Chapter 5 SEARCHING FOR HER NAME

Chapter 5: Searching for Her Name

Alexander's Point of View

I left my friends to go to the administration's office. I wanted to find the woman I wanted to waste my time with and, of course, with the help of the admin. When I arrived at the building, I went straight in. I went up to the second floor of the building. The administration office is in the last room on the second floor.

As I walked, I noticed students inside the classroom I was passing. They installed fiberglass walls in all classrooms. It clearly shows what they are doing inside. I see them filling out the test paper. I approached and read the poster on the wall. As I read it, I discovered these students were all freshmen and were receiving the scholarship.

I was about to leave the room when I noticed the woman I was looking for sitting directly in front of me. I locked my gaze on her. Her face appeared innocent as she answered the test papers. "I finally tracked you down. Now I know you are the recipient of our school's scholarship program. It's easy for me to search for your name. Let's see what you've got," I told myself, grinning from ear to ear at what I discovered today.

I kept walking towards the last room while smiling, knowing that heaven appeared to agree with my plan. I've already arrived at the administrative office. The staff greeted me as soon as I walked into the office. I smiled back and continued walking inside until I reached the CEO's office. I flung open the door as quickly as I could.

"Alexander, what are you doing here?" my uncle inquired. He was wearing a white polo shirt and black pants and was sitting in the office chair, signing documents. My uncle was in his mid-fifties.

I gave him a friendly smile. "Hi, uncle, how are you?" I said to him,

Lohan Ward is his name. He is my father's cousin and one of his most trusted relatives.

"What do you require, my dear nephew?" my uncle directly asked as he went about his business. He seemed to sense that I needed something from him right away.

"Uncle, are you a mind reader? How did you know I needed something from you? You are so amazing, my dear uncle," I complimented him.

My uncle shook his head. He realizes I was deceiving him. "I know you're just trying to kid, but what do you want?"

I knew it! He can't say no to me. I took the vacant seat next to his desk and sat down. Then I place both hands on the desk and lean against it. "Will you please help me, uncle?" I begged as I smiled from ear to ear, acting so cute in front of him.

My uncle came to a halt in his work. I could tell he was dying to laugh. I was aware of his flaw. His heart will give in every time I act cute in front of him. He looked at me, trying to appear tough. "If I don't agree as if you'll stop bothering me, go ahead, do whatever you want, but please avoid trouble, okay?" my uncle reminded me.

It overjoyed me when he granted me my request. I rose from my seat and smiled at him. "Of course, I will. When did I get in trouble?" I said innocently.

He came to a halt again and looked at me, "always," his direct response.

I just smiled at my uncle's direct response. My uncle was correct, and I knew it. Every time I request a favor, it is solely for my benefit. Although I always ruin everything, my uncle never tires of favoring me in everything I demand. My uncle never married and never had children. He devoted all his time to expanding the school and caring for my younger brother and me. To me, he is more like a father figure.

We haven't seen our father much since our mother died and he remarried, and our uncle has filled in for our father's shortcomings. That is why my uncle spoils me so much.

I already had what I desired. I went out to my uncle's office and went to his secretary.

"Hello, sir. What can I do for you?" she said as soon as I approached my uncle's secretary.

I begged her with a smile. "Ms. Emily, I'd like to ask you a favor."

"Of course, sir, what is it?" she inquired.

"Can I please look at the records of scholarship applicants?" I asked.

"Just a minute, sir," Ms. Emily said.

She sat down at her assigned desk right away and took the applicant's documents with a picture on them. "Here it is, sir," she said as she handed it to me.

The thickness of the documents took me aback as soon as she handed them to me. "How would I find the person I was looking for with all these thick documents you've handed?" I wondered.

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, what is the name of the person you're looking for?" she politely asked.

"I'm not sure, but I know she's a girl," I replied vaguely.

I could tell by Ms. Emily's expression that my response perplexed her. But, despite this, she still searches for a solution to my problem. "Hmm, sir, leave it to me," she replied confidently.

"All right, that's better; I'll wait for you here," I said, pointing to the empty chair beside her desk.

Ms. Emily responded with a nod. I sat in the empty seat, my arms curled and my legs crossed. Ms. Emily began categorizing documents as male or female. She stood up from her seat and walked toward me after an hour of segregation. Ms. Emily was holding a document bundle. I believe she completed it.

She extended her hands towards me, holding all the female applicants' documents.

"Here you go, sir," she said.

I smiled and accepted the documents right away. "Thank you," I replied.

As I look at the photos, I unfold the paper. I found the picture of the woman I was looking for in less than a minute, and I stared at it. I read her application after staring at her photo. "Hmm, so your name is Rica Della Torre. What a unique name," I exclaimed ecstatically.

I was about to leave when I noticed the staff arriving with the test papers. I'm not familiar with the lady. She appeared to be a new employee. "Miss," I addressed her.

She looked at me, perplexed. Regardless, I just ignored her reaction and ordered her. "Could you please come over here?" I asked.

She rushed up to me, holding heavy test papers, saying nothing. As she walks toward me, she is a little uneasy. She even walks quickly, no matter what she is carrying. I believe she already knew I was the son of the school's owner. That explains her nervous demeanor. As she walked, she almost tripped.

She had already moved in front of me. Then she bowed to me and asked, "What can I do for you, sir?"

I was observing her before approaching her, and I was right. She recognized me. It makes me glad to know that our employees knew their boss. "Was that the result of the exam today for scholarship applicants?" I inquired directly.

"Y-yes, sir," the staff stammered in response.

"Can I see the results of those who passed?" I inquired once more.

"All right, sir, just a second," she said.

"All right," I said.

She dashed to her assigned seat and placed the test paper on her desk. With my gaze, I followed her. I noticed her taking something on the test paper while watching her. I have a feeling it's a result of the exam passers. She returned to me while I was sitting and waiting for her to return. She extended her hands to me and handed me a piece of paper. "This is the result, sir," she said.

"Thank you," I said after receiving the exam results from the staff.

I saw she was about to turn around, but I still needed her, so I stopped her. "Wait, please don't leave just yet," I said. As I read the names one by one, the staff did nothing but nod and wait for whatever I might say to her.

I'd already read it three times. But I never saw Rica Della Torre's name on the list. I couldn't take it any longer, and I no longer had the patience to search for it. It irritated me, so I inquired with the staff. "Can you look up the name Rica Della Torre right now? Her name isn't on the list of passers," I asked impatiently.

"All right, sir," the staff said immediately.

The staff examined the overall result of the record. The woman then returned her sad expression to me. I could tell it wasn't good news, so I asked before she did. "What's the matter?"

"S-Sir, she didn't pass the exam," she said worriedly.

"Is that a problem?" I asked. "Then put her name on the list of passers."

Her eyes widened as she heard what I said. She didn't seem to believe what I was saying. "But, sir-"

I interrupted her as she was about to contradict me. "I know you'll say it's against the rule, but didn't you think I was the rule? Just do what I said." I said to the staff, looking at her coldly. It irritated me with her. When people disagree with my decision, I dislike them. She no longer objected and just nodded. Perhaps she was already aware of her position.

"Good," I said as I exited the Admin office, grinning from ear to ear.