IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 11 Episode 5

In a city of western Europe, Aria resided in an ancient villa situated beside a lake. She reclined on a soft silk couch in the living room, engrossed in her economic textbook as she occasionally voiced out a few English words.

Selina walked down the stairs in her blue cotton slippers. She wore a white lace blouse with a black mid-length skirt, looking the picture of elegance.

“Aria,” Selina called out, smiling warmly as she caught sight of the girl sitting in the living room and studying.

Aria raised her head and saw Selina coming downstairs. With a sweet smile, she responded, “Aunt!”

“You’re reading. You didn’t take a nap, did you?” Selina asked her. She herself had just woken up from her afternoon siesta.
“No, I didn’t. I have a test tomorrow, so I was reviewing my lessons,” Aria said. Selina walked into the living room and made her way over to Aria. Taking a seat beside her, she grasped her hands gently. “Don’t push yourself too hard,” she said amiably. “You should take care of your health too.”

“I’m fine, Aunt,” Aria reassured Selina, shaking her head.

After hesitating for a long time, Aria mustered up some courage and asked, “Have you thought about what I mentioned to you the other day?”

Upon hearing this, the smile on Selina’s face vanished slowly. “Are you sure about what you said?” she asked, as she looked into Aria’s eyes solemnly.

“Yes, I have made up my mind,” Aria said, nodding vigorously. There was perceptible resolve both in her voice and on her expression. There was no doubt in her mind about what she had to do next.
“I don’t think it’s such a good idea. There are a lot of risks involved. You have been admitted to a master’s program in this graduate school but it’s not easy to live alone out here. You have to learn to fit in,” Selina said, in two minds over Aria’s decision. Cherry had asked Selina to take care of Aria, but now the girl had resolved to become a boarding student.

What was more, she refused to accept any help from Selina or the Chu family, whether it was with regards to financial support or their numerous connections with influential people. She intended to do everything all by herself.

“I know all that, Aunt,” Aria replied. “Just let me handle those problems on my own. Let me adapt to this country. I don’t know what will happen next. Perhaps I will get into trouble, but that’s okay. After I have experienced all that, I will become a better person. I will learn. You, Aunt Cherry and Uncle Wilson have helped me a lot in recent times. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”

“Aria…” Selina paused. She wanted to say something that would persuade Aria to change her mind, but failed to find the words.

Ignoring the hesitant expression on Selina’s face, Aria continued, “I want to fight for Lawrence, the love of my life, and our future together. In a short period of time, I’ve realized how ignorant and shortsighted I used to be. Now that I have a good opportunity on my hands, I want to seize it to hone and improve myself. I want to be excellent, so I can match up to Lawrence and his family.”

She met Selina’s gaze and saw the concern that lingered in its depth. “I understand your concerns,” she said, trying to soothe her aunt’s fears. “I know you care about me and want to see me study in a comfortable environment. But sometimes, it does children good if you let them learn to be independent. Let me go so I can grow up. You are my guardian now. I hope you can allow me to live alone. I don’t want to rely on anyone. I want to prove that I can work hard and achieve excellence in my own right.”

Selina spotted the confidence and determination in Aria’s eyes. Perhaps the girl was right in her decision. If Selina let Aria go, the latter would learn to be more independent.

“Aria, since you have made up your mind, I will respect your decision. A lot of challenges will come your way, but I believe you will emerge the winner. You can achieve whatever you want as long as you don’t give up,” Selina voiced out her thoughts.

“In the past, I didn’t think I was inferior to others just because I graduated from a first-rate college. Since I’ve come here, however, I have met so many amazing people. I realized that there are people who have worked so hard on themselves. They are like shining stars in the sky; they always know how to attract attention. They have charming manners, outstanding merits, and are confident wherever they go. In such an encouraging atmosphere, I believe I can improve myself fast,” Aria said.

“You only lacked the opportunity to see more of the world, Aria. But now that you’re here and have your own goals, you must go after them. But remember to protect yourself. If you encounter a problem you can’t solve, just come to me. All right?” Selina said, looking into Aria’s eyes in earnest. Although she had agreed to Aria living on the campus, that didn’t mean Selina would wash her hands of her completely.

“I will,” Aria responded, nodding. “Aunt, we might not be able to see each other every day,” she went on, knowing that Selina expected her to visit them frequently. “I need to find part-time jobs to pay for my tuition fees and living expenses. Besides, I need to study hard to obtain a scholarship. I will have a booked schedule. But I promise you that I will visit once every three months and spend an entire day with you. I will let you in on everything I’ve learned. What do you think?”

“Great! That is perfectly fine by me.” Selina’s frown turned into a smile as she gazed at Aria.

“Aunt, don’t worry about me. I plan to achieve my goals within two years. Alice has inspired me. She is quite a role model.” Thinking of the sophisticated girl, Aria felt affection rise in her heart. Selina nodded. “Yes, Alice is an excellent girl. We all know that she chose to study fashion design because of Violet. She had a hard time in Paris but she persisted and made her dreams come true. Today, she is an inspiration for budding fashion designers across the world and a very successful woman.”

“You are right.” Aria’s voice was wistful. “I will make full use of this opportunity that Aunt Cherry has bestowed on me. I want to make up for lost time and get success.”

“You can do it. I have faith in you,” Selina said, encouraging her. She trusted her judgment regarding Aria. She might come from a humble family but she had a firm resolve and a strong desire for knowledge. Aria was pursuing her education wholeheartedly. Her purposeful intent would surely contribute to her success.

“Thank you, Aunt,” Aria said, resting her head on Selina’s shoulder.

With a small smile, Selina asked, “When are you planning to move to the school dormitory? You’ll have to pack your things. I will drive you there once everything is ready.”

“Tomorrow. I will pack up my things tonight,” Aria said. She thought about Wilson. “When will Uncle be back?”

“Perhaps next week. His friend in Dubai threw a party and invited him to it. He had to attend.” Selina shook her head helplessly.

“I see. When Uncle is back, please tell him about my plans. Tell him that I am sorry I moved out without waiting for him. I’m sorry I won’t keep you guys company,” Aria said with a tinge of sadness. Before coming here, it never occurred to her that she’d have to make this decision. However, she had been contemplating a lot recently. The atmosphere at college had contributed to her making this imperative decision. Now, she was clear on her goals and how to achieve them. Perhaps things didn’t go as initially planned, but it didn’t matter. Life was full of uncertainties and surprises. One had to make the best of what one got.

“Don’t worry too much about it. Your Uncle and I have been abroad before. We understand your situation,” Selina assured her, recalling her first time abroad. “When I first went to a foreign country, my parents arranged for me to live at a relative’s house. At that time, I was pretty young. They took care of me and I didn’t think too much of it. I lived a comfortable life and never bothered to support myself. All I needed to do was fit in and make some friends.”

As Selina recalled the past, she remembered her days with her brother and Jackson. “In my childhood, I was grateful for my brother and Jackson. Under their protection I was always safe and sound. Nothing scared me. It’s how I became so outspoken. Once abroad, I couldn’t change how I was. Even when I got into trouble I faced it bravely and helped myself out of it. I never dodged any problems that came my way. I worked very hard to change the perceptions of those who looked down on me. Later, they took the initiative to seek me out. I accepted their friendship and blended in slowly.”

“In retrospect, I’ve realized that the first step is always difficult. As long as you persist and stick to your decision, you will find it much easier to get by. Everything depends on you. Once you’ve resolved to do something, nothing can get in the way of your success,” Selina said. Aria had not agreed to get any financial support from them, so the least Selina could do was share her experiences with her. She was a smart girl and would find a way. Aria would benefit from the advice.

“I understand. I promise I will stay true to my goals and achieve them.” Aria smiled at her aunt, thinking of the future waiting for her.

…

In the morning, Selina dropped Aria off at the school campus. She found a parking spot and stopped her car. Aria hurried to the trunk and opened it. Picking up her luggage, she walked over to Selina, who stood nearby.

“Aiunt Selina, go home. I will see you and Uncle another day.” Aria gave her a warm smile.

“Of course. Do you have enough money? How about I give you…” Before Selina could finish her words, Aria interrupted her.

“Aunt Selina, I don’t need it. Please don’t worry about me. I can handle it myself.” Aria was insistent she did everything on her own. “Please don’t forget about our promise. You will keep this from Aunt Cherry, Uncle Jackson and others, won’t you?”

“Yes, I remember. I won’t let them know,” Selina replied softly. Cherry would be upset if she got to know about Aria’s decision. It would be hard keeping things from her friend, but if it meant it would help Aria grow, Selina would do it.

“Well.” Aria grinned at her, already anticipating living at the campus. “I have a class this morning, so I’ve got to go. Bye, Aunt Selina!”

“Bye!” Selina waved at her as she watched Aria go inside. She still stood at the gate even when Aria disappeared from her sight.

Selina caught a glimpse of Cherry in the young girl. Wilson had told her that Lawrence’s mother had refused his help, no matter how hard her life got. The difference was Cherry needed to support both herself and her son, while Aria only had to make a living for herself. Aria still had so much to learn. There would be challenges and ordeals beyond imagination waiting for her. Selina hoped Aria would hold on and succeed for the sake of her love for Lawrence. So many people had their hopes pinned on her.

Lawrence, Cherry, Violet, Alice, and Selina herself. Everyone hoped she would come back home having tasted success.

Selina snapped back to reality and went to her car. As she drove alongside the lake on her way back home, she glanced at the exquisite scenery and murmured to herself, ‘Come on, Aria, honey. We’re all with you. I hope you and Lawrence will come out of this stronger and live happily ever after.’

Meanwhile, Aria stood inside the square located at the center of the campus. She glanced at the blue, crystal-clear sky overhead.

She was in an environment that was very new to her, but ready to meet the challenges ahead. ‘Believe in yourself, Aria, ‘ she told herself. ‘You have the strength to face anything that comes your way.

Larry… you will pray for my success, won’t you? Wish me luck as I begin this new chapter of my life.’