Lured by the Captor

Chapter Five

MILEY’S POV

2021 graduates celebrate in long-awaited ceremony.

The indefatigable class of 2021 is finally graduating today, I am super-happy.

The ceremony is being held indoors in our biggest hall, Arena Hall. I heard this year, it’s being held indoors due to a number of issues including drought or weather.

Graduation ceremonies have generally been held outdoors on the southern lawn these past years that I have witnessed.

I am here with the three people I adore so much, my parents and my boyfriend. I see my fellow graduands and their guests.

As the graduation is a formal event, I am simply cladded in a maroon shortsleeved flare dress that is slightly beneath my knee, with a white down shoe and a white bag. I leave my face natural with no makeup I just applied lip gloss.

Because of our robe, I can’t see what my friends are wearing but they look stunning in their hairstyles that is neatly tucked in the trencher or graduate cap.

Indeed the graduation coordinator and decorators have done quite a job here.

Our school logo is proudly displayed on the wall behind the podium.

The podium where we graduates will receive our certificates and speakers will give their speeches is placed at the Centre.

The decoration on the stage is simple but nice.

Today, the Berlin-Brandenburg International School (BBIS) honors the class of 2021 with an in-person commencement ceremony.

Our Principal Jeremy Welbeck, walks to the podium, I’m sure to deliver a speech.

He first addressed his audience before he begins:

“It took patience this past year as we waited out a historic pandemic in order to have this important ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments”

We were supposed to graduate months ago but COVID 19 took its toll on all of us. All the same, I am glad and I am grateful we are finally here accomplishing what we all have patiently waited for.

Again due to COVID-19, the alumni’s of the previous year that travelled to various countries all over the world, unfortunately some of those countries are still in lockdown, may God help them. About 100 returned today to celebrate with us.

The added ceremonies made it possible for graduates not only to social distance on the floor of Arena but also for us to invite up to five guests, which I brought three out of.

“You have already succeeded under circumstances not experienced on this planet in more than hundred years. You have persevered and adapted to complete your studies and earn your certificates during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic”. The circuit supervisor tells us in a pre-recorded message.

“Take pride in your success, store them in your retrievable memory banks and access them as you encounter all manner of experiences”.

“We all celebrated when multiple vaccine became available” he said. “We quickly turned together to helping to distribute the vaccine, including collaborating with hundreds of volunteers from diverse institutions working countless hours and days a week at mass-vaccination events”.

These events have resulted in more than 10,000 doses of vaccine being administered to individuals across the Berlin metro area.

Before congratulating the class with their deserved certificate, the principal left us with one request:

“Go out and continue to make our communities better, more equitable, more innovative, more inspiring. As you embody the school’s enduring commitment to the public good you make us all, your alma mater and the entire BBIS community immeasurably proud”. What he says next has all the graduands teary especially my friends and I.

“Good luck to all those that will be furthering their education at different universities locally and internationally, and those of us that will be enrolling in vocational institutions”.

This one month I have in Brandenburg I’ll make sure I share a memorable time equally with my parents, Melvin and my friends.

-

-

-

-

-

The formal graduation is over. We are going for the get-together party.

I quickly changed my dress from what I wore to the ceremony to what I’m wearing now.

I am wearing what makes me confident and comfortable. A crips white t-shirt and ripped pair of denim high waist shorts tucked in loosely with black and gold Gucci belt. A black choker on my neck and two gold rings on my index finger and little finger, with white adidas sneakers and black purse. It’s an indoor party so I opt for a red lipstick, then my mascara and eyeliner. I feel fabulous.

I called the girls earlier on my way here so I’m not surprised to see them already here.

Clara is wearing a nude poke-dot jumpsuit with its length on her mid thigh, a crossed bag and Nike sneakers. Sometimes I feel this girl is my twin sister. She shares similar taste with me and we kind of look like each other. I can’t say that about Mia though.

Mia wears a glittery gold low cut dress, full makeup and her hairstyle is all over the place. Oh my dear friend. It’s obvious she’s overly dressed. Her heels though, I wouldn’t dare put on. But I like one thing on her, her clutch, dear Lord it’s so beautiful. She looks stunning but not dressed for the occasion. Her outfit exudes a red carpet kind of vibe.

Melvin will join us later, he received an urgent call from his dad after the graduation so he quickly left but promised to show up at the party. I called when coming and he said he is caught up with something and that he will be with me right after he finishes.

We move further to find our spot as usual. when Leah, one of Roxy’s minions bumped into Mia that if not Clara that was fast enough to support her she would have fallen butt first on the ground.

“Hey watch it, or else I’ll be forced to pluck out those two big watermelons you call eyes and shove it up your ass. That way I know you are blind”. I was so angry that I only realized the eyes on me after I finished.

These girls have been a total pain ever since I started dating Melvin. I also heard Roxanne has a massive crush on my boyfriend so now she can’t stand my sight.

“If you try as much as touch a single hair on her skin, I will finish you up” Roxanne says while walking in from God knows where.

I scoff and daringly approach, looking her in the eye:

“Do. Your. Worst. b***h!” She grits her teeth and fists both her hands on her side.

She stands before me glaring deviously, she finally moves closer and mutters so only I can hear, “game on” and walks away with her friends. I blow out my breath.

In the meantime, I need to call Melvin. If only he’s here I’m sure he’d have curbed this, since our lady of mercy Roxanne doesn’t utter a word when she sees him. She acts all lovey-dovey, decent and good girl.

It gives me the creeps.

Or maybe I’m just jealous.

Just when I fished my phone out of my purse I spot him, I gulped nervously. He’s in a black suit pants and a quality and quite expensive white shirt that is immaculately folded up his elbow. His domineering presence makes him sexy as sin.

I must say everyone looks good in what he she is wearing tonight.

Jack doesn’t look bad himself. He helps us secure a nice place and we engage ourselves in a chat about our life after high school.

Meanwhile I had finished a glass of red wine with the girls on their second or third. Jack and Melvin are sharing a bottle of vodka.

I’m now on my second glass which is halfway gone when my stomach growls loudly that even the loud music couldn’t muffle the sound. ‘How embarrassing’ kill me already, come on.

I forgot to eat properly. I missed lunch and even with breakfast I didn’t really eat well

My friends giggle, Jack chuckles and Melvin smirks.

“I’m sure she’s hungry enough to swallow us” Mia teases and they all bask in with laughter.

Here I was, thinking I have people that have my back. I roll my eyes when Melvin pats my shoulder.

“Hey love, there’s a local eatery downtown” he glances at his watch, “let’s get you something before they close”. He gets on his two feet and pulls me up.

I glare at the two girls I call friend who are still whispering funny nothings to each other.

“Thank you my two angelic friends” I sarcastically said and turned my attention to Jack and seriously say:

“Jack, take good care of my girls, don’t let them have too much drink, I’m sure you don’t want to have..................., I look at Mia to make sure she’s listening before I continue “puke on your ‘new shoes’ today” I take a glimpse of his new pair of shoes then quickly avert my eyes back to a pale Mia and wink at her.

“Goodnight guys” Melvin doesn’t wait for their reply, he laced his long fingers through mine and we walk to the exit then to his car and voom! He sped out of the driveway.

When we get to the eatery my boyfriend and I are cordially ushered to a table. Melvin pulls my seat ensuring that I’m comfortable before he sits down.

I smile when I catch him gazing at me from across the table.

“Stop staring”.

“You are right in front of me. It’s hard not to”

A waitress walks in our table to take our order.

“I would have mashed potatoes with steak and caesar salad”, I’m aware of Melvin staring but I shrug him off and continue, “and orange juice thank you” I politely throw a genuine smile her way and she does same.

Melvin on the other hand only orders beetroot and walnut salad and orange juice.

We indulge ourselves in a conversation about what I’d become after college.

“I’ve always dreamt to become the brains and help of a company” I smugly begin and he quizzically looks at me with one eyebrow raised.

“A company needs to market and advertise its goods for the outside world to see and know what it has right?”

“Yes?” He rather asks unsure.

“So what do you think will be a company with no marketing coordinator or marketers’ fate?”

“You brilliant teaser” he leans over the table and holds my jaw with one hand and looks at me adorably.

“Hahaha, I just wanted to test if you are worthy and smart enough to be my boyfriend, but I see you’re not” I pretentiously sadden my face at him. I can see he’s alarmed so I laugh hard that I almost fall from my seat.

“You should have seen your face, damn I should have taken a picture” I laughed out.

“Mean girl” he pokes my forehead playfully.

The waitress walks in shortly after our banter. They really are slow no offense though.

Anyways, I am famished so I waste no time to attack my food and it tastes really great. I love this place already.

But the salad though, there’s something I tasted it and I’m just hoping it’s not what I’m thinking.

No! There’s corn in it, and I was too hungry I didn’t notice. I am almost done with the f*****g salad.

I sneeze, oh no it’s really happening.

“Please call my parents” I sneezed out.

Now my nose is watering like tap water.

“Call my father Melvin” I begin to cough rapidly.

“Love what is happening, what is wrong with you?” He comes to my side and hold me, rubbing his palm soothingly on my back and alarmingly gets his phone from his front pocket.

“Sir ummm dad? Yes I’m fine Miley is not fine she’s wheezing and.............................” he gets cut of I’m sure because he keeps quiet and listens.

“No dad, I didn’t know she’s allergic to corn and I didn’t give her corn” he desperately says.

“Okay, we are on ur way there, ok” he helps me on my feet, some of the restaurant workers rush to us to help.

I’m having a hard time breathing.

“Miley-you-are-strong-you-can-do this” his voice breaks and I know he’s acting strong from the outside but broken from within.

Outside I see three familiar girls giggling their way out of the restaurant to a car.

I feel nauseous, I throw up on one of the restaurant staff before my vision blurs.

I hear Melvin scream, he’s so close to me yet it seems he’s far away. Oh God is this how I’m going to die? Is this the end of the road of our relationship? My father and sweet mother, my dear friends?

I finally give in before darkness engulfs me I hear nothing anymore and the tightness in my chest dissipates.