..Two weeks later...
Still fast asleep on bed, my nosy alarm rang severally, waking me up from my long sleep. If was weekend but this particular weekend was a special one. It was the day Zoey would be graduating from high school.
She was done with her final year exams, and we have all been awaiting for this day. I rose up from the bed, not finding Zoey next to me. She was already up from bed. It was her special day afterall. I checked the calendar on my bed table, and I glanced through the date of today.
"Oh my... Zoey's graduation!!." I screamed out aloud.
I jumped out from bed, after realizing that I would have still been on bed if the alarm didn't ring at all. Zoey would be very mad at me,if I miss her graduation. I left the bed room, heading to the bathroom to take a cold bath.
Zoey was already dressed in her prom black gown, which I gifted her ahead of her graduation day. She was looking beautiful on the light makeup she did by herself. Her jewelries were obviously screaming royalty. I got those with my salary, and it really cost me a lot but I didn't mind at all, since it was for my daughter.
"Aunt Jasmine, you're already up for my day unlike mom." She said to Jasmine from the entrance door of Jasmine's bed room.
"Don't sound that way Zoey. I'm sure she's up by now." Jasmine replied her, applying some make-up on her face infront of her wall mirror.
Zoey smirked, leaving the bedroom. Sebastian already promised her that he would come over to our place to pick her up. Zoey was at the living room, waiting for everyone to get ready. Her graduating gown and cap were already neatly packed into her spacious black handbag.
"Zoey, Zoey." I called out her name from the bed room, with a white towel wrapped below my neck.
She heard her name, and immediately she went towards the bedroom to answer me. She was obviously thinking I was still asleep. She was glad I was up afterall.
"Wow!! You look so pretty." I admired her from a distance.
"It was all your idea. Thank you for buying all these accessories for me." She thanked me with a smile, requesting for a hug.
I wrapped my hands round her, cuddling her like as if she was still that my toddler I knew in the past. I got teary for a moment, because my baby was all grown now.
"This year was really meant for me. I'm glad that you're finally graduating from high school." I whisphered into her ears.
"I have always looked forward to this day." She said to me with a smile.
I gently pushed her out of the room, so that I would be able to dress up. It was obvious that I was the only one still undressed.
Zoey headed over to the kitchen to grab a bite of cereals for herself.
**An hour later**
I was dressed now. My red dress looked so perfect on me, and it matched with the pony tail hairstyle I styled my hair. The pendant and the earrings gave my looks some charming beauty, with the light makeup that corresponded with my skin's complexion.
Sebastian arrived at our place, and I had no idea that he would be coming over.
We were having breakfast at the dinning room, when we heard the beeping of a vehicle outside.
I was curious to find out if it was George. He obviously had no idea that today is Zoey's graduation.
"Excuse me, let me check the door." I said to Zoey and Jasmine, standing up from my chair.
I left the dinning immediately, heading towards the entrance door. I opened the door, taking a peep outside. It was a black jeep that was parked outside of the apartment by Sebastian.
He obviously got himself a car here in the city, once he learnt about the car George bought for me.
"Such a bragger." I whisphered to myself, rolling my eyes away.
Sebastian pressed the buttons of the car key and it made a sound which indicated that car was locked now. He walked up to me, all dressed in his new designer suit and pants.
"Hello." He waved at me.
"Did you really have to show off now huh?." I askedg him, but he ignored me going inside to get Zoey.
Sighting Sebastian from where she sat, Zoey got filled up and left her food running to him. She hugged him tightly and was glad that he kept to his words.
"You're here now." She said to him with a smile.
"Yes I'm." He replied her, giving her a fore head kiss.
I helped Jasmine in taking away the left overs and the plates from the dinning table. Zoey and Sebastian headed outside, waiting for I and Jasmine.
We rounded up with the dishes in a jiffy, and joined them outside. I was trying my best not to act up on Zoey's special day.
"Zoey we are going with my car." I said to her.
"Why? I brought my car, so don't stress yourself out with driving." Sebastian said to me, getting me irritated.
"You can go with yours, but Zoey is coming with me." I challenged him.
Zoey got tired of the fights, and decided to go with me. She smiled at Sebastian soothedly, heading towards the garage, where I packed my vehicle. Sebastian got into his car, leaving first. Zoey and Jasmine got into my car, while I drove off heading towards her school.
★★At Zoey's High School★★
We arrived in few minutes and obviously, everywhere was filled with people. The school environment was crowded and rowdy.
Zoey was searching for Sebastian and luckily she found him at a corner, eating some chocolates infront of his car.
"Sebastian is so annoying." I said to Jasmine.
"He's being overly protective of Zoey, I wonder what will happen when he finally founds out the truth." Jasmine said to me.
I got scared for a moment, but I faked a smile. I and Jasmine entered inside a hall, where the graduation was taking place. Zoey and Sebastian went in together.
She later joined her fellow graduating students, while Sebastian sat somewherelse in the crowd.
"Zoey you look so beautiful." Mia said to her with a smile.
"You too. Like a princess." She returned the praises to Mia, adjusting her cap on her head.
"I feel very heavy on this dress." Hannah complained.
"It's actually nice." Zoey tried cheering her up.
The graduating students were called to the stage, and they marched on a long line, heading towards the stage. I felt so happy when I saw Zoey. She looked so very beautiful and I was glad I was able to make it on her special day.
"Zoey looks very gorgeous." I said to Jasmine, already tearing up again.
"All thanks to you, for being the best mum to your daughter." Jasmine appreciated me.
I nodded my head, giving her a side hug. I really needed those words. It really made me feel like I was trying and doing my best for I and my daughter. She was obviously the reason I live.
"Thanks to everyone that made it to this place today. We are grateful to you, for sharing in our joy." A stout chubby woman on an oversized glasses said with a microphone on her hand.
She happened to be the owner of the school and the principal. She was in her early fifties. She deserved some accolades too, for putting her best in the school. The school was one of the best citadel of learning that have produced scholars both in the past and present.
"We'll be awarding the two best graduating students of this set." She said, holding two medals and two wooden awards, inscripted with the names of the two best students.
There were throwing of hands on the air, while everyone waited for her to mention the names of the two students. Every parents and guardians dreams seated there, was for their children to be called.
"The second best graduating student is Viano Jacobs." She revealed.
Everyone was surprised by the name she called. No one was expecting the bully to emerge as the second best graduating student. It shocked everyone, knowing that she was actually a bright and an intelligent student. Her bad character overshadowed the good side of her.
Viano walked forward on her heels, to collect her award from the principal. Her guardians which were her parents, joined her at the stage to take some pictures with her.
Done with the pictures, we all waited for the first best graduating student.
"The first best graduating student is." She paused, keeping everyone in suspense.
"Zoey Bianca Mowers." She finally called out the name.
Tears of joy flowed down my cheeks, while I stood up clapping my hands tremendously. Jasmine joined me, while we waited for Zoey to step forward to receive her award.
I hurriedly headed to the stage, to join her there. Everyone was also waiting for her father to join her, and it was obvious they were indirectly jeering her now.
I noticed that she was slowly becoming sad and I had to go out of my way to forcefully call Sebastian to join us at the stage. I dragged the microphone from the principal, holding my stance.
"Mr Sebastian Kurtz, please join us at the stage." My voice echoed from the microphone.
Sebastian was surprised to hear his name from my mouth. He left his seat, heading towards the stage to join us. He stood next to Zoey, and she looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"Congratulations Zoey." I and Sebastian said to her in unison.
"Thank you." She smiled at us, holding her award tightly.
I and Sebastian wore the medal on her neck, and I was glad I courageously did what I did, to save my daughter's big day. When we were finally done taking the pictures, I and Sebastian stepped down from the stage. I lost a step, and about falling to the ground, Sebastian lended me his arms and I fell on them.
"Thank you." I said to him, forcing out a smile.
"Becareful." He whispered into my ears harshly, faking a smile at the crowd.
I returned back to my seat, waiting for the graduation to finally come to an end. All that mattered to me, was that Zoey was happy on her special day.
.....
The graduation was finally over, and Zoey was very emotional with her friends. I, Jasmine and Sebastian approached them. She couldn't stop crying on Yvette's arms.
"Please stop crying." Yvette pleaded with her in tears.
"You would be relocating to Italy in few weeks for your studies. We'll miss you so much." Mia added, weeping.
"I wish I can cancel the trip, but it's impossible." Yvette said with pains in her voice.
Zoey got a grip of herself, cupping Yvette's face with her hands. We were all waiting to hear what she had to say.
"Be a good girl over there Yvette. I believe in you." Zoey encouraged her with a smile.
Yvette hugged her for the last time, before Zoey finally left with us. She didn't want to continue crying, because her tears wouldn't stop Yvette from relocating to Italy.