Chapter 3

• To avoid getting caught and ridiculed, I am one of those students who are actually standing by the doorway on the back most part of the room who was not able to take a seat since most are now occupied by non-engineering students. They should have had this more organized with tickets or probably passes exclusively for Engineering students alone, or they should have had a bigger room for this event since we have a VVIP guest speaker.
• "Mr. Kieran Tiziano-Vetrelli!!" The dean finally and proudly screams out the name that everyone has been wanting and dying to hear as the front doors finally open into two. A thunderous applause echo follows as it fills throughout the entire place as women start to squeal in excitement.
• God, I wish I could explain how these women are all so giddy and overexcited.
• To be honest, this was a very extraordinary opportunity that Mr. Tiziano-Vetrelli had given to our campus, knowing his power, high status, incredible amount of fame, and insane wealth. We’re very much privileged that the owner of the globally successful bioengineering company called TIZELLI Pharmaceuticals, and TIZELLI Electronics which is his new and innovative electronics company, personally came to our university to give a talk. Basically, he has been named as one of the richest billionaires in the world who also manages the flourishing TIZELLI Funds Management Corporation which provides his philanthropic action and contributions towards art and cultural activities.
• A very tall, long-legged, and a striding man who is walking with his dark brown shiny leather shoes that probably costs a lot of millions of dollars finally enters the room ridiculously calmly but with such an insane amount of control in the way he looks and the way he carries himself. It’s like he is in complete command of this entire room while he is exuding with a such inexplicable aura that I have never seen in a guy before.
• Old. I thought to myself as it is the first thing that popped inside my head as soon as I glued my eyes on his face.
• He looks mature with his scruffy medium stubble beard but God this guy is incredibly tall and muscularly lean. It seems that he works out a lot base on the tightness around his biceps underneath those layered clothes. He is wearing his light gray suit that seems perfectly ironed, a white shirt that shines bright like a pearl, a light blue tie, and man, he looks like he smells that crazily rich perfumes that wealthy men can only buy and wear.
• He stands on the podium; unagitated with that darkly strict look on his face as if he was going to scold every one of us while his coldly ferocious eyes are scanning the crowd. His gaze reaches the backmost part of the room where most of us were all standing as the audience, as embarrassing as it may seem for a man like Kieran who thinks that this room is not enough for most Engineering students that were around.
• "Good morning." His voice is amusingly warm like hot melted caramel and incredibly deep, which is in great contrast with his exceedingly impassive expression. "I apologize for arriving late than scheduled but today’s just extra busy. I will not keep my speech long unlike others for the students to have lunch on time and I have packed meetings later in the day."
• Women in the front row scream words like "It is okay we are not hungry", "Take all the time that you need", "We can look at you for a whole day" and so many other flirtatious expressions that I do not even want to hear and I am sure he did not even like to hear base from how expressionless he seemed like. I glued my eyes on Mr. Tiziano-Vetrelli who looks severely disinterested in the attention that he is getting from the women as he disregarded them shrewdly. It is as if he used to it.
• "Twenty-one years ago…" He starts to narrate and as if the entire flock of women seemed like little kids listening to a story-telling. "We are actually going to go years back before my father handed me over the pharmaceutical company. I was eleven when my grandfather had sparked my interest in electrical engineering, he paved way for me to excel in it which is why I decided to build my own empire."
• Listening to his words, diction and tone of voice, you know well he is a very well-educated man.
• "I sat where you exactly sat today, roughly eleven years prior." He continues. "I graduated with a major degree in Pharmacy and I double majored in Biotechnology the same year. But I really have this great passion for becoming like my grandfather, so I pursued my dream and triple majored in Electrical Engineering."
• "Wow." A voice escapes my lips as I admire his intelligence.
• "I have accomplished some extraordinary things. I have helped develop a highly effective treatment for cancer – designing custom electronics for true 3D radiotherapy. I have helped further our understanding of the physical universe by developing state of art data acquisition systems for high-energy physics experiments." He continues to boast and I know he has the right to but I just find it being too overconfident of himself.
• Like yeah, we know you’re the big guy alright.
• He glances at the silent crowd who’s looking back at him intently, as he continues his speech, "I am sure that you know all of that. But I didn’t come here to discuss about my life. Because the truth is, if someone told me eleven years ago – that I would have such a career and such an impact – I would not have believed anyone. So today, I am going to share with you three things that I wish someone had shared with me back in the day– three things that I have learned to be true."
• Everyone in the room was incredibly quiet and attentive while each student seemed to have poked a great interest in this charming but expressionless man. Damn, the power and influence that this man has are out of this world. I mean look at these people’s eyes and attention all darted and glued on him.
• "The first is to learn from your success." He states as everyone is looking back and forth at each other in confusion. "There is a belief that failure is somehow good – somehow advantageous. Failure builds character. Fail early or fail often. That’s not wrong, but also dangerous. You always think that failing is okay. It is not." His words sounded like an absolute rule.
• "Everyone wants to succeed but have you ever asked yourself the question, what do I learn from success? Simple, it’s how to succeed." The way he chooses his words sounds like he is really a man who’s accomplished everything and damn, he has had accomplished tons. He continues, "That is much more infinitely priceless and precious. How many people do you know who started with you, but aren’t sitting next to you today because they failed and you haven’t? That is a perfect example of the success you should celebrate today."
• Wow, this man and his choice of words are truly remarkable.
• "How often did you have a roommate who would moan and whine at the one or two or more times during the semester that they actually had to work, long hours knowing that as an Engineer this was your daily reality?" The entire room is incredibly silent as his words continue to wow every single one of us that are here. "That is significant. As a matter of fact, you now know one thing for sure, that with talent and determination and hard work, you can achieve what few others can."
• There is a pause as he stares at the crowd in front of him.
• "You succeeded." That short and simple sentence made everyone to howl and cheer on. The room was filled with livened up students who want to achieve more in the next upcoming years. He is indeed an inspiration to everyone in here. "In the future," Everyone went quiet right away as he adds, "taking on truly and remarkably the hardest things, you know like things that seem way too impossible to take, you will not be in uncharted waters. On the contrary, you will build more success. Stacking it up one over the other. When there is success, there is always failure and that is something you should all remember. But something that you should not move on from. And that is the key."
• A smile spreads on my face as my eyes are eagerly staring at him while his words of encouragement truly encourage me on thriving for success, "Success breeds success. It is not a question of whether you will achieve more success. The questions are supposed to be what it will look like, how it will feel like, and how it will change you as a human."
• His eyes scanned the entire room and landed back on the students that were standing in the backmost part of the room. It is kind of annoying how his eyes make me feel nervous just standing here amongst the students who he sparked interest in becoming the better versions of ourselves right now.
• My breathing hitched as soon as I felt that his eyes, his freaking eyes, most definitely met mine and he was actually looking back at me. For a second it seemed that he was looking at me and I could not debate to what I actually saw. He seemed disinterested before he looks away and caused an insane amount of shiver down my spine because I know our eyes freaking met but then in the back of my head a voice tells me that he would never, have a single ounce of care, to anyone in this room.
• Suddenly, my phone vibrates as I am holding it in my hand and I knew instantly that it was a notification. I tilted it a little so I can see the screen and it was an email. I hurriedly unlocked my phone with excitement and overwhelming fear of failing but as soon as I opened it the first words got me shocked as it says: Congratulations! You’ve passed the second step. You may now proceed in having the medical examination that os scheduled for tomorrow morning. See here for the time and location.
• "Everyone should look forward to--"
• My mouth gapes wide open as a squeal follows from it, "Yes!" I gasped and froze in shock as soon as I realized where I was still. Everything around me was silent and I was too scared to even pulled my head up because I just screamed in the middle of Mr. Tiziano-Vetrelli’s speech.
• I collected up the courage to pull my head up and as soon as I did, God I regretted what I have just embarrassingly done. This was one of those moments where I godly wish that the grim reaper would take me alive. I am just utterly humiliated by what I have caused because everyone’s eyes were on me.
• Even Mr. Tiziano-Vetrelli’s.
• Well, shit.
• ~~~
• I squirm inwardly as I cover my eyes with my fists, remembering what happened yesterday. I clench them harder the more I remember what happened to me. Every single second of that crucial moment and having the Kieran Tiziano-Vetrelli’s piercing eyes with knitted brows darted at me after I magnificently ruined his speech, I swear I have never wanted to disappear like a bubble as much as I did before.
• Although the grim reaper was not able to save me from the such embarrassment that day, my Icarus feet had actually caused me to run out of the venue while everyone started giggling, laughing, and teasing me. I literally disappeared in that room in a jiffy and didn’t even want to stay a second longer after randomly squealing amidst the guest speaker’s speech.
• I didn’t want to be named names anymore.
• "Miss Florence Winchester?"
• I pulled my head up as soon as I heard my name and tried to recollect myself and my thoughts, "Yes?" I answered instantly.
• "Doctor Potters is waiting for you." She says as she smiles at me.
• I stand and smiled back, "Oh... Okay. Thank you." I answered nervously.
• I honestly do not know why I am skipping my morning classes for this matter and being in here, in this place, instead of learning something at the university. I tell myself that this was going to be helpful for me and Zelda so I have to endure it. I just wish that I am making the right decision in my life right now even though this entire process is nerve-wracking knowing that I am doing it alone. Gosh, I have not told Olivia yet because if I did she would freak out.
• Although I am really impressed, the hospital where I am booked for a check-up is ridiculously expensive and luxurious. The best in the town and I think this agency is not messing around with their applicants and the parents. They only want the best procedures and the best doctors to examine the applicants.
• Thankfully, all medical exams that I have done for the past hour and a half are shouldered by the agency so I did not worry much about the fees. All I had to do was to bring myself here and do all the tests that were required by the company.
• As soon as I entered the doctor’s private room, a red haired woman smiles at me through her red tainted lips. "You must be Miss Winchester." She gestures her hand as soon as she sees me nodding before she politely adds, "Please have a seat."
• She looked like she was in her early 40s and had such a gentle but vibrant aura as she is wearing her doctor’s coat over her red dress. Honestly, I expected the doctor to be a little frightening because of the huge agency that she is working for as their company doctor.
• "Thank you," I answered shyly as I scooted to the chair where she offered. I stare at her as she goes through the results of my urine test, blood test, x-ray, drug test, pelvic ultrasound, even vaginal swabs, and these other procedures that I have never had before.
• "Your results are very much normal and healthy." She compliments as she studies everything.
• "That is good to hear," I commented.
• "Yeah, it is." She chimes.
• "Um, doc?"
• She pulled her head up and responded, "Yes Miss Winchester?"
• "I would like to ask why I was taken a vaginal swab?"
• She smiles sweetly, "You must have been shocked about that, huh?"
• "Yeah."
• "That is pretty normal since you have had a miscarriage in the past and the company wants to assure that the applicant is healthy before they proceed to the next procedure for the leveling."
• I answered with a nod as I say, "I am sorry. What is the vaginal swab actually for?"
• "The vaginal swab is a test to check if you have infections after your miscarriage that is why you also had a pelvic ultrasound since we needed to check the shape of your womb and to inspect if there are any abnormalities before you proceed to the next step of the entire application."
• "Oh. That totally makes sense now." I forced a soft smile on my face, "Thank you."
• "Of course. You must have been afraid of going through those tests earlier without being informed."
• "Yeah, a little bit."
• "I apologize. The company just wants to make sure that the marked applicants are healthy and credible." She smiles politely as she adds, "So far your results are impressive. I do not see any abnormalities or infections and such, although I should prescribe you a nasal spray to prevent your allergic rhinitis from worsening just in case. Would that be fine for you?"
• I smile widely, "That would be wonderful!"
• She starts typing on her laptop which I assume she is encoding my doctor’s prescription as she asks in such a sweet and calm voice, "Would you allow me to ask you a question about your miscarriage?"
• I swallow hard as I slowly nod my head, "I have never really talked much about it to anyone because it sounds so embarrassing but…. okay."
• "It is not really a huge problem to talk about and it is not something to be embarrassed about as well." She tells me as she adds, "You have to be open to it and you will realize that it would be much easier for the burden to be off your shoulders."
• I smiled tight-lipped.
• "Anyways…" She shifts herself and asks, "How young were you when you had your miscarriage?"
• "I was twenty," I answered and wondered where my voice had gone. I get so anxious every time I think about it again because it makes me feel like it is my fault. A deep sigh escapes my nostrils as I am convinced that it had been my fault in the first place.
• "What caused the miscarriage?"
• "Blighted ovum," I answered as I am staring at my fingers and from under my eyelashes, I can see her writing the words down on my chart.
• "I am sorry for your loss." She speaks kindly.
• "No, thank you." I smiled ruefully.
• Five days after the medical examination, I find myself finished smoking a joint of weed that Olivia had rolled for me earlier before she left the apartment to have a date with her new boy toy that she met on a random night out. In comparison to me, Olivia is much more of a sexpot and she does not really care about her body count. She is much wilder, freer, and more outgoing than I am. She does not really restrict herself from doing anything or doing anyone. Honestly, she is much of a better character than me since she can become friends with anybody and she is, like, everyone’s go-to person.
• The past few days, I have been constantly checking my emails but I have not received any email from Nannies Land after the examination and I have this gut feeling deep inside me that I could have not passed it because of that stupid miscarriage.
• I should not have placed that in the form, a voice in the back speaks which makes me feel much disappointed in myself.
• I sigh in dismay as I decided to go online to check more job vacancies for undergrads just in case I don’t pass being a nanny. As I went through the browser, news about business appears on my screen and my eyes were instantly glued to the headline posted five days ago that read, ‘Multi-billionaire and TIZELLI CEO Kieran Tiziano-Vetrelli, invests twenty million dollars for farming technologies, broadening his perspective in electronics aside from his overwhelming philanthropic acts.’
• I clicked on the site out of curiosity as soon as I am reminded of how he embarked on my spark in building up success over another. The entire page continues to boast about his recent investments which surprised me with the millions of dollars that were mentioned in just one article. Damn, this man must have been bathing in bills every single day. He is out of this world kind of rich and it’s totally unbelievable how much he has gained and achieved at such an age.
• I open a new tab as I started simply typing Kieran Tiziano-Vetrelli and a never-ending list of articles about him and his endless success. My attention was then completely taken in a snap of a finger as soon as I read the headline that says, ‘Kieran Tiziano-Vetrelli announces engagement with hotel and casino heiress, Emery Eldredge, over the weekend’ in bold font. I clicked on it right away and pictures of the couple were posted on the article as this tremendously gorgeous woman with height and goddess-like beauty dressed in a golden embellished dress stands beside him.
• ‘Miss Eldredge flaunts with pride her 14.62 carat Oppenheimer Blue diamond ring in such enormous size, worth a whopping $57.5 million, which was given to her by her fiance and multi-billionaire Kieran Tiziano-Vetrelli. The crazy rich power couple enjoyed their weekend in Cancun, in a private resort where Kieran, 32, had possibly popped the question.’
• "Damn," I was out of breath with the amount of money for a stupid engagement ring. "You can feed lots of people for that insane cash. Rich people." I mocked.
• I clicked on Images where I see tons of Kieran’s pictures, one suit after another and another until I reached the part where he was shirtless, standing on the roof deck of the yacht while he is wearing his white shorts and a can of drink on his hand. The photo was taken far away and he seemed to be enjoying himself under the heat of the sun as he looked absolutely calm but my eyes are pasted on his remarkably toned abs. I clicked on the photo and literally zoomed in on his abs which were then subtly pixelated. But his deepened lines forming his well-developed and tight hard as rock six-pack and the deep dent of the v-line from the side angle are truly admirable.
• He looks so much different in lesser clothes.
• "Wow." I say breathlessly as I bite my lower lip.