Mad for You

3 - The Chosen

09.30

Shit...

I am late. This is not the first impression that I want to build infron of my senior.

I entered the library where the meeting point. And I try to find my senior. Kate.

I checked my phone and try to match her profile picture, a woman with blonde hair, stern eyebrow with a glasses.

Ah.... there she is.

Sit with her laptop open and looking close to her books.

"Hello Kate."I greet her softly since this is a library.

She look at me and reposition her glassess."Oh.. Hi Lucy." she smile.

I took a seat beside her, "Sorry, I am late. I ... sleptover." which is lie, its all because a sudden sorry from eric/

"No worries, you must be tired because of the moving. How is it the apartment? is it okay?"

"Yes, its a very good location. And the accomodation was previously occupied by Simon, so its not really empty. Actually really enough to provide my daily necessity."I answer.

"It's good then. I am happy that you settle well. We're the chosen one need to stick together."

"The chosen?"

"Thats what they call us."

"They?"

"Our benefector. You really do not know what you are applied for."

I gave her quizzical look.

"Kate von Hisse." a woman from my behind calling Kate's full name. And I saw her eyes shock and terrified hearing her name being called. "Do you bring you duty?"

Kate open her bag and give a book. A unique book, I rather say, looks like ancient book with hard cover. "Thanks. Is it the newbie under your wing?"

"Yes, Lucy, let me introduce this is, Delilah Hasting. She is our senior."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Lucy Lie." I said offering my hand.

"Hi Lucy. Welcome to the H.A.S Scholarship community." she smile and then she take her leave.

I look back to Kate and she already prepared to leave. "Let's go, I'll show you around."

12.00

After showing the university around. Kate took me to nearby cafe that located not far from our university and my apartment. We ordered some coffee and sandwich for our lunch. Then I finally asked what I've been wondering before.

"What is it about our scholarship that you want to explain to me, Kate?"

She sip her matcha latte. "So.. you know our H.A.S Scholarship abbreviation stand for?"

"Humanitarian, Art, and Science?Isn't that what it stand for?"

"Publicly yes. thats the reason they only cover for student in that major. But the real abbreviation is stand for Hasting, Arns and Scott. That the founder family name or houses if you called here, that support this scholarship. There were several aristocrats family that take part for this scholarship but that main houses have the final say for everything related to this scholarship. The reason why this scholarship limited is also because they mainly pick the one beneficial for their future."

"So that why we are called the chosen?"

"Partly yes, but it's actually not a good thing. Because we are chosen not only for be a good support but also to do anything for them. Because once we do not want to do their order. They can take all away and its not only about the scholarship, its everything. You probably shock of how much power they hold."

I am surprised of this information. Kate made impression that my scholarship is like a lifetime contract with a mafia. Is it?

"Well, do not be to afraid. that why we build a strong community."

"Thats why you said the chosen one stick together?"

"Yeah. For all this year, H.A.S can maintain their existence because they deal everyhing discreetly. Once it become a prestige scholarship that really live up their name to help student like uswho has potential but have not enough money to pursue higher degree. But not every noble family live up to their good history. So some of the student have been bullied by their benefector. Until...." she sip her match latte again, to make me more feel on edge hearing her explanation.

"One of the chosen, become the benefector."

"You mean?"

"Yeah, one of us become the duchess of Hastings. Thats why, now we get more secure spot at least. She protect us from the bad noble family that want to exploit us. She even make a whistblower program for this community, that directed to hear. So she will hear all our complain."

"Wow... thanks God. We have her."

"Yeah, so do not worry. You'll in the safe place. And also your benefector is not Hasting."

"How do you know about that? I do not even know who is my benefactor is."

"Its because Simon appoached you first. Thats how we know."

"Why Simon?"

"Because Simon's benefactor is House of Arne. The most noble from the three of them. They maintain the awardee very personal, even your accomodation. They make sure you live well and graduate well, so you will work in the place where you will benefit them, harsh say, you will be well fed. Many the chosen one want to be under Arne's houses. You should be gratefull."

"okay."

well not really sure about that, but I guess I am gratedull they want to pay for my tuition for sure.

But why, Arne is so familiar.

"By the way, I need to work." Kate said

"Work?"

"Yeah, My part time job is in this cafe and my shift will start in 15 minutes. So, I think let end today tour." she smile. "Your coffee is on mine. do not worry."

"Thanks Kate. Oh... Is this cafe still have vacancy for part time? I would like to apply to."

"Sure... I'll ask with them. I think they have one spot for you. I'll text you when I have news."

"Great, thank you Kate."