186
ARIANA
Enzo had tears in his eyes and he was cheering so loudly when they called my name to hand me my degree. Marian was sitting on his shoulders, clapping for me and trying to cheer alongside her father. Once I had received what I needed, I ran back to my man who had been waiting for me. As soon as he saw me, he opened his arms and I jumped into his embrace.
Marian was giggling as always. She giggled whenever she watched us together. Enzo was the shameless one in our relationship. He was always affectionate in front of our daughter. According to him, it was necessary for her to see that her father loved her mother. He wanted to make sure that she would never settle for anything less than the highest standards her father was setting up.
I agreed with him. For all that he did in the past, we had forgotten all about it. For the smile that appeared on Marian's face when Enzo would come back home from work, for that beautiful and bright smile, I was ready to do anything. I could even forgive him for how I lost my first child.
In the past five years that I had spent with Enzo, I realized that I was part of him. His existence was the very reason I was breathing as well. I could try but I could never live without him, or away from him. It also made me realize that if anything happened to him, I would die as well.
I pulled away from him and looked at Enzo. “I am so proud of you. You today, you proved everyone wrong. Today, you proved yourself.” I didn't know why he had tears in his eyes but I didn't want to ask him either. I just wanted to enjoy the moment.
“There is a party, mama! There is a party tonight.” Marian spoke in an excited tone. And as always, Marian was pulling Enzo's hair in excitement. At first, I tried to stop her. But then, Enzo didn't want her to stop. In fact, he grew his hair longer so his daughter could pull his hair.
“Let's go shopping. I want my two princesses to look absolutely gorgeous tonight. It's mommy's birthday. What do you say, Mari?” Enzo asked her and Marian was dancing in her seat. I couldn't help but giggle at the adorable moment. Once he got into the car, he gave me a bouquet of red roses.
Smiling shyly, I sniffed the roses. There was a fake rose right in the middle of the bouquet. I barely touched it and it opened up. My eyes widened as I looked at the tiny pendant in the box. It was made of gold with a tiny pearl. It was gorgeous. Enzo pulled it out of the box. I held my hair up as he locked the chain around my neck.
“It's beautiful, Enzo. Thank you.” I whispered softly, staring at the pendant. Then Marian showed me her pendant and I smiled. They were two matching pendants. And on the back, Enzo's initials were carved into the metal. I looked at Enzo who winked at me.
“I couldn't think of anything better than this. Besides, Marian chose these for both of you. I didn't know what to buy for your birthday and for your graduation. But our daughter has a great taste in these things. I am glad I took her with me.” Enzo spine as he started the car and started driving. I looked at Marian through the rear view mirror. She looked the happiest.
Enzo dropped Marian off to Suzie's place as she started yawning. I suggested that we take her home. But Marian wanted to go to Marcella's house and sleep there. The way she was attached to Marcell, it gave me chills sometimes. It reminded me of myself. I was the same with Enzo. From dawn till dusk and in between, I was always worth Enzo. I barely stayed with my parents.
Once we dropped here off at Suzie's Villa, Enzo took me to the mall. We had picked a dress and its matching accessories for Marian first. Then Enzo took me to a boutique. Enzo sat down on the couch while I roamed around the whole place. I carefully chose five dresses out of the hundreds that were hanging on the shelves. I went inside the changing room, only to have Enzo pushing me inside and he locked the door from inside.