The University Director

Agatha's heart was racing when that praise reached her ears, and immediately into her heart as well. But Agatha didn't want to be conceited, those words were even too excessive for her to receive. That's why Agatha immediately shook her head. "It's nothing. My dream is still long. I can't accept that praise before my dream is realized." "What?" Jayden frowned curiously, glancing at Agatha briefly. The praise he gave was apparently brushed aside. But now the girl was just silent. "Your dream. What is it?" Jayden asked again because Agatha seemed not to have heard. Agatha, who turned to the side to glance at the road, smiled thinly at Jayden's question. She thought the man would forget his curiosity because she had deliberately remained silent earlier. "Ah, there is, that's all." Jayden sighed softly, suppressing his annoyance and refocusing on the road ahead. Agatha immediately buried the answer to his curiosity about her dream. Jayden then let the silence envelop between them until they arrived in front of the bus stop near Agatha's campus. Actually Jayden didn't mind dropping her off at the gate, but Agatha stubbornly refused. "Thank you for the ride. And have a good day at work." Agatha unfastened her seatbelt, then opened the door. Before getting out, she paused briefly, waiting for Jayden's response. "I'll wait here to pick you up later." "Huh?" Agatha reflexively turned and shook her head quickly. "No need, I—" "I don't need your approval." Jayden cut her off firmly, as if he didn't want to be argued with. Agatha remained silent and ended up nodding, obeying her boss. After closing the door, she quickly walked fast to enter before she was late and the lecturer was already in the classroom. Jayden watched Agatha's retreating back until it disappeared, a small smile on his face, then stepped on the gas and headed to the office. A girl who was none other than Aluna immediately ran after getting out of the car, seeing Agatha walking in the corridor. Agatha didn't realize it until Aluna slapped her shoulder quite hard. "Stop, Agatha!" Agatha almost shrieked in surprise and screamed. Fortunately, she could hold it back when she turned to see Aluna who was panting. Her face also looked flushed. "Aluna? Why does your face look like that? Haven't you had breakfast? Or are you sick?" "Goodness, you're really insensitive, aren't you! I'm actually angry with you!" Aluna furrowed her brows while putting her hands on her hips. "Why?" Agatha looked confused, truly not understanding. "Why?" Aluna retorted harshly and bitterly. "Because you didn't reply to my message! You didn't even read it! You're really terrible, Agatha! You don't know how worried I was about you all night! Where have you been? Until you didn't even have time to check your phone?!" Aluna explained passionately. Agatha suddenly remembered something, immediately feeling guilty. She grinned sheepishly while scratching her head. "Ah, so that's why. I'm sorry, my battery ran out. I really forgot to check it. Seriously, I didn't mean to not read the message you sent." Aluna snorted loudly. She placed her hands in front of her chest and glared scornfully. "Actually, where were you last night?" "I, I was at—" "Don't say you were at the dorm because I went there last night," Aluna cut her off, followed by an annoyed click of the tongue. Agatha spontaneously widened her eyes. Oh no. "What?!" Aluna rolled her eyes impatiently, but then let out a long sigh. "Why didn't you say if you needed money, Agatha? I could have lent you some so you wouldn't get evicted. Tell me, who's house did you stay at last night? Why didn't you tell me?" Agatha wanted to hide the fact from Aluna that she had been evicted, but she didn't expect Aluna to already know on her own. As a result, Agatha couldn't escape. She looked deeply into the face of her only friend. In fact, there was no pretend worried expression on Aluna's face. "Aluna, I'm sorry. I just didn't want to bother you. It's enough that you're my friend, I don't need anything else. You don't need to worry about my living situation, because I've already found a place." "Where? With whom? Is he really kind?" Aluna replied in quick succession. She was worried Agatha was dealing with bad people. "There is, someone kind." Agatha couldn't tell the truth, but in her heart she apologized over and over with a forced smile. "You want to keep it a secret from me?" Aluna held both of Agatha's shoulders. "I'll tell you at the right time, but not now." Agatha shifted to rub Aluna's shoulder, then gave a small smile. Aluna exhaled, linking her arm with Agatha's to walk side by side. This time she would try to understand. "Okay, I won't force you. But about Senior Grace's phone, have you found a way? Time keeps passing, Agatha. It'll be a week soon." "I know, I'm thinking of a way. I'll definitely find the right way," Agatha replied confidently. "Will you ask for payment from the cafe?" Agatha shook her head honestly. "I'll ask for payment from my new job." "Since when? Are you sure it's enough?" Aluna paused for a moment, she had just learned that Agatha had a new job. "I'm sure it's more than enough." Agatha remembered that the payment Jayden offered was clearly more than enough. "What's your new job?" Agatha turned and saw Aluna's curious expression, she chuckled. "A pleasant job."  *** "I heard there's a seminar being held by the campus director after this. Have you heard about it, Agatha?" "Just now." Agatha was enjoying a filled bread that was also sold in the campus canteen. "It must be really cool. It's rare for a director to directly meet with the students. They say he's also still young and handsome." Aluna smiled brightly when talking about men. "Wasn't the previous one already old?" Aluna immediately held back her laughter. "No. The previous one was his parent. This campus has changed ownership to his son." "The one who will fill the seminar material?" Agatha guessed. She rarely looked for information like that. "Yes, he's the stepson. Strange, isn't it? Why wasn't it the biological child who inherited it?" "Where did you get that news from? Don't tell me it's from the gossip groups?" Agatha narrowed her eyes suspiciously. It was easy to guess what Aluna's behavior would be like when it came to gossip. Aluna smiled very sweetly. "It is from there. But it's true, though. I've never actually seen his biological child, but what I've heard is that he was once involved in a scandal. Maybe that's why the campus is now owned by his stepson." "Enough, why are we talking about those people?" Agatha sighed lazily. "We have no use discussing other people's personal problems that may not even be true." Aluna clicked her tongue and continued eating. But suddenly she noticed Agatha's bread was almost gone. "Are you just eating bread?" Agatha nodded, even though she was still hungry. "I've had breakfast." "But this is lunch. You should order heavier food. Let me order you some more, okay?" Aluna quickly put down her spoon and fork. Agatha hurriedly held Aluna's arm before she could stand up. "No. I'm saving money. I don't mind this bread either." "Who said you're using your own money? I feel like treating you." Aluna giggled when Agatha's eyes widened as she slowly released her hand. "If you insist, are you serious?" Aluna nodded. "When have I ever lied to you about food?" Agatha chuckled softly, that's true. Aluna really liked to buy her food. Ah, not just her. She had even bought for people she didn't know before. After Agatha gave permission, Aluna went back to order more food. "Here, eat heartily so you have energy for work," Aluna said as she placed a bowl of food in front of Agatha. "Thank you, you're really generous." Aluna laughed briefly at the word "generous". "You're welcome." "By the way, do you know JB Apartment?" Agatha asked. "Of course, isn't that famous? Everyone must know. Why?" Agatha was silent for a moment, suddenly doubtful about her question and not ready for Aluna's answer. "Uh, who's the owner? I mean, does the JB stand for the owner's name?"