Chapter 101 - Goodbye!

For many years now, Jeff had covered his other identity. As a result, no one in his family knew what he did for a living or what he did when he left for business. 

There were only a total of three people outside his organization who knew his other character. 

Someday, when Ava is adequately trained, she will take over his position and be the first in the family to understand what he had been doing all these years.

Jeff was in deep thought and didn't realize that his wife had been speaking to him all this time. 

"Did you say something? I'm sorry! I was so excited that Ava wanted to pursue computer engineering. It never occurred to me that she was interested in that field at all." He whined; his mouth was filled with excuses. Ann could only shake her head.

"How could you not know? Since she was a child, the only thing that could console her when she felt bad was playing video games or whatever she was doing in front of the computer. Don't you remember?" Bragged Ann while getting up and getting ready to head upstairs to get ready for bed.

"Wait up! What was it you were saying before that? I didn't hear you." He was quick to catch up with his wife and put his two arms on her shoulder from the back, giving her a back hug.

"Oh, forget it! We can talk about it later when the time comes." Said Ann, before Jeff jerked her around then lifted her like a princess.

"Sweetheart, now that all the children are out of the house, how about we make another one?" Jeff whispered while slowly making his way to the mini elevator to take them to their bedroom upstairs.

Ann could only smile in return. No matter what her answer was, Jeff would still get his way anyway...

===

The following days' Ava was busy preparing to attend her new school. However, Jeff insisted that he accompany her to do an on-campus visit at M.I.T. After the tour, she was also shown the on-site dormitory.

It was then decided that Ava would be living in a dorm instead of living outside the campus. That way, she will be able to fully enjoy the life of a college student.

After meeting the Dean and the guidance counselor, Jeff and Ava flew to Washington DC to meet with President Grant. Ava was happy with the thought of being able to visit Pearl while they were in the area, but to her surprise, her father didn't let her.

"Sweetheart, you will need to keep it a secret that we are meeting with President Grant. So, you can't visit Pearl this time. We can't let anyone know of our visit here to Washington DC. It's top-secret, do you understand?" Jeff warned her as they waited to meet with President Grant.

After only a few minutes of waiting, they were ushered to the Oval Office, where Daniel and a couple of higher-ranking people were waiting for them.

===

Ava was still stunned and unable to believe what was happening. An hour ago, they were inside the Oval Office discussing her future. Then she was made to swear an oath to secrecy.

She had learned her father's other identity and was informed that when the time came and when she was properly trained, she would be taking over her fathers' position when he retired.

Jeff was watching his daughter with half a smile plastered on his face. He couldn't believe that his daughter was a prodigy and had been actively learning since she was young. She had self-taught herself without him knowing. If only he knew, he could have taught her a long time ago.

"Now you know why you can't have your old bodyguard with you. You will be assigned another one that's been in the system and will also be your trainer. You living in the dorm is only a disguise so that no one would know. Once the school year starts, you will be living in a facility where you will be trained while learning." Explained Jeff while looking at her thoughtfully. 

"Yes, Dad! I understand. Don't worry, and no one will ever know except you and I. '' She promised before she gave her father a hug, then leaned back comfortably in her seat. There were still many hours ahead of them before they were to arrive back in the Philippines.

====

Days went by, and it was time for the children to return to school without realizing it. Jeffrey and Arria were stunned to learn that Ava would not be joining them when they were ready to leave.

"Why did you change your mind? Did something happen when James was here the last time?" Jeffrey asked Ava curiously as they were saying goodbye to each other.

Ava was unsure if she should tell him the truth or make up a white lie. In the end, she decided to make up a lie. She didn't want him to say anything to James if they ran into each other in Stonasia.

"Nah, it has nothing to do with him at all. I just decided to pursue the degree I wanted and study at the best school. That's all!" She said with the sweetest smile she could conjure to ensure that her twin wouldn't question her decision.

"Which school is that?" Jeffrey was just trying to pry information from her since she and their parents didn't divulge which school she would be attending. He didn't know why it was such a big secret.

"Just know that it's the best school; you don't need to know which one." She bantered before embracing him as tightly as she could.

"Take care of Arria and make sure she doesn't cause any trouble, alright?" Ava reminded him before pushing him away from her.

She then went towards Arria, who was busy saying goodbye to their parents.

"Hey, be good when you start school. Don't give Ms. Shannon and Ms. Williams a headache. They're the best Headmistress and Guidance Counselor." She said while they were saying their goodbyes.

Arria promised to behave and study well. Then it was time for them to leave. Pisces was now assigned to Arria, while Jeffrey had a new bodyguard named Mr. Orly. He looked to be around his late 20's and was still single. He was very polite, but he always had a stern look on his face matching Pisces.

Then it was time for Ava to say goodbye to Pisces. With tears fighting to fall onto her beautiful young face, she hugged her old bodyguard.

"Sister Pisces, I'm leaving my sister in your capable hands; please make sure she behaves."

She said with sadness in her voice.

Pisces, acting calm, couldn't hold her tears back once Ava came to give her a tight embrace. "Of course, sweetheart! I will take care of her the same as I did with you. You take care of yourself out there. If you ever changed your mind, you can always request your dad to send for me. I will come running as fast as I can." She promised as they separated from their embrace.

Then it was time for Ann to bid Ava goodbye; she was afraid that by the time she came back from Stonasia, Ava and Jeff would be on the way back to America for Ava to start her new life as a college student. Unknown to Ann that it would be a long time before she would see her oldest daughter again.

===

===

"Ava..." a sweet and gentle voice sounded from behind the young girl.

"Yes, mom?" Her beautiful hazel blue eyes blinked sweetly at the source of the sweet and gentle voice.

"Why do you have to live in the dormitory? Who will take care of your daily needs? How about this, we'll buy a house near your campus, this way your bodyguard can stay and take care of you. How's that?"  The gentle voice belonged to her worried mother, Ann.  A beautiful and sweet woman.

"Mommy, how many times do I have to tell you and dad that I want to experience life without being pampered by everyone.  We agreed on this already, and you promised me you would let me try. I beg you, please! Let me give it a shot, mom." Ava pleaded, tears fighting to fall on her beautiful face.

Ann had no choice but to give in. Her daughter Ava was a bright young woman who knew what she wanted in life. Since she was a child, she lived the life of a princess and was pampered by everyone in the family. Finally, however, it seems that she was determined to make it independently without help from her family.

Now that she was already an adult, she wanted to venture out on her own, and they had promised to support her, and they would do so, even if it was against their better judgment.

"I know, honey...  It's just that..."  Ann pulled her daughter in a tight embrace before sobbing her heart out, "I feel like you're disowning us. You don't want any financial support, and you want to work for a living to support your expenses while you study; why? Why go through that?"  Ann couldn't understand no matter how hard she tried.

With a slight smile on her face, Ava proudly replied to her mother, "That's because I take after you." That was all she said before she turned around and continued making preparations.

"Just remember that we are here and if anyone bullies you or you change your mind..." But, unfortunately, Ann didn't get to finish what she was saying. 

Her mother entered the room, and she didn't want Sophia to hear what she was about to say. They didn't inform her parents of Ava's plan to live on her own and support herself..  She knew that they would disagree and probably not let Ava go on her own.