Chapter 2 – I Disagree, Sir.

Chapter 2 – I Disagree, Sir.

Kiara’s POV

I arrived at school a little bit late because of the difficulty in getting gin a public transportation since there are a lot who were entering their jobs and schools in the morning as well.

When I arrived at the University’s gymnasium, it was already filled with students who came from different courses and program but carries a business subject. Most students who are present right now are the business students, economics, math courses/program students, and engineering and architecture students since we also have to deal with how structural projects and business works, dealing with money yes.

The gymnasium was so noisy due to the girls’ squeals and cheers to the famous and young bachelor Mr. Phoenix Ramirez. Of course who would not want him? young, successful, rich, and… hot. Ehem. Do not ask me if I want him or not.

I walked pass the students and when I turned to the stage, the guests and speakers are already there, seated on their respective places. Da-mn I am really late already, not  just a bit.

Even with the distance I am at and to the stage, I could clearly see Mr. Phoenix Ramirez’ sharp jawline and deep eyes that looks like it is seducing anyone who would stare at it, pulling a person to its deepest flame of desire. Oh cut it, Kiara!

Hanes who was on the side of the podium waved at me and gesture me to hurry up, so I ran towards him.

“Where have you been?! Gad, Kiara you made me nervous!” Hanes uttered exaggeratedly. He is the president of the student council and well they had decided that we should be the masters of the ceremony. And he is quite nice and fun to be with. He spread his foldable fan and acted like stressed and fanned himself.

“Sorry, the traffic sucks.” I said and lowered down my bag to a wooden chair. I straightened the skirt of my dress since we are part of the event, we were required to dress semi-formally.

“Okay, in five minutes, we will start. Mr. Garces just arrived.” Hanes informed me so I took out my script from my bag and read it again. It is just few for us since this is a seminar so the guests and speakers will be the one who will talk a lot and discuss the lectures. We are just here to introduce and welcome them and to give ice breakers to the students when they get bored or something.

“Welcome everyone to our 35^th Towards Growth Seminar!” Hanes started and the whole gymnasium was filled with shouts, screams, and cheers, and some even drummed their plastic water bottles not eh benches and chairs. The loud noise resonated in the closed gymnasium as if the walls would even shake due to the sound vibrations. Good thing, the drums of the University band are not present right now or else it would be worse.

The guests, speakers, and faculty and staff of the school clapped their hands with a smile.

Actually, whenever there are seminars, students would just clap too to acknowledge the guests, but right now, due to the presence of the hot bachelor, everyone’s hormones probably went wild and they are now treating this seminar like a concert or a university intramurals.

I gripped the microphone tightly on my hand and said with a smile,

“Alright, alright! Calm down y’all, we know why y’all going wild right now.” And then the cheers grew louder, there were even screaming Mr. Phoenix’s name, well he is the main guest today and the other are just PhD professors in the university and other PhD holders from private companies. They are all here to share their knowledge and ideas, and they also going to stay in the University for 6 days to give lectures about their topic, and as for Mr. Phoenix Ramirez, he would be discussing the content of his own book that he authored, it is all about business, running a property, assets, how to successful manage your business, and other fundamental and technical.

People, this is a formal seminar and not a fangirling meet up!

“Anyway, that is just Mr. Phoenix Van Ramirez, people, chill.” I uttered these are all out of script since we have to calm down the audience first before we formally start. Then Hanes turned to me abruptly,

“JUST Mr. Phoenix Van Ramirez?!” he exclaimed in disbelief at how I call Mr. Ramirez as “JUST” as if he is not famous or I am belittling him. But that was never my intention.

I heard “boos and oohs” from the crowd and I just laughed because this could be a good start to awaken the minds of the audience. A little bit of entertainment, good thing Hanes was able to react in a way that can be amusing.

“Oh girl, come on, look at him, he is Mr. Phoenix Van Ramirez, one of the hottest and youngest bachelor in the city!” Hanes exclaimed, praising Mr. Ramirez and the faculty and staff along with the guests just laughed at it while the audience cheered again.

Hanes is a gay and he is really good in public communication/speaking, and his reactions are entertaining as well.

When I glanced at the guests, my eyes caught Mr. Ramirez looking at me with a look of disbelief and with an eyebrow raised. Well, probably he expected everyone to praise him and woo on him, well I admit he is like a greek god but hey, sometimes our amazement should be kept to ourselves.

“You should get a new prescription eyeglasses already Kiara.” Hanes said. Oh da-mn this b-tch he is going too far. The audience laughed at his remarked and I did as well since it was not really that serious.

“I probably should.” I agreed and then there was a minute of silence on us until the noise gradually toned down. And when we noticed that our microphone is now more dominant than the noise of the crowd, Hanes spoke.

“Alright, that must have awakened your minds and prepared your souls for another knowledge gathering. And oh, please do not sleep, Mr. Phoenix Van will be watching you all. You would not want to get caught drooling in your sleep right?” Hanes joked and we all laughed.

“No worries on that, our speakers topics and lectures for this seminar and on the following days are too interesting, and it would be so bad to miss it… Anyway, before we dive onto that, let us first introduce our guests and speakers for today. Kick it off, Hanes.” I said and the introduction of the guests and speakers and acknowledgement to the presence of the University officials and faculty and staff followed.

With every speaker presented, the audience clapped and the others chanted the names of the professors as well especially if the students know them.

~~~~

A few days ago, the seminar went smoothly and now, I am seated in a classroom and we are waiting for Mr. Ramirez to enter the class, this is already the third day of the speakers. This is like an extension of the seminar. I do not know how the University heads were able to convince this Phoenix Ramirez, coz if I am not wrong, he is a very busy person considering how huge his chains of hotels are.

During the past days, we managed to calm down and be professional in classes since we know that these guests are going out of their way and probably even cancelling important schedules just to teach us what we need to learn in life outside the school since we are already graduating students in a few months.

The discussion went on until the open forum cam where there are questions and answer for clarification about the topic or anything related to the course.

Some students went on asking question and totally agreeing with Mr. Ramirez’s answer. And some were even sharing their knowledge and then would ask to Mr. Ramirez if they were right or not. Ah, just getting attention, and impressing the bachelor huh?

As the question and answer went on, I noticed something that it did not quite sit well on me. There could be a better way and idea for it which could reduce the cost of the project.

I raised my hand, and everyone turned to me, especially my classmates since they know that I do not really recite in class, just when I have some question and those questions and insights I usually throw to some of our professors does not quite agreeable on them.

My classmates who know me well when I talk in class are probably wondering again what the heck bullish I am going to criticize or question. But hey this is just for clarification and expansion of knowledge, is it not?

“I disagree on that, Sir.” I uttered and I saw how Mr. Ramirez frowned at me, and I also heard some of my classmates sighed. Well, I always get in trouble for crossing professors sometimes though they really don’t expect it since I am usually quiet, unless I have to express my insights. And sometimes, due to my questioning of matters, or corrections on some exams, my classmates would hate me for it. Funny.

The student who asked him the particular question sat down and looked at me curiously.

“I’m sorry? You are Ms. Kiara Stones, right?” Mr. Ramirez uttered and I replied,

“Yes, Sir.”

“So, what were you saying?”

“I disagree on what you just said, Sir, and at that presentation.” I said and some of my classmates especially the class president, they literally face palmed themselves and others shook their head in disbelief, holding their forehead.

Mr. Ramirez raised an eyebrow at me, but I did not see any annoyance or offense on his part, but he was quite amused, probably for the first time there was someone who is not a “yes man” on him. People who only agrees and does not question further.

“Really? This is one of my hotels and it is successfully built and being managed very well ---………

*to be continued…