Chapter 74 - SADDENING NEWS
An hour had passed since I walked out of my father's office and climbed up the stairs to my room but the astounding news didn't allow me to recover quickly. As I quietly sat on my bed, with Faith Vienne lying beside me I contemplated father's words. He seriously meant no harm but I couldn't ignore the pain stinging in my chest thinking that I needed to leave my safe haven—the Crawford Mansion. It occurred to me before that I needed to leave this play but it never once crossed my mind that it would be next week. So soon...
"You shall not worry about Faith Vienne, Beatrix." Alexander Crawford said softly while laying a hand on my left shoulder. Loneliness shone on his eyes as if he didn't want me to leave either but he must do it for my sake. He cleared his throat before he continued, "Stella offered to take good care of your daughter while you stay on her luxurious estate so you could focus on your studies." His words nearly drew me into tears. God knows how badly I yearned to go back to school to pursue the career I longed to succeed and yet my only regrets were leaving them behind.
"I wouldn't bear to not see you for the next four years pa…Grandma Clarissa and my eight brothers too…. I'm gonna miss you all." I looked away so father would not see the tears clouding my eyes but it was too late, his sharp observant eyes caught the glint of tears. The hand holding my shoulders tightened and in spite of the depressing mood, he managed to give me one of his best smiles, for a moment it was enough to let me forget my worries. He knew what's best and maybe I need to take my share of sacrifice too after all this is for my own good.
"We will visit you twice a month. Once you adjust to your new environment I promise you that you will enjoy Stella's luxurious estate and probably you will arrive at a point where you will not wish to leave the place." The conversation ended with my father embracing me tight and telling me things would be fine and there's nothing I should be afraid of. Of course, I trust him, I pushed all the negative thoughts off my mind and told myself that going to another country to study would be a new, exciting experience.
I turned towards Faith Vienne, she was fast asleep. I leaned closer and kissed the tip of her nose. The sight of her was enough to ease a few of my fears and worries. It feels so good to be a mother. But it feels even best to gave birth to a baby girl. Once in Brittania, we could go to popular tourist spots. We could go to popular places to experience new things and see new sceneries. The thought sent my heart pumping with excitement. Who says I couldn't mix studies with pleasure?
I carefully lifted Faith Vien from the bed and placed her inside the stroller. She stirred but thankfully the movement didn't disturb her sleep. I picked my laptop on top of the night table and very slowly pushed the stroller to the terrace using my right hand while clutching my laptop on the other. The laptop was a gift from my father last week. I didn't want to accept the thing since it was too much but father as stubborn as he insisted I accept the present or he will feel bad. In the end, father won and I wholeheartedly thank him for it.
I pulled a chair near the glass window. I stopped for a moment to appreciate the breathtaking view overlooking the garden. It was the part of the Mansion where I want to spend most of my time, of course, it's nothing to do with our gardener, I told myself defensively. Speaking of our 'hot' gardener he was nowhere to be seen. I saw him down the garden this morning and watering the plants before Marcus arrived but when my gaze searched the spot where I last saw him he's gone.
He was probably on the lawn and moving some of the father's latest collection of lawn ornaments. At least he wasn't there in the garden to distract me with my research. I pulled the stroller beside my chair before taking my seat. When I was comfortably settled on my seat, I placed the laptop on top of my lap.
My eyes narrowed in concentration while I type 'Harvey University in the search tab.' It was the school I would soon find myself in. At least I know what type of school I'm getting myself in. My mouth dropped into the floor when the image of a gigantic building with a modern structure, with pristine white walls, and elegant roofing that look as if it's made of gold came to view.
'Harvey University is a school exclusive for the royal and the elite class. It's known for its global competitiveness, world-renowned faculty, state-of-the-art resources, and outstanding curriculum. It's the perfect school to pursue your career and to discover your best academic interests.
I have to release the breathing I didn't know I was holding as my gaze survey the images available of the University. It is no ordinary school which simply means the majority of the student came from extremely rich and influential families. For a moment I have to ask myself if I could handle all the pressure. 'I must' It was my automatic response to the question since I knew there's no turning back. Whether I like it or not, I shall finish my education so I could return to Cordova and take over Crawford Chain Of Hotels.
My trembling fingers clicked on the list of courses available, I don't really understand if it's excitement or anticipation which was making me fidgety. I clicked on the list of courses available. Until now I'm not quite sure which course to take.
Accountant, Agriculture, Economics, Animal Production and Fisheries, Banking and Finance...
I stopped reading. The number of courses available was making my head spin. I haven't read half of the lists—not even one-fourth—but I lost interest. The course I need to choose must help me in managing not just hotels but also restaurants that papa wishes to venture into in the future. I heard him mention once that the ongoing hotel project overlooking the sea would be upgraded by adding restaurants on the first floor.
What should I choose? I took a deep breath and continue reading the list of courses. An hour later, my eyes were droopy and tired from looking too much on the screen, my back ached by my uncomfortable position on the chair, and my neck was achingly stiff.?But despite everything, there was a smile on my lips knowing I found the course suitable for me. My hardship was all worth it. I closed the laptop on my lap and allowed my eyes to relax while my hands work to massage my temples.
My gaze landed on Faith Vienne. She was still asleep, she's being cooperative while I was doing my research a while ago. The slight flicker of movement at the corner of my eyes caught my attention. In an instant, my expectant eyes shifted to the garden. Oh, look who's here. I mumbled to myself seeing Carter emerge from nowhere. As usual, he was wearing a white t-shirt. On the bottom, he was wearing ripped jeans. Wow, a gardener wearing only a plain t-shirt and ripped jeans were slaying the look, he still looks sizzling hot in his way. He manages to look proud and regal without even trying. He's the only man I know who could look so cool and elegant even if he shall out a rag on.
Warm sunshine gleamed on his hair like molten honey. He moved to the garden with, quick but sure movements with a shovel in his powerful hands. Without me knowing, my hands tightened around the chair. I never knew that gardening could be this elegant. I suddenly have this notion to change my choice into gardening. Bachelor Of Science In Gardening, I wonder if there's such a course because I might be needing one.
He took his shirt off. I heard myself took a deep intake of breath. I'm badly in need of a glass of cold water to ease the dryness of my throat. The beads of sweat trickling down his back gleamed against the sun. He looks like the God of Sun, Apollo. My eyes sinfully wandered around the muscular contours of his chest. He could pass a model to me. I still couldn't understand why he chooses the wrong line of work. He must be desperate to find a job.
His head moved in my direction. He caught me in the process of drooling over his body. I was thankful for the distance between us it hid the embarrassing blush on my cheeks.
I realize as I look at him that?I will miss him too after I leave next week.
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