Chapter 2

I hailed a taxi outside the gates of the foundation, my heart beating with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation. As I climbed into the back seat, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disbelief that I was finally leaving behind the only home I had ever known. 

As the taxi pulled away from the curb, I leaned back against the seat, taking in the sights and sounds of the city that I had only ever seen from a distance. The buildings towered above me, their glass facades glinting in the early morning sun, while the bustle of traffic and pedestrians filled the air with a constant hum. For a moment, I felt a pang of homesickness, a longing for the familiar sights and sounds of the foundation. But then I reminded myself of the reasons why I was leaving, of the dreams and aspirations that had driven me to take this leap of faith. As we drove through the streets, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and amazement at the sheer scale and diversity of the city. I saw skyscrapers and shopping malls, parks, and museums, people of all shapes and sizes going about their daily business. And yet, amidst all the chaos and noise, I felt a sense of purpose and direction. For the first time in my life, I was venturing out into the world on my own, charting my own course and pursuing my own dreams.

As the taxi pulled up outside the gates of the university, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I took a deep breath, gathered my belongings, and stepped out onto the pavement, ready to face whatever challenges and adventures lay ahead.

As I stepped onto the sprawling campus, I couldn’t help but admire the vibrant and bustling university environment. I took a deep breath and pulled out my Scholarship folder, scanning it for the location of the VC’s office. My heart was pounding with excitement and anticipation as I walked briskly towards my destination. Suddenly, I found myself lost in the maze of buildings and corridors. My anxiety began to rise as I frantically searched for the correct path. Just as I was about to give up hope, a beautiful young girl with long black hair and a friendly smile approached me. 

“Hi there, can I help you find something?” she asked. I introduced myself and explained my situation. “I’m Clara Benson, nice to meet you, Marco.” She introduced herself and kindly offered to show me the way to the principal’s office.

As we walked down the hallway, Clara asked me about my field of study. “I’m hoping to study Business Administration,” I told her. 

“That’s exciting! What inspired you to pursue that field?” Clara asked.

“Well, I’ve been poor all my life, and I’ve always struggled with money issues. I want to learn how to run a business and manage money so that I don’t ever have to worry about becoming bankrupt and being broke again,” I replied, and her blue eyes seemed to have lit up in admiration of my mere honesty. 

“That’s a great goal! It’s inspiring to see someone who’s been through hardships use those experiences to motivate themselves. I’m sure you’ll do well in your studies,” she encouraged. I smiled, feeling encouraged by her words. 

“Thank you, that means a lot coming from you,” I replied.

We continued talking about our studies, and I learned that Clara was studying Banking and Finance. It was interesting to hear her perspective on the field and how it related to my own interests. As we reached the entrance of the Vice Chancellor’s Office, Clara turned to me with a smile.

“Well, it was nice meeting you. Good luck with your visit, and I hope to see you around campus,” she said. 

“Thank you, it was nice to meet you too. I’m sure I’ll see you around,” I replied, feeling grateful for the new connection.

With that, we went our separate ways, both excited to begin our first year of studies at the university.

As I approached the door, I could feel my heart beating faster, and I took a deep breath before knocking. A woman opened the door, and I guessed she was the VC’s secretary. She was stunning, with long blonde hair and a slim figure that spoke of hours spent in the gym. 

“Do you have an appointment?” she asked me, her tone polite but firm. I cleared my throat and tried to sound confident. 

“Yes, I’m here to see Miss Charlotte concerning my tuition and accommodation,” I said, hoping I sounded eloquent enough. 

“Alright, and you are?” she asked, her blue eyes curious. 

“My name is Marco Silvers, ma’am,” I replied, watching her closely for any signs of recognition. 

“No need to call me ‘ma’am,’” she said with a friendly smile. “My name is Veronica. Take a seat, and I’ll let her know you’re here.”

I nodded, relieved, and sank onto the couch in the waiting area. As I waited, I tried to calm my racing thoughts and focus on the meeting ahead. This was my chance to make a good impression and secure my place at the university for the next few years. I could only hope that everything would go smoothly.

After a minute or two, the door to the inner office opened, and a tall, beautiful woman stepped out. She walked with an air of confidence, her blonde hair shining in the light. I stood up immediately as a sign of respect, feeling my heart race in my chest. 

“Judging from your green eyes and dark brown hair, you must be Marco Silvers,” she said, her tone blunt and direct. I was taken aback by her bluntness, but I managed to compose myself. 

“Yes, I am,” I replied, trying to sound confident. “It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Charlotte.” She smirked, her eyes raking over me. 

“Handsome and very polite, just like him,” she said, her words making my heart skip a beat.