Chapter 104 - CONGRATULATIONS
"You looked great, Bea! The school uniform suits you well." Elisa exclaimed from behind me.
A blush crept on my cheeks from the unexpected compliment. "Thank you, Lis," I replied, turned away from the mirror, and walked towards her.
Faith Vienne flailed her dainty hands when her bright blue eyes landed on mine. What a cute little thing, if only I could bring her to school. I thought despondently, sighing.
Her cute little lips curled into a dazzling smile that reminds me so much of Ace. It was enough to lift my sunken mood. Tenderness welled inside me when my daughter raised her hands eagerly as if telling me to pick her up. I couldn't resist the urge and I took her into my arms.
"You adorable little thing." I teased then landed a soft peck on her upturned nose. Faith Vienne in return caressed my cheeks with her dainty fingers. "If only Mama and Papa could bring you to school we will. Unfortunately, babies are not allowed in the University so you need to wait until we return. Aunt Stella and Aunt Lisa will take good care of you while we're gone.
I will miss you for a while, my princess. But don't worry baby, we will return as soon as possible."
Faith, as if she understood what I mean giggled and caressed my cheeks once more as if telling me it's going to be alright.
"Aren't you attending the Students Assembly Lis?" I tore my gaze off from Faith Vienne so I could look at my best friend.
"No, We're not returning to the University until next week since we conduct advanced classes this summer. Welcome to Harvey University, Bea. You're officially part of the family today."
"I didn't pass the exam, Lis. Don't be so excited." I replied keeping my disappointment to myself.
Elisa opened her mouth to speak but decided to keep her thoughts to herself. Instead, she gave me one of her mysterious smiles that left me wondering what does that smile mean.
"You must be going. You will be late if you don't hurry. Your King was already waiting outside the door." She said grinning from ear to ear. Even her eyes were glowing as she teased me.
I kissed Faith Vienne on her cheeks one last time.?I feel bad leaving my daughter behind but I must be off or else Ace and I would be late for the meeting.
"Thank you so much for this, Lis. This means so much to me." I said, carefully?placing my daughter into her arms. "I'll cook your favorite dish tonight as a token of my appreciation."
"I would love that." She replied, beaming. Her beautiful face brightens. "The time, Bea. You go now."
"Oh, of course, of course," I responded, glancing at the mirror for the last time then to Faith Vienne's mellow eyes before running to the door. "See you later Lis."
Ace was indeed waiting outside when I emerged from the door. Elisa informed me in advance but still, I wasn't prepared for the sudden increase in my heartbeat.
The pleasant greeting I prepared didn't come out. Instead, I found myself paralysed in my palace when a pair of exquisite blue eyes?captured my gaze.
"Good morning, my queen." He murmured, giving me a smile that turned my knees into noodles. He captured my palms and brought them to his lips making the hairs on my body stand on ends.
I was speechless. My cheeks burned. He was eyeing me from head to toe with eyes gleaming with admiration.
Sh*t. Ace looked so damn good in his school uniform. I nearly drooled at the sight of him. He wasn't even aware of how dashing he looks today.
He let my fingers go and it dropped to my side. I was actually hoping that he would continue to hold my hands.
Ace casually ran his fingers to the soft strands of his hair. My throat turned dry as the Sahara Desert as I looked at him. "You looked great in your uniform." He complimented. His heated gaze moved to my body. But when his gaze landed on the black pencil-cut skirt I wore, he frowned.
He didn't say anything for a short moment. I wonder what he was thinking as he looks at me with eyebrows almost merging into a single line. What's wrong, I wanted to ask but he was already moving towards the door. "I will follow you to the car, Phoenix. I'll kiss Faith Vienne goodbye first."
I nodded my head and watched him enter the door and close it behind him. When he was gone, I simply shrugged my shoulders and walked down the stairs.
***
"Isn't your skirt cut too low, Phoenix?"
It was the first question coming from his lips after he helped put my seatbelt on. When I look at him, I noticed he was frowning.
He didn't pay me a glance. He continued to focus his attention on the steering wheel as he turned the engine to life.
My eyebrows were scrunched in confusion as I looked at him while I wondered what caused his sudden change in mood.
The car moved forward. The colossal gates opened. Moments later the car was safely moving on the four-lane highway.
"Phoenix?"
My wandering thoughts came crashing back to reality. "Oh, about that…."
How do I explain that to him that it's the standard skirt length without him getting annoyed at me?
"You didn't fit the uniform when you received it, didn't you?"
I bit my lips before I replied. "I didn't," I admitted. I wasn't expecting that it would be this short. The length should be just above my knees and not in the mid of my thighs.
"Isn't it too short, Ace?" I asked, suddenly becoming too self-conscious.
"It's not that short compared to other female students I saw when I first came to the University. But for me, yours is too short. It exposes your long, shapely legs. I don't want any other man looking at you." He replied without filters. He appeared embarrassed. His cheeks were wildly blushing.
I bit my lower lip and shut my mouth tightly. Still startled by his unexpected remark, my mouth remained closed.
How am I supposed to react to that remark?
Ace was just being overprotective since he didn't want me to be taken advantage of. The thought made me smile. Butterflies fluttered the inside of my stomach. I like this overprotective side of him. It makes me feel giddy like a teenager having a crush for the first time.
"The first day of class will start next week. We still have time to have a few adjustments to your skirts. Do you have any violent reaction?" He asked seriously without tearing his gaze from the highway.
"Oh, I agree with you, Ace. This skirt is cut rather short. I want this to be a little longer." I replied while pulling the skirt downward since it barely covers half of my thigh when I sit down.
"Good." He replied. This time he throws me a quick glance before focusing his attention straight ahead.
Silence lapsed between us until we reached the University. Ace maneuvered the car to the parking space beside the display of other luxurious cars.
This school has students from the richest and influential families. The parking area filled with branded cars was just proof of that.
"Just as I promised, I'm not going to tell anyone we knew each other." Ace said just when I'm reaching for the door.
Relief washed over me. "Thank you so much, Ace," I replied and heard the door click open. "We will meet here after the assembly is over."
Ace nodded.
I clamber out of the car and follow the cemented path that?will lead me to the school's main door. After presenting my school Id to the guard he allowed me to enter.
The sound of high-pitched voices greeted me as I walked down the hallway. Students were gathered around the huge bulletin board. Curious, I moved closer to the excited crowd to investigate.
I stood taller than most girls which I'm thankful for since I don't need to force my way in to read what's written on the bulletin board. From where I stood, I could read the names written on the list of students who topped the entrance exam. Fifty students in total are listed.
I read the names starting from ten and above. Suddenly I stopped reading. Oh my god. I mumbled, covering my mouth with my fingers. Shocked to see my name on the top fifty list.
My name is ranked number eighteen. I have to blink my eyes several times just to make sure I'm not just imagining it.
I passed the exam! I passed the exam!
I couldn't believe the news. I feel so high as if I hit the jackpot. I want to jump up and down from excitement.
When I lifted my gaze,?I saw Ace standing in the crowd. He was so tall that it would not be difficult to spot him. When he felt someone was looking at him, he turned in my direction.
His lips moved.
"Congratulations, Phoenix." He mouthed.
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