Loving Imperfectly, Perfect

CHAPTER 1: The Day We Meet Again

Today is my first day in college, I am excited and at the same time nervous. Everything would be new to me. New environment, new faces and new lifestyle. My mom choose to enrolled me in one of the most prestigious university in the town. Skynard University, one of the top performing university. And students will be kicked out of school if they fail to get the cut-off average of 2.0 or 85% of their GPA. My mom keeps on telling me to be nice, friendly and be polite to the profs, I just smiled and nodded as a sign that I agreed to all of her reminders. For all this time, mom doesn’t fail to stand as both a mother and a father figure to me. I owe her everything and I can’t thank her enough for all her efforts. In 4 months, I will be turning 18 but it’s funny how she’s calling me baby. But I love it though. I will be leaving home and will start my college life here in a condo, it is just a few meters away from the university. I’ve been here for 3 days and I’m loving the atmosphere, I’m alone but I love the scenery. Every time I woke up early in the morning, I can see the sunrise and it was really amazing to witness a wonderful scenery of nature. It makes me longed for another day, sunrise reminds me of new hope. A new day full of hope.

“Gianna baby, I will be back home after I send you to school. Please call me from time to time. Give me an update baby, okay? Everything, I mean I know you can, I’m..”

I cut her off with a loud laugh. I can’t help but to laugh at her. She’s definitely in panic knowing that I'll be living here all by myself. I may came from a wealthy family but I didn’t rely to our helpers. I know how to take care of myself. I know how to cook, do my laundry and clean my place. My mom loves me so much but she taught me to do the basic things in order to survive. She spoils me with different luxurious things but she never forget to teach me how to be responsible for myself.

“Mommy, I’m not a baby anymore. I know how to take care of myself. Beside today’s my first day in college. Don’t worry about me mommy, I promise to give you an update from time to time. I promise to be always at my best just how you taught me. But thank you mommy because you’re always there. I love you.”

I gave her my most genuine smile as I opened the car's door. I am wearing my college uniform, I am taking Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Sciences. My relatives asked me why I choose to be a student teacher when in fact my parents has a huge business. I could have taken a course that my parents could benefit immediately after I graduate. Well, this is what I want and I consulted my mom and she’s okay with it. After all, it’s me who will worked hard for my future. I choose to take up Education for I believe that I will be able to use this as a tool to help those who were less fortunate children in the future. I wanted to build my own empire consisting of those less fortunate dreamer who’s dreams are bigger than their social status in life. I salute all professions but I choose to be a future teacher because I feel like this is my call. To teach and mold the children's life out there, away of my comfort zone. I wanted to explore the difference of life by starting it in the innocent life of children. I went back to reality when mom hugs me and kiss me on my forehead murmuring her reminders. I saw some women staring at me and somehow feeling disgusted by the way I’m being treated by my mom. But I ignore them and kiss my mom on her chick. Showing your love to your parents isn’t something that you should be disgusted because we won’t be here if it’s not because of them. They gave you the world and so they deserve the world in return. I waved my hand to my mom as she drives away. I was about to turn my back when I bumped to someone.

“ You have eyes, what's the use of it?”

Ohh, this man. He's familiar, did I got to meet him before? Maybe. But ohh, he's as cold as stone. I look directly into his eyes and damn, we have the same color. A blue one, like an ocean.

And wow, those perfect pointed nose, have I seen someone as perfect as he is before? I think I haven't. Wow, the lips he has the cutest lips ever. Seems like his using a lip tint, hahaha. Should I ask what brand he's using? I am busy examining his feature when he snap his hands making me feel a bit nervous. So I look down and saw his envelope on the ground. As a polite freshmen student, I pick it up and gave it to this cold stone man.

“ I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bump on you.”

I hand him his envelope and I started walking away. I heard the women gasping, probably these students are in higher years. They’re looking at me like I made a terrible mistake. I wonder what’s going on. I walk straight to find my room for my first class. I am 20 minutes earlier so I have plenty of time to find my room. First class, Ethics section A. I found my room and it’s still close so I stand just beside the door. I am busy appreciating the beauty of the surroundings, the different faces of students walking gracefully and chatting with their classmates probably. I didn’t noticed the time until the man I bumped earlier is approaching towards me. I try to smile at him as a pleasant greetings but he did ignore me. Wow, is this really college life? He’s arrogant, I can really tell. If he’s my classmate, I’m sure we can’t be friends. Judging by how he ignores me. Wow, so students do open the door in the college classroom? I wonder why he had the key. When the door opens, I check my wrist watch and in 5 minutes the class will start. So I never hesitate to get in and choose to sit in front. I hate sitting at the back because I often get distracted. I still remember Aemii, my best friend in high school that she loves to sit at the back so she can chat with our classmates while the class is going on. Well, that’s not new in high school because that’s always the trend. Copying your classmate's work, sharing your answers during quiz and chatting while your teacher is lecturing even sharing the new lip tint you purchase and perfume you’ve got. But high school memories are the best. I didn’t noticed that I was smiling while remembering my school friend, I miss them I hope they’re doing fine. Aemii doesn’t enrolled here. She was sad because she told me that her parents can’t afford the tuition here and she’s not smart enough to be able to thrive in this university. So she choose to enroll in other university that is a little bit cheaper. But we’re always communicating. The student with a blonde hair sits beside me. He’s smiling at me so I smiled back at him.

“Hi, I’m Kyle Smurfete. You can call me Kyle, how about you?”

He’s bubbly and friendly, so I extended my hands and give him a fist bump.

“I’m Gianna delos Reyes, nice to meet you. What course are you taking?"

"BS Psychology, how about you?"

"Nice, I'm taking BS Education, this is my minor subject."

He laughed and settled himself beside me. But one thing I noticed, the man I bumped earlier was starring at me. Oh my, he’s creepy. I mean why is he sitting in the professor's chair? And starring at me? Is he a dangerous man? I saw him smirk, damn he’s hot but hotter in that way though. But I think I already meet him, maybe if I did it would be in my past life. But if I got to meet him in my past life then maybe I'm not virgin anymore, hahahhaha. I gently slap my face, the heck, why am I thinking this way. Gianna, you’re a virgin woman, you started college virgin, you’ll graduate college virgin. Note that Ciandre Gianna delos Reyes! I am scolding myself when the man in front of us speak. Oh damn, don’t tell me he will be our prof. Holly God, he’s older than us? But why does he look so young? Really Gianna? You’re busy thinking that man? I heard my inner self asking me so I blink several times to eliminate this dirty thoughts.

“I'm Skynard Young, I will be your professor in this subject for the entire semester. I hope you won’t get bored with my presence. And I expect you to do your best. When I asked, don’t answer in chorus. When I called specific name, don’t interrupt. This is an Ethics class, and I hope you know the proper etiquette. I’m not requiring you to introduce yourself in a creative way just how other professors did. I want to remember your name because you had me admire you, in any way. May it be through your excellence or your manner. Understood?

Wow, he’s teaching Ethics right? How can someone be bored with his looks? I can literally stare at him for the rest of the day? Well, forget it Gianna. I didn’t answer to his question and I jumped a bit when he eyed on me. Why do I become nervous when those pair of eyes that we’re exactly the same as mine were eyed on me? I saw him rose his right thick and bell-shaped eyebrow. I can’t help but to admire his look.

“Ms. delos Reyes, right? Do you understand with the class rules?”

What? Wait, he knew my name? Is he referring to me?

“ Are you asking me sir, if you are, yes I do agree with the class rules.”

I stated in a monotone. I hate how I’m feeling at the moment. This is not me. I’ve never distracted by anyone just by standing in front of me. But why do I feel the exact opposite?

“Good, now does anyone has an idea what is Ethics?”

I didn’t hesitate to raise my hand. This is me, I always get teachers attention way back in high school by debating at them. Well, I read books a lot and I got so much information form it. And now, I’ll made you remember who I am by showcasing the real me.

“Yes, Ms. delos Reyes. And please be specific.”

“Ethics is a discipline dealing with what is good or bad and with moral duty or obligation, sir.”

“ Nice, but I want further explanation. You may take your sit Ms. I want another hand.”

Oh, he’s not satisfied with my answer? Well it’s okay, I can do better next time. He continues to ask for further explanation and I keep raising my hand but he never called me until we end our first session. My first day was nothing interesting, I just meet new friends, get to roam around the university and appreciate the atmosphere the campus. Now I understand why it being to one of the top performing university in the country. You can actually find everything you need and want in this campus. May it be in academic or in extracurricular aspect. I went home at 6 in the evening after my last period. I pass by in a street food vendors and I craved for it. I buy fish ball and siomai. I am eating on my to my condo and talking to my mom on a phone call. She’s eager to know how my day ended. And I happily shared everything to her. As usual, she’s proud and happy. I stopped talking to her when I arrived in the basement of the condo. I live on the seventh floor so I choose to take the stairs rather than the elevator. I consider it as an aerobic exercise. I only took elevators when I’m in a hurry or I feel like I’m too lazy to walk. I opened my door and I was surprised to see a man sitting on my couch. The heck, what does Mr. Skynard Young doing in my place? I blink several times to make sure that I’m not hallucinating.

“I’m here to check on you, I was sent by your mom.”

What? My mom? As far as I could remember, mom didn’t tell me about this, right? Looking at him confused, I didn’t bother to answer him, instead I called my mom to confirm this surprising remark from a man.

“Mom, is there something you want to tell me?

I heard her clear her throat, judging the way she act, I know this is true.

“Baby, I’m sorry. That’s you dad's order. I mean he called me earlier.”

“Mom, dad called you? But why he doesn’t called me? You know that I miss him right? Mom, tell me. He’s okay, right?”

How dad be so selfish to not let me hear a word from him for more than two years. Just the thought of him, it makes me want to cry. And why does mom doesn’t tell me anything about him. I turned off my phone without properly saying goodbye to mom. I almost forgot that there’s a man inside my unit. I only noticed him when he cleared his throat.

“ Eherm, don’t worry. I’m harmless. But would you care to wipe your lip first? I will be living here so feel free to do your things. I’m not after you by the way. And you’re out of my league, sorry to say that but I’m just being myself. You do your things and I'll do mine. We may live in the same roof, but we’re still a total stranger.”

I was left in awe of the words I just heard from him. I mean, my mom is paying all of these. How can he treat me like this? I’m not expecting him to treat me like a princess, but at least if he’s going to live here, he must be polite.

“ Thank you for a warm welcome, sir. That was so nice of you.”

I answered sarcastically then slammed the door and went directly to my bathroom to freshen up myself. I just can’t believe my mom. Is this some kind of arrange marriage? What? I’m not marrying anyone. And if I do, not him. He’s a total opposite of the man in my dream. The heck, arrange marriage were obsolete for heaven’s sake. And I don’t think mom would agree. If this is some kind of negotiation from my dad's businesses he’s merciless if he'll make me sacrifice just for his business. I am building hypotheses in my head when I heard a knock on my door. I never bother to answer it since I’m still inside the bathroom cleaning myself. When I finished doing my skincare routine, I just wear my usual nightdress. A spaghetti strap and a short. I went outside my room to prepare for my dinner, but to my surprise, Mister arrogant is at the dining table with lots of food in front of him. I wanted to eat immediately but I remember him telling me that he'll do his thing so I’ll do mine. That’s why I cooked for myself. I choose to cook some veggies even if it takes more time because I always prioritize my health. Nothing matters than being healthy. While preparing my food, I noticed him mercilessly attacking his food. As if he didn’t eat for a few days. What’s wrong with this man? He’s rude plus greedy, minus points. He’s just handsome but dear, he needs to undergo a seminar for proper etiquette in a dining area.

“ Am I that ugly? Nobody looks at me the way you do.”

Huh? He’s asking me about his look? Well, honestly I can stare at you for the rest of the day. You can be a subject for my painting. And I’m sure that I can sell those for a reasonable price. But I will never tell it to your face because I don’t want to boost your arrogance. For once, let me ruin your confidence, mister.

“ I don’t have the right to judge looks, but since you’re asking me. I want to be honest. Yeah, you’re exactly right. You’re not that pleasing as you thought.”

I saw him lock his gaze on me, I can feel the intensity of his gaze. Damn, am I in danger? Did I press the right button? ? God forbid me for all my sins if this is going to be my last day. I am cursing under my breath when he suddenly laughed so hard. Is he crazy? What’s wrong?

“ Your dad's right. But dear, do not ever insult me when you can’t take away your eyes on me. And please do not wear the same piece next time, you may out of my league, but your still a woman.”

He smirked and left the table just like that. I was left dumbfounded by his words. He made my blood boil in anger. He’s awakening the b***h in me that is still peacefully sleeping on its hive. Nobody ever treated me this way, and this man got to talk to me like that? I can't believe. That freaking handsome bastard whom I'll be living with, for I don't know how long. Well, if he'll behave then it would be okay but damn, I'm really in danger. He's hot as hell. But even if he's a breathtaking sight, I wonder what's your hidden agenda? Who are you, Mister Arrogant?