Chapter Six: Overestimating capabilities

Since he had insisted on taking the exams, James who felt he was overestimating his abilities allowed him, after all, this was the last batch of admission, if he didn’t do well, he could still get them to add his name there.

Richard was registered successfully for the entrance exams and was slated to take his papers the Wednesday of the following week.

Upon hearing that he was going to be in her class so he could protect, Elise felt like she could accept such a situation after all, he wouldn’t have to interact with her outside being classmates.

More importantly, he was also attractive which meant that if he wasn’t dressed like a bodyguard, she wouldn’t mind being seen with him.

Yet, the moment she heard that he was planning to take the exams, she sneered in mockery, “does he think that our capital universities are something that he can just come and take and get into?” She asked her father before they both laughed about it.

“He’s just overestimating his capabilities. I’ll make sure to let him enter even if he doesn’t make this list.”

“Your safety is the most important and with how much you go out, I won’t be surprised if the whole capital already knows that you are resuming college next month.”

Although his tone had a bit of scolding, the indulgence in it was also obvious.

Not to mention her course was still quite new, even the regular and old courses were difficult to pass.

On the other hand, Richard left their house the third day and promised James that he would come back as soon as school was about to resume.

During the period of two days that he spent there so that he could understand their routine, he barely saw Elise and genuinely wondered where she was always rushing off to very early in the mornings and why she always returned home, drunk and stupidd.

****

The following week arrived and he went on to write the entrance examinations.

Since technology was already so good, the results of the exams were released by the college board some days later and, to his greatest delight, he was admitted into Elise’s department as a student.

For Richard who had gotten even more valuable foreign certificates than this, he was not surprised by any means and just forwarded the results to James in his spare time.

Since he was going to move his entire life to protect his daughter for one year, he had to settle some of his own matters also.

On the other hand, the moment they discovered that he had truly passed the examination, not only was James shocked, even Elise was more surprised at the outcome.

“Didn’t you say that he was some boy from some mountain country side?” She asked curiously while also wondering if he had falsified the results.

Based on his score alone, he had even done better than her who had gotten premium education all his life.

“You can’t be too sure, after all, he might have gotten some form of education there.” James consoled her and then made a call for his admission process to allow him resume on time.

“Since he has passed, I would give him proper information on what his work is like, you can be sure that he won’t embarrass you.” He promised his princess.

As if to show her proof of his words, he sent Richard a message immediately asking him to hurry over to their place.

He had sent for him earlier before, when he realized they hadn’t discussed living arrangements.

“He would be staying here with us and would leave for school in different cars, but as soon as he’s watching the cars, that’s all what’s important.”

“Daddyy!” Elise yelled thinking of how she had made plans of living outside school with her friends.

“I don’t want to stay at home. There are so many hostels and also apartments where I can stay so that I can finally feel like I’m away from home.”

Before she could say more, there was a knock on the door and Richard stepped in the moment he was asked to come in.

“You told me to make a trip down here.” He explained sitting down without waiting for him to be offered a seat. In a way, one could detect that he had already removed his emotional barriers between them had been broken off.

Without wasting any more time, he told Richard all what he had in mind. “ I can get an apartment outside school close to her and I can also stay here, anyone she’s comfortable with would work.” Richard replied when he asked him where he wanted to stay.

For the first time, Elise felt like Richard’s presence wasn’t as annoying as she thought. At the very least he was wasn’t carrying the old idea of her staying at home.

Eventually, James agreed to his daughter having an apartment but also insisted that she had to be home to visit him and his wife during the weekends and short holidays.

“I would take my leave now, sir.” Richard said standing up as soon as he saw that there was nothing left to talk about.

“My wife just got back from one of her vacations. She requested to see you. Will you mind staying for dinner?” He asked, his eyes looking a little too hopeful for the situation.

“I have some matters to handle this time around, perhaps would some other time be more suitable.” Richard declined politely. Since she was only just returning a favor, it made it easy for him to decline trivial things like this.

Although James was used to his words being final, something about Richard’s stance made him gave up and he nodded his head approvingly as he watched the young man step off.

“Why does mom also want to see him?” Elise asked with a little pout as he closed the door, her words acting like the perfect catalyst to him being curious.