CHAPTER FOUR: An Unexpected Conversation
604 Words
CHAPTER FOUR: An Unexpected Conversation
Monday.
7:18 A.M.
Victoria arrived in Room 304 as she always did—early.
She took her usual seat by the window and began reviewing her notes before class.
A few minutes later, someone placed a paper bag on her desk.
"Good morning."
She looked up.
Joseph.
"Morning."
He sat beside her and slid the paper bag closer.
"I brought pandesal."
Victoria frowned slightly.
"...Why?"
Joseph shrugged.
"My mom always says breakfast tastes better when it's shared."
She looked at him for a few seconds before smiling.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
It was comfortable.
Joseph noticed the thick book on her desk.
**The Revised Penal Code.**
He raised an eyebrow.
"I thought Accountancy students mostly carried accounting books."
Victoria looked at the book and smiled.
"I do."
"So why the Penal Code?"
"Our Business Law professor recommended that we read selected provisions. It helps us understand legal principles and real-life cases."
Joseph nodded.
"That explains your answer during our Ethics class."
"You remembered?"
"It was hard to forget."
Victoria closed her book.
"What about you? Do you actually enjoy Criminal Law, or are you just surviving it?"
Joseph laughed.
"I love it."
"What makes you love it?"
He thought for a moment.
"When I was younger, I used to think being a police officer was just about catching criminals."
"And now?"
"Now I realize it's more complicated."
Victoria listened attentively.
"The law isn't just about punishment," Joseph continued.
"It's about protecting people."
"It's about making sure justice reaches those who can't fight for themselves."
Victoria nodded slowly.
"I think that's why I like law too."
Joseph looked at her.
"Really?"
She smiled.
"I don't want to become a lawyer."
"I want to become a CPA."
"But understanding the law helps us protect businesses, clients, and even ordinary people."
She paused.
"In the end..."
"...we're both studying different professions for the same reason."
Joseph tilted his head.
"And what's that?"
"To help people."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Joseph couldn't explain it.
But hearing those words from Victoria made him realize she wasn't just intelligent.
She genuinely believed in what she was studying.
And that made her even more admirable.
Just then, Professor Santos entered the room.
"Good morning, class!"
The students greeted her in unison.
"I have an announcement."
The room fell silent.
"For your midterm requirement, you'll be working in pairs."
Groans filled the classroom.
Professor Santos smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry."
"I'll be assigning your partners."
She looked down at her class list.
"Victoria Rian Nicolas..."
Victoria looked up.
"...Joseph Hernandez."
The room buzzed with whispers.
"The accountancy girl and the varsity captain?"
"That should be interesting."
Joseph glanced at Victoria.
She met his gaze.
Neither complained.
Neither celebrated.
Professor Santos continued.
"Your task is simple."
"I want each pair to analyze a real ethical issue involving business and law."
"You'll present your findings in two weeks."
As the class ended, Joseph gathered his notebook.
"So..."
He smiled.
"I guess we're teammates now."
Victoria returned the smile.
"I suppose we are."
She extended her hand.
"Nice to officially meet you, partner."
Joseph shook it gently.
"Looking forward to working with you."
Neither of them noticed Professor Santos watching from the front of the room.
She smiled to herself.
"Sometimes," she whispered, "the best partnerships are the ones students never expect."
Outside the classroom, the morning sun bathed the campus in golden light.
For everyone else, it was just another Monday.
For Victoria and Joseph...
It was the day two strangers finally began becoming friends.
- Writer
