C86 Graduation Day Surprise

Alicia looked at her grandfather shyly before speaking. "The main reason is that not only Aunt Mary and Aunt Valeria will be there, but Uncle Quinton and Uncle David as well." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I already have a plan to keep the ladies busy, but sadly, I don't have one for the men. Well... I do have an idea, but it requires your help."

Peter chuckled. "What is it, my child? Go on and tell us. Don't keep us in suspense." Alicia smiled sheepishly. "Grandpa, you taught me how to play chess when I was younger, so I thought it would be fun to play a few games with them. The problem is... I don't have any chess sets." Peter burst into laughter. "So that's why you've been looking so troubled."

Alicia pouted slightly. "Grandpa, don't laugh at me. I really need your help. If I get the chance to play against them, I'm sure I'll win. It would make the day much more enjoyable." Peter laughed again. "So, you want me to give you a chess set?" "Yes, Grandpa." She clasped her hands together and smiled sweetly. "I promise I'll cook your favorite meals for an entire week... and I'll personally brew your tea every day." The entire family burst into laughter.

Everyone knew just how much Peter adored Alicia's cooking. Unfortunately, ever since she had started working, she rarely had enough time to cook for the family, making her meals even more precious. They all looked toward Peter, waiting for his answer.

He pretended to think carefully before smiling. "Don't try to bribe me with your excellent cooking." He paused for effect. "But... since you offered it yourself, I'll give you one handcrafted chess set." Alicia's smile instantly faded into a puzzled expression. "Grandpa... one won't be enough." Peter raised an eyebrow. "There are two of them," Alicia explained earnestly. "I was planning to give each of them a chess set as a gift, not simply lend them one."

For a moment, the room fell silent before everyone burst into even louder laughter. Peter could only shake his head helplessly. "You really have thought this through, haven't you?" Alicia nodded enthusiastically. In the end, Peter gave in with a helpless smile. "Very well. I'll prepare two handcrafted chess sets for you."

The following morning, no one knew what Alicia was planning. She woke up before sunrise, quietly left her room, and went to collect two identical chess pieces her grandfather had specially prepared. After carefully placing them inside her handbag, she left the house at exactly 6:00 a.m. She wanted to reach the market before it became crowded.

Meanwhile, Chris woke up shortly after. He took a quick shower before checking his luggage one final time. Everything had already been packed the previous night, including the reservation at a hotel located just opposite Sarah's university. He had booked it from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon, making sure every detail of his trip was perfect.

After confirming that he hadn't forgotten anything, he picked up his phone and sent Sarah a message. "Good morning, Angel. I miss you. I'll see you soon." A few moments later, Sarah's phone vibrated. She had only just woken up. Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life, it was her graduation day. Yet, instead of excitement, her heart felt unusually heavy.

A week earlier, she had planned to invite her brother, Ben, to witness one of the proudest moments of her life. However, after discovering the truth about everything he had done, she no longer wanted him there. The brother she had admired for years was no longer the person she believed him to be.

She had decided to graduate quietly before returning home to Scotland the following day. When she read Chris's message, she smiled faintly. "I'll see you soon?" She frowned. How does he know today is my last day here? She shook the thought away before getting out of bed to prepare. She carefully applied her makeup before changing into a beautiful long purple graduation dress that perfectly complemented her elegance.

At the Smith residence, I woke up feeling excited. Today was going to be a wonderful day because Laura and I had planned to spend the whole day shopping together. After washing up, I headed downstairs for breakfast.

To my surprise, breakfast was unusually simple. Only oats and sliced apples were served. I looked at Mom in confusion. "Mom... are we fasting today?" Quinton burst into laughter. Mary smiled before shaking her head. "No. I'm saving my energy for lunch." "Lunch?" I asked. She nodded happily. "Alicia is coming today. I don't know exactly when she'll arrive, so I'd rather prepare everything fresh once she's here." We all laughed. After finishing breakfast, I grabbed left the house.

At the same time, Chris boarded his flight. Several hours later, at exactly 9:00 a.m., his plane landed safely in London. Since he wasn't familiar with the city, he immediately hired a taxi outside the airport. The driver took him straight to his hotel.

As Chris stepped into his room, he walked toward the window. From there, he had a perfect view of the university campus across the road. Students dressed in graduation gowns were already filling the grounds, while families gathered outside taking photographs.

He smiled. "So this is where Sarah study." After unpacking his belongings, hunger finally caught up with him. Still dressed in his suit, he headed downstairs and enjoyed a quick breakfast before returning to his room. Without thinking much about it, he opened his phone and made his very first video call to Sarah.

Sarah had just stepped out of a taxi when her phone started ringing. Seeing Chris's name appear on the screen, she answered immediately. The moment the camera connected, Chris froze. Her makeup was soft and elegant, perfectly highlighting her natural beauty. Combined with her long purple dress, she looked breathtaking.

For a brief second, he forgot how to speak. Finally, he smiled. "Hello, Angel." "You didn't reply to my message." Sarah tilted her head. "What exactly did you mean when you said you'd see me soon?" She had almost told him she would be returning to Scotland the following day, but stopped herself.

Instead, Chris asked another question. "Is your university busy today?" Sarah looked around instinctively before answering. "Yes. It's graduation day." Chris nodded with a grin. "I figured. No wonder you're all dressed up." Then he asked carefully, "Did your family come?" Sarah's expression softened. "No." "My aunt is working today, and my parents are too old to travel."

She paused briefly. "As for Ben... I didn't invite him." Chris silently let out a breath of relief. "So... you came alone?" "Yes." "No one's here to clap for you?" Sarah looked puzzled. "Why does that matter?" "I studied hard, passed my exams, and now I'm here to collect my certificate. That's enough." Chris smiled mysteriously. "Wait for five minutes." "What?" "Just don't go inside yet." Before Sarah could ask another question, he ended the call.

Chris rushed out of the hotel. A flower vendor stood near the university entrance selling bouquets. Without hesitation, he bought the largest bouquet of fresh red roses he could find before hurrying toward the university gates.

Five minutes passed. Sarah waited patiently, although she was beginning to wonder if Chris was simply teasing her. Just as she was about to walk inside, her phone rang again. It was Chris. She answered. "What now?" "Where are you?" "I'm standing near the main gate..." Before she could finish speaking, Chris interrupted. "You're wearing a purple dress, right?"

Sarah's eyes widened. "How do you know that?" Chris smiled. "Turn around." Slowly, Sarah turned around. The moment her eyes landed on him, time seemed to stop. Standing only a few metres away was the tall young man she hadn't been able to stop thinking about ever since that unforgettable night. Unlike Chris, she remembered every detail because she had never been drunk. Her heart skipped a beat.

Without thinking, she ran toward him. Chris opened his arms with a smile. The next second, Sarah threw herself into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her as she buried her face against his chest. For several moments, neither of them spoke. They simply enjoyed the warmth of finally seeing each other again.

When Sarah finally pulled away, she stared at him as if she couldn't believe he was real. She looked him up and down. His perfectly tailored suit made him look even more handsome than she remembered. Unable to contain herself, she laughed.

Then she looked at him again. "How...?" "How did you get here?" "And why did you come?" Chris smiled warmly. "I missed you." "So I decided to come and see you." He lifted the bouquet before handing it to her. "I never imagined my timing would be this perfect." "I get to accompany my future wife on one of the most important days of her life."

Sarah froze. Her heartbeat quickened. She looked around nervously before whispering, "I'm your boss, remember?" "What would the employees think if they saw us together?" Chris chuckled. "Sooner or later they'll have to accept it." "Besides..." He smiled proudly. "After our promotions, we've earned a little respect."

He suddenly paused. "Wait..." "You said you're our boss." "Does that mean... you're the one who promoted us?" Sarah couldn't help laughing. "What?" "You thought the promotions just happened by coincidence?" Chris blinked. "I honestly thought we earned them through hard work."

"You did," Sarah replied. "My father first suggested it. As the company's second-largest shareholder, I supported the proposal, and the other shareholders agreed." Chris was left speechless. He had never imagined Sarah held so much influence within the company. Countless questions filled his mind, but today wasn't the day for business. Today belonged to Sarah.

Together, they walked through the university gates. Sarah held the bouquet of red roses tightly against her chest. Just few hours ago, she believed she would celebrate her graduation alone. Instead, the person who had unexpectedly become the most important man in her life had crossed countries just to stand beside her. For the first time since everything had happened between them, Sarah truly felt cherished.

As they walked side by side toward the graduation hall, her heart continued beating faster, and she silently wondered if this was the beginning of something neither of them could stop anymore.