Love Business

Pan and Yara walk pass the long corridor after class. Both of them remain silent for a moment, exhausted after attending a full day classes. Plus, they have to attend the orientation gathering, too. So, the whole schedule is packed tight.

"The orientation will end next week. Then, we have to attend the official mentorship program before the binding ceremony..."

"What's with your sad tone? Don't tell me you already missing those seniors..." Pan subtly teasing Yara. The girl smucks. She rolls her eyes up.

"I like them, but miss them? That's never happen!" Yara swipes her hand left and right. Pan chuckles a bit before making a left turn, towards the cafe.

But, she probably engaging too much with the conversation, she almost collided with a person who comes out from the other direction.

"Watch out, Pan!" Yara grabs Pan's hand as fast as the lightning. She pulls her to the side, causing the person collides with her instead.

"We're sorry!" Pan shrieks. Yara falls into the deep embrace. The person holds her tight so she won't falls onto her knees.

"It's okay. It's my fault, too. I was occupied with my tab, but didn't see you're coming," the person helps Yara straighten up her body. As she looks up to thank the person, her face falls in shock.

"You!"

"You?!"

Both of them squeal. Eyes enlarge, staring at each other.

"Wait, I remember you. The basketball senior!" Pan finally notices the man.

"Now I remember your name. It's Pandora right? Yeah, it was a nice game indeed..." Aye Yi points his finger at Yara. "Who's she?"

Yara steps back, almost look like she wants to hide from the man.

"This is my friend, Yara..."

"Pan! How dare you introduce me without my consent!" Yara pinches Pan's forearm. She yelps in pain. The two starts bickering, while the man watches them attentively.

"Now I got your name... The last time we met, you refused to tell me," says Aye Yi with a smile on his face.

"It's not that important..." Pan glares at Yara. Her cheeks turns red all of a sudden. "You...two... Know each other?" Yara slowly asks Pan.

"Oh, it's a long story. This is Aye Yi, second year senior," Pan introduces Aye Yi to Yara.

"I don't wanna know..." Yara replies. Pan chuckles as she pats Yara's head a bit.

"Oh, you left your scrunchie at my..."

Even before Aye Yi can finished his sentences, Yara jumps at him and cups his mouth with her palm.

"Not here, you fool!"

Pan feels weird when she watches Aye Yi ans Yara wrestle a bit in front of her.

"Guys, is everything okay?" she asks them.

"Yeah! Actually... Actually... We attended the same high school!" Yara pretends to act friendly. Aye Yi refuses to play along with her, but with one nudge on his waist, he nods unwillingly.

"Pan..."

They halt a bit when suddenly Zee comes towards them. Yara lets Aye Yi go, fixing her hair before swats Aye Yi with a sharp glare, warning him not to expose her.

"Senior Zee..." Yara greets him politely. He nods before falls his sight at Pan.

"There's a changes in your mentorship program," says Zee.

"What do you mean?" Pan asks. Zee glares at Aye Yi. The man stares at him with a smile.

"The mentor for one of the group withdraw last minute. She was assigned to help the faculty with The Campus Freshies' project. So, the Dean decided to revamp the whole batch. And, for that you'll get a new mentor," says Zee.

"Who?" asks Pan.

Subtly, Zee glares at Aye Yi. The man nods in tiny.

"I'm the new mentor for your group. Hope we can strive together," says Aye Yi.

Pan watches Aye Yi, blinks her eyes in disbelief.

"Oh, Yara... You'll have to join them as well. Lauring has a new set of mentee. So, they put you in the same group as Pan," says Zee.

"No!" Yara suddenly shrieks, making Pan, Zee and Aye Yi startled.

"What's wrong, Yara? Do you have a problem with that?" asks Zee.

Yara stares at Pan with a sad face. She slowly shakes her head as she stomps her feet a bit.

Aye Yi nods and slowly smiles. Things are getting better and better for him.

"Sweet! We can get to know each other even more!" Aye Yi puts his hand on Yara's shoulder. The girl refuses him but Aye Yi forces her to play along.

"I thought you two are friends?" asks Pan.

"I mean, you, and me..." Aye Yi winks at Pan. He then flashes his set of beautiful white teeth.

Pan halts a bit. Yara, who stands besides Aye Yi frowns as she stares at him who watches Pan attentively.

Zee glares at the man, with upset feelings inside. His new competition has been added on his list.

This will be hard for him!

***

"I can't help but think maybe you are intentionally asking to be a part of this program," says Zee. Aye Yi chuckles as he fixes his bag at his side.

"Hmm... That may be partially true. But, I know my capabilities. So, I think it shouldn't be a problem..."

"You do know Pan is one of your mentees," Aye Yi laughs a bit when Zee mentioned the name.

"Now I remember her when you mentioned the name! Gosh, no wonder why she looks so familiar!" Aye Yi smirks.

"Just one question... Did you purposely..?"

"Choose her?"

"I know who you are, Aye. You and your sneaky moves..."

"At least I'm not betraying my own friend. Unlike someone who used my head as a step stone for his own good..."

"It was The Dean who chose me instead of you! We fought in fair play. There is no way I will betray you!" Zee gushes.

"Just because you have a good relationship with the seniors, you have all the back up that you need. But, compared to you, I'm better in almost everything. You become who you are today, thanks to your beloved mentor who sneaks the questions paper so you can cheat during the exam!"

"It all happened by coincidence! Ta is not someone who has no integrity!"

"Yeah yeah, suck his dick whatever you want! For me, there is no one to be trusted! Especially those seniors!" says Aye Yi in a cynical voice.

Zee grits his teeth silently.

"If you have no trust in them, why are you joining this mentorship program?" asks Zee.

Aye Yi smirks. He leans closer to Zee.

"I'm kinda interested in your past..." Aye Yi softly whispers to Zee.

Zee holds his anger inside. If he is the younger version of him, Aye Yi might see the afterlife by now. Right now, violence is not the answer to everything. His past taught him self control.

He has so many things on his plate now for him to risk it all.

"Consider this as a payment for your betrayal, best friend..."

Aye Yi softly taps Zee's shoulder before walking away, leaving the man sinking into his frustration.