Chapter Seven
THE YOUNG BILLIONAIRE'S RESULT 2
By the time they got back to their classes, the other students had settled down. Jeff settled down too and Sidney who was all smiles said.
"Jeff, I like your guts. You claimed back what rightly was yours. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sidney. I appreciate."
Others praised and congratulated him too, especially the boy who rode on his coattail and got into the class the previous day
"Congratulations, you have made our department proud."
The lecturer for the first lecture walked in with his chin raised in accomplishment and filled with disproportionate self-esteem because he was the lecturer of the best student.
"Good morning class."
He greeted with a sense of fulfillment, casting a glance at Jeff.
"Good morning, Prof. Wood."
"I appreciate you all for making us proud as lecturers. It means our efforts in ensuring you're the best paid off. You are all the best. Put your hands together for yourselves."
Clap
Clap
Clap.
They cheerfully clapped for themselves with a sense of accomplishment. Prof. Wood was a wise man. He felt it would be better not to make the other students look inferior, which may lead to creating unnecessary rivalries for Jeff. He tactfully broached the subject.
"I think someone deserves a bigger clap. Or what do you think?"
The class chorused with excitement and a standing ovation.
"Yes. Jeff deserves a bigger clap. He made us proud. Thank you, Jeff."
Jeff was not prepared for this. He rested his head on the desk as if he got some courage from that before he raised his head and looked at the lecturer who was already standing in front of him.
"Can you please be upstanding, Jeff?"
Jeff, who was looking older than his real age, stood up and bent his head. He was taller than the lecturer by two inches.
"Jeff, on behalf of the Accountancy Department, and the entire Eagles City University, I say congratulations."
Jeff took the accolades with delight.
"I'm very delighted and humbled, Prof. Wood. Thank you so much for your selfless efforts in ensuring that we all succeed."
He turned and faced his fellow students and commended.
"I want to thank you, all my fellow students. It is our success. We are all succeeding together. Thank you for making the environment conducive for learning for me."
The class clapped more for him. There was no pride or self-centeredness in his speech. He got more friends and admirers at that moment. The ladies kept their emotions in check. If he can beat up his crush, the most beautiful girl on the campus, then there was no point trying.
"Before you take your seat, I want to advise, please, keep up the good work. It is one thing to get to the top and another thing to remain at the top. Am I right?"
"Yes. Prof."
"You can have your seat."
"Thank you, Prof. Wood."
The lectures for the day went smoothly, with all the lecturers commending and encouraging him and other students. At the end of the day, Jeff announced.
"I would love you all to join me at the school canteen for lunch. It is my treat."
The class of three hundred and fifty students clapped more in merriment and made positive comments about their Department, which was healthy.
"Accountancy Department is the best."
"We will always be at the top."
They all headed for the canteen. Incidentally, no one declined. All thanks to the lecturer who presented it as a joint success. They stormed the canteen with a sense of accomplishment – our Department is the best.
When the other students in the canteen saw them coming in unison, they made way for them as they hurriedly summed up whatever they were doing and left. Leon joined them when he got a call from Jeff. Sidney and Leon were very helpful in arranging the hall. Soon, the lecturers invited themselves, the Head of Department invited himself and his staff members tagged along. When Jeff saw HOD, the lecturers, and the non-academic staff members of his department, he was touched. He walked up to them and greeted them shyly.
"Thank you for coming. Sorry I did not inform you. It was an oversight."
"It is our celebration. We don't need to be invited."
He put a call across to his grandfather and requested some bottles of wine from the wine cellar. He quickly sent the wine across through the bodyguards, who sent them to Leon and Sidney. The wine made the lecturers take a second look at Jeff and Leon.
"Who is this young chap?"
"I have been wondering too."
While the lunch was going on, the news of the expensive wine supplied got to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, and he invited himself. The Governing Board Chairman thought:
'It won't be bad if I rejoice with him."
He invited himself too. The wine was inexhaustible. Jeff walked to the Chairman of the Governing Board and paid obeisance. He was delighted by his humility. He squatted beside him and whispered.
"You are welcome, Prof. Campbell. I feel honored with your presence."
"Thank you, Jeff. May I seize this opportunity to congratulate you on your well-deserved result? Do find a place in your heart to forgive the school for the Injustice."
"Apology accepted. I appreciate."
Leon kept serving the guests different kinds of expensive wine. All the students were happy and willing to team up and make the department the pride of the school.
Suddenly, some furious people walked in. They were from the Aviation Department. They felt left out, but Jeff had planned to give them a treat the next day because their lectures always end late. Incidentally, when they were done with the day's lectures and heard about the lunch, they tagged along. About one hundred and twenty of them were led by their Head of Department who charged the environment with his joke.
"Our Department made him the best student."
The Head of the Department of Accountancy refuted his claim at once.
"It can't be true. We own him."
The Heads of the Departments joked while the latter took his seat. More bottles of wine and food were served. Jeff and Leon sat together and were all smiles because of the turnout and the ability to host such guests and dignitaries.
Soon, the lunch was over. Jeff settled the enormous bill, and it was time to go home. Everyone wanted to see his car, to judge his level of wealth. He disappointed them by boarding his almost clunker with Leon and left. His bodyguards followed from a distance as usual. They got home to the warmth of hugs of Mr. Morris, who had been watching them from his phone. He was in the parlor watching the television when they got in.
"Come and give me a big hug."
He demanded as he stood up from the couch and spread his two hands.
Jeff and Leon walked into his open arms at once.
"Good evening dad."
"Good evening, Mr. Morris."
"Welcome. I'm so proud of you. How did you learn how to give people a treat?"
"You can't believe it, dad, it was just a treat for only my course mates. I never intended hosting the dignitaries that tagged along."
By this time, they were all seated on the couch. Mr. Morris, who was openly happy, continued.
"They tagged along because you were doing the appropriate thing. Success attracts people to you naturally."
"You are right, dad. I noticed that philosophy manifest itself today."
"Thank you. Leon, thank you for being by his side. You represented his family very well."
"You are welcome, Mr. Morris. It was just sudden,, but I had to take charge."
"You were truly in charge."
Jeff teased.