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Under the warm afternoon sun, the university courtyard buzzed with students and their families. The lively music and cheerful laughter filled the air, creating an atmosphere of excitement and celebration. Unlike everyone else, Maria, as usual, was late.
Standing at the university gate, she hurriedly pulled her black graduation gown from her bag and slipped it over her sky-blue dress. A quick glance at her wristwatch made her mutter under her breath,
"Oh God, I'm late again."
She approached the sidewalk and noticed a sleek black car with tinted windows reflecting her image perfectly. Without much thought, she stepped closer, using the car's glass as a mirror to adjust her lipstick.
"No, I won't tolerate any delays. The reports must be on my desk by tomorrow morning, or there's no point in continuing this project."
Inside the car, Aiden Reyes was speaking on the phone with a sharp tone, his voice carrying a mix of authority and focus. Mid-sentence, he spotted a girl standing in front of his car. He paused, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Who is this girl? Great. Now my car is a mobile salon."
Annoyed, he pressed the button to lower the window. His voice, calm yet dripping with arrogance, broke her concentration:
"May I ask if you need help, or does my car look like a mirror in a makeup store?"
Maria froze, momentarily forgetting to breathe. Slowly, she raised her eyes to face the deep voice's owner, only to find herself staring at a man with stern features and piercing hazel eyes. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her words stumbled out:
"I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to... I mean..."
Aiden couldn't help but smirk faintly. It was unclear if it was out of amusement or disdain. Before he could respond further, Maria turned abruptly and dashed toward the university building, clutching her graduation gown, nearly tripping in her haste.
Aiden watched her retreat through the side mirror until she disappeared into the crowd. Shaking his head with a faint smile, he rolled up the window and returned to his call:
"As I was saying, I won't accept excuses."
---
Maria arrived at the ceremony hall, panting. At the entrance stood Claire and her cousin Celia, both waiting for her.
Claire greeted her with a broad smile,
"Finally! You've graced us with your presence. What took you so long? The ceremony started ages ago."
Celia added with a concerned tone,
"Maria! What happened? You look like you've just escaped a chase!"
Trying to regain her composure, Maria attempted to calm her breathing, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her:
"It's nothing... just a silly incident outside."
Celia laughed, placing a hand on her shoulder:
"Silly? Your face says otherwise. You look like you've committed a crime!"
Maria smiled shyly, deflecting:
"Let's just focus on the ceremony. This is a special day, and I don't want to ruin it with something trivial."
---
Amid enthusiastic applause, the university dean ascended the stage with a confident stride and a smile that reflected pride. Holding the microphone, he addressed the audience with a deep, resonant voice:
"Dear students, esteemed parents, and faculty members, it is a great honor to stand here today to celebrate the achievements of a new graduating class from Southbridge University. The Business Administration program has always been one of the pillars of this institution, and today, we witness a new generation ready to enter the workforce with confidence and determination. Congratulations to you all."
The hall erupted in applause and cheers. The dean continued with a spirited smile:
"Today, I am also thrilled to welcome one of our distinguished alumni, Mr. Aiden Reyes, who is currently one of the world's leading entrepreneurs."
All eyes turned to the front row, where Aiden stood with confidence, dressed in an elegant black suit. His sharp features and captivating gaze captivated the crowd as he made his way to the stage, shaking the dean's hand before taking the microphone.
Maria's eyes widened as recognition dawned upon her. She face-palmed in embarrassment, recalling her earlier encounter with him. Stealing a glance at him, she murmured under her breath,
"Who does this arrogant guy think he is?"
Although her voice was low, Celia heard her and gasped dramatically,
"Maria! Are you joking? Don't you know who he is?"
Maria shook her head, genuinely clueless.
Celia's voice rose with even more disbelief:
"What? Are you living under a rock? That's Aiden Reyes! He has over 20,000 followers on Instagram, owns a dream car—a Mercedes-Benz E-Class!"
Claire chuckled beside them, teasing:
"Celia, calm down. Not everyone is obsessed with Instagram celebrities like you."
Maria shrugged nonchalantly, though her attention couldn't help but return to the man on stage.
Aiden held the microphone firmly and began speaking with a deep, commanding voice tinged with a hint of arrogance:
"Good evening, everyone. First, congratulations on this achievement. Graduation is a beautiful moment, no doubt, but it is also just the beginning. The beginning of the real journey, where competition is ruthless, and success is reserved for those with strength, determination, and, most importantly, the ability to think differently."
After a brief pause, he added with a faint smile:
"As someone who believes in young talent, I've decided this year to host the top seven graduates from the Business Administration program as interns at my company. I wish you all the best."
The hall erupted into applause and cheers. Celia looked as though she might explode from excitement. As Aiden stepped aside, the dean took the microphone again, holding a paper with the names of the top students:
"Now, let's announce the names of the top seven students... Jonathan Crow... Emily Woods... Jacob Harris... Daniel Garcia... Maria Vargas!"
Maria froze, her breath catching. She glanced at Aiden, who briefly turned his gaze toward her. For a fleeting moment, it felt as if the entire world had stopped.
His hazel eyes locked onto hers, carrying a strange mix of curiosity and self-assurance. Maria felt her heart race, her cheeks burning. She couldn't look away, as if his gaze had rooted her to the spot.
Raising an eyebrow slightly, as if silently communicating, Aiden finally broke the stare, turning his attention back to the stage. Maria lowered her gaze, attempting to feign indifference, while Claire shook her shoulder excitedly:
"Maria! That's your name! Did you hear?"
Celia jumped with glee, exclaiming,
"This is incredible! Maria, you're one of the top seven! You'll be working with Aiden Reyes! I can't believe it!"
Maria, however, remained silent, caught between a whirlwind of emotions—nervousness and an inexplicable thrill.