1. Graduation

--Cassie--

"We'll miss you, Cassie," my two friends, Hailey and Michelle, said to me, their eyes welling up with tears, making me laugh.

Hailey and Cassie were the only close friends I made when I came to Dream High.

"Why are you crying, girls, when you know we'll see each other?" I asked, looking at them.

"We like living in the same neighborhood," I explained as I walked out of the room where I had just received my valedictorian certificate.

"You're right," they said, wiping their tears away. Their eyes were puffy, and they looked sad.

"Can I get your number, Cassie?" inquired the school's best basketball player.

"Give it to him, Cassie," Hailey said, a broad smile on her face. Her mood immediately changed, as if she had not just cried her eyes out.

"Okay," I said, and he exhaled.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, taking the pen and paper from his grasp so I could write down my phone number.

"You always refused to give me your phone number," he remarked.

That was Deon, the school's hottest and best basketball player. He's been hitting on me since I first arrived at this school, but I've always turned down his advances because I wanted to focus on my studies, and every girl at Dream High School wanted to get into his pants because he was so attractive.

"I'll text you," he said as he walked away from me.

"Cassie, you've got Deon's attention," they said, smiling.

"Since I arrived at this school, girl," I told them with a shrug, a small smile playing on my lips.

"What? And you never told us?" they exclaimed, their eyes wide with surprise. Hailey and Michelle exchanged stunned glances, their shock evident.

"Enough of this," I said, eager to change the subject before they could bombard me with more questions. "Let's check into the dorms so we can go home."

Today was our graduation at Dream High, and while it should have been a perfect day, there was a tinge of sadness. My father was unable to attend due to a work-related issue that he couldn't avoid. Despite the disappointment, I understood. He was the best father I could have had after my mother died, always doing everything he could for me.

My day was memorable, at least. I took pictures with Hailey and Michelle's parents, who treated me as their daughter. Their warmth and acceptance had been a constant comfort during my time here.

Dream High School is a prestigious institution, known for catering to the rich. Some students are here on scholarships, but ninety-nine percent come from wealthy backgrounds. My father brought me here to get the best education possible, as he always said. I was grateful because Dream High provided me with the best friends I could ever ask for.

"Yeah, let's go," Hailey and Michelle said in unison as we walked through the hallway to our dorm, which was at the far end of the hall.

We walked by people who were excitedly taking pictures with their parents, capturing the joy of graduation day. The atmosphere was electric with happiness and celebration. I was so happy when they called me the valedictorian of my batch, a moment I would cherish forever.

"Congratulations, Cassie; you deserve it," said Samuel, a guy in my class, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

"Thank you, Samuel," I replied warmly and walked by, feeling a swell of pride.

Mr. Kelly was on his way to pick me up, so I had to be fast. I opened the door to the room I shared with Hailey and Michelle, and as I looked around, memories of the first day of school rushed into my mind.

"Hailey, do you remember when you were so sad because you had to miss the birth of your little brother?" I said, a nostalgic smile on my face.

"Yes, I remember," Hailey replied. "It was the first day of school, and I cried myself to sleep like a baby," she admitted with a laugh.

Hailey chimed in, "Do not laugh at me, Michelle. I remember you trying to hide a phone in the dorms so you could FaceTime with your dog when you knew it was not allowed," she said, nudging Michelle playfully.

"Yes, I remember I wanted to FaceTime Mr. Kittles," Michelle said, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. "I gave a phone to one of the maids so she could help me see Mr. Kittles whenever I wanted. That was very childish of me," she added, which made us all burst into laughter.

The room filled with our laughter, and for a moment, it felt like we were back at the beginning, three girls navigating the trials and triumphs of high school together. The bonds we formed at Dream High were stronger than any I could have imagined, and I knew that no matter where life took us, we would always have these memories to hold onto.

"I will see you girls when I get home. I have to go," I said to Hailey and Michelle, feeling the weight of our impending separation.

"Have a safe trip," they replied in unison, their voices tinged with the sadness of parting.

"Hurry, don't keep your parents waiting," I added, trying to maintain a cheerful tone as I dragged my bags out of our shared dorm room. The reality of leaving was setting in, and it was harder than I anticipated.

As I walked out with my suitcase, I took a moment to look around the building. Every corner held a memory, every hallway echoed with laughter and whispers of late-night talks. I loved it here, and I knew I would miss everything about this school. I walked down the halls, soaking in the sights one last time before stepping out of the dormitory area.

"Congratulations, Cassie," Mr. Kelly said, his voice filled with pride as he spotted me.

I immediately ran into his arms, hugging him tightly. "I miss you, Mr. Kelly. I haven't seen you in about a year," I said, my voice muffled against his shoulder.

"Yeah, I know," he replied, hugging me back with the same warmth. "Your dad told me you were the valedictorian," he added, a proud smile spreading across his face.

"Yes," I said, unable to contain my broad smile. It felt good to make my father proud, even if he couldn't be here.

"Are these all your things?" he asked, looking a bit shocked at the modest amount of luggage I had.

"Yes," I replied.

"You brought a lot of things on your first day. How come you only have this?" he asked while packing the bags into the boot of the car.

"I gave out the things I didn't need to the needy," I explained. His smile widened at that.

"Just like your mom," he said softly, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

"Yeah," I agreed, feeling a warm pang of pride.

"Let's go before we miss the flight," he said, opening the back of the Mercedes for me.

"No, I would like to sit beside you," I insisted.

"Okay, anything for the princess," he said, smiling as he closed the door and walked around to the driver's side.

I sat beside him, and he drove out of the premises. "I forgot to ask where Hailey and Michelle are," he said as we merged onto the main road.

"They will be coming with their parents," I replied, watching the familiar scenery pass by.

"Then you will see them at home," he said, and I nodded, feeling a bit better about the situation.

"This is a beautiful place," he remarked, glancing at the school in the rearview mirror.

"Yeah," I muttered, looking out the window. Dream High was in Vancouver, Canada, and it had become a second home to me. I knew I would want to come back here later in life.

"That was fast," I commented when he pulled into the airport parking lot.

"Yes, you know I am the best chauffeur in the whole world," he said, a playful grin on his face.

"Yes, you are," I said, laughing at his self-assured tone. Mr. Kelly was a man with a great sense of humor. He had been my dad's chauffeur since I was small, and my dad trusted no one else to come for his "baby."

"Please remember to use our services when you travel," the representative from the car rental company said as Mr. Kelly handed him the keys.

"Yes, I will," he replied, and then turned to me. "Let's go see America," he said, grabbing my bags and leading the way.

"How many years has it been since you were in America?" he asked me as we headed towards the terminal.

"Four," I muttered, the realization sinking in.

"It has been a long time," he said thoughtfully.

Finally, we got on the plane. I wondered briefly why we didn't use the jet, but maybe it couldn't fly, or there was a problem with it. I brushed the thought aside and focused on setting up the tablet in front of me to watch a movie.

"Are you comfortable?" Mr. Kelly asked, his concern evident.

"Yes," I muttered, settling into my seat.

As the plane took off, I felt a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. I was eager to meet my dad and Mrs. Sofia, the head maid who had been like a mother to me.

"Get up, Cassie," I heard someone say. It was Mr. Kelly, gently shaking me awake.

"The plane has landed," he informed me with a smile.

"Oh," I muttered, still groggy from the nap. I quickly gathered my things, and we made our way off the plane. The airport was bustling with activity, but Mr. Kelly and I navigated through the crowd efficiently, collecting our luggage.

As we walked towards the entrance, a swarm of paparazzi awaited us. The flash of cameras and the barrage of questions were overwhelming.

"Don't answer anything they ask you, Cassie," Mr. Kelly instructed firmly, shielding me from the prying reporters.

"How are you coping with your father's finances down the line?" a reporter shouted, catching me off guard. I was confused by the question.

"Are you coming to help your father now that you are done with high school, Ms. Cassie?" another asked.

"Congratulations, it is all over that you are the valedictorian of your class," a third one chimed in just as I took my seat in the car.

"What was that all about?" I asked Mr. Kelly once we were safely inside, away from the chaos.

"Your dad will explain everything to you," he said, starting the car and driving out of the airport. I tried to push away my growing anxiety, convincing myself it was just a minor issue Dad was facing at work.

Dad was the owner of Roberts Corporation, a multibillion-dollar company in America. I was the sole heir, destined to inherit the company someday. Dad had never remarried after Mom died from cancer, dedicating his life to me and his business.

"Cassie, your dad said he would speak to you when he gets back from work," Mr. Kelly informed me as we neared the mansion.

"Okay," I muttered, hoping it wasn’t anything too serious.

"Your phone is beside your nightstand," he added as we pulled into the driveway of our grand home.

The mansion looked the same, yet there were new faces around, many of whom appeared to be Italian. It was unusual for Dad to hire so many new staff, especially foreigners.

"Welcome home," Mr. Kelly said warmly as I stepped out of the car.

I nodded at the workers, who acknowledged me with nods in return, a strange formality I wasn't used to. "Let me help you with your things," Mr. Kelly offered.

"I'll be in the kitchen," I said, eager to see Mrs. Sofia, and ran into the house. The familiar scent of home filled my senses as I navigated my way to the kitchen.

"Mrs. Sofia!" I called out excitedly.

"Oh, Cassie! I have missed you," she said, enveloping me in a warm, comforting hug.

"You look so grown up, Cassie. Time has flown so fast," she said, her eyes misting with tears.

"I've missed you too, Mrs. Sofia," I replied, feeling a lump in my throat.

"Where is Mr. Patterson?" I asked, referring to her husband.

"He’s out running some errands," she answered.

I glanced around and saw Emily and Roxanna, the newer maids hired just before I left for Canada.

"Hello," I greeted them politely.

"Welcome, Miss Cassie," they responded in unison. Our relationship was cordial but distant since they started working here after my departure.

"Thank you," I said, trying to bridge the gap between us.

I noticed a new face among the staff, a woman who also looked Italian. Not wanting to be rude, I greeted her as well.

"Where are my manners?" Mrs. Sofia said, suddenly remembering her role.

"This is Gracia, a new maid," Mrs. Sofia said, gesturing to a young woman standing nearby.

"Hello, Gracia, it is nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand to her. She looked shocked but quickly composed herself.

"Hi," she responded, her Italian accent evident.

"I cooked your favorite pasta for you," Mrs. Sofia said with a warm smile.

"Really?" I exclaimed, feeling a rush of nostalgia. I hadn’t tasted her pasta in four years. "Can I have some now?" I asked eagerly.

"Of course, sit at the table," she instructed. I walked over to the dining table, a place of many fond memories. I always preferred eating in the kitchen, enjoying the company of those who prepared the meals.

"Here you go," Mrs. Sofia said, placing a steaming plate of pasta in front of me.

"Thank you," I muttered, grabbing a fork and diving into the dish. The familiar, comforting taste of cheese and perfectly cooked pasta filled my mouth.

"You're welcome," she said, walking away to tend to other duties. The pasta was as delicious as I remembered, and I couldn't help but savor every bite.

"Your pasta is the best, Mrs. Sofia," I declared between mouthfuls.

"I thought you might have missed it since you loved it so much and wanted to eat it every single day," she said with a laugh.

In about five minutes, my plate was clean. I looked up to see Gracia watching me with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

"I'm not usually like this. I just really love her food," I explained, feeling a bit self-conscious about how quickly I had devoured the pasta. Gracia smiled, her expression softening. She seemed like a cool person, and I hoped we would get along well. She appeared to be around twenty-two years old and was quite pretty.

"Mrs. Sofia, thank you for the pasta. I’m going to freshen up a bit before meeting Dad," I said, standing up.

"Okay, see you later," she replied with a nod.

"Thank you," I repeated, heading out of the kitchen. I took the familiar stairs up to my room, a space frozen in time since I had left four years ago. Everything was just as I remembered. I walked over to the nightstand and picked up my phone, a brand-new model from Apple. I smiled, feeling grateful, and made a mental note to thank Dad later.

I plugged the phone in to charge and headed into the bathroom. The sight of the familiar tiles and fixtures brought back a flood of memories. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness about what Dad needed to talk to me about. After a quick shower, I felt refreshed and ready to face whatever awaited me.