章 48: Different Roads to Success

Dinner in the Wilde house was slightly different from the other households. Mrs Wilde had a strict rule about eating together as a family. This was also another form of battle that usually went unseen by the servants. It was a time when Alex would bargain with her parents about the things she wanted to have and try. Jasper was normally the silent one who would read subtle cues and hints about what was expected of him.

Today, Mr Wilde was chairing the dinner meeting. He announced two very important news and the children listened attentively.

"We will be engaging a private tutor who will assist you as a mentor for your personal subjects of interest. Apart from Scarlet, the two of you are required to see her and update Ms Connor on your progress towards your goal once a week. Scarlet, I heard from Claire that none of the clubs in school provided what you required. Ms Debbie is a freelance editor. She will act as your mentor and book consultant on the days you are not interning at Wilde Inc."

He then looked at Alex and Jasper. "Both of you were at school surveying the clubs today. Have you made any applications yet?"

Jasper shook his head. "I am required to prove my worth in the next two weeks so my application is still under consideration, Sir."

Mr Wilde wasn't too worried about what Jasper was planning. In fact, of the three children under his care, the boy was the one he was least worried about.

"What about you?" he asked Alex who then recounted her story. Wilmer didn't know if he should talk to his daughter about the odds of winning an art competition. He didn't want to crush her hopes, but he didn't want to give her false hopes either. Of course, it would be entirely possible to secure Alex a spot in the prestigious Art & Sculpture Club by pulling some strings, but Alex was determined to do this on her own this time.

"Very well, we will await the results of the art competition to discuss it again. Claire, please get their schedules and organise two days for the chauffeur to pick them up from school to the company. They will begin their internship next month after they've settled down a little more into their school life. Also, please contact Mrs Debbie Connor and schedule for Scarlet's first lesson."

Claire bowed and the Wilde's continued their dinner in a more casual manner, talking about their day and the strange school system. Wilmer was surprised by how brilliant Joyville International was. They definitely invested a lot in nurturing talents, something Keyman International didn't do a good job at.

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Ahoy Sea Ruffians!

This is your captain once more. It's been a good while and I've been busy settling down in my new life on a new ship - A.K.A. I transferred schools.

If you're wondering who this entry is going to be featuring, you can stop holding your breath now. It's not going to be about a new friend I made because there were no friends to be making today. Instead, I will be gossi- sharing a very unique individual who wears at least two hats. Meet Mr Wonka - our homeroom teacher and school counsellor.

Mr Wonka wears very nerdy looking hipster clothing. I don't know how the school doesn't comment about his choice of work attire. It's an absolute fashion disaster! To 'make an impression', Mr Wonka dressed up in a yellow and orange checkered pants with a white button-up shirt folded at the sleeves, held by navy blue suspenders. To top it off, he didn't comb his hair properly with one of the cowlicks at the side sticking out. Those thick round-framed glasses of his was also a very stereotypical hipster-nerd trend that clearly didn't suit a man in his thirties. I think Mr Wonka was trying too hard.

It became even more apparent how starved for attention he was when he proudly paraded with us following behind him the whole time when we were going to the health station. It doesn't help that he cannot take hints as a counsellor and can talk to himself for a whole day. I don't know why he was the school's counsellor, but I guess there won't be a boring day with Mr Wonka as my teacher.

Enough about describing Mr Wonka's appalling external appearance and eccentric character. This journal isn't about judgement, it's more of an observation.

Most people would probably miss this out, but Mr Wonka is actually not left nor right-handed. While Mr Wonka favours his left hand more when he is writing, he often uses his right hand to hold doors and zip things. I suspect that Mr Wonka is actually ambidextrous.

Also, it should be obvious, but Mr Wonka adores children. Not just children as in humans, but also small animals. He is actually a very keen observer behind that eccentric bubbly mask of his. I have seen Mr Wonka serious at work when he is alone in the counsellor room pouring through his counsellor notes and calling parents up. I wonder why he feels the need to constantly wear the clown-like mask and comical behaviour when he is around us. What do you think?

Personally, while I'm not a huge fan of Mr Wonka, I can't help but be curious about the man behind the clown mask. Why did the school counsellor volunteer to be the homeroom teacher of a class like mine? More than half of us don't attend his classes at all and it isn't due to truant.

If there is one thing I admire about Mr Wonka, it is his ability to reject rejection and continue smiling even in tough times. It takes a special kind of strength to continue having an endless supply of hope and optimism when things look like they'll never get better.

That's all from me folks! I'll see you again when I meet more interesting subjects to observe.

Fair Winds!

Pirate S.

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