Her father who she called earlier after boarding the train from Garfield station was at the gate of the university waiting for her.
"Hi Father"She greeted hugging him
"I'm good. How was the journey?"Her father greeted back
"Nothing stressful Father"Valeria replied with a smile.
"Let's go in my scholarship girl"her father said and they both walk in.
Soon, they are at the school financial aid office, Mr Melvin gave the door a soft knock and they entered after a response from inside. A man probably in his late forties was sitting on a swivel chair with two other opposite him, he's on recommended glasses and looks so strict.
"Good evening sir"Valeria and her father greeted
"Good evening sir, Miss....how may I help you?"The man greeted back reading the file in front of him
"My daughter was granted scholarship from her high school and this is the university she chose"Mr Melvin explained
"You may have your seat sir"The man said clearly indicating that Valeria isn't allowed to sit.
"Thank you sir"Mr Melvin replied not minding what he's indicating.
"Give me a minute to check"The man said typing on his laptop. After few minutes of typing, he look up at Valeria then Mr Melvin before clearing his throat.
"Is she Melvin Valeria Grace?"The man asked
"Yes sir"Mr Melvin replied
"Okay, she was granted a scholarship to study in any university of her choice in Chicago and she chose the most prestigious institution, It's understandable."The man said with hidden meaning in his words.
"Really understandable."Mr Melvin replied and the man who was reading something on his laptop shift his attention to him.
"I mean who doesn't want to study in University of Chicago? I bet you saw other universities to work in but you chose the most prestigious institution"Mr Melvin said giving him a taste of his medicine.
"That aside, your daughter's scholarship is only for school fees and few school related expenses like textbooks"The man said still looking at the laptop
"Accommodation?"Mr Melvin asked and the man shake his head.
"And she will only be able to keep this scholarship till the end of her year in the university if she's of good conduct—no scandals, bad team or bullying. And she must also have good grades and when they mean good grades, they don't mean ninety three percent—they mean ninety five above."The man said still shading Valeria and her father.
"Is there any papers she has to sign?"Mr Melvin asked not minding his shades
"Yes sir and she would only be able to do that on Monday"The man replied
"So she should come back on Monday?"Mr Melvin asked
"Obviously"The man replied rudely
"Thank you for your time sir. She will be back to sign the papers"Mr Melvin said and he stands up to leave.
"Let's go Valeria"Mr Melvin said and he leave with his daughter closing the door behind silently.
Mark Melvin walk with his daughter to the gate of the university silently. When they got to the gate, Valeria cleared her throat.
"Father, why was he hostile?"Valeria asked
"I don't know maybe his personality or something"He replied not wanting to think about what happened earlier
"Personality? That has to be some shitty personality"Valeria said and cover her mouth after a 'Are you okay look from her father'
"Sorry Father, I didn't mean to swear."She apologized
"Valeria, not everyone knows how to act right"He said looking at her
"But Father you could have said something back, he said a lot of things to us, he was rude!"Valeria protested
"Somethings are better left unsaid"He said smiling.
"But father...."She protested
"....No ifs or buts Valeria"He cuts in
"Fine you win"Valeria gives up.
"Excuse me"Her father said walking away from Valeria to pick a call
He talked for a while on phone and walks back to Valeria after ending the call.
"My colleague will be here in few minutes to pick us up with his car"He said to his daughter who just nod.
After few minutes of waiting, a car pull up in front of them and they hop in.
"Good evening sir"Valeria greeted after setting in.
"Good evening princess"The man driving replied.
"Mark, you have such a beautiful daughter"The man in the passenger's seat complimented
"Thank you. Meet Valeria, my only daughter"Mark introduced
"Such a pretty name for a pretty girl"The man in the passenger's seat said
"Valeria these are my colleagues, Mr Smith on the driver side and Mr Davis on the passenger's seat"He introduced pointing to them.
"Nice to meet you Mr Smith—Mr Davis"Valeria greeted with a smile.
"Welcome to Chicago Valeria"The men chorused and she smile.
The men start talking about work while Valeria texted her brothers on their siblings group
@Valeria[I'm here brothers\(ϋ)/♩]
@James[So good....how was the journey?]
@Valeria[Fine, it wasn't that stressful]
@Benedict[Have you seen Father?]
@Valeria[Yes! We've gone to the school financial aid office and it was bloody as hell]
@Albert[Bloody??]
@James[What do you mean by bloody?]
@Benedict[Yeah....are you fine?]
@Valeria[The man there was rude as hell! He was throwing shades at I and Father ಥ_ಥ]
@Albert[Full details please]
@Valeria[The man was just being a rascal apparently the scholarship doesn't cover for accommodation and he was explaining like we should back out]
@James[What did father do?]
@Valeria[Nothing! He was being respectful and said somethings are better left unsaid. He actually did throw a shade back but still let him say a lot to us]
@Benedict[Father won't be strict where he's meant to be]
@James[What does that mean?]
@Benedict[¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯]
@Albert[Let's Valeria have her moment. So where did you end it?]
@Valeria[I'm to sign some papers on Monday, I'm pretty tired from the journey]
@Albert[That's sweet! Congratulations]
@Benedict[Congratulations lil sis]
@James[It's your moment....shine sis!]
@Valeria[Thank youヾ(˙❥˙)ﾉ But I have to read like crazy! My grade point have to be 5]
@Albert[That's some crazy shit right there! You have to keep your scholarship]
@Valeria[I'm telling you bro! Lots of rule I can roll with because I'm no troublemaker]
@James[First rule, be on 5 point in your first exam and all you have to do is maintain it all through]
@Albert[Yeah! You just have to maintain it. 5 point is a tip of iceberg for you brilliant... haha]
@Valeria[All I have to do is go to class, research, learn and read]
@Albert[That's the spirit sister. Have reading groups too]
@James[Have you and Father talk about accommodation?]
@Valeria[Not yet! We are yet to get to where he stays. We are in his colleagues car]
@James[Okay, make sure you discuss it with him before Monday so he can starts planning ahead]
@Valeria[Why is Francis not here?]
@James[You are still angry at him¯\_(ツ)_/¯]
@Valeria[We talk later]
Valeria stopped chatting with her brothers after hearing Mr Smith announcement.
"Valeria"Her father called
"Yes Father"She answered look at him.
"We are here"He announced
"Yes father"She replied with a smile.
Mr Smith pulled over and they alight.
"Thank you for the ride Mr Smith"Valeria said smiling
"You are welcome child"Mr Smith replied with a generous smile.