Heated argument

"I can enter normal school," Ava was excited to hear his grandfather's plan, but after knowing that the registration was closed, she wouldn't mind going to any normal school. As long as she could feel the life as a student and find something that she was good at. She would be content.

"No, a normal school is not worth it. This elite school will definitely help you with the future you're seeking for. A place where people will be able to realize their dream. Besides, there is a high-security system at this school. As a Willow, your safety matter," Willow Sr. explained.

He regretted that he couldn't locate his granddaughter much earlier. If not the plan he had now would help to secure her safety.

"Sir, are you referring to the one and only Glory Institution?" Zen chirped in. He knew that the Glory Institution was the only school that fit his description of the 'high-security system'.

"Yes. Oh, that's it!" Willow Sr. gloomy expression turned vibrant once he saw Zen's face. Ava sighed, she was agitated to know nothing of the thing they were talking about. She decided to remain silent and became a listener. Only after she listened to her grandfather's plan would she thought about her next plan.

"Little princess, how about this. I will send your application to the Glory institution once I get it ready and while waiting for the result, you will attend planned private lessons in this residence together with Zen. No worries, the teachers hired are all excellent," Willow Sr. finalized his plan. He waited for Ava to respond. He was willing to change his plan to fit Ava's request.

"And Zen, he's also waiting for the result of his application. More importantly, the private lessons are on par or even better than the one they have at normal schools," he baited.

Honestly, Willow Sr. wanted Ava to enter Glory Institution for two reasons. The first was that his daughter, as well as Ava's mother, was a graduate from that school and second, he could sense that the Willow Household and the W&J Corporation would face another crisis sooner or later. Hence, Ava's safety was his top priority.

"But..."

"Your mother was a graduate of that school. That's why, I hope that if you enter that school, you'll get a better chance to find your mother. Grandpa cannot expand the searching team there because an outsider will not be entertained at Glory Institute," Willow Sr. felt sorry for cutting in his granddaughter's speech but all of a sudden, his heart strongly urged him that enrolling her to that school was the absolute choice he must choose.

"My mother?" once again, the sparks returned to Ava's shiny brown eyes. She saw her grandfather nodded once, confirming her thought. Ava couldn't help but feel delighted by the idea of meeting her mother.

"Okay, but what if the application is rejected?" she frowned as it was a concern that cannot be overlooked.

"We will be accepted. There are no buts." Zen suddenly spoke. His eyes were those of a fighter. Unwilling to go with the flow. "Believe that we are the best and we will get in," he said in confidence.

"That's blind faith," Ava corrected his principle.

"Then, I am willing to take the chance. Do you know that only those who never entered any schools or institutions will be accepted at Glory Institution? That's why you cannot enter normal schools. That's one of their main requirements. Probably to ensure that we are free from being the philosopher of someone else's belief," Zen explained. Ava could see that Zen was earnestly interested in Glory's institution.

"That's partial discrimination. Don't you think so? Everyone has the right to have access to the best education possible," Ava recited the lines from one of the books she had read before.

Zen stared at the little girl sitting in front of him. He started to admire the girl. For once he finally met someone that could discuss a topic on a deeper level.

"Probably, but if it is to benefit the nation, no one really cares," he stated his opinion.

"Hmm, you are saying that the graduates of Glory Institution are graduating just to work for the government? Like this pawn?" Ava bounced the chess pawn on her palm.

She stared at Zen waiting patiently for his comeback. She was really interested in the topic they were discussing. It was no longer about Glory Institution, but to a wider perspective that involve the education policies, the nation was practicing.

"Wrong. What I meant is the graduates were all self-sufficient that they could be whoever they would like to be. And in reality, most of the prominent figures in our country are graduates from the institute," Zen elaborated. He began to feel some connection to the little girl in front of her.

"Children!" Willow Sr. knocked his glass with his spoon to get Ava's and Zen's attention directed to him. He already knew that Zen was a genius. But now, it seemed his granddaughter can be considered a genius too. Still, the level of discussion he had just listened to was beyond what he was expecting.

"Stop talking like adults and act more like a child. One day, you'll miss this moment. Understand?" he was nagging for a few more minutes and noticed the blank looks on the children's faces. He gulped knowing that he was talking more than necessary. Honestly, he felt left out seeing the two of them getting closer. He wanted to laugh at himself for having such thought.

"I'm sorry, grandpa."

"I'm sorry, sir."

Both Ava and Zen spoke in unison. Then, the three of them looked at each other before laughing their hearts out.

Ava wiped the tears resulted from laughing too much. 'This is nice. Really nice!' she thought.

"Grandpa, I'll attend the private lessons and wait for the announcement in two years' time," she finally decided. She wanted to experience this feeling again, and she knew spending more time with them would allow her to experience this moment of happiness.

"Good!" Willow Sr. applauded at his granddaughter's decision. Zen also was smiling, agreeing with what she had decided on.

"Wow, look at the time!" Willow Sr. was surpised to know how much time had passed. He looked at Zen and said, "Zen, today you are to play host with my little princess. Give her a tour of the residence. Little princess, grandpa will make some final arrangements at the company, then, I will have a whole week for us to spend and discover the city together. How about that?" Willow sr. didn't bother to ask whether Zen agreed to the task or not and right away focused on Ava.

Ava pitied Zen but seeing his relaxed expression, she nodded. "Okay," she said.

"But grandpa, when can I meet my father and my other relatives? The mister said before that I would be able to meet my father soon," Ava's innocent face sold Butler Bong's name to ask the matter she was curious about.

Willow Sr. was surpised to hear Ava's question. He glared at Butler Bong who now felt that standing comfortably was a punishment. 'Young Miss,' he pleaded on his mind. Yet, no one heard the plea.

"That... after our one-week interaction, you'll see them," having lost of ideas, Willow Sr. made a statement that promised a meeting in the coming week.

"Really? I'll get to see my father soon?" as if not believing her own words, Ava could only wait for his grandfather's confirmation the second time.

"Yes," Willow Sr. faked a smile. He didn't want to lie but within that one week, he would try to explain the truth about his little princess' father.

Ava suddenly felt like being cheated. Why would her grandfather lie to her? In a daze, she felt a kick on her leg under the table. She knew the culprit and immediately glared at the person. All she saw was him mimicking the words 'be patient'.

"I know," she muttered.

Zen smiled, hoping that it would comfort the girl in front of him.