Her Father's Shame

Chapter 3

After, I was dismissed back to my seat so was to give a speech but my heart couldn't beat like a normal one. I could even hear it and I felt very anxious but couldn't place my thoughts around the room. “Good afternoon, students, teachers and distinguished guests and proud families.” Miss Leonora's voice carried effortlessly through the hall and the room settled almost immediately. “Today is not simply a celebration of grades. It is a celebration of possibility.” She continued and finally I noticed the other woman who sat close to where Leonora was seated but I still had to listen to the speech so I looked back at her. “You’ve spent years being told that education prepares you for the future. That is true, but incomplete,” she said calmly as her eyes swept across the room before she finally landed on me, which made her smile a little before resting her hands lightly against the podium. “Education does not simply prepare you for the world. It gives you an opportunity to change it, which a few of you managed to snatch today. Some of you will be teachers, scientists, some will be doctors, entrepreneurs, diplomats and leaders. Some of you will change directions after a few years from now and perhaps wonder why you ever thought you had everything figured out?” she said, her eyes gleaming with amusement as a few students laughed and I was not left out. It made me a little relaxed. “It’s perfectly acceptable you are not required to have your entire life planned at eighteen.” She continued, the back stage lighting falling on her briefly and my breath caught, what was wrong with me? I didn’t hear the rest of what she was saying until she turned to Professor Keller. “...Speaking of extraordinary opportunities, today we are proud to welcome a representative from the French Ministry of Education, who has travelled here to make a special announcement regarding our graduating students.” she said and that made me freeze Every head in the auditorium seemed to turn slowly towards me. I stared ahead, my back drenched in sweat and I felt a soft hand squeezing mine as if to reassure me that everything was okay. It was Aurelia’s. “Before I invite our distinguished guest to the podium, join me in welcoming the representative of Ministère de l’Éducation nationale here with us today. Miss Séverine Valmont” and another round of applause swept through the room although not as deafening as before. You're probably wondering why two top government officials present today. Well... Obviously for me, a once in a lifetime genius who got a perfect mark on every assessment, test, the Matura and Baccalauréat général examination board gave me before affirming my score. Well...

Let’s see, one... two... three... four. Yeah, four different questions, four different assessments by top lecturers in the country were crushed by me. Ain’t I awesome?

A slightly taller woman, hold on. Nahhh, very tall compared to the petite Miss Secretary of the State Education. She had a striking blonde, most typical French hair colour, long, silky hair that was so white and perfect. Honestly, if she and Miss Secretary because models, several high-end achievers in the industry would go broke due to lack of job opportunities. Cause what kind of beauties are these???

And I can swear that I'm not cheating on my girlfriend just because I'm mentally complimenting women that were far older than my nineteen-year-old self. Not that I minded it or maybe. Hehe. Nobody should tell that I said all these.

Well to cut that day's story short, the French woman gave a heartwarming speech, revealed that I was given a scholarship and a personal 4-year tutorship from her. Do you know what it means to be tutored by the youngest female professor in France and Paris to be precise? You obviously don't know cause you can't get the opportunity. Hold up 😅 I'm not insulting you. I swear.

And I got several job opportunity offers today, probably twelve or fourteen. Not exactly sure. They wanted me secured with them before graduating from the university. How tough do you think it was, having to smile and tell them I'll think about it. Don't worry I'm not going to insult you again although I'm not sure I'll be able to resist as we continue our journey.

I deserve a kiss and hug from the love of my life, speaking about he.....