Chapter 1: Finale 1
Forty- three thousand eight hundred hours later.
I fix my sunglasses as I jog down a serpentine road on a mountain where towering pine trees grow. It's already 9 am and the sun is up, yet the cool wind refreshes my exhausted body. I stop to marvel at the panoramic landscape from an opening on top of a deep ravine. I fill my chest with fresh air.
Then, I get a call from Boris.
"Professor Khaeli, the boys are here!"
"Okay. Tell them to wait. I'm on my way!"
"Okay."
He ends the call. Then, I jog home. From the main door, familiar voices and cheers are heard. I smile as I enter the mansion.
"Mom!"
"Aunty!"
They all exclaim as soon as they see me. They run to hug me, but stop when they see me all sweat.
"Oh c'mon!" I tease as I open my arms.
"Mom... I love you, but... please... wash up first!" Mon says.
"Anyway... how's your life going?" I ask as I get a flagon of juice from the fridge.
"Hmmmm.... so far, so good!" Mon replies while sharing with my glass of orange juice. "Volunteering with the Earl is a bittersweet experience. But, it's really rewarding!"
"And you?" I ask Ron, who is busily chatting with his girlfriend.
"Oi~" I shout. Mon bangs the table. Ron nearly throws his phone in surprise.
"What the~" he exclaims.
"Haysh! Are you chatting with Camille again?" Mon teases.
Ron grins and says, "Hmmm.... jealous much? For how many years, you still don't have the courage to tell her your true feelings?!"
"Shut the fuck up!"
Ron laughs at Mon's reaction.
"Hmmm... some things really don't change!"
Mon and Ron just smile. I shake my head before going to my room. I am at the top of the stairs when I turn around and speak to them, "Call your brothers. Tell them not to be late! I will see you in thirty."
"Yes, ma'am!"
KHAL GIBSON UNIVERSITY ALUMNI HOMECOMING.
The Great Hall is packed with alumni. Some of them even traveled far. I am so proud that we have a high rate of success after graduation. And as the years progress, the demand for our university products is skyrocketing.
Smile is my immediate reaction when I enter the room as it reminds me of that epic night five years ago.
Tables overflowing with neatly arranged food and towering beverages. Students and teachers chatting along.
'Five years... has it been that long?' I ask.
"Good evening, professor!" students and teachers greet as I walk around, looking for the brats.
As I turn around, I see two familiar women approaching me with big smiles on their faces.
"Oh my god! It's been a year! How are you, aunt Khaeli?"
"Oh, girls. I'm how are you, Chealsy?"
"I'm excited. It feels good to be back!"
"Hi, aunt Khaeli!"
"Stephanie, how are you? You look like you gained weight."
"Nooooooo!"
Chealsy and I just laugh since we know how much she dislike being called fat. While waiting for the others, we catch up.
"I am helping my dad run our business. It finds it really difficult, but I am trying my best to learn the ropes!" Chealsy says as she swirls her wine glass, as she always does.
"As for me, I have been following the Earl for quite some time now since Mon invited me. I'd say it's bittersweet but rewarding!" Stephanie tells us. I grin. She gives me a questioning look.
"Exactly what my boy told me earlier," I say, feeding her curiosity.
Chealsy teases her and pinches her as she blushes. Then, we are interrupted by the emcee.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Are you already drunk guys?!" he jokes, making the room filled with laughter. "Welcome to our Alumni Homecoming! The night is still young, so let's kick this off with a blast. Presenting our very own singer, dancer, and composer, singing her debut single--- 'Forgive and Forget'. Let's give it up for, Camille Elizabeth Rheeze."
Chealsy and Stephanie scream the loudest as the curtain fall off and a soothing violin sound is being played.
"Having fun, ladies? Good evening, professor!"
We turn to see Primrose sauntering towards us. We dance and sing along with Camille's song. As always, she gives an electrifying performance. There's so much cheering and screaming, some even whistles when she finishes.
"Whoa! I am so happy for her!" Primrose exclaims while the others agree.
"What a performance! Whoooooo!" the emcee says. When the cheering dies down, he starts to speak, "For the next part of this event... the SOCIALIZATION. You know the drill, the dance floor is open for everyone."
"Where's Letizia?" I ask while pouring my second shot of whiskey.
"She's on her way here. She had to answer a lot of phone calls," Stephanie replies.
"How's her business?" I ask.
"For a start-up business, I'd say she's doing good," Chealsy says. Primrose and Stephanie nod.
The ladies scream when Camille finally joins us at our table. I just smile. Satisfied with the turn of their lives.
Just as the next song is played. The two giant doors of the Great Hall open, revealing six gorgeous men. They look dashing as they walk to the stage where their chairs are. Women swoon at their presence while men feel threatened.
"Know what? This situation seems familiar," Primrose comments. We giggle.
"Yeah. Just change Jason with the Founder," I add.
"They are still handsome," Camille says.
"Yeah. Yeah. I think you're talking about a single person."
"I know right!"
"How did you keep your relationship going all this time?"
The ladies tell Camille, who is blushing under their attack.
"Y'all crazy!" she exclaims.
"As we'll ever be!" Primrose smirks.
"I am sorry, ladies. Good evening, aunt Khaeli. Camille, I am sorry. I missed your performance. I watched it on IG though. It's all over the internet. Thanks to technology, I was able to see it!" Letizia explains.
"You look haggard---"
"Na.... ugly is more appropriate!"
"Fine! I know," she says to shut them from teasing her. The audience clamor as we watch the emcee talking to the lords and the prince. They smile mischievously as they nod at him.
"What are they planning this time?" I utter. I look intently at them. It's so obvious that they are avoiding my gaze as they turn their chairs away from us.
"Attention ladies and gentlemen, we prepared a special treat for everyone!"
The audience waits in anticipation. The ladies and I exchange a look with questions painted on our faces.
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