Keira’s days were mostly spent on preparations for the exam and audition at the upcoming selection for news reporters at Cooper Corporation.
She was also thinking about how she should arrange a meeting with Zach to make it look like a coincidence. As much as possible, she wouldn’t want to look as lunatic like before.
This time, she wanted a sophisticated approach, besides she was a grown woman now.
’But I miss him so much!’ she complained inwardly. The moment she got to know that he was back, all she wanted to do was to rush to the Military Base and look for Zach.
The earliest she could meet him was by attending Drey’s graduation ceremony so she would never miss that.
She was currently watching teaching techniques on her laptop when her mom sat in front of her with snacks.
"Looks like you really want to continue working in that broadcasting network? Mommy is very glad that you are focused like that. Imagine me, watching your face every night on the news program. I’ll lead your fan group, dear." Mrs. Chan excitedly said as she handed a glass of fruit fresh to her daughter.
Keira loved it, very cold tropical fruits blended and mixed together.
Keira laughed and said before drinking the juice, "You are too excited, Mom... I need to pass their screening first. Cooper Corporation is very meticulous and fair in hiring its employees."
"Why? I believe you’ll do better than Janice in the evening news. Wow, I really can’t wait to see you say those dialogues, ’Good night, good luck and be well. Thanks for staying up with us, I’m Keira Chan’," said Mrs. Chan with a wink, imitating her daughter as a news anchor.
Keira burst out in laughter seeing her mom’s wink.
"The viewers will protest. No one does a wink after broadcasting the news, Mom," she said still laughing.
"What? You should have your own trademark greeting... like the one Janice has..." suggested her mom enthusiastically that made Keira smile widely.
Her mom was obviously happy with what she was doing right now. She could feel how proud her parents were with her.
"By the way, Mom, I found a unit that I like... after my birthday celebration, I will move out." Keira murmured.
She had already talked about it with her parents. At first, her mom did not agree for her to move out, but after she explained to them that she would like to be more independent as she pursued her chosen career, her mom gave in.
Mrs. Chan let out a long, deep sigh. Keira was so determined to live on her own now that she would soon turn to twenty-one, she couldn’t help but feel sad.
Keira noticed the sudden long face of her mother so she added, "Mom, you can visit me there anytime you want or when you feel bored, but of course, notify me first. You know I hate surprises."
........
Keira, together with May and Lana, attended Drey’s graduation ceremony in the morning.
"That’s Lieutenant Kang, right?" asked Lana as her eyes fixed on the spot where a woman seated with a toddler. She seemed to be enjoying her time as she played with the boy who was very energetic.
"Did she get married?" Keira murmured as she followed Lana’s gaze.
"Oh my... Look at that child..." said May as she closely stared at the little boy.
Keira and Lana did the same and both gasped.
"He looked so much like Drey," Keira murmured while they exchanged meaningful glances.
"Could it be?" May muttered while Lana started contemplating and said, "The toddler looks two years old, right?"
Their jaws dropped at the sudden realization. When Senior Russo arrived and greeted them with a wide smile, they all kept their mouths shut.
The graduation ceremony was going to start soon, but Keira couldn’t find Zach in the area at all.
The ceremony started and Keira thought it would be a kind of boring but it was completely different.
There were demonstrations on the field and the commander was speaking over the loudspeakers about what each soldier was doing. Then they started an attack operation and threw grenades, etc. - lots of smoke on the field.
Then Bad to the Bone started playing over the loudspeakers and tanks came rolling onto the field and the good guys prevail. The most exciting part of the show was when in the distance, on the opposite side of the field, you could see the soldiers - their soldiers - walking in a formation toward the field.
Keira laughed as she commented, "It seems like forever getting there."
Before the soldiers officially graduated, they went through some ceremonial things - saluting, facing the commanders, saying the creed, etc. -.
"Oh crap, I’m so happy becoming a designer," May murmured after that.
Keira chuckled and said, "There are hundreds of soldiers on the field and they all look the same with shaved heads and uniforms. But Senior Russo is always ready."
She pointed her lips to Senior Russo who had brought his binoculars to locate his son and they all grinned.
After the ceremony ended, they were invited to the field where they were allowed to take pictures for about fifteen minutes.
So they all went down to congratulate Drey, but of course, they were behind Drey’s dad.
Cielo also went down with Dice to greet her cousin, who also graduated that same day, but of course, she wanted to see how Drey was too.
There were too many people and she had held Dice tightly.
Some of the soldiers had recognized her and greeted her, "Lieutenant Kang!"
Cielo paused to greet the boys, whom she recognized too, from the time when she was still at the basic training as a mentor.
"Wow, look at my boys! All grown up no..." but her words were interrupted when Dice desperately pulled his hand away from her so she excused herself and ran for her naughty son who was running real quick now.
She was so nervous that Dice would trip because he was even laughing as he ran faster.
"Dice!" she shouted when Dice almost trip, but then a pair of hands grabbed him...
Cielo was panting as she walked towards the toddler, but then her jaw dropped when her eyes fixed at the man who was now carrying her son.
"Papa... pa pa... pa pa..." Dice shouted energetically as he pinched slap and touched the man’s face who was carrying him.
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