CHAPTER 5

At The Dean's Office. 

How would he get used to the fact that he is now a rich young man? Michael Guterson thought. He had forgotten he'd be having his phone changed today.

Michael thought about telling Sebastian to leave it only when he returned but remembered he'd still be having a group class after the nine o'clock lecture. Now is the perfect time. He'd only be some minutes late for the lectures. Mr. Francis never even keeps to time.

Michael went with Sebastian to a big electronics store. It was obvious poor people can't get a thing there. Everything was set in glass casings.

With the help of Sebastian, Michael chose the hottest phone brand. It was a Samsung LX3D. The newest release.

"Seventy-three thousand dollars sir", the store's attendant said.

Michael was about to withdraw his phone from his pocket to make a transfer when Sebastian gave him a green card. "Here, Elegant Young Sir Michael, Mama G said I should give you this to take care of all your transfers." 

Michael didn't know what and how important the green card was, but he was just happy that he now has a card for all his transfers.

"Your pin sir",

"Please input a new one you won't forget. Mama G already disabled the old." Sebastian quickly chipped.

"..****.."

"It must be five digits or more sir." The attendant said again.

Michael immediately added a last zero, which was his admission number with an extra digit between, so he wouldn't forget.

He saw Sebastian drive away as he headed for his lectures.

"Sorry, Mr. Guterson, but you can't have access to this class." Mr. Frances said from seeing him walk into the hall.

Was it his clothes? Michael thought. Yes, they're tattered but that wasn't the first day he's attending lectures with them.

"But sir…"

"If you have any explanations, I'm sorry you'll have to see the bursary department."

Mr. Francis mentioned bursary then it dawned on Michael it has to be a thing relating to money.

He saw his classmates all burst into a laugh as he was denied access to the class he hastened to meet me.

"He thinks Coles is for poor brats like him", he could hear them say.

"But I'll miss his laundry and janitor services. The guy is a good cleaner", another voice echoed to Michael's hearing, and this time, it was no doubt Dave. He could tell his voice at any instance.

But Mr. Lawrence had promised the company would be sponsoring his tuition fees till graduation. Michael wondered what the problem might be. But whatever it is, money is now not his problem. He can afford his fees by himself.

Michael looked, Eunice was giving him a grin. Eunice was the only lady in his class who talked gently to him and never joined the crowd to mock him. At a certain time, he thought of asking her out, but he couldn't as he wondered why his heart was all into Diane.

He looked, Diane and Will were not in the class, the roars of laughter would have been more, he thought.

Michael was heading straight to the bursary department. He needs to know why he would be denied access to a class just like that. He has never seen a thing like that done to any student in Coles, even though their parents are all rich.

"Why must you follow us all around?"

Diane said, as he entered Dean Park's office and saw Diane and Will there. He wondered if they pay their fees themselves or what would bring them to Park's office.

"Sir, I was told to see you regarding my tuition fees", Michael said to the dean, ignoring the two.

"Yes Michael, Mr. Lawrence settled your fees to your third year. All students he brought here settle their final year fees, while he brings new ones to sponsor."

Michael wondered how a thing like that would be done and they wouldn't have him informed until the last minute.

"Can you two please excuse us?", Dean Park said.

Michael was happy as he never wanted to bring out the green card to settle the bills before Diane and Will. At least not now, his identity should still be concealed.

"Here, sir.." Michael Guterson said, bringing out the green card from his pocket.

"Heyyy ..WHERE did you get this from Michael Guterson!!!?"

Mr. Park was screaming already.

"Can you please lower your voice sir", Michael pleaded.

"Help!!! Help!!!! Thugs and touts are now in Coles. Who did you rob Michael?"

Mr. Park was screaming and this time, at the top of his voice. All of the block's members of staff were already gathering in response to his raised alarm.

"I know you must be a thief. From the first time I saw you in Coles, I wondered why Lawrence chose you." The Chief accountant yelled.

"I'm not a thief Ma." Michael struggled to say. Tears were already gathering in his eyes. A lot comes with riches too, he thought.

"Allow him to input the card's pin if he's sure he didn't take this from anyone." Another voice echoed.

"Yes, let him input." Two feminine voices chorused.

Michael was waiting for them to bring him the small payout machine just so he could prove to them when he saw Will and Diane walk in. They didn't leave and were eavesdropping on the discussion all that while?

"No need for that, I have a testimony." The members of staff all turned to the two students.

"This boy is nothing but a thief. We stay with him in the hostel and know the number of times we have our stuffs missing. We just couldn't report him because we had no clear evidence. He has just proven himself now." Will said, firmly.

"Who are you, his friend?" Mr. Park inquired.

"I can never be a friend to a thief, sir. He's only a dorm mate."

Michael didn't know what to say. He wondered how he would prove it. He was just about using the pin to prove his innocence when the demon came in.

As Michael watched, two hefty-looking security officers walked in, "Come with us young man."