Nathalia’s POV
The smile on my lips never faded as I gazed at my reflection in front of the large mirror.
I took a deep breath. Another chapter of my life was coming to an end today. But with it comes the beginning of a new journey that I have to embark on and responsibilities that I have to shoulder.
“Are you ready?”
I looked up to see Mom standing behind me, her hands resting gently on my shoulders.
I nodded, my eyes welling up with tears that I was trying to hold back. “I am, Mom. You know how much I have been waiting for this moment.”
She smiled and kissed the top of my head. “Alright. Let’s go.”
I took one last look at myself before standing up, and we both left the room together.
Downstairs, we found Dad and Stephen waiting in the living room. I couldn’t help shaking my head when I noticed Shantel and the others there as well.
Well, I wasn’t the only one they were accompanying today.
“Are all of you really coming?” I asked in disbelief.
Ace approached me with a smile before gently tapping my head. I pouted at him. Until now, he still treats me like a kid.
“Of course! We didn’t want to miss this special day of yours and the rest of the gang.”
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s a special day for the youngest ones in the group,” Liam added.
“Damn! I feel so old!” Ash exclaimed dramatically, placing a hand over his chest.
“That’s why you all should start having love lives,” I teased them.
“Well, it seems that my brother has already found his match,” Rhyz remarked meaningfully.
We looked at Ashter in surprise. But he quickly averted his gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said suddenly, turning serious.
“I heard she’s a beauty queen,” Liam added.
Ashter shot him a deadly glare. “Look who’s talking.”
Liam fell silent, causing me to raise an eyebrow. It seems like the two of them have something they’re not saying.
“Oh, I think we better get going already before these two rat out each other,” Rhyz interjected.
We all laughed at what he said. For now, we won’t bother them. We’ll just wait for the day when they decide to introduce their special someone to us.
But I was taken aback when I noticed that Mads and the others weren’t here.
“Where are Mads and the others?” I asked, puzzled.
Oliver shrugged. “They went ahead. They wanted to double-check the perimeter of the stadium.”
I rolled my eyes. It’s our graduation day today, and yet they’re busy with their reaper duties. Can’t they take a break once in a while?
Dad approached me and hugged me tightly. “Our princess looks so beautiful.” He let out a deep sigh. “You made it, my child. One of your dreams has come true.”
I smiled and held back the urge to tear up. There’s no equal to the joy I’m feeling right now.
As Dad released me from his embrace, Stephen approached me.
“Shall we, my wife?” He smiled.
I suddenly felt my knees go weak because of his smile. He’s really far from the Stephen I knew before, the one who often had a serious expression and showed no emotions whatsoever.
I smiled back at him before I took his arm and walked out of the mansion. Despite everything that happened, we still decided to live here. Stephen just tightened security and had everything fixed.
But before we could fully get into the waiting car, I couldn’t help but notice Shantel and Ace, who seemed to be arguing again. The same went for Ryza and Riley.
“When do you think those married couples and lovers will ever get along?” I asked Stephen, chuckling as I glanced in their direction.
“Who knows? That’s their way of showing love for each other,” he replied, looking back at them. “Those two, on the other hand, are still in denial up to now.”
I just shook my head as I shifted my attention to Amelia and Oliver, who seemed to be bashfully standing together on the side.
“Oh well, let’s go before we get left behind,” he said with a grin, helping me into the car.
Our cars left one after the other. The attention of the people we passed by was drawn to our procession due to the way our cars were lined up on the road.
While looking outside, something suddenly crossed my mind.
“Well, at least we have something to expect from Oliver and Amelia. But what about the single ones?” I mentioned, referring to Ash, Rhyz, and Liam.
“You’re not sure,” Stephen said.
I quickly turned to Stephen and narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean? Do you know something I don’t? Do you know who the beauty queen connected to Ash is? And what message he wants to convey to Liam?”
“It’s not my story to tell.” He chuckled.
I pouted. “You’re so unfair!”
He glanced at me before returning his attention to the road. “Don’t worry. You’ll know about it soon. It’s just that the situation is complicated right now.”
I raised an eyebrow. It made me even more curious about the women who could possibly be stirring the hearts of those three right now.
I sighed. It’s alright. I’ll squeeze the information out of them when we get home.
I looked at the side mirror and noticed the car driven by Henry—the new head of the mafia guards—following us.
A tinge of sadness crept over me. Back then, when I used to be with Stephen, it was Cole who often followed us.
But now.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I felt his gentle grip on my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Yeah, I just remembered something.”
He didn’t say anything further and continued driving.
Upon arriving at school, we were immediately greeted by Mads, who was waiting for us outside.
“Thalia! OMG! This is it! We’re graduating!” Mads exclaimed excitedly as soon as I got out of the car.
“Yeah, so you should forget about being reapers for just today,” I scolded her playfully.
Damon grinned and draped his arm around Mads. “Well, we can’t help it. It’s our almighty queen’s day as well, that’s why.”
I lightly hit his shoulder. “Stop calling me queen!”
“But you really are,” Harold chimed in, mimicked by Albert. I playfully flicked them both on the forehead.
It had been almost two years since we encountered Aries—the day we lost Belen and Cole, the day I learned the complete truth about my biological parents and our family, and the day I met members of the mafia organization and the underground society.
They wanted me to take over my parents’ position and gave me time to think about it until I graduated. I was still undecided, longing for a normal life. But it seemed that just being around the mafia bosses would never allow that.
I had reclaimed my parents’ company, which Aries had also tried to take control of. I had slowly started learning the ins and outs of it, as well as managing other properties we owned.
“To all graduating students, please proceed to the stadium,” the speaker announced.
The five of us exchanged glances and walked arm in arm towards the entrance, followed by a noisy group.
The ceremony went by quickly. Before I knew it, it was my turn to walk up to the stage.
“Anderson, Nathalia S.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Apart from going up to the stage to collect my diploma, hearing my name with Stephen’s last name felt like music to my ears.
I just shook my head when, as I walked up to receive my diploma, I heard the loud cheers from Ash and Rhyz, the two siblings who were always mischievous, especially when together.
The ceremony didn’t last much longer.
“Finally, we’re graduated!” Harold threw his black cap into the air, and we followed suit. After that, we shared a group hug, then headed towards our family and friends, all of them beaming with joy.
They enveloped us in a hug, offering their congratulations, before we began taking pictures. Henry played the role of our photographer.