Chapter 38: GRADUATION 2

“There you guys are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” Eric’s voice rang through the school hallway.

Gia and I turned to find him standing there, holding two flower bouquets in his hands.

“We just excused ourselves to use the bathroom,” I replied, watching as he handed Gia one of the bouquets before giving me mine.

For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other, lost in some silent conversation. I suddenly felt like an outsider, so I let out a nervous laugh and quickly positioned myself between them.

“Eric, you need to go back to the hall while we get dressed. It’s almost time for us to be called out.”

“Okay, I’m just so happy my girls are graduating.”

“Your girls?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. I didn’t like the way that sounded.

“Okay, enough,” Gia interjected, already sensing an argument brewing. “The both of you will not argue today. I refuse to let it happen. Now, Eric, please go back to the hall while we finish getting ready.”

“Thanks, Gia. That’s why you’re the smart one,” Eric teased, smirking.

I shot him a glare, but he just chuckled before walking away.

“Brianna, you will never grow up whenever Eric is around,” Gia sighed, shaking her head.

“I know,” I admitted, shrugging. “I just like annoying him, but it never works. Instead, I end up getting annoyed myself.”

“Then maybe you should stop trying,” she said with a knowing smile. “Now, let’s go see ourselves one more time in the mirror before we go.”

“Fine. You’re always on Eric’s side anyway,” I muttered playfully as we headed to the ladies’ dressing room.

After a quick touch-up on our makeup, the announcement came. It was time.

Gia’s POV

Standing on stage, I scanned the crowd, my heart hammering in my chest. My palms felt clammy as nervousness gnawed at me. What if Dad didn’t show up?

I knew Mrs. Cromwell would be there, as she always was. She’d probably step in and act like everything was fine, but this time… this time, I wanted it to be my dad.

One by one, students were called to give their speeches and receive their certificates. Parents would then step forward, smiling proudly as they took pictures with their children.

My eyes kept darting across the crowd, searching for him, hoping—but I couldn’t find him.

Then my name was called.

The auditorium erupted into cheers. Brianna was the loudest, standing up and clapping enthusiastically. Some of the other students joined in, but the absence of the person I truly wanted to see dulled my excitement.

I walked forward, gripping the speech I had prepared, trying to steady my shaky breaths. As I spoke, my voice held strong, but my heart ached.

Just as I finished, I spotted Mrs. Cromwell hurrying out of the crowd. A bright smile spread across her face as she ran toward me. Before I could react, she pulled me into a tight hug.

“Oh, Gia, I’m so proud of you,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

The warmth of her embrace, the sincerity in her words—it all overwhelmed me. A lump formed in my throat, and before I could stop them, tears began to roll down my cheeks.

“Hey, sweetie,” she said gently, wiping my tears away. “You’re going to ruin our beautiful photos.”

I let out a soft, teary laugh. “Thank you so much, Auntie. You’re like the mother I never had.”

I hugged her tighter, my heart swelling with gratitude.

Just then, Mr. Cromwell approached us, a playful grin on his face.

“Are you two leaving me out of the picture?” he teased. “I want in!”

He pulled us both into a group hug, and for the first time that day, laughter replaced the weight of my disappointment.

With my certificate in hand, my friends and family cheering for me, I realized something—I had a family.

I had spent so many years longing for my father’s presence that I never truly noticed how much the Cromwells had become my own. But at that moment, I saw it clearly. They were my family, whether my father showed up or not.

And, of course, he didn’t.

I shouldn’t have been surprised. He hadn’t shown up for my kindergarten graduation, so why would he now?

After the pictures were taken, I excused myself to get some fresh air, my emotions still tangled in a mess of gratitude and disappointment.

I wandered to the school cafeteria and grabbed a drink, hoping the coolness would settle the ache in my chest.

On my way back, I spotted Eric.

His expression was tense, his brows furrowed in deep concern.

"Gia, you got me worried," Eric said as he approached me, his brows furrowed with concern.

"I just came to get a drink. Do you want one?" I offered, forcing a small smile.

"No, thanks. But why do you look so unhappy on a day like this?"

I lowered my gaze, gripping the bottle in my hands. "Because my dad promised he would come, but he didn’t. The little faith I had in him died today, and nothing can bring it back."

I tried to hold back my tears, but they came anyway, burning my cheeks as they fell. How could he do this to me? I thought—no, I hoped—he would cherish me as his only child. But I guess I was wrong. Maybe he still blames me for my mother's death. He has never truly cared for me, not since I was little.

"Gia—" Eric started, his voice gentle, but I couldn’t let him see me like this. I needed to be alone.

"I’ll see you later. I have to go," I murmured, brushing past him before he could stop me.

I rushed to the bathroom, locked myself in a stall, and finally let the sobs escape.

Eric’s POV

I wanted to stop her. I wanted to tell her that her father didn’t deserve her tears. But I could tell she needed space.

If I ever met that man, I had a lot I would say to him. How could he neglect the only child his wife left behind? The anger in my chest tightened into a knot. He made her cry. He made Gia cry.

And yet, I was also confused—why did I feel this way? Why did her sadness make me feel so… helpless? I had a girlfriend. Feeling like this for someone else—it wasn’t right.

"Where’s Gia?" Brianna’s voice broke me out of my thoughts.

"She said she needed time alone," I replied. "Let’s go back inside."

Brianna crossed her arms. "Whenever Gia says she needs time to herself, it usually means she actually wants someone around."

I tensed. "Brianna, I don’t know why you’re telling me this."

She raised an eyebrow. "You don’t have to hide your feelings around me, Eric. I know you feel something for Gia. What I don’t understand is why you rejected her six years ago."

I exhaled sharply, looking away. "Brianna, Gia was just a kid back then. I only ever saw her as my sister’s friend."

"And what about now? Have your feelings changed?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I didn’t know the answer to that. I had a girlfriend. Gia was seeing someone.

"I just… pity her, Brianna," I said finally. "Losing her mother so young, having a father who doesn’t care… That’s all it is."

Brianna scoffed. "That’s all? So you’re saying you don’t feel anything else for her?"

"No, I don’t," I said, forcing conviction into my tone. "I love Gia just as much as I love you—as a friend. I just don’t like seeing her unhappy."

Without waiting for her response, I turned and walked away.

Brianna’s POV

Liar.

Eric was lying to himself. Maybe he hadn’t realized it yet, but his feelings for Gia ran deeper than he wanted to admit.

It was the same way I had been with Dax—completely oblivious until it was too late.

I sighed, deciding to let it go for now. I was about to go find Gia when I saw her walking toward me, her eyes still slightly red.

"Are you okay?" I asked, gently wiping away the last of her tears. "I’m sorry I gave you hope that he’d come."

"It’s okay," she whispered. "I was the one who believed he would leave work for his daughter’s graduation."

"Gia, you don’t need him," I said firmly. "You have me, Eric, my parents—we’re your family. We’re always here for you."

She gave me a weak smile. "Thanks, Brianna. I’m really lucky to have you all."

"Good! Now that things are settled, guess what? Mom and Dad are taking us out today!"

Her eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Yep! And we’re going shopping!"

Gia let out a laugh. "No way!"

"Yes way! Let’s go—Eric is driving."

She hesitated. "But what about our car?"

"Oh, right. We can pick it up later—it’ll be safe at the school."

"I don’t think leaving it here is a good idea. Tonight is a party night, after all."

"True…" I nodded. "Let’s ask Mom and Dad. They might have a better idea."

I turned to walk away but paused when I noticed Gia hadn’t moved. She was staring at me.

"Gia?"

She took a deep breath. "I heard your conversation with Eric."

I stiffened. "Oh… you did?"

She gave me a small, sad smile. "Yeah. And I just wanted to say—I’m sorry for eavesdropping. But, Brianna, please stop asking him about me. He doesn’t feel the same way. And that’s okay. At least I can still be his friend."

I swallowed, guilt settling in my chest. "Alright," I said softly. "I won’t ask him again."

She exhaled, her shoulders relaxing.

"Come on," I said, forcing some cheer into my voice. "Let’s go have fun. I’m leaving for China in three days, you know."

Her expression fell. "I still can’t believe you’re going away for two years."

"And I can’t believe you’ll be stuck with Eric, working as his secretary."

"What’s so bad about that?" she asked, frowning.

I shot her a look. "Everything. Who wants to work with Eric?"

Gia laughed. "Everybody else but you, Brianna. You could never work with Eric."

I shuddered dramatically. "Ugh, he’s so annoying. But hey, good luck with him."

"He won’t be a bad boss," she said with confidence. "Besides, he agreed to pay me a good salary. If I prove I’m as good as my degree says I am, I might even get a raise."

"Gia, you’re amazing at accounting and business management. Any company would kill to have you. Eric should be grateful you even agreed to work for him."

She grinned. "I know. That’s why I’m going to show him exactly what I’m capable of."

"I trust you," I said, nudging her playfully. "Now put on your sunglasses, because we’re going shopping!"

"Shopping!!" Gia echoed excitedly.

Laughing, we headed outside, where my parents were already waiting for us.