He is not to leave the grounds unless it is with us, or the people we will advise you that is collecting him."

"We have Dominic's form that lists the people to collect him. We will simply abide by that."

Lexi frustrated at the principal's attitude, worried that Richard's parents would simply turn up one day, when they were least expected and remove Dominic from school before trying to flee the country with him, responded "Well the situation has changed since that form was completed. If that is your attitude, I want a new form to complete."

"You know when those forms are signed they stand for the school year, and we will not bend policy for anyone…"

Matthew sensing Lexi was about to let loose, to keep things calm said "Sir, when my wife completed that form, we were not married. That alone justifies allowing her to at least amend the form to add my name to it…"

The principal knew he was backed into a corner responded, "That I have to concede…"

"Well then I will make the amendments I need," added Lexi.

Defeated the principal responded "Fine. But I want it clearly understood that it is only because of your families connection to the school and the scholarship funds provided by JL International that we are not immediately insisting on Dominic's removal from the school. School policy is absolute, but as Dominic is not the Colonel's son," Lexi slightly tensed knowing that if the truth about Dominic came out, he would immediately be removed from the school "We are able to say technically policy is not breached. But I want both of you to clearly understand, if there is any incident that impacts Dominic or the safety of any of the other students of the school that is connected in any way to you Colonel, Dominic will be required to leave the school with immediate effect. No warnings, and you will not be given time to enrol him in another school."

"Fine," spat out Lexi, frustrated at the attitude displayed by the principal.

After a slight pause, the principal continued "Mrs Rong, I know you are aware of the incident's involved Dominic and some other students the other day. Have you been able to talk to him about what happened?"

"I have. What he told me was that it all arose from conflicting views about my brother Chester's engagement to another man, and them telling him the relationship was unnatural. Given what Chester has done for him…"

"Dominic is sensitive to any criticism of him. His version differs to that of the other children, but when the changes in the marriage laws were announced two of the parents started a campaign to prevent children connected to same-s.e.x couples from being enrolled or continuing to be enrolled here, I would tend to believe his version in this case as some of the children involved are children of those parents. We will talk to all the parents, but every child involved has a warning about the unacceptability of their behaviour. There will not be a second chance. Can you make that clear to him?"

Lexi quickly responded "Yes."

Matthew added "There is one more thing we want to quickly raise …". With that the two of them explained what had happened in the carpark discussing the matter with the principal before leaving and heading their separate ways.

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