Chapter 2 - Sports Festival

"Welcome to the Sports Festival of King Harris University, the much anticipated event of this year!" As the Dean, Filbert Steward, announced it, the students' enthusiasm was heard clearly on their voices and the excitement was seen in their faces. The Sports Festival was the long-awaited event and it was the highlight of the year for most of the students, not just because of the games, sports, rewards and medals on that event, but because of the numerous surprises that the university would give to the students for the past few years on the exact event. Every year, there are celebrities, influencers, and others being invited as well.

"The students are so excited, I think they already heard about our first guest for today,"  Professor Li said in a matter-of-fact tone. Before this big event, the information regarding about the guests was heard by some troublemakers and they leaked it. Some believed it, but there were some who thought it was a baseless rumor.

Aleya nodded along with the rest of the professors. When they were teaching in class, they saw how their students talked secretly behind their back. With how many of the students in the school, it was hard to stop the spreading of the information. Basically, everyone has heard of it.

"I heard that the guest was really that of a bigshot in the industry. Since they came from a wealthy family," Professor Kim said. Aleya looked at her and nodded again, although guessing in her mind who the guest was.

"I heard it's a man," Professor Taylor said as he stood tall, his arms behind him.

"It was said that this year would be a lucky year," Professor Nana added.

"So he is that kind of a 'big' deal person?" Professor Kim asked, the professors including Aleya nodded. "Oh..." Professor Kim's attention turned in front of the stage when the Dean started talking again.

"Since everyone is delighted and could not wait for the surprises that we planned for this week, we will now call our first guest of the day!" The drums started playing and the noises lessened as everyone anticipated for the guest to come out from the backstage. Aleya was different from the others, she just stared at the stage with her focused eyes, also waiting and a bit curious but, she kept her posture firm, with her arms crossed against her chest and her body relaxed. She has been staying as a professor in this university for how many years and this festival did not give her the same excitement as the students, since she barely watched movies nor T.V. series, therefore she didn't know and hadn't seen those people who appeared in the television that most of the guests that was invited in this university. Since she was little, studying was her only priority for she had a disability, and her knowledge was not the same as others around her. 

"I would like to introduce to all of you, the heir of Harris Financial Group, Ezrael Harris!" Most of the students were jumping and screaming when they saw Ezrael walked up in the middle of the stage. He had a playful smile; his eyes were a mesmerizing, deep hazel brown; he had a turned-up nose; his soft, slightly pinkish lips were very attractive and captivating; and he had that straight, waxed up hair. His tall and grand figure walked towards the Dean while pulling up his sleeves. 

Ezrael was like the male version of Heather as all eyes in the Ceremony Hall were directed to him, from where he was standing. He grabbed the microphone that the Dean gave to him and he waited for the crowd to calm down. However, he kept on waving to them, acknowledging his fans, and resulting in an even noisier situation. 

While the hype of the campus was still up, Professor Nana keeps nodding her head while looking at Ezrael, from his head down to his feet, "He is a professional businessman. I heard he is a well-mannered and an intelligent man," she said and smiled at Ezrael.

"He will be the youngest business man if he decided to take over the Harris Group." Professor Li said as he also looked at Ezrael too.

"Of course he will be, that's why he is also the heir since he was the only legal child of the Harris family," Professor Taylor added.

"So the others..." Professor Kim slightly bending over to see the other professors who has those hungry eyes towards, "Look at those eyes and desperate behavior, wanting to get the attention of the heir of Harris Group. How pitiful." She stood on her spot again. "Maybe that's why they moved to the front row where it's close to the stage. It's okay tho but they are literally involved with someone else, by I mean by that Sugar Daddies" she added and rolled her eyes, shooking her head, turned to Aleya knowing Aleya heard what she said, she playfully smiled and winked at her. Aleya chuckling while shook her head. She was so confused at times when Professor Kim throw some shades towards the other Professors but she knew she had a reason for it. She also heard that those Professors are looking down on her and still confused because since when people look down on her. But one thing is for sure is that, those Professors that Professor Kim talked about, was the same ones who hated her guts so much. Even spread a useless rumor about someone when they felt like it.

Because of the Professors, they sometimes gossip things and it made Aleya more aware of the situation or know something. Right now, she doesn't know anything about the only heir of the Harris Group, she might heard something about the heir sometimes but already forgot since all she do everyday was study and work. That's her daily routine everyday from the start. 

As the Dean cleared her throat to get some of the students' attention towards the stage, when Ezrael heard that the screams stops and he looks at the Dean, Filbert nod as he wants Ezrael to speak.

"Good Morning, Princes and Princesses of King Harris University. He said cheerfully and the noise came back but he continued, "Welcome and thank you for participating on this event, for our talented, confident, brave, and competitive players. As this is the 46th Sport Festival of our School, I personally volunteered to witness the competition between our players and the fight for the golden medal. To spice things up..." 

"It would be probably involving some money since they are great when it comes to that." Aleya bluntness side come out of nowhere but the Professors already expected that she will say that so they nod their head.

"Probably, since I heard that the University invited some coaches from international schools to see this sport fest. It will be a great opportunity for our school." Professor Li said.

"And I think those coaches wants those graduating students from our school. Since our University was kinda on top, they want a student that was known who graduated on K.H.U." Professor Taylor said. Every school wants a student who graduated on K.H.U for a good partnership and most of the students are on top bars.

Ezrael continued to talk again, "There will be a prize for those people who will get into Top 3 places. The amount will be a surprise for everyone but expect that it will a big amount...." 

While Ezrael is still talking, someone called for Aleya's attention, she looked at the Assistant of the Dean, Frederick Wheeler who was standing beside the stage. She raised her brows, asking what was it. "The Dean wants you to go to the backstage after this ceremony." Aleya looked at the Dean who is also gesturing that he wants her to go backstage later on.

"What is it?" She asked and turned to the Assistant of the Dean. 

"I think you will be introduced to someone else. There will be a lot of guests today and I think it will you will be also introduced because of the research that you had done." Aleya nod. Fredrick smiled and left them.

"Since you are the youngest researcher, they are interested to know your name. Because of your excellent research, like most of the research was so curious about it. I'm so proud, Dana!" Professors Nana side hugged Aleya.

"This is such a great news knowing you had a progress to your research, congratulations kid." Professor look at Aleya and smiled, feeling so proud like she is his own daughter.

"Oh yes Dad. You looked like a father with that look. You are also looking old while we are witnessing this. It's kinda gross. Knowing you're a virgin." They laughed at what Professor Taylor said. 

"Oh shut it." He playfully push the Professor because of the joke he made.

"I don't want to make this speech that long because you might be getting bored and won't have energy later on so, everyone enjoy this day and make the most out of this day. Do you best. Good luck for winning that medal and be on Top 3." Ezrael smiled towards the crowd when he heard the screams coming from the students. He passed the mic to the Dean to finish the ceremony of the day.

Ezrael waved goodbye at the crowd and stepped out of the stage, going to the backstage. As he get to the backstage, "Sir, you received a call from your father and a message." He nod at his assistant and continued to walk by his assistant behind him.

"Brent, give me my phone." He reach the phone when he saw Brent holding the phone towards him. " I'll be at the parking lot at my car, just get me there when it is really urgent, understood?" He said with authority on his tone.

"Yes sir, call me if you need anything. I'll be there right away." Ezrael just nod and left him at the backstage of the Ceremony Hall. 

' I heard from Reporter David that you really came to the Sport Festival. I'm so proud of you going there on my behalf. I heard some good feedback from others. They really loved your speech and by that, I'm beyond proud that you are the heir, our only heir.' Ezrael smirked at what he had seen, a messenger coming from his father.

When there's an event related to their school, his father wants him to visit as a special guest since he is the only pure blooded Harris. But then, Ezrael keep on rejecting the offer since he doesn't want to be called as the heir of Harris Group, he knows he's not the only son that they have. He felt bad about it but he doesn't want to show emotions.

"Look at him writing this kind of text to me. Even though it was really his assistant who wrote this for him." He put his phone inside his pocket and walked towards his car in front of him.

While he was resting inside his car, Aleya and the Professors was on the hallway and they all turned to Aleya when she stopped walking.

"Professors, I will meet you later on at the cafeteria since we didn't finish our food earlier." Aleya said. All of them nod at what she said. They walked into separate halls, Aleya going back to the Ceremony Hall bumping into while some students that greets her. 

When she reached the backstage, she saw the Dean talking to a lady, she looks at this lady feature and she thought she's in her late 30s. "Oh Professor Santobal, she's here. " The Dean and the lady turned to her. "Mrs. Smith, I would like you to meet Professor Aleya Santobal. The youngest researcher. She works here as a professor." The Dean added.

"Oh it's so nice to meet you, Professor Santobal." Mrs. Smith offered her hand for Aleya to shake. She smiled at her and accepted her hand.

"It's also nice to meet you, Mrs. Smith." They shook their hands and let go of each other's hand. 

"We would also want Mr. Harris to meet you, his assistant already called him." The Dean said, Aleya looking at Fredrick, she already knew they are looking for the heir of Harris.