章 16: Sleeping Beauty

Ben started his Monday with a bright smile on his face. He did his morning routine exercises, took a refreshing bath and ate breakfast with more vigor than before. Being alive again, he didn't imagine that he would again feel inspired just from talking with Karin for some hours yesterday.

He packed six of the phones on his bag before going to school, he plans to gift Karin a phone, disguised as a promotion campaign and give the remaining to the dean of his college. He will be asking for a big favor from their College's Dean, so a gift will hopefully make things a little bit smoother. Before going to the Dean's Office, he first transferred $8M to Karin's bank account. Then he knocked on the door of the office.

"Good morning Dean Evans, I'm Benedict Torres from the College of Architecture, are you free at the moment, there is something I would like to ask if possible." Ben greeted and got to the point.

"Good morning Mr. Torres, you're lucky I'm currently still free." Said Mr. Evans smiling, "So what would you like to ask?"

"Sir, I'm planning to take advance classes and also finish the course in two or three years, so I would like to ask for your help regarding this matter." Ben said sincerely.

"Why the hurry Mr. Torres? You're still young, you should enjoy staying in the University." Mr. Evans asked.

"No particular reason Mr. Evans, I just want to graduate early. It is also a challenge to myself, to see if I'm really capable or not." Ben reasoned.

"Very well, I respect your decision and determination, but you must understand that I can't just allow you to do that, I will go and talk to the School Head and also to your teachers to ask for their opinions and permissions. If the majority is willing to let you try, I will personally arrange your class schedule. I will call you tomorrow or the day after with the result." Mr. Evans said.

"Thank you so much Mr. Evans!" Ben said happily, "Here, I brought this for you Sir. You can decide who to give it to."

"What is this? Is this bribery Mr. Torres?" Mr. Evans said jokingly to him.

"No Sir, you jest, our company is going to launch a new phone. We'll have a promotional campaign this week and we are giving away a hundred plus of these phones. My father gave these to me to give to some important people, for them to have a try and feel the convenience, and also I will ask for a feedback on your opinion." Ben explained.

"Alright Mr. Torres, I'll leave one for the School Head and distribute the remaining three to your teachers." Mr. Evans agreed.

After a little bit more small talk, Ben excused himself from the Dean's Office to attend his classes. After lunch break, it was announced that the remaining time will be self-study. The teachers were called to have a meeting at the Admin Building. Ben has a hunch that it's because of him, putting this thought at the back of his mind since he can't do anything but wait for the result, he just helped his classmates with the lessons like usual and then got permission from the Class Representative Dave to go out. He will just message him if ever there's a teacher that comes.

He then made his way to his usual spot to wait for Karin. When he got there, he was surprised to see a high school girl sleeping while sitting, occupying half of the bench in his usual spot, with a handkerchief covering her face. Ben didn't disturb her. He just ignored the sleeping girl and occupied the remaining half of the bench. He was playing a game on his phone when the girl stirred and woke up.

Ben looked at the girl sleeping near him as the wind then blew the handkerchief off her face. He smiled at her, seeing a slight cute drool on her face and said, "So it's you Karin. I'm sorry if I woke you up." Ben apologized. Then he got up and picked up her handkerchief.

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Okay… imagine you were catching up with your sleep at school, because a certain someone kept running in your head all night. And then when you opened your eyes, the first person you see is also that same person, that you've been thinking about last night, smiling with his handsome and gentle face. Then you saw him got up, picked up your handkerchief and even went as far as wiping the drool on your face, still smiling that gentle smile of his.

What would you do? Escape reality right? Right?

Yeah, that's what Karin did. She thought she was only dreaming, she was even cursing that even in her dreams Ben was still there. But when her handkerchief touched her face, her eyes got so wide it nearly popped out! Then she slowly brought her hands near her face and poked his cheeks. "I'm not dreaming, am I?" she muttered.

Then Ben held her soft hands and put her palm on his cheek and said, "No, you're not dreaming, feel it? I'm really here."

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Karin immediately removed her hands from his face. Then Ben saw her blush from her neck down to her arms. Ben had to summon all his willpower not to embrace Karin there and then. They're still at school, dam*it! To ease the tension they're both feeling, he pulled her cheeks and laugh at her face.

"Ouch! It hurts!" Karin complained, rubbing her cheeks after being freed from his pinch.

"Are you awake now? I can't believe it! You look so serious and studious yesterday, but just after a day, I just saw you sleeping and cutting classes. So much for first impressions huh." Ben teased.

"Just so you know, I was having doubts if I made the right decision on agreeing to sell you the land." Karin countered. She can't really just admit to him the real reason she slept so late was because of him.

"It's too late, I already transferred the reservation fee this morning in your account." Ben said seriously.

"Oh, did you? I haven't received it yet. Ahh, I so wanna back out on my word. But I also might not, if I hear some good words…" Karin grinned, tapping her finger at her chin like she was really reconsidering.

"Karin, you look so beautiful today, it makes me want to worship you as a goddess, and you're the goddess of love and beauty. You're so kind and so nice, the guy who marries you will be the luckiest in the world." Ben spouted praises, obeying his wife-to-be. Smiling and looking at her with devotion.

Karin, being pacified with the flattering words that Ben spouted said haughtily, "Good. Alright, I won't back out anymore from our talk. And I already received your reservation fee. Make sure you remember your lesson." Then they both laughed at their antics. Taking advantage of the circumstances, Ben took out a small paper bag where he put the phone, stood up and bowed 90 degrees with his hand outstretched to her.

Karin laughed at him and asked, "What's that!?" "An offering for the goddess of my heart." Ben said winking at her. She laughed but in the end still accepted the bag, then placed it beside her. Then she said curiously, "Seriously, what's this?" "You'll know when you open it." Ben replied.

Karin then removed the box from the bag and opened it, "A phone? But I already have my own, what will I do with this?" she said, putting it back and intending to give it back to him. "Well, you can switch with the phone that I gave you." Ben suggested. "Ben, I already sold you the land, you have my word, I won't back out of it, so you don't need to give me a gift." She said earnestly.

Hearing her reply, Ben sighed and decided to just explain it like what he had planned earlier. "Actually, it's not really a gift, I'm asking for your help. You see, this is part of our promotional campaign for this product. To have some people try it and ask for their feedback. I already gave five phones to the Dean of our College for him to distribute. I also left one for you because I value your opinion." Ben justified.

"You should've just explained earlier, hmph, you almost made me misunderstand you!" Karin said then offered, "And why did you just give me one? I can also help you distribute it to some of my close friends."

Ben smiled, turned his back from Karin shielding his bag from her view, then he put 4 boxed phones on his bag from the inventory. "Well, I will take you up on your offer, here I still have 4 boxes here, please distribute it to whoever you want, just don't forget to ask for their feedback."