Chapter 10 - To Impress A Hot Lady

"Noisy!" Sofia grunted at the chattering sound all over the place. In her table was an open notebook with a page drawn with several circles. If one would look closer, these could be interpreted as the map of the game. The circles were protective towers and the two stars in two corners were the bases. She was analyzing a game strategy! Perhaps, a perfect rotation technique for her team.

Her fingers gripped tightly at her pen and proceeded to draw more lines and dots on the page. She even placed a label on the dots. M for the mage, T for the tank, A for the assassin, F for the fighter, and S for the shooter or marksman.

Her short hair almost covered her face but she did not bother to tuck it away. The lady was so immersed in what she was doing.

"Hey, what are you sketching?" one student sitting next to her asked curiously. The student took a peek at her notebook and saw the circles and different labels beside it.

Sofia stopped writing and finally combed her short hair using her fingers.

"It's a plan," she answered and tapped her pen on the desk before she looked at the man. He was wearing big eyeglasses that covered most of his face.

"A plan? That does not look like a plan to me!" the student frowned as his eyes was still glued on the notebook. He was the son of a famous architect in District 7. Thus, when Sofia told her of a plan, his mind directly assumed a housing plan sketch that his father usually draw.

With the lines of his forehead, Sofia could deduce his confusion quickly. The man finally looked up and meet her gaze. She offered a small smile and carefully closed her notebook.

"Ah! Sorry for disturbing you!" the boy snapped and realized that she was not his classmate. He had approached a stranger!

"It's okay. That was a gaming plan, she answered.

Realization slowly appeared in his face. He had assumed wrongly!

"A gaming plan! Are you taking an IT specialization? Was it like a design of a game environment? Sorry, when you said that it was a plan, I assumed it was a housing plan," the boy scratched the back of his neck and confessed with an apologetic smile. His fingers flew on his eyeglasses and adjusted them slightly.

"To be precise, it's a gameplay plan. I will be participating in a tournament on the 14th. Have you heard of it?" Sofia asked. Her tone was warm and friendly making the boy felt comfortable chatting with her.

"Yeah. That is the hype topic of the school lately. It was the first-ever online tournament in our district. So, it's a plan for that tournament. I don't play these mobile games so I am not familiar with it," the boy responded as his right arm leaned on the chair.

Their casual chat soon ended when a young woman, about in her mid-twenties entered the hall. Her long hair shined like expensive silk. She was wearing a fitted school staff uniform which accentuated the curves in her body. Despite the number of students inside, her fragrant perfume managed to linger in the air.

Sofia eyed the young woman with an approving look. She liked how the woman carried herself in front of the student. The woman looked sophisticated. That was a dazzling entrance!

Sofia was not alone with her judgment. Almost all male students turned their heads in the woman's direction and the chatter noise quickly evaporated in the air. Her uniform combined with a pair of black 3-inch heels looked so perfect. This fashion sense was a head turner!

"Students, it's already 7 am. Our seminar will officially start. I will require to maintain this silence until the end of the seminar." The young woman spoke. Her voice was like a tune of melody which quickly enchanted the students inside.

"Yes, adviser Lu." Some students spoke while others remained silent. Nevertheless, all attention was on her.

Sofia felt her phone vibrated in her pocket. As she opened the unread message, she softly giggled. It was from the man occupying the seat in front of her.

From: Stephen

Damn! She is hot!

Sofia lazily hit the letters on her screen as she typed her reply.

To: Stephen

Do your best in the tournament and she might acknowledge your existence.

Soon, another message followed before she could unlock her phone.

From: Stephen

Why in the tournament? With my reputation, she probably knows me already. winks!

Sofia smiled and took a deep breath.

To: Stephen

It should be TARNISHED reputation, right? If she knew, then there is already a NO stamp specially made for you.

After sending her response, the young woman took a few steps closer towards their row.

"I see that there are also junior students joining us today! I am delighted! But please, refrain from using your mobile phones unless it is an emergency." The young woman eyed Stephen with an authoritative look. Her approach confirmed that she indeed knew Stephen's identity.

Stephen slightly bowed at her and placed his phone down. The young woman gave him a satisfied look and went back to the center table.

Just as Sofia thought that Stephen was done with his text, her phone vibrated once more!

From: Stephen

Woooo, I could get used to the scolding routine all day if it's her!

Sofia shook her head and unlocked her phone. She looked straight ahead and focused her attention on the young woman.

"This seminar is for the preparation of you - graduating students, as you all would venture in the real world soon. But for the lower years, thank you for showing interest in this seminar today! Some of you would pursue college while others would go for a job. Make sure you listen and learn. Financial Literacy is broad but we will discuss the basics that would give you awareness on how to manage your money well." The young woman started and all students hurriedly took their pen and write notes. She continued to discuss the benefits and essentials of the learning that the students would gain in the seminar.

Sofia remained quiet in her seat. She already knew everything that the young woman was saying. Her intention was not to attend the seminar for her own gain but to bring her teammates for them to learn. While she does not need to attend the seminar, she absolutely understood the importance of accompanying her members.

"Right now, I would like to know who is aware of what is a stock and what is a bond? Anything that you know about this subject, feel free to raise your hand," the woman suddenly asked after more than an hour of talking. She waited patiently for any student who would volunteer to answer.

One student finally raised a hand and spoke shyly, "Stock, is it the stock market and stock exchange?" The response was not an on-point answer but just a clarification about the term. But the woman still gave the student an appreciative smile.

Sofia heard the boy next to her mumble, "Hey, why are you not taking notes?"

She turned her head at him and gave the boy an emotionless smile.

"Yes, it is. I am referring to that stock," the young woman nodded. But her attention shifted to the row where Sofia was sitting. She assumed that these two students were chitchatting.

"Ehem... The young lady in the second row. Do you want to share your ideas with us?" the woman called Sofia's attention.

As Sofia turned her head back and made eye contact with her, she noticed the direct contempt in the woman's expression. It was as if there was an unspoken prejudice written all over the young woman's face. And Sofia never liked prejudices!

Though she understood why the woman called her out. But it was not entirely her fault that she engaged in the quick chitchat. She hasn't even spoken a single response to the boy sitting next to her!

'Stocks and bonds huh... I could discuss that for an entire day...' Sofia pondered as she cast a knowing look. She slowly rose from her seat. Her hands were clasped together as her eyes scanned at the crowd of students.

Most students are not looking at her. They were still busy taking notes. Yet some had prying eyes that felt like they were scrutinizing her.

"Stocks and bonds are both investments," Sofia started and paused for a moment. She saw the unsatisfied expression of the young woman.

"Yes, young miss... we have covered that already," the young woman said and urged her to continue.

"Bonds, to say... is like writing an IOU, but not just as simple as getting a debt that is casually done among friends because it's an investment. It is a loan form of investment an investor purchased from a company or government. It ends for a certain maturity period. Usually, it's 10-30 years. But some bonds like notes and commercial paper or commercial bills would end earlier than that... depending on the terms of the bond. And also, sometimes, investors could pay their bonds earlier than the terms agreed on it. It's called callable bonds. On the other hand, stocks are like buying ownership of a company. This is what the fellow student said about the stock market and stock exchange... When you buy a stock, you own a portion of a compaaa--ny..." Sofia slowly halted and realized that she had said too much information and covered unfamiliar terms for the students. In fact, she was about to say how to earn money with the two investments! Good thing she noticed the awkward atmosphere within the hall otherwise she would just continue to speak!

'What is up with this student? How does she know these terms? Why is she talking like a speaker of this seminar!?' the young woman secretly thought while Sofia was still speaking her answer. It is to say that the young woman standing at the center table was also taken aback by her response.

"Hehehe I read this on some article," Sofia quickly added before she sat down. She could only offer an alibi for there was no way a junior student like her would master this knowledge.

"Hehe, thank you. This young miss is so keen. I am impressed!" the young woman finally eyed Sofia with deep respect.

Sofia nodded at her recognition and felt that her phone was also vibrating in her pocket.

It was another message from Stephen.

From: Stephen

I am impressed.

'This boy has no originality!' Sofia mentally noted at Stephen's message. He just texted her the same words that the young woman said! She quickly typed a reply.

To: Stephen

Free tips from me. That is how to impress a hot girl in front. Effective. Tested and proven. Try it!

After a couple of hours, the young woman introduced a guest speaker. She looked like a respectable office lady in her short skirt and blue suit. Clark smiled after the speaker entered the hall.

"You look so happy!" Claire whispered after noticing his unusual smile.

"That's my mom," Clark softly answered. There was a gentleness that sparks in his eyes.

Claire stared at the woman and back at Clark. She did it twice as if she was comparing the two physical aspects.

"Ohh... I see," Claire mumbled and finally noticed the resemblance of their facial feature. The two have the same shape of eyes and jaw.

Clark's mother gave off a dignified aura. She scanned the rows of students in front of her as if searching for someone. When her eyes darted at James, she slightly smiled. Then as she noticed Clark, her eyes widened, and smiled at him also.

"Based on what I have overheard, I assumed that some of you had made an advance study about this seminar. That's really admirable!" Clark's mother commented and glanced at Sofia.

"My mom likes Sofia..." Clark muttered.

"Heh! Sofia is likable. As long as you are in her side. If you are on a wrong side, she could destroy you." Claire subconsciously responded but Clark was too focused on her mother's lecture that she did not catch her words clearly.