IN LOVE WITH THE RIVAL BILLIONAIRE CEO

GRADUATION

It's been a month since Grandpa broke the sad news of his disease. I decided to always go with him to the office, making sure he wasn't alone and got all the extra help he needed while I also threw myself into the search of any research facility or hospital that could treat his illness.

On the other hand, I handled my final MBA projects and attended compulsory seminars. Even when grandpa ordered me to focus on handling my graduation, I refused and continued juggling the two like an intern handling a new job and her education.

Finally, the day of my graduation came. I left the house early in order to avoid a scene with Fiona or Carla. I drove to my usual cafe for coffee and waited the time out.

“Your coffee, ma'am,” the waiter said, dropping the coffee on the table, then he turned and left.

“It's graduation day!" That familiar female voice squealed and plopped down on the seat in front of me.

I smiled sweetly. “I know, right?"

"I can't believe it, honestly," she said exhaustingly.

I took a sip of my coffee, maintaining my gaze on her. "There are customers around Layla; you should go serve.”

"They can go serve themselves; I'm graduating today. I need that special treatment," Layla replied, rolling her eyes.

Layla was a pretty girl with short blonde hair and dark round eyes. She was lively and friendly, one of the reasons we easily became friends.

“Anyway, I have a huge favor to ask of you." Layla said, sitting up.

I turned to her, wondering what it might be. “Okay?"

“We're graduating today, and everyone would need a job," she paused, fidgeting with the ring on her finger. “On the other hand, you already have a job. I mean as soon as this is totally over, you'll get a high-paying job in your grandfather's company. So I was thinking, could you maybe speak to your grandfather for my sake so I could also secure a job?”

I was disappointed. A lot of people had tried becoming friends with me for this sole reason and it was disgusting. I cut off ties with them immediately I found out. Layla and I have been friends for quite some time, and she didn't seem like someone that pursued such a goal. Although I understand the need for a job but this was annoying. I don't own Nexcorp, I can't put just anyone I wanted to because we were friends.

"Layla…”

"Diane, please,” She pleaded sadly . "I can't keep working in this coffee shop. I have an MBA! I deserve some nice office job. Please, I got lots of bills to cover, and this job doesn't cut it.”

I stared quietly at her, unsure of what to say. Being close to her gave me an insight to part of her life. And I could understand her desperation. We both had different lives and things were not as easy for her as they were for me.

"I know you want to say that there are other companies out there, but I admire Nexcorp so much, it's my dream to work there.” She continued.

"I don't know, Layla..."

"Thank you so much,” Layla squealed, hugging me tightly. "I have to handle a few orders before we leave; don't go without me.”

And with that, she walked away, wrapping an apron around her.

I sighed heavily, unsure of how to achieve what Layla was asking of her. But I knew I had to try.

A few hours later, I got up and signaled to Layla, who hurried up to me, taking off her apron. We both got into my car and I zoomed off to school.

During the ceremony, I spotted Grandpa in the crowd. This made my eyes tear up.

After collecting my certificate, I walked up to him to show it off.

“I’m so proud of you,” Grandpa said and embraced me.

“Thank you, Grandpa. For seeing me through." I replied as we walked back to his car.

“Your birthday is this weekend," he said. “Do you have plans?"

I had planned nothing. I was not the party type so I didn't really bother to throw one.

“Not really, maybe buy a tiny cake and stay at home?"

“Absolutely not," he said. "We are throwing a party. I insist on it; you can't say no. Besides, you also need to celebrate your achievement, a good opportunity.”

"Alright, Grandpa,” I replied, knowing it'll be useless to argue with him.

We headed straight to the office even with Grandpa's protests. Everyone in the company was already familiar with. I had always spent some of my time in the company, even as a teenager. The company felt like a safe place for me, even safer than the mansion.

Even though they all knew me, they dared not address me without respect.

As we walked towards the elevator, staff and employees stopped to pay their respects.

I plopped down in the chair opposite grandpa’s table, lost in thought.

"What's on your mind, kid?” Grandpa asked, settling in to begin the day’s work.

“Grandpa, have you reached out to hospitals in India or Japan? They might have a way out of this." I asked.

He sighed, shaking his head.

"Diane, there's no cure for this," he replied. “I've reached out to as many hospitals that I can, and there's nothing they can do about it. You should stop thinking about that."

“I can't," I can't. “I'm not going to give you up to that disease,"

“Diane!" He called, his voice raised slightly. “I have lived my life; if this is what would take me, then so be it. I don't want you to spend your years engrossed in something like this instead of planning how to actually begin your life."

“But I can't lose you too,” I sobbed, my voice breaking. "I have no one else but you.”

"Then go out there and make connections,” he said. "Make friends, fall in love, do something else. Don't fill your days worrying about me. If there's a cure for this, I'll find it, but that's my problem, not yours.”

I sighed, unwilling to continue the argument with him. Deep down, I refused to give up. My heart was already set on finding a cure, and nothing could change that.

“Now you can either help me with work or go home, or maybe go shopping or something," he said. "You just graduated; you should be celebrating, not sobbing in my office.”

I dragged the chair to his side and grabbed a stack of files to go through. “You know I love working with you."

“I thought otherwise," he replied.