Episode 2: Unwelcome Classmate
1002 Words
Episode 2: Unwelcome Classmate.
The roaring engine of a luxury sedan pulling up the gravel driveway signaled the return of Arthur Vance.
Kira stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the drawing room, watching her father step out of the car. He was a commanding man, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, already barking orders into his Bluetooth earpiece before the chauffeur could even grab his luggage.
But what made Kira’s jaw tighten was the person waiting near the main entrance. Kaelen.
He had his canvas tool bag slung over one broad shoulder, his dark hair damp from a quick rinse at the outdoor garden station. He looked entirely indifferent to the wealth surrounding him, which only irritated Kira more. She hadn't managed to get him fired yet—her father had been unreachable all week—but she was ready to change that today.
Smoothly adjusting her posture, Kira walked out into the grand foyer just as her father stepped inside.
"Father, welcome back," Kira said, offering a dutiful smile.
"Kira, sweetheart," Arthur said, tossing his leather briefcase onto the side table. He gave her a brief, preoccupied hug before turning his sharp gaze directly toward the front door, where Kaelen was stepping in. "Ah, Kaelen! Excellent. You got my message."
Kira blinked, her gaze darting between the two men. "You asked him to come inside the house, Father?"
"I did," Arthur said, walking over to pat Kaelen firmly on the shoulder. To Kira's absolute horror, Kaelen didn't look intimidated at all. He just gave her father a respectful, grounded nod. "Kaelen here has been doing a phenomenal job with the grounds. The northern hedges haven't looked this healthy in years."
"He cut down your imported white roses on his first day," Kira interjected quickly, crossing her arms. "He’s reckless, Father. I actually wanted to discuss replacing him with—"
"He pruned a blight, Kira. I read his report," Arthur interrupted smoothly, waving his hand to dismiss her complaint. "If he hadn't, the entire western crop would be ruined. Kaelen knows his stuff. Which brings me to the exact reason I called this meeting."
Arthur motioned for them both to follow him into his private study. The room smelled of old leather, expensive scotch, and authority. Arthur sat behind his massive mahogany desk, while Kaelen remained standing, completely at ease. Kira took a seat on the velvet armchair, glaring up at the gardener.
"Kaelen," Arthur began, leaning forward. "When I spoke to your previous agency, they mentioned your academic background. You had to defer your university admission because of financial constraints after your family’s farm went under. Is that correct?"
Kaelen’s relaxed posture stiffened slightly. A flicker of something guarded passed through his hazel eyes before he nodded. "Yes, sir. Put things on hold to work full-time."
"Well, I don't believe in letting brilliant minds go to waste, especially when they belong to people who keep my estate pristine," Arthur said, a rare, genuine smile breaking across his stern face. "I've made some calls. Starting next week, I am personally sponsoring your full tuition at the university."
Kira froze, her breath catching in her throat. "What?"
Arthur ignored her, keeping his eyes on the young gardener. "You will be enrolling in the agricultural science track. I’ve already taken care of the enrollment fees. Furthermore, your current arrangement remains stand-alone. You will continue to maintain the manor's gardens on weekends and evenings, and I will pay you your full salary on top of covering your schooling. Consider it a retainer for your loyalty to this estate."
Kira stood entirely still. For the first time since Kira had met him, he looked genuinely shocked. His gaze shifted from Arthur over to Kira, whose face had gone pale with a mixture of shock and utter disbelief.
"Sir, that’s... incredibly generous," Kaelen said, his deep voice carrying a rare hint of vulnerability. "I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll accept, get your degree, and keep my roses alive," Arthur chuckled.
"Father, wait!" Kira stood up, her heart hammering against her ribs. "You can't be serious. He’s... he works here. And you're sending him to my university? We are in completely different departments! He's in agricultural science, and I'm in sustainable social development. He doesn't belong there!"
"The university is a place for higher learning, Kira, regardless of the faculty," Arthur said seamlessly, standing up to organize his papers. "And it works out perfectly. You know the campus inside out, even if you are in separate departments. You can show him where the main lecture halls are, help him get adjusted to the campus layout, and make sure he has everything he needs. I expect you to look out for him."
Kaelen turned his head slightly, a slow, utterly infuriating smirk beginning to crawl back onto his face as he watched Kira panic.
"I don't need a tour guide, Mr. Vance," Kaelen said smoothly, his eyes locked onto Kira’s furious expression. "But I'm sure your daughter will be delighted to see me around the quad."
"Excellent," Arthur said, completely missing the thick, suffocating tension vibrating between the two twenty-somethings. "It’s settled then. Kaelen, go see the house manager to sign the updated contract. Kira, a word with you about your mother's upcoming charity gala."
Kaelen gave a polite nod to Arthur, then turned to leave. As he passed Kira's chair, he paused for a fraction of a second, leaning down just enough so only she could hear him.
"See you on campus, princess," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
Before she could slap the smirk right off his face, he turned and walked out of the study, leaving Kira standing there, absolutely boiling with rage. Her safe haven, her elite university life, was about to be completely invaded by the one guy she couldn't stand.
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