Chapter 87

ALEX

In the last couple of weeks, we were a little overwhelmed with exams and I almost didn't meet up with Gabriela, only in college I spent all my time with her, but that's finally over.

Today is the big day. Today is the day when we all graduate and when give Gabriela the surprise we all been preparing for Gabriela. Luckily everyone had helped me, even her family who didn't expect it at all. I must say her father was against it at first, but he eventually agreed and made me promise to take care of his daughter and not let anything happen to her, which I would.

Right now, we're in college, preparing the last details and meanwhile Marcos is distracting Gabriela, Carlota was with me.

"Alex, you're going to have to relax if you don't want Gabriela to find out something is wrong with you." Carlota said, "I just can't, it's an important day." I answered honestly, "And I know, but as I've been telling you, I don't know how long, she will accept, I have no doubt about that." Carlota insisted, "That doesn't mean I'm not nervous."

"Are you nervous about what you're going to do and aren't you nervous about facing her entire family? Do I have to remind you Kevin isn't completely convinced yet? And you have to keep in mind Kevin is overprotective of her, it's weird as soon as he found out didn't come to hit you." Carlota reported "I wouldn't have cared, I would have deserved it after all, but that's what I can face, what I can't face is Gabriela's rejection."

"She won't reject you, no matter what she answers, she will continue to love you more than anything in the world. It's just her way of thinking, but as I told you and I'll tell you again, Gabriela will accept, so don't worry so much and try to make my sister the happiest person on this planet, is that clear to you?" my girlfriend best friend said and I nodded, because that's my intention. "I'll do it, it's the only thing I fight for every day." I stated, "Well, now relax and enjoy your day."

At that moment I hear Gabriela protesting to Marcos for I don't know what, so I turn around and go to her side. "It's a good thing you show up, because I swear your girlfriend is being a little annoying at this time of the morning." Marcos protested. "I'm not being annoying, it's just I notice how tense everyone is, and I would like to help with the finishing touches for our graduation."

"It's not necessary, now Alex will explain everything to you calmly, I'm going to clear my head before I end up murdering someone." said Marcos, who was the only one of all who had no idea what I'm planning, left us alone and we left there, more than anything because I could see Gabriela sulking and I want her happy. When we got to a place where there was no one and she stared at me.

"Beautiful, don't be angry." I asked with a smile on my face "I'm not angry, it's just everyone is doing things and I want to help, and Marcos won't let me. Also, I notice you are tense and I have no idea why you are." She pointed out and I denied "It's nothing, it's just the excitement of having finished studying, I was looking forward to it."

"I don't believe you, and do you know why?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "Why?" I asked curiously "Because you've been like this for a couple of days. Everyone is weird, even my family. Are you going to tell me what's happening?" My girlfriend asked and again, I denied "It's nothing, really, but now I have a surprise for you." I said, trying not to focus on how everyone is weird with her. "What surprise? You know I don't like them..."

"I know, but I hope you like this one." We started walking out of college. He had gotten his cousins and uncles to come before the holidays. I must also say it didn't take me anything to convince them.

"Ik kan zien dat je nog steeds een even mooie neef bent. (Well, I can see you're still just as beautiful, cousin)" With those words, Gabriela turns around and when she sees the man behind us, she lets go of my hand and runs towards him, who ends up catching her in the air while they hugged. I must also say I'm not understanding anything they were talking about; I had no idea Gabriela spoke any language other than Spanish and a little bit of French. "Kevin? Wat doe je hier. (Kevin? What are you doing here) "

"Verras neef. (Pretty surprise)" he said with a big smile and I still didn't understand anything of what they were saying "Omdat je me niet had verteld dat je zou komen?, zou ik je zijn gaan zoeken. (How did you not tell me you were coming? I would have gone pick you up you)"

"Ik weet het, maar het was niet nodig, ik ken het pad uit mijn hoofd. (I know, but it wasn't necessary, I know the way by heart)" Now that I thought about it, I had no idea if her cousins could speak English, which would make it difficult for me to try to convince her cousin Kevin. I didn't know how to speak whatever they are speaking.

"Hey Gabriela, ik vind dat we moeten praten zodat de jongen iets ontdekt, want zijn gezicht maakt duidelijk dat hij niets leert. (Hey Gabriela, I think we should talk so the guy understands what we're talking about, because his face is making it clear he isn't understanding anything)" I don't know what Kevin had said, but I only know it's at that moment Gabriela turns in my direction with a smile on her face.

"I'm sorry my love, it's custom. This is my cousin Kevin." my girlfriend said with a big smile on her face "So I have to assume this is the guy who broke your heart years ago right?" he asked with a smile on his face "!!!!Kevin!!!" Gabriela exclaimed, slapping him on the arm "Okay, okay, sorry, but it's the truth and you know I tell you things as they are little cousin."

"It's alright, beautiful, and yeah, I'm that person, glad to meet you." I said, stretching my hand in his direction. "I could say something like that, we'll see in time." muttered this "Wees niet onbeleefd Kevin. (Don't be rude Kevin)" said Gabriela "I'm sorry, but come on, let's go get to the others before mom comes for you."

"What? Are you all there?" My girlfriend asked, surprised. "Yes, but come on, you know how annoying Mom is when she wants something." Her cousin informed her and she denied, "I can't believe you're all here on my graduation day." She answered, still surprised and with a big smile on her face. "Well, you can believe it."

I stayed back looking for them. Gabriela looked happy and talking animatedly with her cousin and I really loved seeing her that happy. At least it seems like she forgot, for a little while at least, everyone was treating her weird, and that's a good thing right now.

As soon as we got to where the rest were, she's hugging everyone, while I stayed further back observing the relationship they had, because the truth is I had never seen a family as close in my life as Gabriela's is. Now I could understand why family is so important to Gabriela.

"I told you; you would be impressed to see them all together." Carlota said next to me "Yeah. I had never seen a family as close as hers. Is awesome." I answered sincerely, "It's normal you're impressed, even me, who have known them for years, am impressed." She assured, "Why did you come, Carlota?" I asked curiously, knowing she hadn't come to talk to me. "Ah, to look for Gabriela and tell you your grandmother is looking for you in college."

"I'm going in a bit." I said without looking away from Gabriela, "Well, stop looking at them, you'll have time to get used to it and see them all together. Lately they have been coming every year." Carlota reported "I hope I can enjoy this." I muttered to myself "You will, if Kevin hasn't hit or killed you then everything will be fine, stop worrying and go find your grandmother before she gets worried."

"Yes, but first I will say goodbye to Gabriela." I responded, "Don't be late because otherwise I'll take you myself." She pointed out and I nodded. "I won't be long, don't worry." I approached them and I think it's thanks to them Gabriela turned around because her back is facing the direction she's facing. She turned around and I took her hand. "Beautiful, I have to go to my grandmother, she's looking for me."

"I'm going with you and greet Carolina." My girlfriend said with a big smile on her face "No need, let's go to her later before the ceremony starts. Besides the fact you have your whole family here, you're not going to leave them alone here." I answered since the last thing I wanted was for her to see the ring ahead of time. "Let them come with us." At that moment Carlota approaches and before saying anything, she greets everyone in Gabriela's family.

"Gabriela, we have to go prepare for the ceremony." Carlota said, saving me. "Prepare for what?" My girlfriend questioned with a frown. "Let's change, you're not going to wear that dress, are you?" Carlota asked with a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong with this dress?" Gabriela returned the question "My little girl, I bought you a dress and I wanted you to wear it today."

"And why didn't you tell me before, Grandma? That's how I would have worn it before coming." Gabriela protested, "I didn't see you yesterday and I was going to go to your house early today, but your uncles and cousins arrived and we couldn't stop by anymore."

"Okay, let's go then Carlota. This way we can take the opportunity to go pick up Ana." Gabriela said with a smile on her face again. "See, you already have everything arranged, but we have to stop by your house, which is where we left your dress." her best friend informed "Whatever you want, let's go. Also, we have to grab something for Ana, so first we have to stop by the boys' house. We need Marcos."

"We will take him with us, don't worry and let's go, we can't be late for our own graduation." Carlota responded "Okay, okay, give me a couple of minutes, or can't I say goodbye to my boyfriend?" Gabriela asked ironically. "Of course you can, but I'll be here so you don't take too long."

Everyone started to leave us alone. As soon as I don't see anyone near us, I approach Gabriela and put my arms around her hips and she around my neck. "I don't know if I want you to keep this dress or the other one." I said, "Did you see the dress grandma bought me?" My girlfriend asked and I denied, because even though I would have liked it, I hadn't had the chance to see it. "No, but this dress is driving me crazy."

"I also like the way this tight shirt looks on you, but I think the suit will look better on you." She answered, "But it's not what I like the most, and you know it." I said "I know, but you will wear it for the simple fact your grandmother loves to see you in it. I can't deny I also like to see you in a suit, but certain views are lost that with a short T-shirt you don't miss."

"Then I'll keep the shirt." I joked "No, you're not going to keep the shirt, you're going to wear that suit because if not we're going to have a problem." She informed and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Okay, everything so the girl I love most in this world is happy." I said with a big smile on my face "I'm happy and happy as long as you are with me, I love you my dear."

"Me too, but you should leave before Carlota comes for you." I responded "I keep saying you all are acting weird. You know that I plan to discover what you're hiding from me." He pointed out, "Nothing, I promise you, beautiful." I answered, "Come on Gabriela, we don't have all day."

"Come on, give me five seconds please." We met our gaze again and I approached her to kiss her. If everything went as I expected, this would be one of the last times I would kiss her as my girlfriend, it's what I wanted most in the world, and if that happened, I would be the happiest man in this universe.