THE BATTLE OF LOVE AND DESTINY

CHAPTER TWO - THE HEIRESS UNLEASHED

Kate’s father, Alex, wanted her to stay in the hostel so that she could experience an ideal campus life, but she insisted on living on her own. Alex obliged and got an agent to find a befitting and luxurious apartment off campus. He signed the cheque without hesitation and paid for everything she might need to make her comfortable inside her apartment.

Besides, he called the Vice-Chancellor personally and Professor Briggs, who was his childhood friend, informing them to look out for Kate. All arrangements were concluded and Kate was set for school. However, her father called her to his sitting room and counseled her. He reminded her about how he lost her mother and how he had vowed to do his best to train her and make her great. He advised Kate to shun bad friends and be a good ambassador of her home. Kate promised to make her dad proud, but deep inside her, she was craving for freedom.

The day she packed for school, she went with a sports car accompanied by her driver, a Hillux jeep, and an escort car. She had her room furnished with the state of the art decorations and classic furniture that could make a poor student weep.

As the driver and her escorts went back home, she looked round her apartment with a fulfilled heart, smile to herself and say, "Now I'm free."

Kate did not only arrive the campus in a classy manner, but was also ready to live big and show everyone that her billionaire's father is super rich. Her lifestyle on campus was extravagant. She quickly identified and surrounded herself with wealthy students who were mostly males. Her freedom seemed unlimited to her as she joined other noble students for shopping in expensive supermarkets, nightclubs, and hangouts. Within a short time, Kate had become so popular on campus that both freshmen and final year students know her. Even, her name ring bell to members of staff of the University.

Her intimate friends are Aisha and Rachel, who were the daughter of senators, Amir, a social media influencer, Nicholas, a rich boy from a political family, Darren and Kenji, who were known for throwing expensive parties outside the campus, and Kumar, the son of an oil magnate. Kate, together with her friends are untouchable as they dare whoever may attempt to cross their paths.

As the first semester progressed, Kate seldom attended lectures. She would sleep till 1am in the morning and later join her friends at the club, bar, or lounge as scheduled, to plan for the night party. She was famously called "the queen of campus," as many students didn't even know her as Kate. Some lecturers believed that she had a powerful backing by not attending classes but cruising round the campus in an expensive car.

Kate seemed happy outwardly, but inwardly, she was unfulfilled. The inner peace had eluded her. Many of her assignments were not submitted, several tests were missed, attendance in classes was irregular and she barely even remembered her lecturer's names not to talk of the courses they taught.

As she mentioned these issues to her friends at the club, they told her that it was never a thing to worry about. "Look, GPA is just a number," responded Aisha. "Your happiness is the most important thing. Don't be deceived.'' Rachel supported her friend. Kate then laughed and continued with the fun.

As the day went by, the semester gradually drew to a close with the conduct of the first semester examination. Kate wrote the exams with her usual attitude of unseriousness. The results were out and pasted on the notice board in the faculty of management sciences complex. As she heard about it, she jumped up from her bed, dressed up, picked her car, and drove down. She found her name very close to the bottom of the printed list, printed with bold red letters.

Cumulative GPA: 2.25/5.00

She saw it and stood still for some minutes. However, she noticed that the hallway where she was standing was a beehive of activities. Students were seen taking photographs, congratulating themselves and dancing around. She saw them but was never moved.

Her fingers were shaking, and she was trembling as she checked again. This time, she whispered to herself: two point two five? She couldn't believe it. She turned sharply and left the scene. Immediately, she saw Nicholas and Darren coming to check their results. They asked, "Why are your eyes red? What happen? Is there any problem?" Kate told them her GPA.

One of them replied, "That's not bad, baby. At least you're still in school. You still have eight semesters to spend on this campus, so take it easy.” Kate responded sharply, "Still in school when I barely passed? I don't know how my dad will feel. He trusted me, and I've given him my words that I'll perform well." Nicholas shrugged, "Queen, there is more to this life than school. You're not a poor student. So, calm down. You've tried your best." Kate didn't feel like taking such advice anymore.

That night, Kate got home depressed. She took her books and stared at them, something she had never done since the orientation program. Still feeling tensed, she reached for her laptop and logged into the school portal to access her result again:

Microeconomics (D), Business Communication (C), Quantitative Techniques (F), and the rest were in that pattern. She remembered all her dad had told her on the very day she landed on campus. She then broke down in tears and promised herself to do better. In fact, she swore to change, but was more of remorse than genuine repentance.

The second semester kicked off, and Kate seemed to have never learnt any lesson. She now engaged with richer boys who hold louder parties with hotter shows in several cities. She once decided to attend tutorials and cut down frivolous trips. No sooner had she decided than she found herself in a messier situation begging for help.

She would miss lectures at will, honor numerous invitations, attend exclusive art openings and several yacht parties, all at the expense of attending lectures, doing assignments, and writing tests.

Her social media was filled with numerous images of elegance and class. Kate ignored all the warning signs that pointed to an academic storm brewing behind her. The academic advisor had earlier written her via email; the departmental secretary had earlier sent her a cold voice message, showing her red flags in her academic pursuit and her father had persistently called to remind her that she was at a university not for party but to build a long lasting legacy.

In most cases, her room was usually filled with several friends who would gather to gossip and watch movies.

Various activities unchecked piled up for her and one day blurred into another until the second semester examination was at hand. Kate unprepared, wrote the examination as usual, and the outcome was not surprising.

Cumulative GPA: 2.16/5

She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her laptop’s screen. She couldn’t believe her GPA, flashing in cold red digits: 2.16/5.00. A single tear slipped down her cheek as her father’s words echoed in her mind. Suddenly, her phone buzzed, it was an unknown number.

“Miss Alexander,” the voice said, calm but firm. “We need to discuss your academic status first thing tomorrow morning.” Her heart skipped. Was this the beginning of her downfall?