The Formidable Heir

The manager of the occasion claps and smiles just like the rest of the crowd, which includes Bridge High graduates, who are the reason for the occasion today as Principal Chevrolet, a slim, dark beautiful lady majestically mounts the podium and receives the mic from him.

The mic makes a screeching sound, and Principal Chevrolet draws it away from her mouth until it subsides.

Abruptly, the applause fades completely, and everyone sits apart from one lad who is looking more like a ghost of himself.

His face is solemn and he is almost on the verge of tears. His name is Lucian Wood, a tall fair young nineteen years old boy with pink lips and a growing broad chest.

He doesn't appear to be particularly muscular, but his abs and gleaming muscles are unmistakable. His appearance is that of a model.

Probably one that is yet to air on television.

He is part of the graduating students today but unlike his fellow graduates who have smiles on their faces, his sad expression keeps stretching.

Many people will ask why he is sad when it is his great day– one he will only have once in his life.

But why won't he be sad when almost every student has gotten job offers from the numerous big companies they applied to?

Isn't that the wish of every student to get a job offer once he or she graduates?

Just a few minutes ago, the manager of the occasion called out the names of the numerous students who got job offers from the miscellaneous big companies they submitted applications to, but his name wasn't among them.

And the worst part? Those that were called out were kids from rich families.

He exhales, his heart panting heavily against his chest. He is just a mere orphan. And although he knows he graduated with a good grade, money often speaks. And in this 21st century, people like him are nothing. What can he do if he doesn't receive this offer today?

Tears are already streaming down his cheeks as he follows every move of Principal Chevrolet.

She is standing on the podium now and since almost everything has been done, that means she is up there for one thing; which is to end the ceremony and discharge the students.

"No," he says flatly, shaking his head. He can't believe he didn't make it.

He had worked day and night to get his grade among the top three all because of this same offer. And now he didn't make it?

"No, I can't miss this. Where will I go from here?" He whispers, blowing in hiccups as silent sobs escape his throat. His heart is aching. His palms are sweaty.

The happy day is a sad one for him.

Principal Chevrolet pauses, and her gaze sweeps across the hall from the same spot Lucian Wood is standing for the third time today.

They sweep past the banner, which reads happy graduation, past the balloons and the beautiful red and blue ribbons that caress each pillar. The colorful lights bounce off the audience's faces. What an incredible year it has been, especially for the graduates.

"Wow, what a year it's been," she says enthusiastically, and the crowd applauds her again. "Yeah, um, I should be closing this gathering and discharging you guys but this just came in from one of the top 5 companies in the county, The Lily Microsoft Company.

"This offer really got me speechless as it is the first time a student of Bridge High will be receiving it. Wow, congratulations to this lucky lad, I'm so happy and proud of him. With a standing ovation, I'll like to welcome on stage Lucian Wood to receive his job offer!"

Lucian Wood? My Lucian Wood? Me? Lucian is awestruck! He can't believe it! His mouth is wide open and his eyes are dilated!

He didn't just get any job offer but one from one of the top 5 companies?! Really? Is Principal Chevrolet for real?

He wipes his eyes to be sure he isn't dreaming and yet it turns out he isn't!

The cameras are all flashing on him as if he is one big celebrity and all eyes are on him. Including that of Principal Chevrolet.

He puts his palm over his mouth to stop himself from screaming out. From every direction, someone nudges him and tells him congratulations. Congratulations are flying in the air! And they are all directed at him!

He sprints to the stage in hurried steps to receive his offer and hugs Principal Chevrolet for the first time. It's all like a dream! He can't hold back his excitement.

His face is stretched in a wide grin, his white set of teeth visible for all to see! He's barely holding back the urge to start dancing.

As he is walking back, he proudly waves the white envelope but just as he gets to his seat, he can't find it himself to sit down anymore.

His excitement is at its peak! And he knows just one person to share this good news with; Laura, the love of his life.

She is supposed to be here with him as she is also one of the graduating students but she was under the weather so had to leave early enough. He feels so lucky to have her in his life. She completes him.

Without waiting for Principal Chevrolet to finish her closing speech and discharge them, he hurries out and flags down the first cab he sees.

"Dos Ridos," he says and hops in, grinning from ear to ear.

★

Lucian jumps out of the car as soon as the cab driver pulls over and, for the first time, stops to admire Laura's house. And also, use it as an escape to keep himself in check so he doesn't appear insane to her.

After all, she is under the weather and he won't want to make it feel like he doesn't care about her and just came because of the job offer.

Girls can be confusing and Laura is one of them. The best of them if he is not mistaken.

Laura's bungalow is unlike any other in the neighborhood. Even after so many years that he's been here, he can never really know what makes it so different. So perfect. So homely.

Is it the cherry blossom tree that blooms every spring and makes April one of the most memorable months?

Or the leaves that turn into the most beautiful shades of orange every autumn that even the sun shies away at their beauty.

Is it her country flag that hangs in front of the house and represents how much of a patriot she is to her country?

Or perhaps is it the little flower pots that line the corners of the house?

He can go on and on to describe this beautiful house in front of him. The house is just as beautiful as his love, Laura.

He loves that girl more than anything else in the world and will do anything for her. His excitement is building again. He just can't wait to let her know that he made it!

He walks into the house, and a maid knowing who he is, slightly bows her head.

"Ms. Laura hasn't arrived yet. Please wait on that chair," she gives him a tight-lipped smile and points at a broken wooden chair amidst the numerous luxurious couches in the room.

Although the maids working for Laura know that he is her boyfriend, they still treat him like he is nothing and always make him sit on that particular broken chair each time he comes to visit her unannounced. There are no other chairs like that in here as the house doesn't need such chairs. Seeing that he is always the one being offered to sit there, could it be that the chair was specifically kept for him? Perhaps it is.

Reluctantly, without having any other choice, he goes to the seat and settles down.

He is still waiting for Laura when he hears the horn of a car and peeks through the window to see what or who it is.

It is a BMW car, one of the last models that were launched a few years back.

The owner must be a rich person to buy a 5 million dollar car.

"One day, I will also buy it," Lucian mumbles to himself as he has a big job offer too.

He walks out of the house to touch it once as he admires it so much.

But before he can take any step further, the sight before him causes his mouth to pat open and his eyes to dilate.

A young boy his age and Laura are kissing each other!