Chapter 14: 14| THREE YEARS LATER

FREMA:

I hadn't heard from him after that. And it had been three years. It seemed like he had finally gotten to his senses and let me go, thereby doing the right thing.

It was the right thing after all, right?

I sighed and took a last glance at my off the shoulder crop top and high waist Jeans.

Simple, yet stylish.

Just how I liked it, I thought to myself. I had grown more womanly over the years though, and even if I felt a bit too fat.. The curves were a good enough compensation. Patting my brown hair properly, I noticed it needed trimming and I sighed, brushing it off as I packed it into a messy bun.

"Mom! I'm leaving!" I said, half-running down the stairs. She smiled at me from downstairs, her eyes hinting sadness. I bit my lip, almost breaking down. We never got used to this. Leaving her was always sad.

"I'll be back soon, mom. I promise. I'll come home any time from three months permanently and then we'll be together always." I said slowly, trying to sound confident for my own self. She nodded, her eyes leaving mine.

"Your dad wants to see you." She spoke, extending her hand to me. I took it, and soon I was in her arms.

"I can't wait, girly. Arsen is a pain and he's going to give me a heart attack soon," She said and I chuckled.

"I'm over here, mother." Arsen said, scowling.

"Well it's best you are, or I'd have had to call you privately and spanked your grown ass." She said, making me laugh at the scared look on Arsen's face. We both knew she could do it if she damn wanted to.

"I'm proud of you, my dear, you're going to make a great interior designer." She said, beaming with smiles. I smiled back.

"Aww, I feel honored, mom." I said and Arsen scoffed.

"Don't be too sassy about it, she said that to me too about my engineering career.. It's nothing special." He said and mom rolled her eyes.

"Shut the hell up, you big-for-nothing." Mom scolded, making me laugh.

"Whatever, let's go now." He muttered.

We all headed to dad's office, and as soon as we got there, he turned to us-- a phone against his ear.

"I'll be seeing you soon, I hope, Mr. Cana?" He asked and then nodded at himself, smiling. "Okay then. Call me when you're all set. Good day." He dropped the call at that and smiled at me, getting off his seat.

"Dad," I breathed.

"My baby," he appraised, his eyes glimmering with pride. "Last year, huh?"

I grinned. "Yes dad, I'm so happy."

"So none of you wants to take up daddy's company, is that so?" He teased and I laughed.

"Well..." I drawled and we all burst out laughing when no other answer came forth.

"I'm very proud of you two. Not many men can boast of such intellectual minds as kids." Dad said and I smiled, not knowing what else I could do right now.

"It's a great thing you let us choose our paths, dad. This legacy you left us with is far greater than any company in the entire world. You've taught us a whole lot, dad. We are proud." Arsen said and I nodded, speaking up,

"I love you guys so much. Best family in the world. Group hug?" I said, pouting irresistibly.

"I'm not doing that.." Arsen muttered, but we all ended up doing it anyways. And like I said,

Best family in the world.

_

"Riley! Oh my God. Where the hell is Arsen?! He was supposed to be here 10 minutes ago. Dad was here a while ago, where is he now? Mom, where is dad?" I ranted until mom cut me off,

"Calm down, Frema. Your dad would be here soon. He had to take an important call."

"On my graduation? What the hell, mom? Why--"

"Surprise!" I heard Arsen's annoying voice yell, I turned towards the sound and let out an excited shriek when my eyes met with my grandmother's.

"Ma!" I yelled and threw myself on her, and she laughed, steadying herself.

"Sometimes you've gotta remember I'm an old woman, young lady. You shouldn't be throwing yourself on me like that." She scolded and I giggled, tears pricking my eyes.

"Was this your important call, dad?" I asked and he nodded, smiling.

"There will be no more calls until today ends, though. You have all daddy's attention." He said and I moved over and hugged him tightly. No words spoken, but he understood.

"Listen for your name, girly." Mom said and I nodded, walking up to the graduands' seats- with Riley complaining about her shoes behind me- and sitting down.

"Ashley Athens." Roar. Applause. Who didn't know Ashley? Overall college stripper.

"Daisy McClure." Nerd. Applause.

"Gregory Samuels." Really cool guy. Not particularly a squad person. Applause.

"Riley Fisher." Hey, that's my best friend.

"I'm doing this babes.. I'm graduating!" She gushed and I grinned.

"We, baby, we are graduating." I corrected and she laughed, finally making her way to the podium. After she was done, we took some more pictures with the certificate and soon enough, I was called.

"Fremantle Michealson." Applause. For such a long name.. well, I was pretty short. Not that I was complaining.

More pictures.

My name was called for a handful of other things worth rewarding, but I couldn't be any more proud of my best friend.

Overall best student in St. Avery College! Riley was making me proud. Well, not only me as it appears.

"I never knew you were such a nerd, babe." Arsen commented. Yes, babe. They were a thing now.

"Well, I am. Are we breaking up?" She taunted and he grinned.

"I don't want to die in my sleep, thank you."

"It's a great thing you've finally come to your senses." She said and he smiled genuinely, kissing her on the lips!

Ew.

"I'm proud of you, baby." He said after she pulled away.

"Everyone saw that, you dummy." She scolded, biting her lip shyly.

"Dummy?" He inquired, jaw ticking. "We'll take care of that tone later. As for the public viewing, they might as well see this." He stated and got down on one knee. My mouth fell open. Literally.

"What the--" Riley started and he cut her off immediately,

"It's been two years, babe. I can't fucking wait anymore. I love you. Be my wife?" He finished, opening the parcel.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. Well, who knew Arsen could be so romantic?! A crowd had gathered already, urging her to say yes, and then she did. And they kissed again.. making me glare at Arsen when they pulled away. He only smirked and turned back to her.

I left Riley alone for a while, heading towards a friend who was waving at me to say last good-byes. But I didn't get to reach him.

Because then, a hand stretched out from behind and clamped over my mouth, dragging me into a hidden area. I turned around. There was no one with me?

"Who's there?!"

"I've missed you, Princesa." I turned again.

Holy crap.