Chapter 1: How It Started

6 years ago... Lambert is 20 years old, despite his age, he is still currently a freshman at this university. It is the first day of class and this is also the day the student council would be introduced to the entire campus. It's very rare in that university for a freshman to become a member of the student council, however, Lambert owned a position without any difficulties. Despite his cold aura, he was a natural-born leader. He came from an 'all-boys" school and graduated as a valedictorian from that prestigious private school. Lambert was considered a genius but unlike others who look nerdy, he still looks handsome. He came from a rich family because his mother is the current CEO of the Padilla Group of Companies, and Lambert is her one and only son. Added to Lambert's positive qualities is his enthusiasm for sports. Lambert was both a genius and talent at the same time, adding to his plus factors is the fact that he is also both rich and handsome, seemingly perfect in the sense of the word, every women's dream guy. Due to this reason, he has this character of seeing himself as a superior, as if he is above others… this is his weakness. It seems like, nobody's perfect at all. Because of Lambert's genius mind and his seemingly perfect package, he despises his exact opposite. He hates dumb and stupid people. For him, it is a given that all people should've been also as smart and as gifted as him. His cold aura is just the outside, inside, he has attitude problems. This is the reason why he stopped schooling for two years during his elementary years because he argued with his teacher regarding about Mathematics, the teacher was unaware of Lambert's genius mind and just notices his unlikable behavior as a kid. His mother also refuses to put him in a special school since she wanted him to experience a normal childhood as every kid does. What happened to Lambert with the teacher made him lose his interest in going to school. He rejected his mother's persuasion and insisted that he won't go to school unless the dumb teacher is no longer there. He hated the Mathematics teacher so much. He doesn't want to budge or give way, he is too young to understand how to adapt along with other people's personalities. It was being selfish but Lambert couldn't understand why not all people are like him. However, he was convinced by his mom to go back after two years when she told him that the teacher he had an issue with no longer teaches there. For this reason, despite his superior knowledge, Lambert wasn't able to earn any academic award during his elementary days. It was during his high school days when Lambert learned to adapt to his surroundings, he learned to talk to his classmates but there is a limit since it was his innate personality to be aloof with other people. He talks and be social at times but his hatred towards stupid people still remains. Lambert is now on his way to the university he is currently enrolled at when he saw a woman who tried to cross the pedestrian despite the green light. She was about to run into an accident if Lambert hadn't pulled her out in danger. The woman stared at his hero stranger. That woman is Rina Montecruz. She was in awe while staring at Lambert's handsome face. "Are you some kind of stupid? Didn't you see the light was green?"; Lambert mocked her clumsiness. Rina didn't answer, it was as if she was starstruck by his handsomeness and just stared at him in disbelief. It feels like she was just dreaming. When it was safe to cross the street, Lambert let go of her and left her still speechless. Rina continued to stare at him until he went inside the university. 'He is so handsome! And-and he saved me!", Rina exclaimed happily as if feeling butterflies in her stomach while couldn't hide her big smile. Rina thought it was the presentation of the student council members at the gymnasium that is why she walked slowly while still reminiscing her fateful encounter with her stranger hero. She is still daydreaming about him when she arrived at the gym. 'Hey! Rina! Here!", Chay called on to her and pointed at the vacant seat beside her. When Rina realized she was the only one who is running late, she immediately went on to her reserved seat. 'We know you'll be running late for sure that is why we saved you a seat.", Lumen smiled at her. 'Thanks!", Rina answered and still couldn't stop her ear-wide smile. 'There's something different with you.", Lumen noticed. 'Yeah, I thought so too.", Chay seconded. 'What? What's different?", Rina asked as she still couldn't hide her smile. 'You seemed too happy or… excited?", Chay answered but couldn't pinpoint the right word. 'You're blushing too.", Lumen added. Chay nodded in agreement. 'I'll tell you later.", Rina, still smiling at her friends when her eyes had set on someone familiar among one of the students on stage. Those seats were meant for student council members and one of them is the man who had saved her earlier… her hero stranger! 'Hey, hey who is that guy?!", Rina noisily asked her friends while pointing at the man who saved her. She couldn't contain her excitement and the students near them seemed to be annoyed at them. 'Rina, you're too noisy!", Chay reprimanded her friend while feeling embarrassed from the peering eyes around them. Rina just smile at her and focused her attention on the man who saved her earlier when suddenly, this man stood up from his seat and went in front as if he was called to be there. "...LAMBERT PADILLA!"; the principal introduced excitedly as the man moved forward beside him. Everyone clapped their hands and even Rina applauded happily, she was so amazed by her savior. The man named Lambert went on to talk on the microphone but Rina wasn't able to comprehend anything he said. He was speaking in perfect grammar with a beautiful accent but Rina is aware of what she is feeling right now for that man… it was pure admiration for her hero stranger that day. After 3 years... Days had gone, weeks, months, years, and Rina's admiration had just grown deeper and deeper for Lambert especially when she's got to learn his good attributes. From her first day at the university and even up to now, she still has her one-sided crush on Lambert. It seems like she was his number one fan above all his fan groups whether it is in or out of the campus. And now, she's already the third year in college, she still couldn't get over her savior. "Sorry! Sorry!"; Rina nervously apologized when she realized that she bumped clumsily to her ultimate crush. Lambert seemed to be annoyed but just left her without acknowledging Rina's sorry. It seems like Rina had ruined Lambert's day now. But for Rina, this is one of her best days because touching Lambert's body makes her happy so much. It has been three years since she had been crushing on Lambert and it has been also three years since Lambert had been treating her coldly. Despite his acrid treatment towards Rina, she still likes him so much and never thought anything he does would be a turn-off for her. She had been caring for this special feeling for him for three years now. She had been daydreaming about him despite being aware of their gap… especially when it comes to intelligence but it's no hindrance for Rina. So what if he always gets flat one grades and I have scored… uhmn never mind. Even though he is smart and my grades are always at the professors' mercy, we're still both human!, Rina encouraged herself positively even though she is fully aware of their difference. First, Lambert came from a rich family. Everyone knows that Lambert is the only son of the Padilla Group CEO, meaning there is a high possibility that in time, Lambert would end up inheriting that position… and Rina came from, though not from a poor family, but they're as rich as them… however, they can afford to enroll her in this exclusive university. Second, Lambert is smart… super smart and he doesn't even exert even small effort but he keeps on getting the first place in the whole university. He is academically superior against anyone, a genius indeed… and Rina, well she's the exact opposite of Lambert. She got low grades and most of them are given by professors who seemed to pity her. It's not that she doesn't study, it's just that no matter how hard she tries and even if she had given her all, hoping that one day she will sit beside Lambert along with the Fast Learners students, she still ends up failing. Actually, it has been two years since she had been trying to get pass the 2.5 mark but ended up getting 3.5, just sufficient enough to go to the next level, and now, she felt thankful for even just hitting the passing score. She wanted to be with Lambert but there is nothing she could do, she is neither a genius nor a fraction of his smart mind. Third, Lambert is physically active, he is not clumsy and his favorite sport is swimming though he is currently the team captain of the Men's Basketball Team in their university. He seems to know all the sports and not just know because he is also good at it. He was called as Jack-of-all-trades. And… there's Rina who knew nothing about sports. She has been a weakling ever since she was young and for this reason, she has little to no interest when it comes to sports. She doesn't know how to swim, there was a time when she was still young that she almost got drowned. She is scared whenever she sees deep waters, even swimming pools. She avoids them at all costs. For this reason, she does too poorly in P.E. Lambert and Rina are so different at everything, physically, mentally, financially, name it… there will always be a gap. However, despite this, Rina keeps on persevering. Rina won't stop until Lambert becomes her boyfriend. Her friends don't want to tolerate her illusion, they couldn't decide whether to be annoyed with her stupidity or admire of her loyalty. 'Hmn, is it Lambert again?", it was Chay. Rina nodded and happily told her the encounter she had with Lambert earlier. "What happened earlier was like destiny!", Rina exclaimed. Chay rolled her eyes and Lumed shook her head in disbelief. 'Rina, we know you are pretty but… Lambert is an impossible dream. He has high standards that women like us couldn't reach. See, even up to now, he doesn't have any girlfriends. He is too picky and he won't even pay attention to a woman who has beauty only. Beauty and BRAINS, Rina...with BRAINS. ', Chay emphasized the word BRAIN. 'So Rina, please forget Lambert already. You are the only one happy about this… what he feels for you is the exact opposite of how you feel for him. We had enough of you Lambert talk. Just move on already.", Lumen added. Lumen and Chay are both Rina's friends since high school, and like her, their grades are also at the professors' mercy. Rina frowned. 'You know why Lambert has no girlfriend up to now? It's because he has been waiting for me!", Rina answered with optimism. Both Chay and Lumen sighed, there is nothing they could do with Rina's hardheadedness. Rina has no intentions of giving up. "This year... I can feel it! Lambert is going to be my boyfriend!"; Rina vowed. 'Rina, you already told us that last year.", Chay reminded her. "...and the year before too."; Lumen added. 'Whatever! I know this year… my dream will become a reality!", Rina proclaimed with excitement. Rina's friends couldn't do anything because they couldn't get her to change her mind. They couldn't persuade her during their freshmen years, how much more that she has fallen deeply with Lambert. You won't be able to change my mind… because the day that Lambert saved me three years ago is also the day he got my heart!, Rina vowed as she continues to reminisce how Lambert had saved her from an accident… and the feeling while she was on his arms, safely protected. 'Now… I am determined to confess my feeling to him!", Rina exclaimed with pure determination. 'She had gone crazy.", Lumen commented as she shook her head. 'For sure you won't be able to confess to him.", Chay said in a bland manner. 'Why are you all so negative? I thought you were my friends?", Rina frowned. 'Okay then… I'll give you a deadline.", Chay answered. 'Hey, hey! What are you trying to do? Are you tolerating our friend? She'll just embarrass herself!". Lumen towards Chay. 'It's needed for her to wake up in reality. I am just helping her get back in the real world.", Chay answered. "SURE!"; Rina bravely answered. Both Lumen and Chay stared at their 'Lambert-crazy" friend. 'Okay. Three days. Confess your feelings to Lambert within three days… if not, you should stop being crazy about him and move on.", Lumen answered for Chay. "OK. Deal."; Rina answered in a steadfast manner.