CHAPTER 21: A Farewell

"Huh? You're going to leave? " Mat asked while his mood was saddened.

"Kiddingggg!" I exclaimed, while he seemed surprised.

"So, babe, does this mean you forgive me?" He asked, while looking delighted. "

"Of course I forgive you." I know you're my boyfriend, but please don't do it again, okay? " I replied gently.

" I swear I'll never do it again, babe." He replied.

You know how I felt when you did that? It feels like I'm not that important to you anymore because you're consumed with your anger. I was so embarrassed by the people who were passing by. And it broke my heart that I could not make my boyfriend calm down. I uttered.

Babe, I am sorry I acted that way. "Come here, I'll give you a hug." He replied as he hugged me tight.

We headed back to the gymnasium to meet our friends, but before we entered, we were notified that Mat's mom was still waiting in the hallway.

"Oum... babe, I'll go inside first." I uttered, but Mat asked me to stay with him.

Mrs. Adriano seemed delighted as we stayed and had a conversation with her.

"Mat, I'm really sorry about everything. I understand you have the right to get angry with me because you didn't know everything. " She uttered gently.

"What do you mean by that, mom? Is there something you're hiding from us?" He asked curiously while I was being silent on his side.

"I have something to tell you, Mat. Let's talk somewhere else where there are fewer people. "

"I have an idea. How about on the rooftop? " I suggested

"Okay, mom, make sure it's a valid excuse or else I'll never forgive you!" He uttered as he was trying to control his anger.

We went to the rooftop, as I witnessed them talking to each other.

"Mat, there's something you need to know." Mrs. Adriano said.

Mat raised one of his eyebrows and was curious about what his mother was about to say.

"I'm sorry, I'm such a disappointment to you, my son. I am an undercover agent working at a top-secret crime-fighting agency. I am on a mission to capture Bradley Beaumont and put him in the highest security prison. " She explained

Mat and I were surprised by her revelation. She told Mat that she helped Emily escape from the mansion to prove her loyalty to Bradley. But that was all part of her plan. She explained that she must not blow her cover, so she told Mat that she was married to a rich businessman, but it was all a lie.

While they were done talking, Mat approached her mom and hugged her tight as he apologized for how he reacted.

"I'm overjoyed to see you graduate from college." She uttered

"Thank you, mom, and I'm so sorry I've been harsh on you lately." He replied gently.

Okay, I think our conversation is taking too much time. I'm so proud of you, Mat. " She uttered as she hugged her son.

"Wait, mom, are you going to leave?" Mat worriedly asked.

" I need too, son. I have a mission to complete. Maybe one of these days we will meet again, and besides, you have your loving boyfriend with you." She replied as she smiled gently at me, while I felt flattered.

" Please take care of him for me, Mike."

"I will, Mrs. Adriano." I replied naughtily as I looked at Mat teasingly.

" What did I tell you before?" Don't call me Mrs. Adriano, call me mom already! " She exclaimed teasingly.

"Mom, you're pressuring Mike."

"Oh! Okay, so you're a protective type of boyfriend, aren't you Mat? She replied as she laughed teasingly.

"Thank you, mom, and I'm so sorry I've been harsh on you lately." He replied gently.

Okay, I think our conversation is taking too much time. I'm so proud of you, Mat. " She uttered as she hugged her son..

After Mat and his mom said their farewells, we headed back to the gymnasium. We happily received our diplomas and made our parents proud. Although Mrs. Adriano was not there to see her son march on the stage, they had already talked things out, and it seemed like they were okay now.

Ari and Jenna will go abroad to pursue their careers.

Nate and Ark intend to pursue a career in the "Techno Industry."

To avoid any danger, we only had a simple celebration with my friends. We didn't invite anyone else except our parents, the guards, and the maids.

"clink...clink...clink"

Let's toast! We made it all these years in spite of all the struggles, unexpected revelations, and loss of our friendships. I uttered it with joy.

"We're going to miss you, Mike." Ari said.

"Omg! I can't believe we will all go our own ways now. But, we'll miss you, bestie! " Jenna uttered.

" Hey, don't be sad guys, we'll see each other again." I replied.

"But I guess someone here will miss Ark after she leaves abroad." Mat said teasingly.

Ari blushed a bit as we laughed at her teasingly.

"Everyone! Stop! Ark and I are only friends. " She exclaimed, while feeling embarrassed.

Ari, we need to talk. Can we? " Ark replied gently.

" Ooohhhhhh someone will confess!" Jenna exclaimed while we were all feeling excited for the both of them.

As they went outside the balcony, we teased them while we enjoyed the rest of the night.

[Backstory]

"Ari, I know, I'm a jerk, and I also tease you sometimes. But it's because I want to tell you that I like you. I don't know where my feelings about you started. But one thing I know is that I'm happy when I'm with you when we're with our friends. "

She smiled gently while getting emotional about Ark's confession to her.

"Ark, I have something to confess too."

Ark seems surprised by what Ari said.

"I like you too, but I'm not sure about my feelings for you or if we were just caught up with our friends teasing us every time we're around."

Ark suddenly saddened, but Ari touched his face as they stared into each other's eyes.

"Hey, don't be sad. I want to prove to myself if my feelings are true for you while I'm away."

" I understand. You're right. I want to prove to myself too if I'm worthy of your love. "

"Maybe I'll give it a chance if I'm back and I'm still the one you like. " She replied and gave Ark a heartwarming smile.

Ark hugged her tight and then they enjoyed watching the stars on that starry night.

I was at my mom's garden thinking about my dad's business proposal. Mat suddenly came, and he gave me a glass of bourbon while he smiled sweetly at me.

"Babe, what's on your mind?" He asked.

"I'm just worried, babe." I replied, and he wrapped his right arm around my shoulder blade.

"Why is something wrong?" he replied.

"Dad wants me to take over his business and be the next CEO."