𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗢𝗻𝗲

Gift One:
Peace

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗻𝗲❅

I let out a deep sigh, frantically glancing around the large living area of my apartment.

Which was still full of unpacked boxes.

"Fuck," I whispered, realizing I was going to be late.

And on my first day too.

The irony is that I'm the professor...

So this should be great.

I shook my head to myself, tugging open one of the boxes which was labeled with the word heels.

I quickly grabbed the black stilettos, moving onto a different box labeled with the word formal.

And luckily, in a matter of minutes, I had a pair of black dress pants and a cherry red blouse picked out.

I had to practically run to my bathroom, immediately turning the shower on and taking off my pajamas.

I fucking swear I'll never do a red-eye flight again.

Maybe I should've let my dad send over his private plane, but I enjoy a more low-key lifestyle.

Given how much wealth I've grown up around on both sides of my family.

Having money only makes you feel safe.

It makes you feel secure.

But that's all there is to it.

The overspending gets boring after a while to a point where physical things no longer hold any meaning or excitement.

It's why I prefer to keep myself more grounded beyond the superficial things.

Yes, the outfit I'm wearing is... well, expensive.

But it lacks the flashy labels.

Something I hate.

I prefer a clean minimal look, which is why I opted for Cesare Paciotti heels over the classic red-bottoms.

One is less known than the other.

They also matched my black and red look perfectly.

I was going to opt for a matching red lip, but considering the lack of time, I opted for just gloss.

I really only had time to gel down my brows, apply a small amount of concealer under my eyes, and then add a little bit of blush and highlighter.

Luckily, I washed my hair yesterday so I just pulled it back into a low sleek bun away from my face.

Breakfast consisted of a protein bar and a banana that I grabbed on my way out, spraying on one of the perfumes that I kept in my car.

Which had to be shipped overseas a couple of weeks ago.

I desperately missed my BMW 7.

Something that was a little less low-key, but I enjoyed every second of my car rides.

Besides, it was better than just buying a separate car altogether and leaving my other one in Gangnam.

I suddenly snapped away from my thoughts as soon as the incoming call rang throughout my car speakers, immediately reading the familiar name.

"Nelli," I said as soon as I answered the call, smiling slightly as I tried my best to weave through the thick Miami morning traffic.

I really didn't miss it here.

The heat is practically suffocating.

"Vee, how's your morning?" Nelli's familiar voice flooded through my car speakers, "I know it's too late for breakfast, but I really want us to do lunch."

I smiled wider, "We already have dinner plans," I reminded her, finding her excitement amusing.

"I know, but I've missed you so much," Nelli said, using her familiar dramatic tone.

I laughed slightly, "You would think face-timing every day would be enough," I said, deciding to joke with her, "And then your trips to Seoul," I added.

I swear an ocean between us never mattered—not when we were childhood best friends.

We were committed to keeping our friendship intact after I moved.

"Okay, but that was mostly for your mom's cooking—not for you," Nelli quickly corrected me.

Which earned a dramatic gasp from me, "Oh wow really?" I purposely said, smiling wider when Nelli laughed.

"That was part of the reason, but of course, I missed your jokester ass," Nelli quickly corrected herself.

Which earned a knowing hum from me, "Nice save or I would've made you wait until dinner to see me," I purposely said.

"Yeah whatever," Nelli said, and I could practically feel her rolling her eyes at me, "I'll see you later."

I nodded once, "Okay, love you," I murmured, speeding up to merge into the left lane.

"Love you too," Nelli said, causing me to end the call and focus on getting to UMiami.

Which was luckily only a fifteen-minute drive from my apartment downtown.

But by the time I parked and weaved my way through the busy sunny campus, I was already five minutes late.

It was still better than I anticipated, so I took it as a win.

Even if a packed classroom awaited me upon arrival.

Fuck.

"Welcome to Philosophy 301, ethics and the human experience..." I trailed off, glancing around the packed classroom as I quickly made my way to the podium, "I'm Professor Chun filling in for your last professor until the end of the semester," I added, setting my bag down on the nearby desk.

And as the lecture hall remained almost awkwardly silent, I quickly grabbed my Macbook from my bag, propping it up on the podium.

"As you know, this course is about exploring the ethical frameworks that govern our lives and decisions—we'll dive into moral theories from utilitarianism to virtue ethics, examining not just what these theories propose, but how they play out in our world today," I went to explain as I turned my Macbook on, "Ethics does thrive on debate, so don't be scared to express your viewpoints even if they feel unpopular," I added, quickly trying to get the attendance map pulled up.

Fuck this.

Fuck all of this.

"We're going to start with a foundational question... Is it ever acceptable to lie?" I asked, briefly glancing up from my laptop that luckily had the attendance map loaded, "As I call on you for attendance, I want you to answer this question in your own words."

I briefly glanced around the filled lecture hall, noticing the masses of students briefly nodding in confirmation.

Except there was one that quickly caught my eye.

Her familiar dark hair and green eyes.

It made me blink a few times, trying my hardest not to react openly to her presence.

But how is she already in university?

Especially in a junior-level class?

Has time really passed that quickly?

Last I remember, she was twelve and wore braces that she always complained about.

I suddenly cleared my throat, immediately glancing away from her familiar face to begin reading off the attendance.

This semester should be...

Interesting.

❅

"I'm not going to assign anything outside of class, considering it's my first day here," I said, deciding to go easy on them compared to their other professors who are preparing them for finals, "But I do want you all to give the topics we discussed some thought."

I nodded as I heard faint murmurs of acknowledgment, while others seemed more excited not to have any assignments.

But eventually, I began tuning them out as everyone packed their things up, easily hyperaware of a specific person's actions.

And how noticeably slow they are.

She's going to speak to me.

Well, of course, she's going to speak to me...

I mean, our families are still really close and we never left off on bad terms so—

"Omara," I quickly forced my lips to tug up in a smile, noticing the youngest of the Moretti's approaching me.

She wore a grey loungewear set with a pair of chrome Nikes, keeping her silky dark hair down with a few strands pulled out of her face covered in neutral makeup.

Her smile felt less forced than mine.

"Professor... Chun," she awkwardly said, laughing at the formality of it all.

I scrunched up my nose slightly, "It's weird right?" I said, walking away from the podium.

Which immediately made Omara extend her arms, clearly wanting to hug me.

I smiled softly, glancing between her arms and light eyes—before I closed the space between us.

"We all have missed you a lot," Omara said as I hesitantly hugged her back.

I pursed my lips, "Yeah, I missed you guys too," I whispered, even if I still felt a rough sting at the edges of my chest.

Everything used to be so easy.

It used to be perfect.

Until it wasn't.

"I'm uh really sorry for not reaching out," Omara awkwardly whispered, pulling back slightly from the hug to meet my dark eyes, "Your name is kind of like Voldermort in our house now."

I drew in a deep breath, knowing exactly why I was probably the sorest of topics.

"Yeah, it's okay really," I quickly said, deciding to leave that topic alone, "Your mom's always sent me gifts for any occasion—they just probably never mentioned it."

Omara shook her head slightly, "Sounds like them," she determined, laughing slightly.

I felt my smile unconsciously widen, but more in reminiscence.

I missed the Moretti's.

One in particular stung a little deeper than the others.

But as a whole, they were like home to me.

I suddenly cleared my throat, awkwardly glancing away from Omara who reminded me only of a past that I worked so fucking hard to forget in Korea.

"I uh—how are you in a junior-level class?" I asked, deciding to change the subject, "If I'm not mistaken, you're twenty," I added, still recalling how she was four years younger than me.

Omara smiled slightly, "Yeah, I've been taking on as many credits as I can each semester to get ahead," she explained, her smile somehow growing more, "The goal is to graduate next year."

I felt my brows unconsciously raise, "Oh really?" I said, feeling an odd wave of confusion grow around me, "I always remember you being more into fashion than school."

Omara immediately nodded, "Yeah, well I have a practical mom and a do what makes you happy mom, so we compromised," she said, shaking her head a few times, "Once I finish up with university then I can fully pursue fashion."

I nodded a few times, already knowing which mom insisted on her attending university.

The other one always gave them what they wanted, although there were rare occurrences when she couldn't to teach them a specific lesson.

I always recalled how bad it had to be if they somehow made her mad.

"Well, I think that's a really good plan," I said, walking over to my desk so I could begin unpacking.

Omara jokingly rolled her eyes, "Of course, you do Professor Chun," she jokingly added.

I smiled slightly as I sat down at my bare desk, "It's weird that you call me that," I determined, knowing she was genuinely like a sister to me.

"It's weirder being your student," Omara determined, briefly glancing down at her phone for the time.

"You should go, I don't want you to be late," I said as I reached in my bag to grab my water bottle.

Omara hesitantly nodded, "Okay, I'll see you Thursday," she murmured, locking her phone as she backed away from me.

"Sounds good," I said as she turned on her heel.

Until something quickly clicked in my head.

"Omara," I said before I could think it through.

Which immediately made Omara turn back around, halting her steps at the door.

"Can you do me a favor... and maybe not mention that I'm back in Miami?" I hesitantly asked, knowing I wasn't ready to face a certain person.

Omara nodded, her lips twitching up into a small smile, "Of course," she assured me.

Until she suddenly tilted her head, pursing her lips once spread into a smile.

"But you know... you'll have to see her eventually right?" Omara whispered, clearly hesitating on whether she should even mention her.

Even if it's very briefly.

I nodded, knowing how deep my ties run with their family, "I know," I said, fighting the sigh threatening to spill from my lips.

Omara nodded almost a few times, "Okay, well have a good day," she told me, turning back around on her heel.

"You too, Omara," I said, now glancing back down to my bag that I was in the midst of unpacking.

But I swear, I suddenly couldn't get the thought of her out of my head.

And not Omara.

It was her sister that latched onto my thoughts.

Someone who made my ears burn out of pure irritation.

Still, I could barely make it through my next two lectures without wondering about her.

Until I eventually decided to shut the idea of her down.

It's all so far in the past.

Something I want nothing to do with.

I swear once lunch hour rolled around, I was already ready to call it a day and head home, but I had one last class to handle.

And even then I still couldn't head back to my apartment.

I have other business matters to attend to.

"Vee! I can't fucking believe it!" Nelli called out as soon as she rushed into my classroom wearing a short brown dress and heels with her dark hair silk pressed and down.

She practically threw the takeout bags on the desk just to pull me into a hug.

The biggest hug of my life actually.

"Me either," I joked, immediately hugging her back.

Nelli only shook her head as she hugged me tighter, "You back in Miami—who would've fucking thought?" she said, squeezing me one more time before pulling away.

I lazily raised my brows, "I would've never thought," I said, still contemplating the idea of running back to Korea.

Especially after the blast from the past I just fucking had.

"Yeah whatever, I'm just happy to have my partner in crime back," Nelli said as she began opening one of the bags of takeout, "Which speaking of crime... how is everything going with—"

"Oh wow, I haven't had L'atelier in so fucking long," I quickly cut her short, deciding to avoid any gang-related topics.

Which Nelli quickly picked up on.

"Vee," Nelli said, raising a sharp brow as she set one of the black plastic containers on the table, "I didn't buy this expensive ass meal for us to discuss surface-level stuff—tell me what's going on."

I rolled my eyes with a deep sigh, "Nothing yet, my dad is walking me through some of it later," I mumbled, hating that I couldn't have had a fucking sibling.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be taking my dad's position of the gang.

Or even be in Miami in the first place.

But sadly both sides of my family are about honor.

Even my mom thought it would be best to carry it on.

And while they both left the decision up to me, I knew a part of me might regret at least trying it out.

I've already been trained since I could properly hold a gun.

This lifestyle never really fazed me.

I guess I just never imagined taking it all over.

"Omara Moretti is my student," I suddenly blurted, wanting to get the news off my chest.

Which naturally made Nelli pause her actions, glancing over to meet my dark eyes.

"Miami is so fucking small what," Nelli whispered almost in shock, blinking a few times as she processed what I just told her, "How does that make you feel? I mean we both knew you would see Ma—"

"Let's just..." I quickly trailed off, cutting my best friend short, "Let's leave the topic alone for right now."

Nelli briefly pursed her lips, "Okay... but at some point, we'll have to talk about it again," she said, now unpacking the last to-go container from the plastic bag.

I sighed almost dramatically, "I know, but I'm choosing to cherish what peace I have left," I determined, knowing I would see her again.

It almost felt inevitable.

"Let's cherish the peace then," Nelli determined, slipping off her heels as she made herself comfortable on top of my desk.

❅ 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲 ❅
Hi angels, welcome to A Corrupted Christmas!! After weeks of anticipation and waiting, we're finally here celebrating the holiday season together!! I hope you all enjoy & don't forget to check out the Christmas Giveaway that I'm holding December 1st (all details will be posted on my Instagram, Wattpad, & Patreon)

Tis the season,
𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙩