Underneath It All (33 page)

“Maybe it’s time for you to learn to read the Bible, Eve. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.”

“Bullshit.” She laughed bitterly. Tears started to roll down her scarred face.

“How could you use the men in your life just to go after Reeve? Now with the state you’re in, turns out you still can’t do anything by yourself, can you?”

“I hate you, Agata. You will never be happy. You stole my life, you stole my fiancé.”

“What kind of marriage would you have had if he’d gone through with it? He’d still feel the same way about me, even if you were wearing his ring. You should be thankful he found out the truth beforehand. You would’ve been in more pain if he hadn’t. Reeve and I were always meant to be together. I stayed away. I tried to move on with my life, and let him move on with his but it didn’t work for either of us.”

“What the hell do you want me to say now? Do you want me to say thank you? Do you want me to apologize?” Eve bit out quickly and winced in pain.

“I just want you stay out of our lives, Eve. Karma is a bitch; you can’t win this time.”

When all was said and done, I went out of her room and saw Reeve was outside waiting for me.

“You okay?” He gazed in my shaky eyes.

“I want you to buy me a ring,” I breathed.

He smiled and said, “I already have one.”

Chapter XXXVI

Sunset Beach

I got up very early in the morning. I was excited but very nervous and anxious at the same time.

This day will mark the end of a new beginning. For me, it’s not all about the future but it’s also about the past. I will surely miss those hard working days, those procrastination days, party days, crazy days, and wonderful days. Everything.

We brought our family members with us to enjoy the special day together and arrived at the auditorium thirty minutes prior to the ceremony.

“Agata!” Tats squealed, waving her hand.

I walked up to her briskly and pulled her in for a hug. “You made it! I am so proud of you.”

“I’m nervous.” She swallowed.

“You’ll do perfectly fine.” I squeezed her hand.

Raven and Apple came. Tats’ face relaxed into a warm smile. “Hey there bit—” Raven hung back, “…beautiful ladies.” She politely nodded and smiled when she saw my dad.

“I can’t believe we’re graduating. It seems like yesterday that we entered college,” Apple sighed.

“You girls look awesome wearing your graduation gowns,” Dad praised.

We looked at our gowns and nodded approvingly, laughing and embracing each other.

“We’re very proud of you, Agata and Mikael.” His voice was breaking but he cleared his throat to cover it up.

I pursed my lips and suppressed the tears. “Don’t ruin my make-up, Dad.” I gave my old man a big hug and Mikael tapped his back.

How I wished Mom could attend our graduation ceremony, but it would be long, held inside an auditorium, and we have to walk our own ways to get to the seats which would only confuse and agitate her.

The graduation ceremony began with music and a procession by the academics. I couldn’t shake off this buzzing excitement that coursed through my body.

The whole graduating class sat in the front rows. Behind us, our overenthusiastic parents were trying to snap as many pictures as possible.

The formal proceedings followed, which included speeches from senior members of the university, from Anthony of the Student Faculty, as well as from Reeve, the President of Gates University.

“I am really proud as part of Gates University to have presided over such an outstanding class. Any parents who have invested in their children, in education of these excellent minds, will go home feeling that was an investment well done.”

The crowd applauded and cheered.

“I am optimistic about the future, because our new graduates are so impressive. We had fun and excitement during my term as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences but fell short when I acquired the highest-ranking position.”

The crowd went silent.

“Just like you, to get to this point was an important achievement, to which I commend you, but to which I chastise myself. In a short span of time I learned my biggest lesson and I realized then it has made me a better person and for that I am deeply grateful.”

Everyone in crowd started to murmur to each other in confusion.

“Our newest alumni now begin a new phase of their lives and so will I. I’ll miss your rants, I’ll miss the delight I took in annoying my faculty members,” Reeve chuckled and so did the crowd. “I’ll miss the laughter…I’ll miss Gates.”

Where is his speech leading to?

I became anxious and beads of sweat started to form on my forehead.

“Dear graduates, I wish you the best of your lives. I want to make a final point and leave you with this sappy old cliché quote. Do not let your past dictate your future.”

I kept my tears at bay.

“One of the most damaging actions you can take in your life is the tendency to live in the past. Embrace the challenges and face the changes, head on. Life always comes down to choices. Now you’re going to hate me for saying this, but it’s true—everything happens for a reason. Seriously. So what can you do about it? Shi…I mean life happens.”

The mood became lighter once more.

“Become creators of a brighter and better future. Today, choose you.”

We all stood up and gave him a round of applause. Cue the tears.

“So let me introduce to you the new President of Gates University, the only son of Diana Litchfield. Redford Gates will continue to make progress in ways his parents had always hoped for the university. Please give a round of applause that the legacy of kindness and splendid governance of his mother will now be continued.”

I drew a deep breath and sobbed quietly.

Red stood from his chair and waved to the crowd as they rendered enthusiastic applause.

After a couple of speeches from distinguished guests and from seniors who received the highest honors, the part to award degrees to students was announced, which was the most exciting part for me. The host called each student’s name, and the graduates came to the podium and lined up at the sides according to their class. They shook hands with Red and got their diploma.

“Agata Ferrero.”

When my name was called, I walked up on the stage.

“Congratulations,” Red said. He handed me my diploma as we shook hands.

“Thank you.” I nodded. The cameramen took pictures of us. I scanned the crowd to see where my Dad was, and I saw him with Rogue and her baby. I waved my hands at them and walked down the stage with my diploma.

I fought my way across the crowd and looked for Reeve. I spotted him, standing away from the huge crowd, grinning at me. I sauntered closer and he grinned even more widely.

“Congratulations. I am so proud of you,” he said.

“No, I am proud of you. Your speech was wonderful.” I could feel the tears starting to form. I guess it was just hormones. I couldn’t stop the waterworks anymore. It just kept spilling out of my eyes.

“Easy, sunshine.” Reeve held me as he chuckled.

“You ruined my make up, I hate you.” I nudged his chest and he laughed even more.

“Shh,” Reeve murmured soothingly. “No more tears, okay?”

I nodded and sniffed as he wiped away my tears.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our graduates!” announced Red. Everyone jumped up, cheering; we took our caps off and flung them in the air.

The girls and I ran over to each other embracing one another in big hugs.

In a few moments, my family came together. Dad, Mikael, Rogue with baby Miguel and Reeve, we all hugged in one big group. We took a series of group photos, after which we headed to the graduation party to celebrate.

***

Dad and Mom went to Italy after my graduation to visit Mom’s brother, Uncle Carlsberg and to have some R&R. I haven’t seen Mikael and Rogue for a couple of days. Reeve told me they were busy decorating their new house.

Reeve took advantage of our free days together and planned out our itinerary. We were going back to the Maldives! That was his graduation gift for me.

I was definitely looking forward to those hot, hot, hot nights that we were going to have. To fuel the flames of his desire, I decided to wear a floaty white goddess dress and strappy gold sandals that matched his white
sando
and loose white pants.

Just like our first time here, we were met by Kent’s Resort and Spa staff and led to the speedboat for a quick transfer to the resort.

The marvelous scenery never ceased to amaze me.

When we arrived at the island, I was bedazzled by the enchanted entrance that welcomed me.

The floor was covered with a blanket of red and white rose petals. Candles were scattered in the hallway creating a beautiful glow around the lobby.

I could feel my breathing pick up and my heartbeat accelerated its pace.

“Are you planning to propose?”

“Don’t mock me, sunshine. I’m sorry but I’m not.”

“So…what’s the meaning of all these?” I asked as I continue walking down a hall filled with flat screen televisions that continuously aired several mob proposals.

“I’m not going to propose anymore, ’cause I already did,” Reeve whispered in my ear as he stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

My eyes widened as I stood frozen in front of one of the TV screens, watching Reeve propose to my friends.

They were at the rooftop where we usually huddle and drink. They scrambled to their feet when Reeve appeared out of nowhere, holding a bouquet of flowers for the three of them.

“Dean, what are you doing?” asked Tats, confused when Reeve knelt down in front of them.

The cameraman focused on the ring that Reeve brought out from the inside pocket of his coat. “Will you let me marry Agata?”

Apple, Raven, and Tats looked at each other and shouted in unison, “Yes!”

That’s when I burst out crying.

Reeve just stood behind me, smiling sheepishly.

I moved to the next TV screen and watched Reeve propose to Aunt Marge, Uncle Ken’s wife.

He surprised her when she was doing grocery shopping.

My oblivious Aunt Marge was surprised when the rest of the crew danced in front of her holding a banner reading, “Will you let me marry your, niece?”

Reeve appeared with a cauliflower; he was dressed in a store crew uniform with apron on.

He knelt in front of Aunt Marge and placed the ring on top of the vegetable. “Will you let me marry Agata?”

Aunt Marge cried and said, “Yes!”

I was crying and laughing like crazy.

The next screen showed the proposal Reeve made to Aunt Agata, who I was named after, and to The Secretaries of Juliet in Verona.

Reeve was shamelessly reciting a line from Romeo and Juliet’s play in front of Juliet’s balcony.

The Secretaries of Juliet appeared in the balcony looking bewildered by the commotion Reeve caused amongst the people sticking notes and writing love letters to Juliet’s wall.

Reeve knelt and held out the ring. “Will you let me marry your precious Agata?”

They exchanged glances for a moment and shouted, “Yes!”

My vision went blurry from tears of joy. It was astonishing and overwhelming at the same time.

I moved on to the next screen and watched with blurry vision from my weeping how Reeve proposed to my second Mom, Elena.

He went to her ballet studio and proposed in front of her ballet class. Glad he didn’t wear thick tights and a tank top.

The next screen showed Reeve gardening with my mom and dad. It wasn’t as grand as the previous proposals he had done. He made it as elaborate as possible but something that would not disturb her routine.

When they finished watering her plants, they sat in front of our porch and that’s when Reeve asked for my mom’s blessing.

A slight gasp escaped from her when Reeve knelt in front of her.

“What is he doing?” she asked Dad.

Dad glanced over his shoulder and held Mom’s hand. “Just listen to what he is going to say.”

Reeve pulled out the ring from his pocket and showed it to her. “Mrs. Ferrero, please let me have the opportunity to marry your daughter.”

“Daughter?” asked Mom, confused.

“Yes, Brandy, your daughter Agata. He wants to marry your daughter,” Dad explained.

“Agata? My daughter?” Mom mumbled, then she started to cry. “I was there when she was born. I was there when she drew her first breath, I was there when she made her first cry,” Mom muttered incoherently.

No, she was coherent. Once again she had that moment of clarity and she remembered me. I was full blown crying.

“I was there for her when they were crying at night for milk. They were my twins. Oh my baby Agata is now a lady?” Mom asked. Reeve nodded. “I let her sleep in my arms in the recliner when it was the only way to pacify her. I was also there the first time she smiled, the first time she laughed.”

Those were the only memories my mom had of me. When I was still a baby and the Alzheimer’s hadn’t taken the life out of her yet.

“I was there to hold her when I still could,” Mom whispered then she hugged Reeve. “You have my blessing,” she said and smiled lovingly at him.

The videos kept playing on and on, until I went down on my knees and cried my heart out fully.

“Hey, hey, stop crying.” Reeve pulled me up and protectively held me.

I broke down in his hug into a fit of sobs. “How did you do all this?”

“The impossible was made possible because I love you,” he professed.

I cried even more.

“Shh, stop crying now, okay? You don’t want to look like a puffer fish on your wedding day, do you?”

“My what?”

“Let’s go.” Reeve grabbed my hand and dragged us out of the hotel onto the beach where the guests were waiting.

Reeve ran in front of the altar and left me standing in the middle of the aisle. Apple walked up to me and gave me my bouquet. She was smiling brightly and looked refreshingly beautiful just like everybody else.