Chapter Thirteen
The Mini Project
"Check the number of the students who have applied again, please."
Jeff pleaded and Leon quickly checked.
"Wow! Two hundred and forty-eight."
"Keep an eye on it, once it is two hundred and fifty, revoke the link."
Leon smiled as he held his phone. In about two seconds, two more people registered, and he revoked the link. They were in a better position to plan for the students since they knew the number that would be accommodated. Leon asked.
"When do you think it will be convenient to host them?"
"A moment, please. I will find out from dad."
Jeff quickly walked to Mr. Morris his suite, but he was not there. He was still downstairs waiting for them for dinner. He quickly met him and asked.
"Dad, when will you be available to talk to the students on research?"
"I do not have time for them. You can go ahead and handle it."
Jeff, who looked bewildered, asked.
"But my identity should be incognito."
"Yes. There are other ways of doing it without revealing your identity."
"How?"
"Zoom or projector. Remember the case of Technical Mishap."
Jeff was bashful instantly. He remembered the incident vividly. That was about his first assignment as the Purple Tag Chairman of the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group.
"I got it, dad."
"I will be of service in how the company began, some of which you already knew. Right?"
"Yes dad."
"That is good. I will write out how you should present it to the public."
"All right dad. You are the best."
"I love you too."
Jeff, who was excited, got back to join Leon in their suite and announced.
"We are hosting them on Wednesday by 9 am. The Staff Bus will pick them from the Accountancy Department by 8 am for the Industrial Area. Please send a mail to the two hundred and fifty students."
"That is good."
Leon did as he was instructed while Jeff sent a mail to the Procurement Manager informing him that he would need two hundred and fifty-five First Class Phones branded before Tuesday evening. In less than two minutes, he got a confirmation.
"Noted boss."
"I have ordered for two hundred and fifty-five quality phones."
"Why, are we not hosting only two hundred and fifty?"
"I don't know why I did it myself. But it is always good to be on a safe side."
"You are right. What about lunch?"
"Good, I almost ignored it. I will gate the kitchen to prepare for eat in and take away."
"That will be nice. Will the meal be branded too?"
Leon asked with a mocking smile on his face. Jeff looked at him and returned the mockery smile with a bombshell.
"I give you the task of branding their droppings."
Leon's laughter infected Jeff. When they were done with the planning, they joined Mr. Morris downstairs for dinner and thereafter, they all retired to Mr. Morris suite for online games. Mr. Robert, the chef, served them with the Organic Tea from the Endless Love Arcadia.
Friday Morning
At the Eagles City University.
Fridays were usually activities day. Last week, they did not have enough fun because of the erstwhile Vice Chancellor and his cohorts. Today, they participated in all the activities. Greg, the panhandler, was not free with himself. He avoided Jeff as much as possible. Sidney Tremblay was also in school but moody, Jeff showed concern. He walked up to him where he was seated alone by the window.
"Sidney, you are not looking too good, what's up?"
Sidney sighed as he rested his head on the chair.
"You can't believe this, Jeff, I was unable to apply for a research project with the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group before the link was revoked."
"That is too bad. What do you want to do now?"
"I don't know. You remember I promised to help you with the email. I will only seek an alternative for the two of us."
"Thank you, Sidney. Let me check on Leon."
'Even if the heaven's gate is left open, it is not all that would go in."
He thought as he left for Leon's Class.
Monday Morning
At the Eagles City University
Mr. Noah, the Lecturer in charge of the Mini Project, walked in for his lecture and met a group of students with mixed feelings. Some were cheerful and some were not.
"Good morning students."
"Good morning, Mr. Noah."
"I presume your weekend was good?
"We are good. And you?"
"Mine was all right. Remember, you are submitting your project coming Monday. You should have started by now."
"Yes, Mr. Noah, we will not disappoint you."
"How come some of you are wearing long faces? Sidney, Greg and you. You are not looking cheerful. Tell me, Greg, what is the matter?"
He vacillated between obeying the Lecturer and keeping to himself. Later he opened up, casting a timid look at Jeff. He turned and fixed his gaze on him, which made him nervous. But Mr. Noah was in his front and he must answer his question.
"I missed the opportunity of applying for a slot at Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group."
The class began to murmur, whisper and pouted. Jeff was indifferent. He paid him back in his coin.
"But you said you know the person who knows the person who knew the son of the Chairman, and that I should pay five thousand, so you can assist me. Why do you need to apply?"
This threw the class into a dead silence which created a fearful apprehension. Mr. Noah screamed.
"What? Greg, did you do that?"
But Jeff was not done yet.
"I recorded our conversation. I can play it if it suits you."
Greg knew what awaited him. Expulsion, especially with the Acting VC. He looked down and remained silent. The Lecturer looked at Jeff and asked.
"Jeff, will you be pacified if he asks for forgiveness?"
"No Mr. Noah. I will do that only if he returns the money he had collected from the students. I'm sure he must have duped other students."
Mr. Noah was taken aback by Jeff's response. All he wanted was to make sure that the matter did not get to the management because he knew that Jeff would not let him off the hook. Everyone knew how the former Vice Chancellor and the five students ended, and Jeff cannot be exonerated from their dead-end.
"Jeff, I know he was wrong. But promise me you would allow us to settle it as a family."
Jeff gave Greg, whose head was bowed and in tears, a bitter look and back to the Lecturer and said.
'If he is genuinely repentant."
"I'm sorry, Jeff. I was wrong. I will return their money to them."
The class focused their attention on the ebony looking handsome guy before them in expectation of his verdict. The Lecturer pressed on more.
"Greg, if I were you, I would walk to Jeff and repeat my apologies in front of him."
Greg quickly did as he was advised. He squatted in his front and repeated himself. Jeff was touched, too. He helped him to stand and gave him a hug. Greg held him tightly and fought back the tears that were about to drop from his eyes. He left him after a while and appreciated.
"Thank you brother. It will never happen again."
Jeff tapped him on the shoulder and encouraged him.
"It is all right. You are a brother too."
The Lecturer was awestruck. He knew that Greg had that dubious attitude. His parents were aware too. If it took Jeff's boldness to rescue him from this destiny destructive traits, then let it be. He thanked Jeff who had taken his seat all the same.
"Thank you, Jeff, for being a brother."
"You are welcome, Mr. Noah."
Mr. Noah faced Greg, who had returned to his seat and admonished.
"Greg, you are a good boy. I will be glad if you do not disappoint me."
"I will not disappoint you, Mr. Noah. I promise."
Jeff was not moved by all the eyes staring at him. The girls who were staring at him lecherously were only wishing. They would never try seducing him because Shirley's ordeal was still fresh in their memories. The Lecturer called their attention back to the class.
"Our topic today is…?