The Spy Who Dumped Me

Chapter 1: Once In A Lifetime

Vel's POV

“Mom, are you sure about this? Do you think I can really go to that school?” I said while holding the envelope in my hand. I just read what was inside and it almost made me cry. I still couldn’t believe that I was actually presented the opportunity to go to the most prestigious and expensive university in the country. It was everyone’s dream to go to college there and I am not an exception to that.

“My employer gave that to you as their graduation gift for finishing senior high with flying colors.”

 Mom said. “Why? Don’t you like it? I thought you said that this is the best school there is.”

My Mom is a house helper at a rich family’s home for as long as I could remember. Although I haven’t really met the owners of the house, I know that they are well-mannered and nice individuals based on what my Mom has been telling me. There was a time when I was confined in the hospital when I was a kid and I remembered my mom saying that her employer paid the hospital bill and other things that needed to be paid. That was also one of the reasons why Mom loves working for them and didn’t think of looking for new employers. Her salary is good and she enjoys it there.

“Mom, how could they give this to me as a gift? They haven’t even met me and this is so expensive!” I said. They just offered me a full scholarship of whichever course I wanted until I graduate which is so crazy!

“They are rich, Vel, that’s nothing for them,” Mom said. “Every house helper’s child has been offered exactly the same when they enter college because they wanted to help us. They wanted you to get the best education in college so you could land a good job and help our family.”

“Mom, I don’t know,” I said. “This school, this might be too much for me to handle. Do you think I can get through this? Only the rich kids go there. I don’t think I belong at Northville, Mom.”

“What are you saying?” Mom said. “You’re tough and that’s just college; you have been to tougher situations before. You can definitely do this.”

“Students there are not on my league, Mom,” I said. I was a bit doubtful about this although I really like the idea of studying there and getting the diploma that I really want. But I also have uncertainties, what if I can’t adapt to the environment? All my life, I studied in public schools since we cannot afford private schools’ tuition fees. “If they find out that I am just a charity case, they might make fun of me and force me to leave.”

“Vel, don’t you think you are just overthinking? I think that you have been watching too much drama on television.” Mom said and breathed out heavily. “I know that you are scared and nervous but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This can change our lives, your life, forever. I’m pretty sure that you don’t want to end up as a house helper like I do, right?”

I raised my brow at her. No one can degrade her work; not even her. Her job is decent and there’s nothing to be ashamed about it. 

“Mom, there is nothing wrong with being a house helper, how many times do I have to tell you that?” I said.

“I know, but I want something better for you,” She said. “I want you to succeed in life; I don’t want you to have difficulties later on. A good education would help you as you go along the way.”

“Will you and Nikki be fine at home?” I said. I am really in the process of accepting this offer. “Because if I take this, I have to live at a dormitory near the campus which means that I would have to leave home.”

“I know,” She said. “This is basically your thing to decide on. I am not forcing you if you don’t want to go but you have to know that we’ll be just fine if you leave and chase your dreams. We’ll wait for you every break so we won’t miss each other so much and I am pretty sure that Nikki wouldn’t want to be the reason why you don’t want to go there; if the only reason why you are having doubts is because of us, you don’t have to, we can take care of ourselves. This is your dream we are talking about here.”

I sighed as I tightened my hold on the envelope. Even when I was still in senior high school, I have always been thinking of getting a part-time job just to help Mom in supporting my studies when I go to college but these papers right here give me everything that I need or even more. I don’t have to work since I can get a monthly allowance from them as well. All I have to do is focus on my study and not disappoint the people who depend on me.

Should I grab this?

“Come on; just think about it first, okay? It’s your life after all.” Mom said and I nodded. “You can have a few weeks to think about it. Don’t pressure yourself too much.

She’s right, this is a great opportunity and I have to think of this through. I excused myself from my Mom and headed to my room. I just went home from my summer job and mom had the biggest surprise for me ever.

Come to think of it, if I accept this, I won’t have to work every summer just to have funds for my education and Mom won’t have a hard time dealing with my expenses. That’s very pleasant in my imagination; I can focus on studying and not worry about a single penny that I have to pay at school. I really think that I am not in the right position to decline it, am I?