Chapter 3: Opening

After that Austin's not-so-complicate-but-long love story narrated by Cody, they invited me to hang out with them outside but I refused to come because I need to unpack my stuff. It is the perfect timing for me to do so since they are away. I also need to contact Mr. Alcantara.

After fixing my belongings, I first checked the dorm door to make sure that Cody and Austin are already gone and I also made sure that no one will try to eavesdrop through the door. After I've done checking, I immediately called Mr. Alcantara.

"Hi this is Aiden Kyle Alcantara, sorry but I am busy at the moment. Please leave a message. Thank you." I pouted my lip in frustration. He must have been really busy.

"Sir, I successfully made it here at the University. I will be sending the demographic report of the students for this semester. That would be all. Thank you. " I sigh after I said all those things.

I glanced at my family's picture on my phone's screen. Seeing the smile from my father, my mother and Ana reminds me of our happy memories together. It was once a perfect, whole and happy family. Things have changed since my mom left us. She died in a car accident. Our father is the only one who raised us since then. With that being said, I still feel the warmth of having a whole family because of Ana's and my father's overflowing love for each and one of us. I miss them. I miss my boyfriend and my officemates. I might be seeing Kyrus and Ana tomorrow since we are at the same University. Tomorrow's gonna be the orientation day for new students including the transferees like me. Maybe I’ll come with Cody and Austin because they’re the only ones I knew in this place. I should get in contact with them to gather some information needed in conducting the survey. The output of the said survey is the main reason why I am here in the first place. My target respondents range from a variety of individuals but will be focusing on a couple who will be the source of the vital pieces of information significant to our project. Luckily, after that, they may be our first ever client to participate in the project. That is included in my proposal assessed by Mr. Alcantara. And because he is one hell of a dim wit, he wants to take revenge for I humiliated him in front of his father, he wants me to suffer. He chose me to take up this challenge. Our team already had a list on how to gather information from thousands of individuals but Mr. Alcantara was an immature, childish, ignorant and lunatic boss, he would rather see other people suffer to satisfy himself. His attitude pulls him down from being professional.

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"Good day, dear students. This afternoon we will be witnessing the history of this University, I am Mrs. Josiphin Mantes, the Director of Boston University. We will be playing a short clip and I want each one of you, especially those new students including the transferees to focus and reflect on it. Please give a round of applause to our School's Media team, The Techdia." A lady in her 40's, wearing a peach dress, said. The first time I saw her, I can say that she's way younger than her age. Her flawless face and her perfect bob hair cut suit her personality.

The said video clip begins with a dramatic scene from the year 1980, the school was facing some issues and troubles that year, that is why the Board of Regents decided to appoint another Director to command the school but it looks like it nothing's changed. On the year 1985, the school's been facing the same issues. On 1989 the next Director elected had the majority of the votes both from the Board of Regents and the students of the University that time, he was excellent and did his job well, he solved all the issues and problems but he died nonetheless when he cannot handle another bunch of issues against the University. He died from stress, depression, and overfatigue. The following year, the University faced financial difficulties due to the lack of funds. The huge amount of debt was left by the late Director. All of the Board of Regents tried to resolve the losses but they did not know where to get stockholders that will be of great help in reviving the University. However, by the grace of the Almighty God, a new professor from an elite family volunteered to be the acting director by that time. She was known to be a strict, bold minded, rugged, a monster when it comes to dealing with stubborn students but she's indeed an intelligent professor.

She is one of the top Directors all over the Philippines. Boston University has won a lot of awards because of its excellence, passion, mission, and goal. All of that was part of her oath she took during her teenage years. Well, this coming month, she will be receiving an award from PAHS (Philippine Association of Honorable Schools) as the First Female Director of the entire Universities here in the country.

The whole history of the University is still fresh in my mind even though I've only been here for 5 years starting from grade 1 up until grade 5. I never had the chance to graduate here because we've been financially challenged since my dad is the only one who makes a living to sustain our family. He could not afford my tuition fee here, so he decided to have me transferred to another school where he doesn’t need to pay the fees, in short, he transferred me to a public school. To this day, I still remember the whole history.

After watching the video clip, there was a dance performance by the University cheerleaders. I was watching when suddenly I felt someone is staring at me. It gives me chills. I don't have any idea who that person is. I looked up at the upper bench of the Auditorium then I saw my sister smiling in my direction. She waves her hands over me, I only smiled at her. It’s difficult if someone notices us. I cannot afford to blow my cover up this early.

In the middle of orientation, I felt the urge to use the restroom. I got up from my seat and walked straight ahead to the restrooms. However, before I got to enter the restroom, I bumped into a woman.

"Sorry Miss," I said and walked back to the restroom.

"Hey!" suddenly, the lady screamed. I turned my head to face her. What is her problem? I asked myself. I noticed her beautiful floral dress, it looks just like one of my favorite outfits when I am going on a date with Kyrus. I miss wearing that kind of dress. I am not checking her out, I am just appreciating the floral dress.

"Yes?" I asked as I snap back to reality.

"Where do you think you're going?" I raised my eyebrow in disbelief. I was here because I'm going to use the restroom. Can't she tell what's obvious? Duh!

She then pointed at the door, there I saw the signage of the female restroom.

“I….” I was about to talk when she cut me off, she raised her palm across my face. I realized that I was supposed to be acting like a man. The lady was looking at me suspiciously. I bit my lips at that moment. I had to think of an alibi.

"Oh, sorry I have eye problems. I'm sorry." I humbly said. That was close! I almost got myself caught! I hope she bit my excuse!

"It's fine, I think you should wear your eyeglasses next time." She uttered bitterly and turned her direction into the restroom. I turned around and walked for a little bit then entered the men’s restroom. I tried to peak a little to check if anyone is inside. Fortunately, there is no one here. I rushed into one of the toilet bowls. I gasped in relief when finally, I got to I pee.

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"Dude I can't believe it, I saw Camilla!" I was startled when I heard a man's voice coming out from one of the cubicles. I immediately put my pants on without making any noise. They might think that I was eavesdropping.

"She bumped to a guy in front of the lady's restroom" I remembered the scene a while ago when I was on my way here. 'That girl is Camilla? Well, Austin has an eye for beautiful women', I thought. She's beautiful, well dressed, a bit humble, and I can tell that she has a strong personality and a tough one. Maybe if I become close to her I might know her personality better.

"Dude, she's extremely hot." Another voice said.

"Indeed she is, I can't take off my eyes off her while we're in the Auditorium."

I tried to gasp for air for that very moment. I have to wait here for a little longer until these guys come out. Then, that will be the time I should get myself out as well. That way, nobody will notice me here.

Minutes passed and I guess those men were already done. Their voices are not yet familiar to me, so I better wait for them to leave the restroom before I get out of this cubicle. After another couple of minutes, I didn't hear any noise at all. This must be my time to sneak out from this cubicle and check if they are gone.

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I sighed deeply as I leave the restroom. I never see that moment coming and I never thought that this thing is damn difficult as I have imagined. I guess I should motivate myself more that I needed to do this for Ana and my father's future and I should be responsible enough for my work. I turned around, luckily, and no one is in the hallway. I decided to head back where the others are.

"Kai, where have you been?" I was startled when Cody showed in front of me.

"My God, Cody!" I shouted.