Louis and Charlotte woke up early and rushed to work, running as fast as they could until they arrived just in time.
One of the workers approached them and said to Louis in a serious tone,
"If you work hard and prove yourself, Mr. Dimes might raise your position at work."
Louis looked at her with interest and asked,
"How?"
She replied,
"Right now, you're just a regular worker. But over time, you can improve. Maybe you'll become a cook… and your salary will be higher."
Louis nodded in thanks, but her words stayed on his mind.
After work, he turned to Charlotte and asked,
"What the worker said… is it true?"
Charlotte smiled and replied,
"Yes, it is."
Louis frowned slightly.
"Then why didn't you tell me before?"
Charlotte laughed awkwardly.
"I forgot… sorry."
Louis shook his head calmly.
"It's okay."
When they returned home, Louis suddenly said,
"I'll make dinner today."
He began chopping vegetables with speed and precision, his hands moving with confidence as if he had done this for years.
Charlotte watched him in clear amazement.
"Did someone teach you how to cook?" he asked.
Louis paused for a moment, then gave a faint smile.
"When I was at home… my parents were always busy and came back late, so I was the one who cooked."
He added quietly,
"At first, the food wasn't very good… but I got better with time."
His voice softened.
"They were always happy when they ate what I made."
A brief silence followed before Louis continued cooking.
A while later, they sat down to eat.
Charlotte took the first bite, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"This is really delicious! You should become a chef!"
Louis laughed lightly.
"Don't exaggerate."
Then he stood up.
"I'm going to sleep."
Soon, both of them went to bed, preparing for another day.
The days passed quickly until the week came to an end.
One morning, Louis woke up at five o'clock.
He ate quickly and headed toward the school.
He arrived very early and stood in front of the closed gate, waiting patiently.
An entire hour passed before the gates finally opened.
He rushed inside, but suddenly froze when he learned that the school was only for the rich.
Clenching his fists, he said firmly,
"This is my dream… I want to study here."
The principal looked at him with interest.
"Introduce yourself first."
The moment he heard Louis's full name, his expression suddenly changed.
"You're… Alfred's son?"
Louis nodded hesitantly.
The principal smiled and said immediately,
"You're accepted."
Shock spread among the teachers.
Louis stepped back slightly.
"But… I'm poor."
The principal chuckled softly.
"Your father and I were friends."
Then he continued, his voice carrying old memories,
"He once saved me from a group of bullies… I owed him my life. I wanted to repay him, but he told me to wait for the right time."
He looked directly at Louis and added,
"And it seems… that time has come."
Louis's eyes widened.
"My father never told me…"
The principal smiled.
"He was a great man."
Louis thanked him sincerely and left.
He returned home, his heart filled with happiness…
his eyes shining with excitement.
Tomorrow…
a new chapter of his life will begin.