“I had Dayne find out the most popular student on campus then I gave her a strong recommendation to the president, is all,” Henson replied.
Wendy was skeptical as she raised an eyebrow and asked, “Didn’t he say anything to that?”
“Nope, in fact he agreed to it very quickly and didn’t bring up your name at all. I suppose he now feels bad for shrugging you off like that. After all, he changed his mind AFTER you’ve already agreed to it,” he said.
She chuckled. Just as she was about to say something, she received a ring for another call that was coming through.
One glance at the caller ID and she hurriedly said, “I’ll stop talking already. He’s calling me now, most probably to talk about the issue.”
“Then you should answer it. Talk to you tonight.”
He said as she hung up and directly picked up the president’s call.
“President Burke,” she greeted curtly.
“Did you see the announcement today, Wendy?” He asked.
“You must be referring to the matter of the university pamphlet?” She probed.
“Yes, that’s right,” he answered as he nodded his head. “How should I put it… Initially, I already had my eye on you for the role, but just now Master Henson phoned me up and strongly recommended a certain Avril Taylor instead. I thought it’d be bad if I didn’t give him face by replacing you with her, so, you see…” He trailed off nervously.
She raised her eyebrows. He was more enthusiastic than anyone when making things difficult for her last time, and now that he plans to burn bridges after crossing over to the other side, she decided that she wouldn’t stand being bullied by him any longer.
She gave a sigh and whined, “So, it’s come to this. I must say I’m awfully disappointed after hearing this. I remember being secretly happy after relating the incident to Howell yesterday too. I even decided to hire a photographer to prepare for the photoshoot. Alas, tis’ a shame all my hopes and dreams have been shattered to bits today.”
“Hmm… I mean, I really can’t do anything about it now, Wendy. Just think of it this way, Master Henson has already invested so much money into the university by this point, so I can’t possibly offend him by going against his orders, right? I’ll admit it was an oversight on my part, so, is it alright for you to give in just this once?” He asked nervously.
She smiled when he said that. She surmised it was time she stop making him feel worse than he already felt now.
“Since it’s come to this, I suppose prioritising the interests of the university should come first. So, you needn’t worry, sir. I’m not as petty as you think. I don’t feel good snatching away opportunities belonging to our students either,” she said.
“That’s good to hear. Oh right, let me ask you something. Have you heard Master Howell mention Master Henson’s relationship with that Taylor girl?” He probed.
She didn’t know wthat to say. He really let his imagination go this time. “Nothing from my end,” she replied.
“Well, that’s odd. If they don’t know each other, then why would Master Henson recommend her to me? Unless, this Taylor girl is his…” He deduced on the other end.
“President Burke,” she said in a firm yet displeased tone. “I’ll have you know Master Henson is an upright person, so you better not go around spouting nonsense behind his back. I’ve other matters to attend, so I’ll be hanging up now, sir,” she announced.
She was pissed. No wonder Henson had said he was a slick fellow, he’s very good at being a people-pleaser and knew how to read people well.
Just because Henson had recommended Avril Taylor, he immediately probed her about the relationship between the two of them.
Then again, why’d he make it his business to know who Henson associates with?
President Burke felt annoyed that an assistant professor like her would just hang up on him like that. If it weren’t for Howell, he would never let this woman go unpunished for sure.
“What a lawless woman she was.” He thought.
During noontime, Wendy headed to the cafeteria to have lunch with Linda and Carmen.
Carmen, who was always full of gossip said in a mysterious tone, “I have some incredibly big news for you two.”
“What isn’t big news when it’s coming from you?” Linda asked with a giggle.
“Don’t laugh at me, Linda. I promise this is huge news this time. Did you guys know that the President of the Charles Group, the legendary Mr. Charles is coming to our university to be a guest lecturer? And do you know how many students have already signed up for his lectures?” Carmen asked.
Wendy stifled a giggle through her pursed lips. She imagined it would be a crazy number.
“Is this for real?” Linda gasped in surprise.
“Just look at you. Why would I lie to you? There’s already an online registration sheet in the forums,” Carmen huffed.
“Wow,” Linda exclaimed. “I feel like joining too,”
Carmen nodded her head violently after hearing that. “I know right. I feel it’s still worth attending just to gaze at a shining CEO, even if we don’t understand a thing he teaches. After all, he isn’t someone anyone can just casually stumble upon. I also heard that everyone’s welcome to attend his lecture,” she said.
Linda turned to look at Wendy and asked, “Will you be attending too, Miss Evans?”
Wendy didn’t want to sound all high and mighty, so she hurriedly said, “Of course I want to, but I’m just scared that there’ll be too many people cramped together in one space in the multimedia classroom. Weren’t you surprised when you noticed the number of people who signed up too, Carmen?”
Carmen nodded her head immediately and said, “There was a lot, alright. Heavens, there were about a thousand people who’d already signed up via the forums, so how can a multimedia classroom that can only accommodate three hundred people max even hold that many people on the day itself?”
Linda sighed in response. “Looks like we’re out of luck then. I don’t suppose it’s right of us to snatch away our student’s opportunities just to ogle a man,” she said.
Carmen shook her head and insisted, “Regardless, I still plan on attending. I must attend his lectures. I’ll make sure to dress up nicely when the time comes.”
“What? You planning on seducing the CEO now?” Linda asked, dumbfounded.
Carmen then blinked a few times with her puppy eyes. “Can’t I?” She whined.
Her words almost made Wendy choke on her porridge.
Carmen, who was sitting beside her patted her back after seeing her reaction. “You aren’t mocking me, are you, Miss Evans?” She asked, displeased.
Wendy flailed her hands about in disagreement as she wiped the corners of her mouth. “I would never, the porridge just scalded my tongue, is all,” she lied nervously.
“There’ll be loads of people there then, so unless you dress up like a flower fairy or something, he’ll never notice you from the crowd,” Linda giggled.
Carmen sighed. “Tsk. Then again, how could I even seduce a CEO like him in the first place? I was just thinking of making the best out of every opportunity I’m given, is all. Who knows if we’re fated to be together? After all, he chose our university out of all the other universities in entire San Diego area,” she deduced.
Linda gave a hearty laugh. “Ha! If that’s the case, then every female student who’s single in the university is also fated to be with him!”
Carmen was at a loss for words. “Can you stop being a wet blanket here, Linda?” She said, annoyed.
“Oh, quit daydreaming already. Anyways, what happened with you and Cael? Are you two still on bad terms with one another?” Linda asked.
Carmen pouted. “I’m still a bit sore about what happened, but it’s not like this is our first spat or anything. I’m sure everything will get back to normal in a few day’s time,” she replied.
Wendy suddenly heard a ring coming from her phone, and it turned out that Ross was calling her. She then got out of her seat with a grin on her face. “I”ve already eaten my fill, so you two can continue having lunch without me. I have to take this,” she said.
She then picked up her bag and brisk walked out of the restaurant. Carmen turned her head to look at her before she disappeared from her view. “What’s going on? Does Miss Evans have a boyfriend or something?” She asked.
When Carmen said this, Linda recalled the hickeys on her neck that morning. She shrugged and smiled in response. “I’m not too sure myself. She didn’t say,” she replied.
She walked to the entrance of the restaurant and picked up the call. “Hi! Ross!” she greeted happily.
“Are you busy now, Wendy?” He asked.
“No, I’m having lunch at the moment. Are you?” She asked.
“Nope, just finished lunch as well. Anyways, I told my parents that I bumped into you the other day, and they’ve kept insisting that I invite you over for dinner since. So, are you free tonight?” He asked.