"I've just told your mom."
"Yeah, I heard," Ivy said sweetly. "Mr. Santos, are you a full-time lecturer now?"
He smiled and said, "I've already retired and teaching is just an interest of mine. I don't lecture much though."
"Oh. What a coincidence!" Had Ivy not selected music, or had the lecturer not called in sick, she would not have gotten the chance to meet Eric.
"Indeed. It's a shocking coincidence. I thought I was dreaming when I saw your name written on the inside flap of your textbook," Eric said. "When did you get home?"
"This summer."
"How are you getting along with everyone?"
"Great. They are all very kind and caring toward me."
"What about your relationship with your siblings?"
"Hayden came home from Bridgedale specifically to see me, and he even stayed home for a period of time! Robert and Layla are great as well. Everyone has been great!"
"That's good to hear. Your parents must be over the moon! They have been looking for you for years and have never given up on you." Eric could picture how happy Avery and Elliot were.
"I feel so lucky to be their daughter. I will treat them well from now on," Ivy said.
"You are a good kid. Why did you choose to study at Southern University?"
"There's an anchor whom I look up to, and since I didn't know what to major in, I decided to study broadcasting. Southern University is known for its degrees in broadcasting and journalism, so I chose this place."
"You are a young woman of your own mind."
"My parents are very understanding and respect my thoughts on the matter," Ivy explained gratefully. "They wanted me to go to Robert’s university so that we could look after each other."
"Yeah, I'm sure they are worried about leaving you here on your own."
"I go home after class every day so they are no longer as worried."
It was a call from Layla.
Layla had returned home for dinner and was waiting for Ivy to get home only to be told that Ivy was dining out.
When she went to ask Avery about it, Avery stuttered and had beaten around the bushes. Feeling skeptical, she decided to video call Ivy.
"My sister is calling me." Ivy picked up the phone and answered the call. "Hi, Layla."
"Ivy, why didn't you come home? I thought that you didn't have classes tonight. I brought something nice for you. When will you be back?" Layla asked before noticing that Ivy seemed to be out of campus since she spotted the posters on the walls. "Where are you? Is that a barbeque restaurant?"
"Layla, Eric Santos was lecturing at my school today, and I'm with him right now because he is buying me dinner."
The casual look on Layla's face faded at the mention of Eric's name.
"He is buying you dinner? Why didn't you ask me to come along?" Layla said.
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