Collins family?

''This is all you could find?''

''Yes, young master.''

''Hmm…'' Blue eyes focused on the printed paper in his hand, the pupils moving side to the side and lowering steadily until the very last word. Vincent digested all the information that he asked uncle joe to process for him.

''The Collins family?'' His brows scrunched together, looking confused for a moment. ''What is their connection to the university and Calla?'' He lifted his gaze to his grandfather's butler, Uncle joe who stood awaiting his words.

''I believe their daughter is attending the same university as young master and Young miss Anderson. As for her connection to Young miss Anderson, perhaps young master needs to start paying attention to the rumors of the high society. According to some, the kings family, I believe the CEO's mother is looking for a new bride. It seems that she is not satisfied with the Young miss Anderson with the reputation of a killer as her daughter-in-law….'' Uncle joe took a pause before adding. ''Though, there are many who still believe the marriage between the Young miss Anderson and Mr. king is nothing but a rumor. It has been a long time since Young miss Anderson has attended any banquet in the high society, unlike Mr. kings. Some believe that she is dead, and some think that she is not in the country.''

''…..How is the Collins's daughter?'' Vincent first took in the information giving to him before asking further, to which uncle joe gave a reply albeit with a pause, trying to pick his words. What he knew about the Collins' daughter was a bit mystifying as something was not purposefully lining up.

''….From the rumors, I can say she's someone with a good reputation, though I am confused how she caught the eyes of Mrs. Kings. In the past, she wasn't well-known, unlike now. I believe it was a year ago or less that her name started to circulate around. Perhaps it has to do with her family's business, since it is rumored to be crumbling bits by bits.''

'And she has the money to be a sponsor?' Vincent arched an eyebrow, wondering how a young miss whose family business seemed to be on the verge of poverty managed to donate more than a million dollars to an average university.

''You are quite informed, Uncle joe.'' Putting aside his thoughts, Vincent eyed the steady middle-aged man. It appeared the connections of being his grandfather's secretary before becoming a butler were still useful for uncle joe to know all this information, despite not leaving his grandfather's side.

''Your words are nothing but a compliment to my ears, young master.'' Uncle joe gave a wrinkled smile.

''Thank you for the information. You can go before grandfather assumes that I have kidnapped you for myself.'' Vincent chuckled, recalling how his grandfather had complained about him having Uncle joe all to himself.

''As you wish, young master.''

Vincent's gaze followed Uncle joe until he left alone in the room. Once the door close, his eyes returned back to the paper. Skimming once more, he carelessly let go of the paper on the office desk and leaned back in leather cushion of the swivel chair with a sigh.

''Sometimes, I do forget that she is married.'' Vincent closed his eyes with a frown. Recalling the ring that he had seen on her finger on the day they first met in the pet shop, his frown deepened, thinking of the man connected to her through that ring.

''He doesn't even take good care of her.''

Given the words of uncle joe, he could imagine how calla was all alone with no one but servants and a mother-in-law hanging over her now and then with different girls for her married son.

''And Calla is not to speak up for herself....well, I can't blame her with a past like hers…'' Now staring at the ceiling, Vincent mumbled, understanding how Calla finds it hard to speak up for herself.

Just looking at how she allowed her course mates to step over her was an example. Or perhaps she knew, but did not talk back for a reason.

*bzzzt* *bzzzt*

Remaining in the position, only stretching out his hand, his fingers grabbed the phone on the office desk before bringing the device to his face.

Pressing the button on the side, the screen of the phone lit up, and his eyes zoned on the chat boxes of himself and the person of his thoughts.

Calla.

''She replied…'' The corner of his lips tugged up.

*Go away*

His eyes focused on the words on the grey chat box with an unamused emoji.

It was quite funny that someone as quiet as her knew how to express herself with an emoji and not with her real face.

Vincent chuckled, just knowing how annoyed she must be with his sticky self. After replying with his set of words and emojis, he left the chat app and swapped over to the photo app.

Looking at the picture of calla that he took earlier, Vincent's eyes visibly softened as he gave the picture his full attention.

If he wanted to be a little honest with himself, he didn't expect the picture to look this good. He just wanted to lighten up the atmosphere when he asked about the bullying, but his joke actually gave him something valuable in return.

A good picture of calla who was undeniably beautiful at the moment.

Very relaxed and very beautiful without knowing.

''I wonder….if I should create a trip like Miss Collins…'' A murmur came from his lips without taking his eyes off the picture.

****

*bzzt* *bzzt*

Following the vibration sound, the scribbling on an open notebook, and eyes casted down to the lighted screen of a phone right beside the notebook. After a moment, the pen was set aside on the notebook, and the phone was picked to be seen by a set of honey brown eyes.

*I am very happy that you replied to my message unlike before Calla😭. You don't know how your cold attitude broke my heart😭. But it's fine, it's fine. Slow and steady wins the race, and I am almost at the finish line. Very soon, you will have to acknowledge me as your best friend😌.*

''How confident of him…'' Reading the words on the grey chat box, Calla laughed slightly to herself. Her eyes skimmed over the message once more, and then narrowed on the second sentence.

''Right...he did say that he was sick…perhaps the sickness was so severe that he wasn't around….'' Calla murmured to herself, recalling how Vincent did not come to the university for a month and some days. For a moment after, she stared at her phone quite blankly. She then replied with a frowning emoji and continued with her studies.

The scribblings in her notebook resumed and then paused after a while. Honey brown eyes briefly shifted to the phone on the side before returning to the written words on the paper. The dark shadow of the pen hovered over some words due to a lighted bulb of reading lamp on the neatly arranged table.

The room was silent, and only the sound of flipping pages and scribbling could be heard.

Until….

''Should I buy something….?'' A mumble came from a pair of chapped lips, and honey brown eyes were not focused on the written words anymore.

>>>Enjoy and Post soon!<<<