Your Lucky One

Chapter two: Can't be?

Trese Anaya's Point of View

Sitting in my sister's office always felt like a power move, like I was in the presence of some untouchable figure in the business world. Deuce Amelia Monforte, the epitome of success—she had the brains, the beauty, and the title of Dean of Business all rolled into one perfectly composed package. Everything I wasn't.

As I slumped in the plush leather chair across from her, I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, assessing. She always knew when I was up to something, and today, I was up to something.

"Trese," Deuce began, not looking up from her stack of papers. "You didn't come here just to visit, did you?"

I twisted uncomfortably in my seat, pulling out my best attempt at an innocent grin. "Well, kind of..."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Spit it out. I have a meeting in twenty minutes."

"Okay, fine," I sighed, leaning forward. "I need you to do me a favor."

Her eyebrow arched even higher, her fingers pausing mid-signature. "A favor? This should be interesting. What kind of favor?"

"I need you to switch my classes," I said quickly before I could lose my nerve. "Just one class. Strategic Management, with Miss Everette."

There it was. I dropped her name, and instantly, Deuce's expression shifted from mild curiosity to full-on amusement.

"Miss Everette?" she repeated, setting her pen down carefully. "As in, Lenore Everette?"

I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. Deuce knew Lenore as well as I did, if not better. They had been best friends since college, partners in business ventures, practically inseparable. Of all people, Deuce was the one person who would understand my dilemma.

"Bakit mo gusto magpalit ng class?" she asked, the corners of her lips twitching into a smirk. "You're telling me you want out of her class? The same Lenore who's been to our house countless times, the one who practically helped me in handling my businesses?"

"Yes," I groaned, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "I can't do it, Ate. She's impossible. She called me out in front of the whole class! I didn't even read the lessons and she just—ugh! She treated me like I was nobody."

Deuce leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. "So, what?  You want me to... make her disappear from your class? Or better yet, just pull some strings so you don't have to deal with her?"

"Exactly!" I nodded, feeling hopeful. "You're the dean. You can do that, right? Just put me in another section. Or find a way to make sure Lenore isn't my professor anymore. Please, Ate."