"For our success, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Rhianne, together with Keith, Candice, Andrew, and their families, clink their glasses together and give themselves a toast. The soft clinking sounds of glasses can be heard inside the party hall they rented for tonight. Happiness is evident on their faces.
Tonight, they are having a graduation party with their loved ones. Rhianne, Keith, and Candice had finally graduated from college with flying colors. As for Andrew, his graduation will be next week but they decided to celebrate its advance. It's because Andrew's professor at his university informed him that he's the one who got the highest mark in their class.
Similar to him, the three other graduates tonight are also the students who got the highest grading mark in their courses. When Rhianne heard it for the first time, she can't help but shed a few happy tears. The Cartel family is naturally proud of their little princess. All of her hard work has paid off.
It is also the same with the Lancester family. For them, it is already a given that Keith is an excellent child because he already showed his brilliance since he was a child. Still, Keith's family keeps congratulating him for graduating and appreciating the huge efforts he did just to reach this stage. For them, it is already a gift to see their youngest child doing the things he loves and receiving an achievement from it.
Candice's family is also invited to this party tonight. After her parents changed their jobs, the lifestyle that they had before changed. Candice's father is now an important member of Francis's company because of his great insights and good working ethics. Candice's mother is also doing great in her new working environment and it doesn't compromise her health as well. With these changes, Candice can finally feel relieved and give more focus on her studies.
Hansel was supposed to join their celebration. But Hansel told them he will celebrate with his huge family in the countryside. To make it up to him, Rhianne and the others just decided to have a separate celebration with their other classmates later.
As for Donna, she also graduated from college but from another university. Donna only finished one semester before she transferred to a new university. Ever since she talked with Andrew, Donna didn't try to bother them again. She did the first move to be casual with them and avoid making problems.
Rhianne tried to talk with her once but Donna politely refused it. She offered to have a civil relationship with each other. Since she already made a decision, then Rhianne will accept and respect it.
And now, all of their hard work has paid off. After years of non-stop studying, they finally gained every knowledge they can and received their diplomas. They are aware that graduating from their chosen courses is just the real start for their future paths. Still, Rhianne and her friends know that they can face the challenges ahead of them with a brave heart.
"Mom... Dad... I'm finally graduated from college!" Rhianne happily said.
"Hmm. I'm really proud of you." Tim said in a soft voice.
"I'm so happy for you, Rhianne." Carmie added and gives her daughter a tight hug. "I know from the start that you can do it."
"Of course, she can do it. She's my sister, after all." Francis intervened with a huge smile on his face.
Rhianne stares at the happy faces of her family. Technically, this is not the first time she graduated from college since Rhianne had already experienced it before. But somehow, her graduation in this life has a more significant meaning. It is because Rhianne has now a family that she can share her joy and achievements with.
In the past, she also graduated from college with high grades. The difference is, Rhianne didn't have a family who celebrated her graduation. After the ceremony, Rhianne just talked to a few of her classmates before she go back to an empty apartment where a pack of instant noodles was the only thing waiting for her.
But now, Rhianne has a loving family who will be on her ups and downs. They are going to be there when she needed them and provides her with guidance if they noticed she is starting to lose her path. To show her love and appreciation, Rhianne jumps into their arms and gives her family a hug.
The party inside the hall continues. They only invited their closest friends to make this event more intimate. Rhianne happily introduces Candice and Andrew to the people inside as her closest friends. Of course, Keith is also there to agree next to Rhianne but he is just being his usual reserved self as usual. But no one misunderstands him since the people inside are all familiar with his personality.
Their celebration continues until nine in the evening. While the people are still in their jovial mood, Rhianne quietly approaches Keith and they temporarily leave the party. Walking side by side, they go to the garden behind the party hall where a huge fountain was placed in the middle of it.
"Are you sure we can stay here? Are they any flowers in here that can trigger your allergy?" Keith carefully asked.
"Don't worry. My brother rented this place knowing that the garden here doesn't have a single flower in it." Rhianne reassured him.
"Well, that's okay."
They both sit on a wooden bench and Rhianne starts appreciating the huge moon and the small twinkling stars tonight. Keith also did the same and thinks that the weather tonight is really good. While they are staring at the night sky, Rhianne suddenly opens her mouth to speak.
"Do you know that you're the only one I called Mr. Protagonist until now?"
"Of course. You keep on saying that I'm the male protagonist ever since we met again."
"Hmm, that's right. It's because, in my eyes, you are the male lead."
"Oh? Then I wonder who is my female lead."
Rhianne did not reply immediately and Keith did not pressure her. They remained quiet once again but there is no awkwardness between them.
"You know, a lot of things happened in the past years." Rhianne said out of nowhere.
"I know." Keith replied.
"We met a lot of people. We visited a lot of good places. We also experienced a lot whether there's a lesson we can learn from it or not."
"And it's all because of you."
Keith is really thankful to have her on his side. If not for Rhianne, he knows the things in his life will not happen. She always brings the best out in him. For every step he takes, Rhianne is always there to support and cheer for him.
"Keith."
"Hmm?"
"Keith Tristan Lancester."
"Yeah?"
"Keith Lancester."
"..."
"Mr. Protagonist."
"..."
"Mr. Male Lead."
"..."
"Mr. Lancester."
"Alright, stop it before you start calling me weird—"
"I like you."
"—nickname... Huh?"
Rhianne chuckles when she sees the dumbfounded expression on his face.
"Keith Tristan Lancester, I like you. And to be clear, I like you not as a brother or as a friend."
"I-I..."
"Don't tell me you had a change of heart—"
"No! I mean, no. No, of course not. I will never dare—Ugh. Wait. Please give me a moment."
Keith covers half of his face with his left hand. He needs to compose himself. This is really unexpected. He feels like his heart will stop beating at any moment because of this sudden surprise that Rhianne gave to him.
"Rhianne, I... Are you feeling pressured right now? I know I told you that I'll ask you again on my birthday. But it's not yet my birthday and—"
"Keith, calm down." Rhianne said as she cups his face. "Calm down, okay? Inhale, exhale."
Keith obediently follows Rhianne's instruction as they both do a sudden breathing exercise. When he calms down a little, Keith sees Rhianne looking at her with a smile on her face. He stares at her for a moment before opening his mouth to speak.
"Rhianne, can you repeat it again?" Keith slowly asked. "I just want to be sure."
"I like you, Keith." Rhianne said. "Do you like me too?"
"I love you." Keith replied in a heartbeat. "I love you with all my heart. You are the only girl that I will cherish the most in my life. I promise to love and support you in every possible way I can. I will also become your reliable friend when you needed it. Rhianne Cartel, can you become my Ms. Protagonist?"
Rhianne chuckles when she heard his question. Isn't it a witty way to ask her like that? Still, she gives Keith a beautiful smile and answers his question.
"Yes, Keith. I will become your Ms. Protagonist."
Then all of a sudden, Keith pulls Rhianne into his arms and gives her a tight hug. She returns it by wrapping her arms around his back. Rhianne can feel the happiness and excitement radiating from Keith's body. But she enjoys it and savors this moment.
"I love you, Rhianne." Keith whispered in her ears.
"I love you too, Keith." Rhianne replied.
"Rhianne, I will make it up to you. Although we are officially a couple now, I will still give you a proper proposal. Okay?"
"Okay, Mr. Protagonist. I'll wait for it."
"You should do that, Ms. Protagonist."
Rhianne laughs happily when she hears that. She knows that it will be their endearment with each other now. To show her feelings, Rhianne gives Keith a kiss on his cheek twice. It is only an innocent contact but that's enough to make him blush so much.
"We will achieve our dreams together, okay?"
"Of course."