A LEGACY BUILT ON LIES

Chapter 8: Graduation

The day Aurelia Ravenscroft had been waiting for had finally arrived.

Graduation day.

The university campus was filled with excitement. Families crowded around the entrance, students hurried between buildings in their graduation gowns, and cameras flashed as proud parents captured memories of their children's achievements.

For some, it was the end of a long journey. For others, it was the beginning of a new one.

For Aurelia, it was both.

Standing before a mirror in her bedroom, she adjusted the collar of her graduation gown and examined herself.

Her long hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and the expression on her face was unusually bright. She had worked hard for this moment, endured countless examinations, spent sleepless nights studying, and sacrificed more than she cared to admit.

Now, she was finally graduating with her law degree.

"Aurelia!" Muna's voice rang through the phone. "If you are not outside in the next five minutes, I swear I will graduate without you!"

Aurelia rolled her eyes.

"You're the one who called me ten minutes ago to say you hadn't finished getting dressed."

"That was ten minutes ago! I'm a changed woman now."

"Congratulations. Should I send you flowers?"

"Keep joking. When I become a famous criminal investigator, don't come and beg me to investigate your enemies for free."

Aurelia laughed as she picked up her handbag.

"You're going to be an excellent criminal investigator."

"Of course I am. Now hurry up!"

The call ended.

Aurelia shook her head, smiling to herself, before heading downstairs.

Alexander was already waiting in the sitting room, dressed in an elegant dark suit. Eleanor stood beside him, looking every bit the proud mother.

The moment Aurelia appeared, Eleanor's face lit up.

"My baby."

"Mom, please." Aurelia laughed as her mother pulled her into a hug. "You're going to ruin my makeup before I even get there."

"Let me enjoy this moment. It feels like only yesterday you were running around this house with your schoolbag almost bigger than you."

Alexander approached them, his usual composed expression softening slightly.

"You look beautiful, Aurelia."

"Thank you, Dad."

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Today marks the beginning of your professional life. Whatever you decide to do afterward, remember that your name carries responsibility. Make sure your actions give people a reason to respect it."

Aurelia nodded.

"I will."

"And remember," Eleanor added, "you don't have to figure out your entire future in one day."

Aurelia smiled at her.

"I know, Mom."

Alexander glanced at his watch.

"Your friend is probably waiting for you."

"She's been threatening to abandon me since morning."

"Then you should go before she fulfils her threat."

Aurelia kissed both her parents before heading outside.

Today, she was going to graduate.

And nothing was going to ruin it.

---

The university auditorium was packed.

Students sat beside their classmates while lecturers and invited guests occupied the front rows. Parents filled the remaining seats, their faces glowing with pride as the ceremony began.

Aurelia sat beside Muna, who had spent the last fifteen minutes whispering commentary about almost everything happening around them.

"Look at that lecturer," Muna whispered, nodding toward the stage. "The man looks like he would arrest somebody for breathing too loudly."

Aurelia pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing.

"Behave yourself."

"I'm behaving. I'm simply observing."

"Observe quietly."

Muna leaned closer.

"That woman in the front row has been crying since we entered. If I knew graduation came with this much emotional drama, I would have brought tissues."

Aurelia finally laughed.

Muna grinned triumphantly.

"See? I'm already improving your life."

"You're disturbing my peace."

"And yet you love me."

"Unfortunately."

Their conversation ended when the ceremony officially began.

One by one, students were called to receive their certificates. Applause filled the auditorium as each name was announced.

Then came Muna's turn.

She stood up immediately, straightened her gown, and walked toward the stage with an expression that suggested she had personally conquered the entire university.

Aurelia applauded loudly.

When Muna returned to her seat, she leaned over and whispered, "Did you see that walk?"

"I did."

"That was the walk of a future woman of influence."

"Please sit properly."

"You are jealous of my greatness."

Aurelia shook her head, laughing.

A few names later, the announcer called hers.

"Aurelia Ravenscroft."

For a brief moment, everything around her seemed to quiet.

She stood and walked toward the stage.

The applause grew louder when her name was announced. Some students recognized her family name, while others simply joined in the celebration.

Aurelia accepted her certificate, shook hands with the university officials, and posed for a photograph.

As she turned to leave the stage, she caught sight of her parents.

Eleanor was smiling proudly.

Alexander sat beside her, composed as always, but the pride in his eyes was unmistakable.

Aurelia returned to her seat with her certificate held carefully in her hands.

Muna immediately leaned toward her.

"Congratulations, Counselor Ravenscroft."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow.

"Counselor?"

"Would you prefer Your Honour?"

"You're impossible."

"Thank you. I work hard at it."

By the time the ceremony ended, the auditorium had erupted into celebration. Students embraced their friends, parents took photographs, and lecturers congratulated the graduating class.

Outside, Aurelia and Muna posed for countless pictures.

They took photographs together, with their classmates, beside the university sign, and even in front of a tree Muna insisted was lucky.

Aurelia had no idea why the tree was lucky.

Muna refused to explain.

"It has witnessed our suffering," she declared. "It deserves to be part of our success."

Aurelia laughed so hard that she had to hold her stomach.

For once, she allowed herself to forget her worries.

There were no mysterious messages, no unsettling questions about Damian, and no reason to think about the secrets her family kept behind closed doors.

Today belonged to her.

And she intended to enjoy every second.

---

By evening, the celebrations had moved to a private venue where Aurelia and several of her classmates had arranged a graduation party.

Music filled the room. Tables were covered with food, drinks, and beautifully arranged decorations. Everyone seemed determined to make the most of their final evening together as university students.

Aurelia had changed into an elegant dress, while Muna wore a stylish outfit that made her look as though she had spent weeks planning the occasion.

The two friends settled at a table with some of their classmates.

"For the record," Muna announced, raising her glass, "I would like everyone here to acknowledge that we survived university without losing our minds."

One of their classmates snorted.

"Speak for yourself. I lost mine during second year."

"Then congratulations on finding your way here today."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Aurelia lifted her glass.

"To friendship, hard work, and finally getting some sleep."

"And money!" Muna added.

"And money," Aurelia agreed.

They clinked their glasses together.

The evening continued with music, dancing, photographs, and endless conversations about their university experiences. They remembered lecturers who had terrified them, examinations they had thought they would fail, and classmates whose names they had somehow forgotten despite spending years together.

As the night progressed, Aurelia and Muna drank more than they had planned.

Eventually, they found themselves sitting together on a couch, their shoes abandoned on the floor beside them.

Muna stared thoughtfully at Aurelia.

"Do you know something?"

Aurelia turned toward her with exaggerated seriousness.

"What?"

"I think we should work together."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow.

"We just graduated."

"Exactly. We are qualified to make terrible decisions professionally."

Aurelia burst out laughing.

"That's not how careers work!"

"Fine. I'll be the criminal investigator, and you'll be the prosecutor."

Aurelia nodded solemnly.

"That actually sounds like a good plan."

Muna leaned forward, suddenly serious.

"Imagine it. I investigate a criminal, gather evidence, find witnesses, and catch the person responsible. Then I bring the evidence to you, and you prosecute them."

Aurelia smiled.

"And we ensure justice is served."

"Exactly!"

Muna suddenly pointed at her.

"But if you lose my case, I'm arresting you."

Aurelia stared at her.

"You're a criminal investigator, not the police chief."

"Details!"

Aurelia burst out laughing.

Muna joined her, laughing so hard that she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

Then Muna leaned closer.

"Promise me something."

"What?"

"Never prosecute me."

Aurelia pretended to consider it.

"Depends on the crime."

"What if I steal your food?"

"Five years."

"Five years for food?"

"Ten if it's my chicken."

Muna gasped dramatically.

"Your Honour, this woman is abusing her power!"

Aurelia laughed again.

"You're the one who wants to catch criminals!"

"Yes, but I didn't know my best friend was going to become the most dangerous prosecutor in the country!"

They dissolved into laughter again.

Aurelia leaned against the couch, laughing until her eyes watered.

At some point, Muna began singing the wrong lyrics to a song playing in the background. Aurelia attempted to correct her, only to forget the actual lyrics herself.

Soon, they were both singing nonsense with complete confidence.

When one of their classmates approached to check on them, Muna pointed at Aurelia.

"She's going to be a prosecutor."

The classmate smiled.

"I know."

"No, you don't understand." Muna waved a hand dramatically. "She will look at you and know your entire criminal history."

Aurelia lifted her head.

"I will not."

Muna stared at her.

"See? She's already interrogating me."

Their classmate laughed and walked away.

Aurelia looked at Muna, struggling to keep a straight face.

"We should probably go home."

Muna nodded solemnly.

"Agreed. We have important futures to destroy."

"Build."

"Same thing."

Aurelia laughed again.

By the time the party ended, both friends were thoroughly intoxicated and barely capable of having a sensible conversation. Their classmates helped arrange safe transport for them, making sure neither was left alone.

For all their nonsense, they had one thing right.

They had worked hard for this moment, and they had earned the right to celebrate it.

---

The following morning, Aurelia woke up with a pounding headache.

She opened one eye.

Then the other.

For several seconds, she stared at the ceiling, trying to remember why the room seemed so bright.

Then she remembered the party.

"Oh, no."

She sat up slowly and immediately regretted the decision.

Her head throbbed.

She reached for the glass of water on her bedside table and drank it before looking around for her phone.

There were several messages from Muna.

The first read:

Muna: ARE YOU ALIVE?

The second followed almost immediately.

Muna: I HAVE REMEMBERED EVERYTHING WE SAID LAST NIGHT AND I WANT TO DENY ALL OF IT.

Aurelia stared at the screen.

Then she began laughing.

Her laughter stopped when another message arrived.

Muna: YOU CALLED YOURSELF MY HONOURABLE PROSECUTOR AND THREATENED TO SENTENCE ME TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR STEALING CHICKEN.

Aurelia covered her face with one hand.

She remembered that part.

Unfortunately, she remembered more than she wanted to.

Aurelia: You said we had an important future to destroy.

Muna: I MEANT BUILD. I WAS EMOTIONALLY CONFUSED.

Aurelia laughed again before setting her phone aside.

She needed a shower, breakfast, and a very serious conversation with herself about drinking too much.

Most importantly, she needed to act like a respectable graduate before her parents discovered exactly how much nonsense she and Muna had talked the previous night.

She had a feeling that might be difficult.