I looked up and stretched my eyes to give the access of mascara on my eyelashes.
"There... perfect!" The gay makeup artist exclaimed after he applied it on me.
I smiled a little bit and let him do the rest on my face. In front of me is the vanity mirror with ring lights on the both side of it. I can freely see my reflection on the mirror and I still can't believe I made it. Not that near yet but I'm proud because I knew I really made it.
It's our graduation today and everyone's excited for the ceremony that's going to happen later. Finally, right? I know I can't make it with all by myself. Thanks to those who stayed until this milestone of mine. Without them, I don't think I can make it through... this far.
The makeup artist's done with me after almost two hours. I thanked him and he even pinched my cheek for the last time before he left the room. I'm surveying my overall looks in front of the standing mirror. I heard the click of the doorknob but I'm too busy to give it a single glance.
"Time flies really fast. Look, you're about to graduate hours from now."
I saw Innov on the mirror, I turned around and faced him."Yeah. How about you? When is your graduation?" I asked casually.
"Ours will be next month. But it's okay for me, I don't wanna leave the school yet anyway." He chuckled.
My brow arched. Hmm...
"Advance congratulations, Van..." he smiled and his bright eyes flashed.
I smiled back."Thanks..."
He accompanied me until we went downstairs and saw my dad with his mistress and Akira, who also wearing a uniform and a white coat on her shoulder. Our steps turned slow.
"Thank you, mommy! I still can't believe I'm gonna make it! And now... oh my! I'm so happy!" Akira with a wide and happy smile on her lips.
Sharon brushed her hair gently."Sweetie, you deserve every happiness in this world..."
"Your mom's right. Congratulations, Akira. You did well." My face hardened as Dad said it to her.
Akira's eyes sparkled."Thanks, dad!" Dad my ass!
She hugged him and my dad let out a deep laugh. Sharon's smiling at their side while watching them two. I realized I'm staring at them for so long that I forgot about Innov's presence.
"Will you be there on the ceremony?" She even asked him that.
I gulped and waited for dad's response.
"Of course, sweetheart. I'll be there to watch. I'm not gonna miss it." He tousled her hair.
My knees wobbled. Good thing Innov's here to hold me, not letting me to fall totally. All the anger, hatred and frustrations consumed me. My fists were tightened the whole time but I tried to manage my patience and control my temper, still.
"Vanez? You're going to a graduation ceremony, too, right?" Dad noticed me just by now. He walked near me.
"Obviously," I answered in sarcasm, trying not to roll my eyes in front of his sight.
He sighed."Congratulations, my daughter..."
"Well, thanks, dad." The sarcasm on my voice never fades.
I know he won't go there, he'll not be there and it's fine with me. I already expected it. It's not that I'm going to need him too much and his presence wouldn't be that important, I know. I can graduate without his support.
I know I can...
"I'm leaving now, dad. Bye." I said coldly and turned my back at him.
"Vanez..." he called me.
"What?" I irritatingly looked back.
"I'll be there to put you your medal." He smiled lightly.
I immediately gazed away and told Innov we're really need to go now.
I don't want to assume. I'm not demanding so I should expect all the possibilities I know. I shouldn't hope for it too much. I shouldn't believe right away.
I shouldn't assume. Less assume, less disappointment.
"Congratulations to all juniors who are going to move forward today! May you find your way to your brightest future. Always remember, the end is just the beginning. There's no finish line yet, this is the real start."
Claps are everywhere after that. The ceremony is currently happening.
After Innov accommodated me, he left eventually for they have their major class. It's not hard for me to find Rocelia though, she found me first and we both search for a good seat. She looks good on her curly hair and light makeup.
"I told Mom and Dad that's okay if only one of them go here but ugh! They're that stubborn so... look at where they are!" She said energetically and pointed her parents sitting on that nearby seats.
I sighed and made a smile. I'm happy for her. She deserved completeness.
"At least, you have your both parents. You're so lucky, Lia..." I said.
I heard her breathed and held my hand gently."Van... you're lucky, too. I know your Dad will come over here, let's just wait for him." She assured but I know she can't make it with me.
I shook my head."I don't want to assume, Lia. I already accepted the fact that I'll graduate on my own. There's a teacher to put the medal on me anyway." I added a chuckle.
"Van... have faith in him."
"I lost my faith in him, the moment he chose his new family." I said with a obvious bitterness.
She didn't have a chance to talk back because of the teacher's voice who plays as the host of this event. The atmosphere changed into light after seeing Yukenzo and Vencie who's lining up with the boys in front of our seat. They're chitchatting us that we didn't even notice the time.
"Diaz, Vencie N., best in curricular education!"
"Go there now! Shoo!" Yuki were pushing him to move.
"Fuck you," Vencie glared at him.
Lia and I ended up shaking our heads laughingly.
We watched the boys who are first to call to the stage for a recognition and special diploma.
"Cabrera, Yukenzo Wave K., with certificate of good manners and right conduct, best in performances and leadership awards!"
I looked at him and caught he's looking at me, too."Good manners and right conduct, huh." I pursed my lips.
He smirked boyishly."It's just me,"
"You're too full of yourself!" I rolled my eyes but he only laughed before proceeding to the stage.
Obviously, after the boys, now it's our turn. First call were the special science class then the star section. Azelyn has this wide smile when she accepted her special diploma. No one's with her and I wondered why. No one's with her... but she seemed happy? The heck.
"Vallejos, Rocelia Y., with outstanding performance!"
"Yuhoo! That's me!" Lia was jumping happily as she proceeded there.
I joined the claps when she received the awards and medal with her parents beside her. I can't help but feel the bitterness. Damn. You can do it, Vanez. You can do it even without him. This is the final step, I don't have to be distracted by my thoughts.
"Arnaez, Vanez Amelia O., best in participation award!" Really, huh?
I faked a smile and Lia's cheering me as I'm stepping towards there. My eyes were roaming around and my shoulders fell. Told you, never assume.
"Hey, you should smile when you get there." Yukenzo uttered.
That eased something inside me but still not enough. I nodded and took a deep breath.
"Where's your guardian, sweetheart?" The teacher asked me.
"He didn---"
"Sorry, ma'am, I'm late. I'm her guardian." That breathing voice cut me off.
"It's okay, Mr. Arnaez."
I turned to my right then, Dad's smiling at me. He walked behind me and took the medal from the teacher. I was speechless the whole recognition. I took my diploma.
"Smile, ma'am!" The photographer told me.
"Sorry if I'm late, daughter. Congratulations, I'm so proud of you." Dad whispered while holding my both shoulders firmly.
I didn't need to fake a smile anymore because the moment the camera clicked, I was smiling from ear to ear and I felt the real happiness today. This is the best day for me.
This should be remembered.
"Congratulations to us!" Lia exclaimed cheerfully.
The ceremony is finally done and we decided to leave the hall now. Someone called dad that's why he temporarily went to his car outside.
I was having a good time with Lia, Vencie and Yukenzo. Their parents left already, well, Lia's parents didn't. They stayed. I guess they loves her that much.
"Congratulations!" A new voice echoed.
We all turned to the owner of the voice, only to see Azelyn with her never-ending wide creepy smile. What's with this wench?
"Azel," Yukenzo pierced coldly.
"And as a gift... hmmm, I have a very surprising surprise for y'all! Amazing, right?" She grinned.
None of us spoke up.
"But first, I wanna say congratulations, Yuki..." she kissed his cheek.
"What the eff?" Vencie and Lia gave me a concern look.
"Azel, what are you doing?"
I didn't utter any words though.
"Oh, I see. Maybe you want to know my biggest surprise already! Okay! So this us the tea..." her eyes pierced through me as she handed us a brown envelope."Inside this envelope is the truth. All the truth left behind."
"The truth---what?"
"What kind of shit is this?" I asked coldly.
She laughed."Oh no, let's see if you can still call it like a shit you mean. Because after this, you'll truly experience every shit of all shits." Her smile screams confidence and I hate it.
"Just get straight to the point."
"Okay! Inside this one is the old article of the Cabrera family several years ago and guess what's the topic? I knew you have now a hint. Yuki's father is the reason behind your mother's death. He killed your mother, Vanez. And while reading that article? You got my sympathy..." what...
"Oh my God..."
"Azel, what the damn hell is this?!" I ignored Yukenzo's terrified voice.
I took the envelope from her hand and my trembling hands opened it. Some pictures welcomed my eyes but the most caught my attention is the picture of my beloved mother. The article looks too old and grayscale.
I feel like my world burned down after reading the highlights.
Anson Cabrera accidentally killed the wife of the infamous business tycoon, Martin Arnaez. The said suspect reported driving while being drunk.
Damn... this isn't true... please...
"The both sides kept it a secret for a long time through using their connections, the news and investigations about it has stopped. But yeah, there's no secret will be left forever unfold." Azelyn's voice echoed on my ears.
Fuck!