Episode 1

Today I graduate from high school with my boyfriend Mario. We've been together for 2 years and I'm happy because I'll be meeting his parents since they're coming to the graduation, and I've waited so long for this. We have plans to get married.

I work at a law firm as the receptionist, the one who passes on the notices or appointments. I was recommended by a teacher. I don't do much, but the salary is very good. I'm the smartest in my class, which helped me get into the best university since they're offering me a scholarship with almost everything paid for. I chose architecture. Mario and I have plans to create our own company since he'll be taking the same course. I know his family is dedicated to that, and I like that it's independent of me.

Leaving work, I go to the plaza to buy the dress for the evening. Since it's a very special day, I go to my room to take a bath. I put on the dress and return to the plaza, entering a salon where they do my makeup and hair. When it's time to pay, I tell myself that I deserve it.

I leave the plaza and call Mario, but he doesn't answer. It's strange since he always answers my calls. I send him a message saying we'll see each other at the hall.

I take a taxi, and when I arrive, my classmates are happy. I join them since I've always liked having good communication. They ask about him, but I tell them he's coming. We enter the hall, and I take pictures with my group. We sit down, and Mario doesn't appear. I'm starting to worry. They hand out the diplomas, and I go up, receiving first place. When I'm up there, I see Mario sitting down, and I wave to him, but he only half-smiles.

Taken aback, I go down, sitting in my place, and a classmate arrives saying,

"Mario is here."

I just nod. They start handing out the papers, and this time he goes to get his documents, and then I go, but this time I avoid looking at him.

When everything ends, they announce that there will be a disco for those who want to stay. It hurts me because we planned this for 2 years, and now he's doing this to me.

I pour myself punch, and my classmates come over to chat with me.

"Can I be alone?" I tell them with a forced smile.

"Most of us wouldn't have passed if it weren't for your help," one of my classmates tells me.

"Come on, Mia, let's dance," one of my classmates pulls me.

I go up to the dance floor with them, we laugh and dance, and for a moment I forget everything until I feel someone pull my arm.

"What are you doing with that idiot?" Mario says, pointing to one of my classmates.

"What do you want, Mario?"

"I've been looking for you to introduce you to my parents, and you're dancing with someone else. What do you think my parents will think?" he complains angrily.

I'm about to answer when I see the people approaching.

"You're Mia, right?" the lady asks me.

"Yes, it's a pleasure," I say, greeting them.

"My son doesn't stop talking about you, and how could he not, you're a very beautiful young woman, and from what I saw, the smartest."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Tell us, what will you do, what are your plans?" the man asks me.

"He hasn't decided yet," Mario replies seriously.

"Let your companion answer," his father says, annoyed.

"Companion?" I ask, doubtful.

"Tell us, who are your parents? Your last name?"

"Mother, please," Mario says through his teeth.

"I don't have parents, ma'am, and my last name is irrelevant. I don't see that anything can change if I tell you," I say seriously.

She looks at me scared, and what she tells me makes me feel so bad that I hold back the lump in my throat.

"You don't want to tell us your last name because you think you can take ours," she tells me.

"Ma'am, I have one, and that's enough for me."

"Mia, please leave us alone," Mario tells me.

I pass by his side, but what I hear from his father leaves me still.

"I told you, if you just wanted to have sex, you could have done it, there was no need to promise her things that aren't going to happen because you're too much for her."

When the song stops, I hear clearly how he tells her,

"I'm working on it."

I go back, slapping Mario. His mother looks at me angrily, and his father just watches me without saying anything.

"We're over. Don't look for me or call me."

I leave the hall. I know many saw what happened. Does it hurt? Of course, I confided secrets and dreams to him, but he didn't care.

I take a taxi since I want to get as far away from here as possible. I'm about to get in when I hear Mario talking to me.

"Mia, wait, I love you, okay? I love you more than you know. What I said inside was just so my parents would leave you alone."

"And what's next? Seeing each other in secret? Your parents are people who lack humility, and you know I'm not interested in having anything to do with them."

"I just wanted you to know that I love you. We won't be able to see each other anymore, but you know it wasn't just sex, because if it was, I would have left you since we made love."

"Don't repeat it, don't you dare repeat it. Forget about me, Mario, and you better make sure that neither you nor anyone in your family gets in my way," I say, pushing him.

"And what could an orphan like you do to us?" his mother says, arriving where we are.

"Watch your words, ma'am, because one day I'll make sure you swallow them all."

I turn my back, getting into the taxi that takes me back to my room. I wipe away the few tears that run down my cheek, fan my face, and the taxi driver speaks to me.

"Bad night, miss?"

"Yes," I reply.

"Don't be sad. I have a daughter your age, and believe me, if someone made her cry and I saw her, it would break my heart. So, show me a smile because I imagine it's my daughter, and my heart breaks."

I smile at him, and he smiles back at me. We arrive, and he gives me his card.

"I do all kinds of trips."

I pay him and take it, thanking him.

I enter my room and see my cell phone where I have missed calls and messages from Mario.

I leave everything aside and lie down trying to sleep, because even though I have vacations before entering university, I have to work, and in these days I plan to double shifts to not think so much and thus earn some money that I will need with the expenses of the university.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***