TAKING OVER A UNIVERSITY II

"Wait uncle. You're giving me your shares of A University without asking for anything? You're not planning to marry me off to one of your subordinates, right?" Kaye joked to ease her nerves since managing a school is another big responsibility.

"Of course there's a catch. How can I give it to you without getting anything?" Claude smirked at her which gave Kaye another headache.

"You're a sly fox uncle. Alright, what's the catch?" Kaye asked since it's the only thing that would help her make the decision either to take it or leave it.

Claude leaned on his seat. His eyes were looking straight at hers. He was clasping his hands together with a poker face.

"You have to make sure that school will produce excellent individuals. Hone people with artistic skills from the orphanages and let them enroll to our school once they become college students." Claude mentioned the catch behind the proposal which made Kaye dropped her jaw.

"That's it? I just have to make sure that the university will stay at its peak for as long as I live?" She said in disbelief. Her eyes were wide and her right brow was raised, unbelieving to his words.

"Yes. That's it. What were you expecting? Aside from that, the university shareholders are old. Who am I going to marry you off? Stop thinking of nonsense thing." Claude flicked her forehead playfully.

"Well, it's huge school after all. You can't blame me for thinking something like that. Isn't that how some plot in novels work?" Kaye rubbed her forehead with a pout.

"No kidding. I'm old already. I don't know when or how I would leave this world. I have to make preparations to make sure that the school will survive and you're the only hope I can think of. So, what now?" Claude sighed again thinking about the things that he needed to do or to plan.

"I understand uncle. I will take the responsibility. I will make sure to live up to your expectations." Kaye spoke with a determined gaze which earned her a chuckle from Claude.

"I know you can do it. When will you be able to visit the university so I can prepare all the documents and inform my lawyer and the shareholders?" Claude asked without further ado.

Marie, who was sitting on her right side, flipped Kaye's schedules for the whole week. She would never dare imagine that the owner of the school was related to her boss. She was shocked beyond belief.

"Young miss, you have no schedule on Thursday morning. Would you like me to move some sched and fit it to earlier days or just have it on Thursday?" Marie informed Kaye but it was Claude who answered.

"Thursday morning it is. No need to change her schedule. I will have to prepare as well." Claude responded to make concession on the matter of schedule.

"Okay. I'll visit on Thursday morning." Kaye agreed with much confidence now.

Claude stood up after getting the answer that he's been waiting all these years. "Now that you said 'yes', I'm relieved. I will leave now. I still have to visit my wife."

"This responsibility still scares me, uncle. But I will do my best." Kaye hugged him before sending him off to the elevator area.

"I'm proud of you sweetheart. I will never regret my decision today." Claude responded back at her. He looked happy and relax after knowing that someone will be there to handle the school matters once he leave.

"Come and visit us at home uncle. Mom and Dad will be very happy to see you." Kaye added just right on time before the elevator door opened.

"I'll see you around." Claude waved his hand as the elevator door closed.

"The flyers were never used." Marie muttered under her breath beside Kaye.

"That's fine. We can use it for something else. Now let's go back to the meeting with the managers and see what they've come up." Kaye turned around and walked to the previous meeting room were the store managers and sales managers were having a clash of brain cells.

It was a long day for Kaye. Even though she started working during the afternoon, so many things happened and she was tired and happy at the same time.

Another day of accomplishments. Not only did she get a new partner for the foundation, she get a school in exchange for that too. It was a win, no losses for her at all.

When Kaye got home, her parents were still on a date. Since she started managing the company and the stores, her parents got more time to spend on a date.

Kaye smiled at her own thoughts. She ran upstairs with her bag before replying to Ivan's inquiry if she's home already.

Not long after she sent him a message, Ivan's international call came.

"How's your day?" Ivan asked after hearing Kaye's lovely voice.

"It's fulfilling. I was able to do so many things today. Once you get back, I have a surprise for you. You wouldn't believe it at all." Kaye was thinking about the university which was really famous for its Music and Arts Department.

"I'm looking forward to that. I won't take long here. In a blink of an eye, I'll be on my way already." Ivan replied to her with the same cheerfulness.

"I know. I'll be counting the days until you're back home." Kaye commented while crossing out a date on a calendar which indicates Ivan's homecoming.

"You're like a wife who's looking forward to her husband's homecoming." Ivan teased her with delight coming from his eyes.

"Stop teasing me. It's not working." Kaye replied with at ease, but in fact, her face was an ocean of redness and her heart was palpitating from his statement.

"I see. Well, as much as I want to talk to you my wife, I have to attend dinner meeting. Husband needs to work for you." Ivan taunted her again but Kaye ended the call abruptly. "I'm pretty sure she's blushing from shyness." Ivan chuckled before sending her a message. 'I'M OFF TO WORK, WIFEY.'

He wasn't mistaken at all. Kaye wasn't able to take his teasing and ended the call. Her face was so hot and her heart was beating so fast.

"This idiotic bastard who couldn't see my love at all is a teasing monkey! I'm not your wife!" Kaye yelled with a muffled voice since she covered her mouth with a pillow. "I spend so much energy just listening to his voice. My heart and brain are drained."

She rolled on her bed, lying down on her back with her arms spread beside her.

"Should I fight for my love?"