Chapter 24 Engineering Department

Kia

Our first subject is done. I stretched out my body before getting up and leaving the room. I was about to go to the cafeteria when my professor suddenly approached me.

“Ms. Saavedra, I heard that you don’t have any class in the afternoon. Can you help me with something?”

“Uhm, yes ma’am. How may I help you?”

“Well, I have an urgent meeting with the dean, but unfortunately I still have a class. So I thought of a way. I believe you could be a substitute for me?”

“Substitute ma’am? I—I don’t know anything about their major subjects…”

“Oh, don’t worry. You will just need to look after them and keep them quiet while I’m having a meeting. It is just a one-hour meeting and I will be there as soon as it ends. They are expecting an exam from me, so you will just need to give them their test paper and observe them. Remember, cheating and talking while taking an exam are not allowed, so you better keep your eyes on them.”

She's already made a decision, do I still have a choice?

“...Mhm, sure ma’am.”

“Great! Well then see you at the Civil Engineering Section A. Their room is on the first floor of the engineering department.” She said before leaving me.

Do I understand that correctly? Civil Engineering Section A? What a bad day it was for me. Why in the engineering department? Nathan is in civil engineering. For sure, this is another problem. I immediately went to the cafeteria to find Miaree and Marcy. But Miaree was the only one I saw in our usual spot.

“What took you so long?” Miaree asked.

“Ma’am Vega asked for my help. By the way, where is Marcy?”

“He was called by the SSG president. They were having a meeting about an event. I am not sure, but that’s what he said. Anyway, why did Mrs. Vega ask for your help?” She grabs her sandwich and started eating while waiting for me to answer.

“...Well, she asked me to be her substitute—”

“Substitute? Do you mean you will teach other departments? Is that even allowed?” She wondered.

I answered, "No, she said, I will just need to keep my eyes on her students while they are taking their exams."

“Well, that’s easy. Do you want me to come with you? I don’t have anything to do after this.” She murmured.

“Are you sure? I will go into Civil Engineering Section A—”

“What?!” I immediately covered her mouth when she suddenly shouted out of nowhere. “What? But Nathan Zac Ramirez is from that section, right? Will, you still go?” she whispered.

“Yeah, if you will come with me…”

She looked at me like I was an unlucky person on earth. “Will you come with me?” I said, repeating my question.

“I can’t let anyone bully or tease you there, so... yeah!”

I gave her a hug and kissed her cheeks, “Thank you, Miaree! Oh, right! I almost forgot to tell you this.”

“What is it?”

“Did you know that Vince waited for me in front of the department this morning? He was questioning me about Ares, like why did I marry a man with that kind of life he even said that he is better than Ares—”

“Better his ass!” Miaree said while rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, right! Such arrogant! He said that he would help me with my dad’s company’s crisis if I married him. Like, duh, as if! I would never do that, not even if they will kill me!”

“I can’t believe that he is still in love with you after all he has done?! He cheated and now he is expecting you to come back to him! Who the f*ck does he think he is? He is just a piece of sh*t to me!”

“Keep it down! Do you want to be heard by the world?!” I said while covering her mouth.

“Okay, I know it! I will keep my voice down. Yeah, Kianna, it hurts! Let me go!” she said, acting like she was about to cry because I was pinching her lips. “I don’t know what is in his mind. He is full of himself!”

“Yeah, I can’t even reach it. I am sick of him being an arrogant little sh*t! But forget it, I am not in the mood for thinking about other things… It turns out that my dad wants to exchange my marriage for his career…” I said and slowly leaning my head on her shoulder.

“Kia, my uncle has many connections. How about I ask for help from him?”

“Oh, no… Don’t bother him. Besides, you still have a lot of problems too, I don’t want to share my problems with you. Being there and supporting me is enough. Thank you, Miaree…”

I was so shocked when she suddenly hugged me so tight and said, “Of course, I will be here for you! I am your best friend. I will marry you if I were a man!”

My eyes widened, “Why?”

“Your b**bs is so big I can feel it in my face!” she said and started laughing so hard.

“Maniac!”

The Engineering Department

While carrying the test papers, we entered the engineering department. We noticed the room for the Section A of civil engineers right away because it was the first room on the left. While still debating who will enter first, Miaree and I are pushing one another. She pushed me quite hard, which is why I unexpectedly entered the room. All of them stopped what they were doing and immediately looked at me. I stand straight and call for Miaree to enter the room.

I went in front and started introducing myself to them, “Good afternoon, I am Kianna Myst Saavedra—”

“Aren’t you Nate’s rumored girlfriend?” I was stopped by the voice of a man in front of me.

They started teasing Nate and making some loud noises. A second later, we heard a banging sound.

“Quiet! Keep down your voice or you will leave this class with a failed mark on your test paper. Now, choose…” Miaree said, making everyone shut their mouths and even go to their proper seats.

“Now, Kiana, continue.” She said while looking at me. She is awesome!

“Anyway, as what I have said earlier, I am Kianna Myst Saavedra Vuertalejo and yes, I am already married. So please stop teasing Mr. Ramirez, I am not his girlfriend. Right, Mr. Ramirez?” I looked at him. He looks so serious without any expression on his face.

“You’re right.”

“Did everyone hear that? Okay, so we are here to observe while you guys are taking your exams. Ma’am Vega said that cheating and talking while taking your exams is prohibited, so you better keep your mouth shut while we are here. Is everyone ready?”

They didn’t answer. Instead, they followed my rules that they needed to keep their mouth shut while Miaree and I were still here. Argh!

“Here, get one and pass,” I said while handing the test paper in the first row.

There was total silence for what felt like eons of time. All that could be heard was the loud ticking of the clock placed right above me. I walked slowly around the classroom looking at them one by one while they are seriously taking their exam. Half an hour had passed and Miaree suddenly needed to leave. She said that she had some urgent things to do. I was left alone here with these robot students, and all I can do is stare at them. It is so boring.

Nate suddenly stood up and walked towards me, ready to hand in his paper, but before he could say a word, I looked up at him and pointed at the tray on the desk. Once he handed in his paper, he took one final look at me and said, “I will wait for you outside.” He said this and slowly walked out of the dreaded classroom.

What is wrong with him?

The time had passed, and Mrs. Vega suddenly entered the room. She took over the class and let me go home. But before I went outside, she handed me a snack that I took from her. You can’t refuse a blessing!

While I was walking, I noticed Nate leaning against a wall. What the f*ck! He really did wait for me...

“What are you still doing here?” I asked. He turned his head and looked at me.

“Waiting for you, let’s go,” he said and started walking, leaving me behind.

What is his problem?

I ran and walked beside him, “Why did you wait for me?”

“To drive you home—”

“Kia!”

I suddenly heard Ares’ voice. I looked straight ahead and saw him in front of the gate.

“Nevermind, I’ll go first,” Nate said and walked towards his car.

Why did he act so weird?

I rushed towards Ares and gave him a hug, “Who’s that?” he asked.

“Nathan, he's offering me a ride home,” I answered.