Moon Light Flower

Chapter 2

The start of the semester welcomed a full bloom of excited eagerness which was carried in the essence of all the first-year students, the satisfaction worn like a 'members-only' badge on their chest as they can finally step onto the university of the west indies main campus knowing that they belong here now.

Dr. Carlton Charles always enjoyed the intimidating yet obvious excitement and admiration plastered on the faces of his students, particularly the first years.

His reputation of course for his enlightened, thought-provoking and captivating lectures spread throughout the tertiary level circle like wildfire. He single-handedly made the field of finance a practical and interesting choice for many students, of course with the increased demand for business, accounting and financial professionals in Trinidad and Tobago it only made perfect sense to take on complicated and fiercely detailed programs at degree level under the charismatic, expertise of Dr. Carlton Charles.

The first day of all his classes he usually keeps it very light by introducing himself and then by asking each student to introduce themselves and to very briefly state their career goals. It was a simple and effective ice breaker that thought students that interacting and networking is just as important as passing his course, not to mention Dr. Charles understands that most people relish in the opportunity to talk about themselves.

"Good Morning Class and welcome to the Fundamentals of investment management, my name is Dr. Carlton Charles, yuh could just call meh Carlton or Mr. Charles," he said with a smile, a smile he noticed over the years always seemed to make his female students smile back with a shy blush.

His pedigree was more than enough to calm their nerves for the heart-stopping, stress-filled semester to come.

As he casually paced the front of his dome-shaped class, with one hand in the pocket of his slim fitted trousers he continued with his impressive introduction.

"I am ACCA qualified with a master's degree in finance. After a few years, I then decided to pursue a Doctoral degree in finance, I do private financial consultations for many major companies locally and regionally, I also spent 15 years working as an investment manager at central Bank"

He paused and looked at his students who he realized where at the edge of their seats with hands plastered to their tables waiting for him to continue.

"I have always had a passion for teaching and when I was asked to cover this course it was the perfect opportunity to take on this new chapter to help out the young people like yuh selves to excel in this field"

"Now please", he pressed

"Enough about me, let's start at the top of the class with the introductions"

As each student stood up, some shyly and others with the fire of enthusiasm to let their professor know how well qualified they are to be here, giving off that slight snooty aura that they are the best and will excel.

Sometimes these introductions bored Charles and sometimes he even knew what some students would say before they even started talking just by the way they looked, the way their chest puffed out a bit more, their shoulders straightened and their heads held high with slightly parted lips all indicating a readiness to be heard, to be seen, to show off.

"Ok, next" Charles stated while gesturing to a young lady with his right hand to stand.

Immediately on her feet, she began.

"Good Morning everyone, my name is Stacy-Ann Williams, I'm From West Palm, Maraval I went to Bishops Secondary School and I did all business subjects for CSEC passing with all one's"

After she revealed her CSEC passes an impulsive grin spread across her caramel toned face. She gently tucked her long straight black hair behind her ears and continued.

"So after completing my A levels I just knew that finance would be the next best choice for me because my father owns a very successful business that he wants me to take over one day".

Ahhh very interesting Ms. Williams"

This was all Charles could say, because it was again the typical over-sharing answer that is usually given from the year ones, in particular, that students that come from a very high society area or in a more Trinbagonian form people who come from 'big shot' area with a 'hoity-toity' attitude are usually the ones that get into his class.

"Alright next, Ms...." gesturing again to the next young lady who seemed to be taken by surprise that it's now her turn to introduce herself. She looked at Dr. Charles and pointed her right index finger inward poking her chest as she mouthed "who me"?

"Yes, you" he confirmed with a grin.

As she stood up being very careful not to knock over her books, Charles noticed her big bright hazel eyes, her face was not bombarded with make-up which was refreshing to see because Charles got quite used to seeing young adults in his class trying to look like mid-twenty and thirty-somethings.

Her thick hair was held in a high one with an adorable puff at the top which made it very easy to admire her beautiful face.

As she nervously dusted off lint that was not there on her sky blue top she said.

"Good morning, Hum my name is Ronda Johnson, and I decided to do a degree in finance because it just seems interesting"

She smiled a nice full smile which almost made her chocolate skin glow. With that, she sat down.

"That was not very detailed Ms. Johnson, is there anything else about you that you would like to share"

She coolly replied, "oh as time goes on I sure we go get to know each other naturally, I am here with an open mind because I still have plenty to learn"

This was different; Charles was highly intrigued by Ms. Johnson. Her response felt almost as if she was only talking to him and more importantly, she boldly and politely declined to elaborate on her background and her reason for choosing to study Finance.