Chapter 31

For the last few weeks before graduation day, I spent most of my time at my apartment studying documents about our company. I would only leave my room to eat, sometimes aunt Sally would even bring food into my room if I forgot to. Even though I already expected it to be quite a lot, this is still more than what I imagined.

Piper and Noah would visit sometimes, but they would just watch me do my thing. Their presence is more than enough.

As for Felix, he would casually send me messages from time to time but I mostly wasn't able to reply to him back as I was too busy. It's not like I'm avoiding him, but I just don't see any relevance to getting close to him and I have nothing to tell him either.

After this day, I'll go home to Sydney, while he most probably also flies back to Korea and I don't have a habit of trying to grab things that are too out of reach. It's just a waste of time.

That's how strict my life has always been, I won't pursue something that was not in my plan.

Before I get too attached to something or someone that is not aligned with my predicted future, I immediately have to let go so it wouldn't hurt so much afterward. Just like how I gave up on my dreams before. Even if I do have something in mind to pursue later, something that is quite aligned with it, still I wasn't able to hold on before, that's why I'll just settle for something quite similar soon.

That's how life is supposed to be right? You can't have everything.

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🎶You run through the doors,

I'm coming after you,

And I keep getting lost.

Which way have you gone?

I just want to meet you,

But I'm tired of chasing.

Can you come and find me?

I don't even know you,

Yet I'm obsessed with searching.

All I ever saw were shadows,

Lurking through the gaps.

Who are you?🎶

It's graduation day today. And Felix sent me again a link for a song.

I'd like to appreciate the song as the melody is just my style but,

why do I feel guilty after hearing the lyrics? 'It's just a song' I try to convince myself, though the words really felt like it was him talking to me, like he really wants to know me more, to get close to me, yet I keep on avoiding him.

If I were just an ordinary girl, I would've wanted to know him more, I might even chase him. But,

I really can't. Not in this situation, or maybe not in this lifetime.

*another message received from Felix*

"Are you attending the graduation ceremony today?"

"Yes," I simply replied after contemplating. I do owe him a response after ignoring him for days. I felt sorry that it looked like he was talking to a wall all this time.

"I'll see you then"

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I was happy until I felt less important.

I should be happy for achieving the things I have worked hard for.

Yet all of a sudden, I felt like all the happiness I have has been drowned.

Why would you suck it out? Can't I be happy? Can't I feel loved? Can't I feel important?

For I feel like I've always been rejected.

I don't feel worthy enough of your time.

The ceremony is almost done but I still can't see my parents' shadows.

They never attended any of my previous graduations anyway, but still, I got my hopes up again. I thought since this is the final step and I can finally assist them in running our company, they would at least attend today, and we'll go back together.

But as expected, they didn't.

As I was about to go down from the stage, a familiar figure waved and smiled at me.

He's wearing sunglasses and a jacket.

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Aiden. The only family member who really cares for me.

I pushed back my disappointment and smiled back as I approached him when I got down the stage.

Since the ceremony is almost done anyway and I had already gotten my diploma, I told him we can just leave now as I am not really in the mood to finish it. By then, I also saw Piper approaching us and she gave me the flowers she brought.

"Congratulations," she said and hugged me. Afterwards, we looked for Noah but we saw he was with his family so instead of disturbing them, I just texted him we'll go ahead to celebrate and he can just catch up later if he can.

When I saw how close he is to his parents, I felt envious of him. Both our parents are busy, but why does his got time for him while mine don't? Aiden noticed it so he pressed my shoulders and smiled. He didn't say anything but I somehow feel comforted that he was at least here to celebrate with me.

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On the way out, we accidentally bumped into Felix

and he's with

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Dylan?

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I felt Aiden tense up next to me.

Dylan WAS his closest friend.

He probably came to congratulate Felix on his graduation. I totally forgot he is also part of our college, though he's taking up the bachelor's degree while I took up my master's.

Apparently, he's also graduating today.

He waved at me but I can't move. Aiden looked at me, asking through his eyes what the heck is happening.

Last time, I clearly told him I didn't know Felix. Well, that was the truth at that time. We only formally introduced ourselves to each other after that day so I wasn't really lying. But there's no time to explain it right now, even Piper is confused but I can't seem to say anything.

I haven't told Piper anything about it. I felt like I don't have to, but now that this already happened, I know I have to because she would question me all night to spill it if I don't. This smells like trouble.

On the other side, Dylan didn't notice what Felix just did as he was busy glaring at my brother. *sigh*

I hope they can clear things up already, this is too frustrating to see from a third party's perspective. I saw how close they were whenever I visit Aiden in Korea before, and I can't accept the fact that they had a fallout just because of a silly misunderstanding.

I am not sure if Felix noticed my expression but then he suddenly walked towards me and I started to panic.

My eyes keep scowling at him, trying to ask what is he planning to do. He should stop whatever he's thinking as it clearly wasn't the time for whatever it is.

"Congratulations, would it be possible to celebrate together?"

What??!!!!!