My Aunt, Valerie

The Academy

THIRD-PERSON POV

“This is a school? It’s massive! What if I lost my way? Wouldn’t that be a problem?” Gloria asked Raven while she parked her car at the side of the road.

“It's a school that caters to many future leaders. Of course, the facilities have to match their preference. Anyway, we should go to the administration office.” Raven got out of the car, followed by Gloria. Students who were hanging around the main building couldn’t believe their eyes.

“Everyone seems surprised to see us. I wonder why.” Raven chuckled and let Gloria’s mind wander.

“Oh, my- it's good to see you again, Mrs. Forest.” Raven chuckled.

“It's weird for you to call me that, ma’am. How have you been?” Raven greeted her former teacher with a wide smile.

“Well, now that you mentioned it, nothing seems to happen in my life much. What about you?” Raven smiled.

“Valerie and I have a meet addition to our family. This is Gloria, Valerie’s niece.” The teacher seems surprised. Gloria had lost count of how many people seemed shocked to see her here with her aunt’s wife.

“You mean- this woman is Cleo’s child. I heard what happened. Condolences to you and your family.” Gloria thanked the teacher and waited for Raven while talking to the teacher.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Gloria waved her hands before following Raven towards the administration office.

“I’m here to see the dean.” The receptionist looks up before nodding her head.

“Please have a seat.” Raven smiled before walking to the waiting area. As Raven and Gloria waited their turn to meet the dean, Gloria noticed a picture on the wall that looked like her aunt.

“Is that aunt Valerie?” Raven looked up from her phone before nodding her head.

“That picture was when Valerie challenged the odds and won an international art festival in Germany. Because of that, this academy received much praises and attention from well-known scholars.” Raven grabbed hold of Gloria’s hand before showing her picture on the wall.

“Valerie is not the only one who received recognition from the academy.” Gloria’s eyes widened when she read the caption.

“Wow- aunty, I never knew you were such a nerd back then.” Raven chuckled while lightly hitting Gloria’s shoulder.

“Mrs. Forest, the dean is now ready to see you.” Raven smiled at the receptionist before walking to the dean’s office with Gloria.

“Oh my God- I have never thought that I would once again meet the infamous Raven Hudson. Or shall I call you Mrs. Forest since you’re married to that gloomy kid, Valerie Forest?” Raven smiled before greeting the dean.

“You can call me Raven, sir. It’s nice to see you again after so long. Let me introduce you to my niece, Gloria Serrano.” The dean stood up from his seat and shook hands with Gloria.

“It’s an honor to meet Cleo Forest’s daughter.” Gloria smiled.

“I’ve read your files and even call your former school. I must say- I am glad to have you as one of my students now.” Gloria seems confused.

“I can see the confusion in your eyes. But don’t worry about that. All you have to worry about is which club or associations you wish to be part of. Do you like our academy’s uniform? We even made slight changes to accommodate our students' requests.” Raven hummed.

“I was surprised, and I wish my batch could have the freedom even to do such things before.” The dean giggled.

“Luckily, your batch didn’t because I know it won’t be eye-pleasing. Anyway, should we continue this conversation while showing miss Serrano around the academy?” Gloria couldn’t believe her ears.

“Oh- the dean is going to give us a tour himself? I never knew we would be that lucky.” Raven chuckled as she followed the dean and Gloria out from his office.

“Nothing seems to change from the last time I went to the academy,” Raven said while the dean showed Gloria around.

“You’re wrong- there’s a lot of improvement, and one of them is the cafeteria menu. Would you like to come and see it for yourself?” Raven nodded as she followed the dean towards the cafeteria.

Raven was glad that Gloria seemed to be having the time of her life as they were led around by the dean. Students on their way towards the class were surprised to see the dean eagerly showing around the school. Because of this, the students started to get curious about Gloria’s identity.

“Isn’t that the managing director and CEO of the Hudson Bank? Why is she here with thy girl? Who is that girl? Is the girl related to lady Raven or lady Valerie?” The students asked among their peers.

“Well, whatever it is- it’s best to keep ourselves in line because if the CEO of the Hudson bank herself is here and the dean showing the school around, it must mean that girl is not someone we can afford to offend. Both the Forest and the Hudson family is huge name in this country. Besides, the girls seem a bit shy as well.” The students agreed with such logic before going to their next class as scheduled.

“What do you think of the school, Gloria?” Raven asked as they walked back to the main building after the tour.

“I like it. The students seem friendly, and I love that the school lets them have the freedom to express themselves. And not to mention the number of clubs and associations the school had to offer. It would be hard for me to choose from.” The dean finds it amusing to hear Gloria’s words.

“I’m glad you think so. Do take your time in choosing the clubs and associations. But don’t take too long since the due would be next week. Once again, I would like to welcome you to our school, Gloria Serrano. Please make good and memorable memories while you’re here.” Gloria shakes hands with the dean.

“Thank you for the tour, and it’s an honor to be here.”

***

“Did you have fun?” Raven asked Gloria as she drove.

“I did. I have never expected the dean to be friendly and kind. Has he always been that way?” Raven nodded.

“We thought he was annoying when your aunt and I were a student. But as we turn into an adult, we finally understand why he acts like that. It’s because the world out there is scarier than when we were a student. It’s just his way of telling the students that’s whatever may happen in the future; life must go on, and enjoy it while it lasts.” Raven stopped at a red light before facing Gloria.

“Simply think of him as an annoying pest.” Gloria chuckled.

“I think the dean would be sad if he knows that.” Raven waved it off.

“Nothing can offend that man. Anyway, have you thought of which club or associations you’ll join?” Gloria shook her head no.

“Which club did you join before?”

“The book club. But I was the only one in that club since none of the students liked to be in the same club as me. The teachers were kind enough to let me be the only member.” Raven was shocked.

“What do you mean by the students doesn’t want to be in the same club with you?” Gloria begins to tell Raven about the whole ordeal of her being a teachers' pet and how others don’t like that she is the teacher's favorite.

“That’s just stupid! Why would they treat you that way?” Gloria shrugged her shoulder.

“It’s fine. I will try to make new friends at the academy. Perhaps I won’t be alone now that I changed schools.” Raven smiled.

“I’m sure it will be easy for you to make new friends.” Gloria smiled back. Raven continued to drive home as the light turned green. As they were on their way home, Raven received a call from her secretary, who she is needed at the office immediately. Raven was pissed because today was supposed to be her day off, but the secretary seemed to be in some trouble.

“Do you mind if we make a detour to my office?” Gloria shakes her head before Raven changes the course of their destination towards the Hudson Bank.

“Wow-,” Gloria didn’t expect to see such a tall building.

“I thought it’s just a normal bank building, but it’s a damn skyscraper with your name on it!” Raven chuckled.

“It was my wedding gift from your aunt. Although it wasn’t a surprise, it symbolized our love.“ Gloria couldn’t close her mouth when she heard what Raven said.

“Come- this is your first time visiting my office, after all.” Gloria got out of the car and followed Raven inside the building. Gloria couldn’t believe her eyes as she gazed upon the beautiful interior of the building.

“Valerie created the paintings in the lobby. The sculpture as well.” Raven explained as they walked towards the elevator. When the elevator finally arrived, Raven and Gloria walked in before Raven pressed the highest floor level of the building.

“The top floor belongs to me, and no one can enter the floor; I thought proper security check. The top floor is where I kept the most priceless things that the bank has.” Raven explained.

“But the security didn’t do anything when they saw me.” Gloria pointed out.

“Well, it’s because you’re with me. You’re not going to steal anything, right?” Gloria shook her head no.

When they reached the top floor, Raven’s secretary was waiting for her in front of the elevator.

“What is happening? You know that today I have some important things to do. Explain the situation from A to Z.” Raven listened tentatively as her secretary explained the current situation. Gloria decided to take a seat inside the waiting room while Raven dealt with the matter.

Gloria minded her own business when a woman suddenly approached her.

“Who are you? No one is supposed to be here. How did you get to the top floor?” The woman asked questions after questions without giving Gloria the chance to speak up.

“You can’t be here! You need to leave. You do not belong here.” The woman grabbed hold of Gloria’s hand and was about to drag her out when Raven walked out of her office and yelled at the woman.

“What are you doing here?! Release the child’s hand immediately! What is wrong with you?!” Raven grabbed Gloria by the wrist and told the woman to leave.

“No one is allowed to be here! You said it yourself!” The woman tries to reason.

“This child belongs here! And you- how many times do I have to tell you to never show your face to me ever again? Didn’t you do enough damage?! Should I ask my secretary to call the security on you? I can’t believe I have to come to the office d on my day off because of you!” Raven asked the secretary to take Gloria towards her office while she deals with the woman.

“Excuse me- but who is that woman?” Gloria asked the secretary.

“That woman used to work here as an auditor. But things happened while she was working here and made the CEO fire her from her position. Because of the stress and pressure, she became mentally unstable. Mrs. Forest even had to call her family to inform them about that woman’s situation, but it seems nothing is being done. I just called someone that can help with our current situation.” Gloria seems confused.

“Who did you call?”

“The asylum. If the family doesn’t take action, we will. I understand that the woman wants to explain herself, but this is not the way. Mrs. Forest had enough in dealing with that woman and asked me to take action.” Gloria tried to peek at what was going on between Raven and that woman from afar.

“I hope everything turns out okay in the end.”