❣️LOVE IN THE ELITES’ WORLD❣️
🌏🌏Her new world 🌎 🌏
📖📖CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.2️⃣9️⃣
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❣️❣️New members recruitment ❣️❣️
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.*
Paulina called the attention of the bar attendant, and he helped her move Micheal away before she took his phone to check his emergency contact list. She called his secretary’s phone, that was the only emergency contact there – she did what she should’ve done earlier.
Mr. Jones (Micheal’s secretary) arrived within few minutes and took him away, while she boarded a taxi back home.
*
She arrived home, and was surprised to meet her father by the hallway.
“Good evening, sir.” She greeted, and continued on her way.
“Paulina, can I’ve a moment?” He asked, and she stopped on her track to look at him, wondering what he wanted to discuss with her.
*
They both went to his private living room together, and he gestured her to sit.
“Paulina, how have you been?” He asked, and she looked at him.
“Sir?”
“It must’ve been hard on you to adjust in this house with a dimwit father like me that can’t standup for you.” He said, and she let out a sigh.
“I…”. She shuddered, confused on the right response.
“I confirmed that Ava was truly the one behind the incidence during that volunteer programe, and I’m sure she must’ve been torturing you a lot.” He said, and she looked at him.
“Is that supposed to be a question?” She found herself asking.
“Paulina, I’m sorry to be your father, no, how can I call myself your father when I can’t even protect you?”
“Did you called me here to sympathize with me?”
“Paulina…”
“Now I know the why mum told me that my father was longed gone, and told me never to think about him. You already confirmed that I’m being bullied by your daughter, this is even beyond bullying, yet you can’t do anything about it.”
He let out a sigh, and looked at her. “Do you want to transfer school?”
She looked at him, and laughed sarcastically. “Is that the least you can do?”
“I wish I found you and your mother sooner, maybe then… I might be able to protect you.”
“If mum was alive, I wouldn’t he here in first place. I was living just fine with her.” She cried.
“I’m glad that you were living just fine. One of these days… I’ll take you to visit your grandfather.”
“My grandfather?”
“Yes, your maternal grandfather. I’m sure he would be glad to see you.”
“Where is he? Mum never mentioned that to me.”
“Charlotte must’ve kept it a secret due to reasons best known to her, but I feel it’s right for him to know about your existence now that you are in the city.”
“Where is he? I want to meet him.”
“He is in the detention centre .”
“He is a criminal?”
“You are oblivious to so many things, Paulina, but I’m sure you will discover them gradually as time goes on.”
“My mother was really your childhood friend?” She asked, and he nodded all smiles.
“Yes! We were like a squad when we were younger, a squad of four. Come with me, let me show you pictures.” He said, and she nodded in excitement.
She followed him to his study room, and he brought out a photo album.
“This is your mother.” He said, pointing at Charlotte picture in their group photo.
“Wow, mum is so beautiful.” She said, admiring the picture.
“Yes, she was the cutest young girl I ever knew back then, I’m sure you were as cute as her.” He said, and she chuckled.
“Who are the others?” She asked, pointing at the remaining three people in the picture.
“This is me, Louis…. And…”. He shuddered.
“And who?” She asked, anxiously.
“We separated later, Louis left first, and we lost contact with your mother as well. This was your mother when we reunited again.” He said, and showed her a picture frame. Her mother looked so happy in the picture, dressed like an elite – a picture from the valentine banquet when they were in college.
“What really happened to mum? How did you two separated?”
“Just as you imagined, your mother’s family was once welloff. The Floods’ are known billionaires until everything fell through.”
“The Floods?”
“That was your mother’s real surname.”
“Oh…”
“Your mother lived like a princess with her overprotective father. Your mother cherished that bracelet with you so much, it was a treasure passed down to her by her late mother who died when she was a baby.”
“Oh…”. Paulina exclaimed, touching the bracelet.
“Paulina, a lot of things happened before you were born, and I wish I could tell you everything , but it was a long story, and I’ve prepare for s big meeting tomorrow. But I promise to find time to tell you.” He said, patting her back, and she nodded all smiles.
“Alright, dad. Good luck with your meeting.” She said, and he smiled—that was the first time she called him ‘dad’.
“Thank you. I’m sure the meeting will go well since you wished me luck, and even called me dad.” He muttered, and embraced her. “Thank you, Paulina, you don’t know how much those words mean to me. I’ll make sure we visit your grandfather, and also find time to answer all your pending questions.” He said, and she nodded wrapping her hands around him.
*
Paulina stepped out of the study room and saw Ms. Grace.
“You… what are you doing here?” Ms. Grace blurted, and Paulina flinched in fear.
“I… I… Errmmm…” She shuddered.
“Just go, just go.” Ms. Grace muttered, and Paulina bowed before leaving.
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Ms. Grace stared at her retreating back, and back at her husband’s study room. He is very strict with his privacy that he doesn’t allow anyone in his study. She never entered his study expect she wants to pick a fight with him. The thoughts of the reason he invited Paulina there bothers her, and she went closer to take a peek.
She glance through the door because it’s not properly closed, and saw him checking old pictures and smiling. She made a fist because she knew that they were Charlotte’s pictures. She clenched her teeth and jammed the door shut before leaving.
*
Paulina got to her room, and found herself researching about the Floods’, and was surprised to see all the news, and her mother supposed suicide.
“So everyone thought mum committed suicide” She thought in tears, as she wondered how it hard it must’ve been for her mother to raise her alone.
**
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HOLLAND HIGH^^^
^
Micheal and his friends sat in thier suite the following day at school. He was absentminded , while Austin and Stanley engaged on random conversations.
“Mike, why are you quite? I just said that Roy already got the car that is yet to be delivered to us.” Stanley said, and Micheal looked at him.
“He is flaunting it all over his social media.” Austin added.
“Hun…”. Michael muttered.
“Hun? Man, are you ok?” Austin asked.
“I don’t understand that Roy guy, he is always a step ahead of us.” Stanley grumbled.
“I can’t believe we wasted money for nothing. I was totally against this from this start, only if I had the upper hand.” Austin said.
“Guys, it’s time for class.” Micheal said, and stood up.
“I’m the one who needs the attendance, so why are you the one anxious? Can’t we go bunking somewhere, we’ve lost a fortune on that car we purchased.” Austin whined, but Micheal ignored him, taking the exit.
“Let’s go, bro. I’m sure Mike has other problems of his own.” Stanley muttered, and wrapped his arm around Steven’s shoulder.
“Even still!” Austin shouted, running to catch up with Micheal.
*
During classes, Micheal couldn’t bring himself to talk to Paulina who didn’t spare him a glance. He was missing her the whole day, but he couldn’t even bring himself to talk to her after remembering everything that happened the other day.
**
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CHAIRMAN STANFORD’S OFFICE^^^
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Paul asked his secretary to find the detention center that Charlotte’s father was, and his secetary reported back to him hours later.
“Sir, Mr. Flood has been released,” Mr. John reported back.
“What? How is that possible? I heard that he was sentenced to life.”
“Yes he was, but JW law firm reopened his case, and he was released with fine, considering the years he has served.”
“Where is he now?”
“No idea. We’ve been trying to search for him, but it seems like he disappeared, and there is no trace of him leave the country either,”
“He must be somewhere around, keep searching for him,”
“Yes, sir,”
“JW law firm is one of the best in the county, who could have sponsored his case?” Paul thought.
**
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HOLLAND HIGH^^^
^
The classes ended later, and an announcement was made for all new students to join a school club.
Paulina met both Sage, and Sophia in the hallway, and they all walked together, talking about the announcement.
“I’m in the music club.” Sophia said.
“Music? Do you sing?” Sage asked.
“Not really, but I’m good with the piano. You’ll fall in love if you watch me play.” She giggled, and they chuckled.
“Lina, what club should we join?” Sage asked, and Paulina looked at him.
“Nah… that can’t work. Every class has separate clubs. Same categories, but different teams.” Sophia said
“Like the supreme class, and middle class nonsense?” Sage asked.
“Exactly! So you and Lina can’t join same club. You can pick the same club… but on different team because of the difference in classes.”
“Oh… this class stuffs is really causing a lot of setbacks.” Sage grumbled.
“It’s fine, Sage. You can just do your thing.” Paulina said.
“Lina, what club in the supreme class will you join? The drama club and exponential club are already excluded.” Sophia said.
“Why? Are their members complete?” Sage asked.
“Ava was the leader of drama club before she left school, and now that she is back, I’m sure she would return to the club. It’s a no go area for Lina.” Sophia said, and they both nodded.
“What’s the exponential club about?” Paulina asked.
“It’s consist of only four members, the MASS. They don’t have any activity in particular, they just gather together to do thier things.”
“Oh…”. Paulina exclaimed.
“Hi, Lina.” A girl said walking up to them, accompanied by 2 others girls and a boy.
“That’s Jessica and her squad, what does she want?” Sophia whispered.
“The school president?” Paulina asked.
“Yes, I’m the school president, Jessica Lockwood,” Jessica said, gesturing her hands for a shake.
“I’m Sage Greenwood, how may we help you?” Sage asked, receiving the shake, and Jessica chuckled.
“I’m here for Lina. You must be having problems with choosing a club, so I want to recruit you in mine. Welcome to Math club with a direct invitation from the leader.” Jessica said, and gestured her hand for a shake.
“What? Math club…” Paulina grumbled.
“Yes, what?” Jessica muttered.
“I have no interest in math.”
“You don’t need interest to be a member. I checked your record, and you are pretty good at math. 92% isn’t a bad grade. You’re just the right member to recruit.” She said, and Paulina struggled to receive the handshake.
“I…”. She shuddered.
“Just go for it, babe. You managed to score 92% in math. Gosh, you are a genius.” Sophia exclaimed.
“Why did you check her records?” Sage asked.
“Because it’s needed to confirm if she qualify.” Jessica blurted.
“She didn’t request to join, so what you did was intrusion.”
“Let’s save that for the law. I would’ve checked yours as well, but too bad we aren’t in same class so kind the way you speak to me.” Jessica said, rolling her eyes.
“Lina, it’s not a must you join.” Sage said.
“Come on, my hands are hanging.” Jessica blurted, and someone received the handshake from behind — they were all surprised to see the MASS.
“Can I join too? 100% in math should qualify.” Stanley said, and Jessica freed her hand in anger.
Stanley has been her rival in mathematics so far, no matter how hard she studied, she managed to beat everyone else expect him. He was always getting the perfect score even though she studied more than him.
“Jake, my gee.” Austin said, and exchanged pleasantries with the boy with Jessica.
“Lina doesn’t have to join your club, she already has a club.” Micheal said, and they all looked at him.
“I’ve a club?” Paulina repeated, pointing at herself.
“Yes, welcome to our club.” Micheal said, and everyone looked at him — including his friends.
“You would be the first outsider to be a part of our club, you should feel honored. Besides, you are no outsider, you are Mike’s girlfriend after all.” Austin said, and Sophia blushed slightly but instantly composed herself when her gaze met Sage angry face.
“I thought you don’t accept members in your club?” Jessica blurted.
“My club, my rule. Got a problem with that?” Micheal remarked.
“No. But too bad… she could make a great impact in the math club.” Jessica said.
“I volunteer to fill that space.” Stanley said, but she snubbed him before looking at Paulina.
“We could’ve actually made a great team, but too bad.. see you around.” with that she left, and her friends followed.
“I’m in your club?” Paulina said.
“No objection. I decide to recruit a new member, and I choose you. Let’s make a great team.” Micheal said, and stretched his hand for a shake but she jabbed it away.
“Ouch… is that the best way to treat your club leader?” Micheal whined.
“What’s your so-called club about?” Paulina asked.
“So-called? You just called our exponential club so-called?” Austin hurst out.
“We could do anything you want. We could do math if that’s what interest you. We would make a great math club.” Michael said.
“Cool!” Stanley muttered.
“Math my foot!” Austin blurted, and they all laughed.
Micheal wrapped his arm around Paulina’s shoulder, leading her away and she forgot to bid goodbye to her friends as she left with them lost in their conversation.
*
They got to thier suite, and she started questioning them concerning their club purpose.
“If you can come up with five good ideas for the club, we will chose the one we prefer, and I would make you the club member.” Micheal said.
“Really?” Paulina asked.
“You don’t mean it, Mike. I really enjoy our current activities. Doing whatever we want.” Austin said.
“So how is that a club?” Paulina blurted.
“Hey, you are being too blunt these days, don’t be too friendly with me.” Austin shouted.
“If this is called friendly in your opinion, then you need to associate with less toxic friends.” Paloma said, and Stanley chuckled.
“What? Did you just call my friends toxic?” Austin shouted.
“Let the girl be, Austin.” Stanley muttered, and Austin glared at him.
“Hey! Which side are you?” Austin shouted.
“It’s going too noisy.” Micheal grumbled.
“There you go again.” Austin muttered, and let out a sigh.
“The math club are recruiting new members, do you think I should try again?” Stanley asked, and Austin scoffed.
“What’s your stress, bro? You’ve been trying endlessly to join that club but Jessica kept declining your request with excuse that they have enough members. You even wanted Mike to overpower her so you could join last year. Is that how much you want to limit hanging out with us?” Austin blurted.
“Yes, yes that’s how much I hate hanging out with you guys. Joining a club where I can challenge my mathematics skills with others would be interesting.”
“Then form one with miss schooler, she is quite good too.”
“Really? Then we could just form a math club.”
“You are nut!” Austin blurted.
“What am I even thinking?” Stanley grumbled.
“I absolutely have a problems with geniuses, you really need to join that math club and free me a little.” Austin blurted, and Stanley scoffed.
“That guy, Jake… is he in a relationship with Jessica?” Stanley asked.
“Insolence! He is just her friend.” Austin shouted.
“But he never had a girlfriend.”
“He told me he is engaged to a girl in grade 9. He must be struggling a lot.” Austin said.
“But he likes Jessica, right?”
“No, I think you like Jessica.” Austin said, and Stanley looked at him.
“What nonsense is that?!” Stanley yelled.
“Hey! You don’t have to take it too seriously.”
“Why would you assume such nonsense in the first place ?”
“I don’t think it’s total nonsense. You’ve been trying to join her club, and always picking up on her when you get the chance.”
“How does that mean I like her.”
“My point exactly! If you actually like her, try to pick the wrong answers twice and make her the top in maths. Stop pulling nonsense strings, that will only make her loathe you even more.”
“I can never get an answer wrong? And why would I even do that when I know the right answers?”
“That’s the only way she can like you back, and that’s only if she has moved on from the one-sided crush she had for Mike. Gosh, almost all the girls like Mike, am I invisible?” Austin whined.
“Just until the next national math competition. I can’t afford to loose a point now.” Stanley grumbled.
“That’s it! You just admit to liking her.”
“Are you happy now?”
“I’m fulfilled, man. But you shouldn’t like her. It’s not just her.”
“Why? You were rooting for us earlier.”
“Because I like her too.”
“Since when?”
“Since now.”
“You must be nut.”
“I think it’s true love.” Austin muttered, and Stanley aimed to smack him but he was quick to run off, and Stanley ran after him.
Stanley and Austin ran around together around the room, while Michael and Paulina were engrossed on finding activities for the group, and Steven was engrossed on the video game he was playing.
*
Paulina was unable to find the perfect activity, so she decided to do it later at home, and Michael asked Austin to give her a ride home because he has to attend a meeting later, so he needed time to prepare for if.
Austin drove off with Paulina, and they engaged on random conversations about the club activities till he pulled over at the nearest bus station where she asked him to drop her off.
“Thanks for the ride, Austin.”
“I can give you a ride home. I don’t want to get a handful from Mike.” Austin said.
“I can find my way from here, thank you,” she said, and alighted from the car.
“Alright if you insist. Take care, see you tomorrow,” he waved, and she waved back.
“Gosh! Why am I being too friendly with her?” He thought, and drove off.
Paulina waited for the next bus, and saw the ragged man she bumped into at school. He doesn’t look different from the other day — to her surprise, she remembered the dress he wore that day, and he was still on same outfit.
“He must’ve his own struggles as well,” she thought, looking at him — their gaze met, and she was quick to look away.
**
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IN AN UNKNOWN PLACE^^^
^
Charlotte recovered gradually, and tried her much as possible to avoid asking Louis too many questions, but she couldn’t help it.
He always go to the city to attend to some stuffs, but he always return back each day.
He entered her room later at night, and met her still up.
“You’re still up,” he said, and she smiled.
“You’re late today,”
“Yeah… I had some things to finish,”
“Traveling to and fro must’ve really stressful,”
“Just until you recover,”
“I know it’s shameless of me to make this, because I never paid him a visit even when I was healthy. But I want to know how dad is doing at the detention centre. I suddenly thought of him,”
“Your father is no longer in prison,”
“What? Where is he now? What happened to him?”
“His case was reopened, and he was freed with a fine considering the years he already served. Your father is a free man, Charlotte, so you shouldn’t worry about him but your recovery. There are a lot of things you are oblivious to, and I’m not going to share them until you fully recover,” he said, and she bowed her head in tears. “Come on, don’t be like that,” he muttered, and embraced her.
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TO BE CONTINUED…
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