Graduation

"Mommy loves you both. I can do everything for you two." Maze said to her children while Isabel is in her arms while Isaac is lying beside her, sleeping peacefully. She's also facing the laptop where she is taking the master's test.

Yes, after almost two years... Maze managed to finish her studies and she chose to take the Master's degree first before graduating. Besides, her children need her at home. She can't just leave them alone to attend a graduation ceremony.

Isabel yawned and hugged her left forearm. She smiled and caressed her cheek. It was like Isabel is giving her the luckiest charm before proceeding to the test.

"I will surely give my best to this test, baby. Mommy is awesome right?" Isaac also hugged her leg from the side that flustered her more. How could she leave when these two are just too lovely and motherly spoiled?

Isaac and Isabel are turning two years old three months from now. And Isaac does know how to walk already. But in his age, support is still a must. She couldn't take risks. As for Isabel, her daughter who really likes to cuddle with her doesn't know how to walk yet. Well, Isabel's character is just like her when she was a kid. She loves to hang out with her mom less than her dad.

And she was once a joyful kid.

But it all changes when her dad brought a little girl a year younger than her home. Her parents quarrel because of it. She had seen her mom cry and was in pain... Pushing her to hate her father and become cold.

Everyone in their house, saw her sudden changes. She talks less, she bonds with the entire family less than the past. And she learns to despise her half sister for being born.

Her half sister replaced her and brought happiness back to their household. Even her father's mistress lives with them. Just how thick the face of that a mother-daughter duo does. They were the ones who made her mother sad and the reason why she dreamt of leaving the mansion.

Her father is rich, and appealing. But she never thought that he could betray her mother. Her mother suffered much, but chose to endure... for her.

And now that she has become a mother... She understands why her mom did it. And because of what her father has done to both of them... she left to tell her dad that she can live without his support and that she can get her mom out of that house soon.

She wondered... how is her mother now? Is she fine? Did those mother and daughter duos still do their dirty tricks on her?

By just thinking about that, her mood was sent up to fire.

"Mia, I'll take care of the babies while you focus on the tests."

Due to overlooking the past, she spaces out that she did not notice her teacher's arrival and getting inside the room. She tilted her head to forget the past and handed her daughter to Mrs Lu.

"Thank you so much, teacher. For coming and helping me." She said sincerely and gave Mrs Lu a quick embrace.

Mrs Lu just chuckled at her because Mia expresses gratitude to her everyday, even if she told her not to. She found Mia as an amazing young lady, who possesses great ability and capability with a good heart. The reason why she chose to help her.

Despite living alone in her house, having Mia around reminds her about her children who have their own families today. To lessen the loneliness, she visits Mia after work or mostly everyday to have a good time with the babies and also to look after Mia's studies.

"It's my pleasure. Alright. You have to pass the test with outstanding remarks for a better chance of getting higher offers from famous clothing brands. You don't have to think of me, think for your babies' future. This will be a great opportunity for you and them to have a better living."

Maze got a bit emotional. Her teacher is just so kind to her and helped her through, she has to give her best, get outstanding remarks and rock the whole city for her excellency.

She hopes through this way she can repay the kindness that Allison and Mrs Lu have given.

"I will surely make it to the top, teacher. We can do this!"

Mrs Lu chuckled. "I believe in you, Mia. Go for it. We will just wait for you here."

She nodded and was about to open the door when someone opened it. "Hey! Am I late?" It was Allison. As usual, she brought gifts for the twins again. Like diapers, clothes and such.

"I was about to take the test, you made it on time Allison. Where's my cheer?"

Allison jumped on her for a tight hug. "I believe in you, Mia. You're a genius and a gifted fella, that test will be easy-peasy to you!"

Maze just laugh at her, "What a terrible joke you have, Allison."

Allison give her an 'Oki' sign in return.

She just sighs, "I shall take my leave then." she was supposed to take the exams online, since Mrs Lu and Allison is there and told her to go for the actual examination... She decided to go.

Upon reaching the university in the city nearby, most of the examinees was escorted there by cars. Majority are from wealthy clans. This university too is quite expensive, even a master's test is expensive. Making her sad because that money was supposed to be use for the twins' 2nd birthday celebration.

She took the exam seriously, checking every answer before proceeding to the other questions. It took her quiet some time to finish and finalize before passing it to the professor.

She went home after and spend time with the twins and her visitors. Before that day ends, she prayed to god for a better outcomes of her exams.

After a week of waiting, Mrs Lu rushed to her house unnoticed with very wide smiles and teary eyed. She's confused.

"What happened, Mrs Lu? Who hurt you?" Maze asked worrily.

But Mrs Lu rushed towards her and hugged her tightly. She had no idea of what's going on with the old woman. Yet she didn't complain and console her instead.

After a minute, Allison dashed in to her house. Panting.

"Eh? Why are you in a rush too, Allison?" She asked but just like Mrs Lu... Allison run to her and hugged them both.

"Wahh! I'm so happy for you!" She exclaimed and still, Maze can't get them.

Maze frowned and pull herself from the hug because her babies cried upon seeing her sandwiches by the two.

"I can't understand you both." She said and consoled her children with hugs and kisses. "It's fine, I'm fine my babies... Sshhh don't cry."

"OMG! You're the examinee I just met who is very outdated! Girl, you made it on your exams!!!" and Maze who was just busy consoling her children got stunned.

"What are you saying...?" she didn't misheard that right?

Mrs Lu approached her and sat beside her on the kid's mat. "You heard it right, Mia. You passed the exams with the toppest remarkable remarks among all examinees!"

Allison joined them after with the TV's remote control. "And it's all over the news today! Look!"

TV is turned on, and the first thing she saw is the news with her remarks and her face beside it. She's totally speechless. She couldn't define well of how much happiness she felt. Like she was sent mid air, soaring high from the previous years' difficulties she went through.

Tears trickled by itself as she began to sob like a baby. "I-I made it??"

"Yes, you did!!"

Her babies cried along with her, hugging her legs as if they understand the matter of their mother's sudden reaction.

She gathered them in her arms, "Mommy did it... You two are my lucky charms. Mommy can now provide you a better life... I will work hard in able for me to give you everything you want...I'm so happy!"

Meanwhile...

Khairro just got arrive at their family house when Yue showed up from the inside. He frowned at her.

"Hi, Khai! Why did you come home just now?" Yue asked and clung into his forearm.

He pulls her hands off of him, "It's none of your business." and left her there.

Yue was his friend, but everything changes when they are set for the unwanted engagement.

Yue run after him, "Khai, what did I do? Why are you mad at me?"

He is in the living area when he stopped walking. Looking back to her with disgust. "Do you have to act like you do not know about my problem?" He mocked her, and took a step near her and held her chin. Gripping it tightly. Giving her pain for reminders. "You are my problem, Yue. Don't you ever show yourself again to me, because if you did. I will be mad with you more." He then let go of her and turned his back on her.

But Yue is persistent, she even hugged him from behind. And at that moment, his parents saw them from the grand staircase. "Your home, son! Where have you been these recent months?!" his mom asked, and he used that opportunity to take Yue's hands from him.

"No, I won't let you go Khai." She said as she tightened her embrace to him.

What a pain Yue is. Why can't she understand that he doesn't like her? Is it that hard to understand? This is why he don't want to indulge with women because they are a headache. Too hard to handle. Like a dog that follows wherever you go.

"I was busy mom." he didn't protest anymore and let her do it.

"Is that so? If you are busy, you should've informed us. I was worried of you." His mom said and was about to hug him when his mom noticed Yue behind him. "Uhm, Yue? Can you let go of my son?" Obviously, his parents aren't fond of her too. But she keeps on coming to their household and also because of business.

Yue lets go of him and he was being hugged by his mom.

"It slipped out of my mind. I'm sorry. And also dad..." He pulled out from his mom's embrace first before turning his attention towards his dad.

"Is it about your self-launched business?"

"Yes dad. I called it after the name of Prima. A clothing brand. My friend has invested in this business and for almost two years, we inherited good remarks from both public and users. We also entered the top five's best in clothing industry. So I wanna asked you if you want to invest. I think our followers would lovw to try the clothes that was made from my company." he explained.

"That's good to hear that son. But my investment requires a favor for you to make and you know what it was." he can feel his father's sympathy for not giving a free will investment. Well, it's not like he'll lose on the year's current race without it.

He doesn't want to be married with Yue. He doesn't love her and he's not planning to force himself into being relationship with her. Business, he can manage to make it popular himself.

His life with his future family matters to him. He doesn't want to live a life with forceful relation. He wants to have a free will of choosing a right girl for him.

"It's okay, dad. I understand. But please also understand that I am not pursuing it." both him and his dad are expressing their hatred through gazes. Without telling the girls in front of them.

"But son, why a clothing brand? There's lots of better business rather than that one. You should've built a Hotel or a bachelor's village, like what Hunt comes up to." His mom asked while she guided him to the couch.

His dad turned on the TV while he's busy talking to his mom

"Hunt and I are different, mom. I like a clothing business rather than having a painful business to deal with."

Frankly, he likes Hunt's business and that's what he wants to pursue before, but right after he crosses paths with that girl... His perception changes.

She was like a model, who has a perfect figure and a perfect face for a normal lady. And he thought of building a clothing brand business for her.

"A lady examinee taking a Master degree under major fashion and designs from City H wrecked the professors from many famous colleges after getting perfect remarks during the test. Mia Charmaine Borromeo took the spotlight of many famous clothing brands from many different cities. The public were thrilled to meet this beautiful lady designer and what company she will choose in the near future..." said from the news being reported on television. Which took his attention.

Especially when the woman on the screen looks very familiar to him. Familiar yet hard to recognize. Where and when he meets her...

"Wow, that girl is brilliant!" His mom complimented the lady featured on TV. "Son, why don't you offer a contract with her? She's a good catch to your business!"

While Yue is gritting her teeth because she feels like being out of place. Yue is also a graduate under major fashion in designing but never did Khairro put any interest with her. Which annoys her more.

Khairro didn't respond to his mom, instead dialing someone to do the job for him about the girl.

"Khai, why are you calling?" Khairro left the living room and went to the garden. He's currently talking to his friend. Keihzza Belmonte, an amazing gangster empress of Asia.

"Can I ask you a favor?" He asked seriously. He's still not certain about his emotion after seeing Mia from the TV. So he wants to...

"What is it and I'll name the price." Yeah right, this day's generation has no free services.

"Give me information about this girl named Mia Charmaine Borromeo, she's from City H."

"Oh... the girl from the news?"

"Yes, that girl. I want to have her information." He's eager to know it doesn't matter if he'll waste millions just to confirm.

"May I know the reasons why?"

Khairro sighs, and tells her everything he suspected. "So you suspected her after that woman who you bedded two years ago?"

"Yes.. But that woman I bedded was more beautiful than this Kassidy. Though, I'm still not certain but I still wanna know." He looked up at the dark sky filled with dazzling stars.

Without knowing that Yue followed him and heard everything he said to the caller.

"That girl is the reason why Khairro cannot like me back... the nerve of that bitch of stealing my Khairro. You will pay for this!"

On the other hand...

Maze together with the two fella celebrated her success. They are having a small banquet in their yard and invited some people from their neighborhood. At that moment, Maze was able to socialize with the other people without feeling conscious.

"Congratulations on your graduation, Mia!" Mr Pablo, a farmer congratulated her and gave her a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables.

"The graduation will be next month, but still thank you, Mister Pablo. I appreciate it." After talking to Mister Pablo, she entertained other guests by welcoming them at her little front yard.

"Mia!" Mrs Lu called her.

"Yes, tiya?" Mrs Lu told her to stop calling her Mrs Lu and replace it with tiya. Which means, 'Aunt'

"Someone's calling me and they're looking for you."

She frowned at Tiya Lu. "Do you know who they are?" and the same time, feeling agitated. What if... someone from her biological family had found her?

"Wait, I'll ask." Maze is not using a cellphone number anymore. Afraid to be tracked by her family almost two years ago. Right after she gave birth to her twins.

"They are from Prima Clothing Brands in City C."

Maze's inhibition vanished by itself after knowing that it was not her family. "I'll take it." Mrs Lu then handed the phone to her and went back to the twins.

"Hello, Mia Borromeo speaking. How may I help you?" she converse formally. Prima is a one of those excellent clothing brands she wants to apply. They're still new but they had defeated countless brands by just two years!

"Good evening, Miss Mia. First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your graduation and success. Second I want to inform you that our company is yearning for you to work with us, we had the things you need. Health insurance, a pub where you can stay and your family, a car for your transportation, and a very satisfying salary. If you are interested in signing a contract with us you can acquire them all..."

Maze is grateful upon knowing that the first company who catches her attention the most calls her during the day. "Thank you for the offer, but is it alright if I ask for a time to think about it?"

"Sure, sure. You will, Miss Mia. I hope you will give us an invoice soon!"