Chapter 5
1390 Words
And just like that, in the blink of an eye, graduation day had arrived. The university campus was alive with a buzz of excitement and nervous energy. Students hurried past one another, some adjusting their gowns and caps, others clutching their phones, trying to capture every last moment. Parents, standing proudly on the sidelines, held back tears of joy and nostalgia—eyes shining with memories of the long journey that had brought their children to this milestone.
Inside the grand auditorium, every detail spoke of celebration. The walls were draped with elegant fabrics, strings of fairy lights twinkled softly, and fresh flowers filled the air with a delicate fragrance. On one side of the hall, proud parents filled the rows of seats, their faces beaming with pride. On the other side, students dressed in crisp graduation gowns and caps sat in orderly rows, their excitement barely contained beneath their composed expressions.
At the front, the university president sat among other esteemed dignitaries and school officials, including renowned figures from the community, all dressed sharply, their faces lit by smiles. The presence of the president added weight to the event, making the day feel even more momentous.
A hush fell over the crowd as the speaker took the microphone. Names were called one by one, and the sound of applause echoed after each student walked up to receive their certificate.
> “Mr. Fren Samuel, First Class Honours in International Business Administration!”
Samuel strode confidently toward the stage. The president rose, extended a warm handshake, and congratulated him before handing over the official certificate. Samuel’s smile was broad, but beneath it was a flicker of nervous pride.
Soon after, Vivian, Cecilia, and the other first-class graduates followed, repeating the same triumphant walk, shaking hands with the dignitaries, and posing briefly for photographs. The ceremony was a grand success.
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Outside the hall, the air was filled with laughter and the clicking of cameras. The two families mingled as proud parents embraced their children.
> “We are so proud of you guys!” Both sets of parents said simultaneously, surprised by their shared emotion, and they all burst into laughter.
Cecilia grabbed Vivian’s arm, tugging her toward the rows of photographers. “Come on, Vivian! Let’s get more pictures,” she said in a playful, almost childish way.
But Vivian seemed distracted, her smile faint and her eyes distant. Cecilia frowned, studying her best friend’s unusual behavior. “What’s wrong with you? Aren’t you happy? What’s going on?”
With her head bowed, and tears threatening to spill, Vivian’s voice cracked as she whispered, “I just wish Vic... Victor... was here. I’m not okay. Nothing feels right without him.”
Cecilia’s patience wore thin. She clicked her tongue and stepped back, annoyed by the sudden outburst. “Mtchwwww… Seriously?” She turned and walked away, irritated.
But Vivian wasn’t done. Dragging herself after Cecilia, she called out softly, “Oh, Cecilia… listen to me, please. This is how I feel. Just hear me out.”
Before Cecilia could respond, a new voice interrupted.
> “Miss Dary.”
Vivian turned toward the sound and saw Samuel walking toward her, his posture confident and majestic. He smiled gently and extended his hand. “Congratulations, Miss Dary.”
Vivian forced a smile and shook his hand. “Same to you, Mr. Fren.”
Samuel sighed. “Our last encounter didn’t end well. I thought maybe today we could start fresh, enjoy the day together…”
Vivian hesitated, her expression troubled. “I’m sorry, Samuel. Something urgent came up. Maybe another time.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and hurried away.
Samuel’s face fell. The hope that she might accept his proposal to be his girlfriend was crushed. Muttering under his breath, “f**k,” he walked off into the crowd, nursing his disappointment.
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A few days later...
Regina, Cecilia's mother, stood in the living room, arms crossed and frustration clear in her voice.
> “You could have at least told me you were going on vacation with Vivian. You can’t just get up and leave without letting me know!”
Her daughter, holding her mother’s hands, tried to calm her down. “Mom, I’m not twelve anymore. I’m a grown woman. Please give me some space. I can handle things now.”
Regina shook her head, unconvinced but willing to let it go. “Fine. So it’s a Dubai trip with Vivian like you said? No problems?”
“Exactly. Nothing to worry about,” the daughter assured her and kissed her goodbye before dragging her suitcase out the door.
---
Inside the imposing Dary family mansion, tension simmered under the polished floors and crystal chandeliers.
Mrs. Dary’s voice cut sharply through the quiet halls.
> “How many times do I have to remind you? All the maids’ chores must be finished before 5 a.m. every single day!”
The butler, a man who had served the family for decades, stood trembling. “I’m sorry, ma’am. It won’t happen again.”
Mrs. Dary’s eyes narrowed. “It better not. Because if it does, you’re no longer a worker here.”
Fear gripped him like a vice. He tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat, and for the first time in sixty-five years, the man found himself stammering.
---
Cecilia, growing more worried by the minute, approached the Dary mansion gates. She fumbled for her phone and dialed.
“Mom—Mrs. Dary? Good morning.”
“Good morning, my sweet daughter,” Mrs. Dary replied warmly, embracing her. “Why are you back? Did your private jet have problems?”
“No, Mom. Actually, it’s Vivian who’s delaying. We were supposed to leave in the next hour.”
Mrs. Dary’s face suddenly tightened with confusion and alarm. “Wait, wait. You said next hour? Vivian left four hours ago. What do you mean?”
Cecilia’s head spun, struggling to process the news.
Mr. Dary’s deep voice broke the silence, heavy with suspicion.
> “What’s going on here?”
Mrs. Dary quickly filled him in. “Our daughter—Vivian—left without Cecilia, even though she told Cecilia the flight was in an hour.”
Mr. Dary’s face grew stern. “What?”
He pulled out his phone and made a call. Moments later, his expression darkened. He returned to the room, eyes blazing.
> “Vivian went with a man. Her boyfriend,” he announced, struggling to keep calm but failing.
“Did any of you know about this?” His voice was sharp, full of disbelief and anger.
---
Meanwhile, on the highway, Cecilia’s emotions boiled over as she gripped the steering wheel.
> “How dare you, Vivian? How could you embarrass me like this? Lie about taking me along, then leave me behind?”
Her voice cracked with fury as she ranted aloud. “You took that stupid boyfriend of yours but left me in the dark. You’re so unpredictable. You’ll pay for this.”
Her anger overwhelmed her senses, and she lost focus on the road. Suddenly—BANG! The car jolted violently. Cecilia slammed on the brakes and pulled over.
She stepped out, heart pounding, and gasped.
> “Oh my God! Is that a person? Help! Somebody, please!”
---
Back at the mansion, the family’s fractures deepened.
Mr. Dary’s voice trembled with betrayal.
> “How long were you planning on hiding this from me?”
Mrs Dary lowered her eyes, voice full of remorse.
> “My husband, trust me. I didn’t think it through. I would have told you, I swear.”
Mr. Dary shook his head in disbelief.
> “How could you? Is it because you weren’t the one who carried her for nine months? Because she’s a surrogate baby?”
Mrs Dary eyes flared with anger and pain.
> “It’s not like that. Even though she was born through surrogacy, she is my daughter—my blood. I love her and want the best for her.”
Mr. Dary turned away, unable to reconcile his feelings.
> “Unbelievable…”
He walked out of the room, leaving behind a heavy silence.
---
The tangled threads of love, betrayal, and family secrets had only just begun to unravel
- Writer
