Love Business

"How's it looking so far?" Kim pats Seth on the shoulder. Seth casually points toward the entrance of Auditorium 3.

"We've got a small batch this year, as you can see," Seth says.

"...Which makes things easier, then." Kim smirks and joins Seth, standing next to him. Both keep their eyes glued to the entrance.

"The good news is, we've got a lot of beautiful freshies! Better than Econ, at least!" Seth exchanges glances with Kim, who is still scanning the crowd, proving his theory right.

Kim loves beautiful women, always rating them as potential targets. It's a natural habit for a notorious player like him. Everyone knows Kim for being a serial flirt, and Seth isn't much different, just a little less obvious. The two best friends are among the ten seniors handling orientation for this year's batch.

"We need to act fast. Time's ticking—we're graduating in less than a year, you know," Seth says.

"Oh, no need to remind me! I'm ready for some action!" Kim replies, and Seth nods in approval. "I asked Kitty to scope them out at the entrance. Just wait for her signal."

"Dude, you told Kitty your type? She'll blab to everyone for sure!" Seth groans, smacking his forehead in disbelief.

Kim just laughs. "Good! It's free advertising!"

"I can't believe you're still on the prowl. With your looks, money, and rep, you think you can just snag anyone?"

A voice interrupts them. A man in a sharp blue suit leans against the table, also eyeing the crowd.

"Give us a break, Ta. It's our last year. Let's make some good memories," Seth says.

Ta smirks. These two will never change—never. "You'll still be doing this after graduation, I bet. That's my prediction for you both." He points at them.

"Oho, is that a prediction or a curse?" Seth's comment makes the whole senior gang laugh.

"Oi… over there!" Seth taps Kim's shoulder. They watch a group of girls in short skirts and tight white shirts enter.

"Long legs, milky skin… this is heaven!" Seth leans back so far he almost falls out of his chair.

Kim's eyes scan the group but land on another girl walking in. She has a medium build, not too tall or short, and she stands out with her shaggy ponytail and minimal makeup. Her simple, effortless beauty catches his attention.

"Kim, which one do you like?" Seth nudges him but gets no response. Kim is too focused, like he's struck by lightning.

"Kim!" Seth slaps his thigh, snapping him out of it.

"Seth, I…" Kim's wide-eyed expression is all Seth needs to see. He cranes his neck, looking around.

"Which one?" Seth asks eagerly. Kim subtly points to the girl descending the stairs, chatting with her friend.

"Damn, she's short!" Seth comments.

"What do you mean? She's medium!" Kim shoots back, defensive.

"Are you sure you call that medium?" Seth scratches his head.

"Which girl are you even looking at, Seth?"

"The one with the long ponytail, right?"

"No, not her! The one next to her—her friend!"

Seth redirects his gaze to the girl Kim means, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

"Are you sure? She looks rough."

Kim smirks and pats Seth's shoulder. "You have no idea. Girls like her are gems, one of a kind."

Ta, who has been half-listening, now catches a glimpse of the girl they're talking about. She might look tough, but he knows the type—innocent and clueless. Easy prey.

He shakes his head slightly.

"Gather up!"

A boy takes the podium, glancing at the crowd. All eyes turn to him as the seniors stand together and face the freshmen.

"Welcome to the Faculty of Business Administration. I'm Bear, one of the ten seniors in charge of your orientation. From now until the end of this semester, you'll be under our guidance. At the end of the program, we'll have a ceremony to officially welcome you into the fold," the tall, tanned Bear announces.

"Now, let me introduce our Head Senior. Please welcome Senior Ta."

The auditorium fills with applause as Ta takes the stage.

"Thank you," Ta says, adjusting his stance. "I'm Ta. You'll address me and all seniors with the title 'Senior.' That's the first and most important rule," he says, scanning the freshmen.

"Psst, Pan…" Pan leans closer to Yara.

"They said ten seniors, but I only count nine…" Yara whispers.

"Maybe one's absent," Pan replies softly.

"There's always one that ruins the group…" sighs a voice next to them. Yara and Pan turn to see a boy sitting nearby.

"Hello…" Yara greets him.

"Hey! I'm Han," he extends his hand, and Yara shakes it gently.

"I'm Yara, and this is Pan," she introduces them.

"Hey," Pan gives a small wave.

"Are you living nearby or on campus?" Han asks.

"We have to stay in the dorms since we're freshmen," Yara replies.

"Ugh, I was hoping we could live off-campus!" Han groans.

"Are you from here?" Yara asks.

"My house is nearby. I could walk to class," Han says.

"Lucky! My parents are miles away," Yara sighs.

"Perks of being the Dean's son," Han smirks.

"Wait, your dad's the Dean?" Yara gasps.

"My mom, actually. She's the Dean of Econ. My other mom's a Senior Lecturer in Home Econ," Han explains.

"Your... other... mom?" Yara asks, puzzled. Pan chuckles softly.

"His dad's a cheater," Yara whispers to Pan.

"No, Han has two moms," Pan corrects her. Han nods.

"My dad passed away when I was 10. My mom met her partner later, and they've been together since," Han says, flashing a bunny-like smile.

"Can that really happen?" Yara's innocent question makes Han's face drop. Pan notices and quickly steps in.

"Sorry, Han. Yara's a bit… sheltered," Pan whispers. Han's lips curl into a smile.

"It's fine. I'm used to it."

"It must've been hard," Pan says softly.

Han meets her gaze. She's not just nice—she's understanding. He feels comfortable talking to her.

"At first, yeah. But my mom's happiness is what matters most," Han says.

"You're a good son," Pan smiles warmly.

"0818... 0818…"

"Pan! That's your ID!" Yara tugs Pan's shirt, making her jump. She raises her hand slowly.

Kim and Seth exchange amused looks. Kitty has already identified the girl Kim is eyeing—it's not hard, given that she's wearing dark blue slacks instead of a skirt.

Kim grins as he confirms her student number.

"Stand up, please," a senior calls out.

Pan stands, glancing nervously around. The seniors smile at her from afar, and her hands shake a little.

"What's your name?" a female senior asks.

"It's Pan, Senior," she replies quietly.

"We can't hear you, sweetheart…"

Pan's nerves worsen. Yara squeezes her hand gently, trying to calm her.

"My name is Pan, Senior. Pandora Phim—"

She stops herself, realizing—

"Why don't you come down here and tell us?" asked Kim shamelessly. Seth shoots a look at Kim, impressed by how bold he is this time.

Meanwhile, Pan, still shaken, slowly descends the stairs. She curses a bit when her eyes catch Seth and Kim who googling over her. She feels like a show dog, which she hate the most! Another reason why she refused to join the show business even though she got lots of offers.

Kim, on the other hand, smiles widely, watching Pan approaches the stage with flowery heart.

"Here comes the bride," Seth teases, nudging Kim with his elbow. Kim sheepishly smile at him, with his blushing cheek.

"Come on stage, don't be scared," Kitty encourages Pan. She, being a good senior leads Pan to the middle of the stage, instead of standing near to those players, she guides her to Ta directly.

"Why is she next to Ta? I'm here!" Kim mutters, frustrated.

"You're at the side of the stage. No one can see her from there, idiot!" Kitty snaps.

"Introduce yourself, freshie," Ta hands Pan the microphone.

"My name is Pandora Araya. You can call me Pan," she says softly.

"Nice name. Now, can I ask you something?" Kim suddenly cuts in, making Pan uncomfortable.

"Go ahead, Senior," she replies, trying to remain polite.

"When are you changing your name to Than?"

"Than?"

"Yeah, that's my last name…"

The crowd woos as Kim grins at Pan, who is left speechless and a bit creeped out.

"Don't mind him, he's a bit much," Seth says, dragging Kim away. Pan feels relieved with him at a distance.

"One more question, Pan," Kitty asks. She nods.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Pan flushes. That's personal! She glances at the crowd, nervously fidgeting her sweaty palm and bit her lower lips.

"Here I am!"

All heads turn as a man walks in, dressed like the other seniors. His sharp jawline and monolid eyes match his samurai-style haircut.

But when his eyes land on Pan, he freezes. His heart races, thumping so loud that he assumed, perhaps, the whole Auditorium 3 can hear it. His lips shaken, looking at the sight in front of him in disbelief.

So did Pan. Her facial expression drops as soon as those feet land onto the last flight of stairs. His voice that used to serenade her name echoes into her ears.

His hairstyle that remained unchanged, with his rugged style and sharpen feels familiar within her eyes.

Eyes that remain lock with his eyes.

"P… Pan?"

"Zee...?"