"Although it may not be easy to see, every accomplishment you achieve is added to the world's accomplishments. Your individual successes benefit society as a whole because when you succeed, you lighten the burden on your fellow man. When you succeed, you are in a position to give rather than take."

Adam's voice rose in the halls and everyone listened to him carefully. His words weren't extra ordinary, neither was his delivery style, but something about his overall presence demanded attention of everyone around him. His voice held command, his eyes had the ability to silence everyone and watching him do that was a major turn-on. Sigh.

I knew one thing. He is going to be a something big in the future. He wasn't a man made for an average life, he was extra-ordinary and I was not. I knew this fact and I accepted it.

When his speech ended, I was the first one who started clapping, even earned Dad's furrowed frown at my enthusiasm.

After the valedictorian speeches, Principal Brown announced our names one by one. Adam's name was in the first few students and the tension between Mr. Brown and him was palpable. The Principal even smiled a little but Adam kept his face hard, without any emotion. When it was my turn, I forced a smile on my face because in reality, I hated his guts. This day was really important for me and I didn't want to spoil it for anyone.

"We did it." I said to Emily as we made way towards our fathers, waiting for us at a corner. Sophia was nowhere to be seen so we assumed that she was with her cheerleaders for a group photo or something.

"Dad." I showed him the graduation certificate once I reached him.

"I'm so proud of you Ali." he said, patting my shoulder. "You did it." At my side, Emily was doing the same, hugging her Dad and showing him her certificate.

Excusing ourselves and leaving our Dads to discuss about the politics, we searched around for Sophia. On our way to the bathrooms, we passed by Chloe and her mother, Emily's mother. She was so different than Emily. Dressed in an expensive business dress, she patted Emily's shoukder with her manicured fingers when she noticed her and congratulated her in a rather reserved, professional manner.

"She looks cold." I commented once we reached the bathrooms.

"She is." she agreed.

Sophia wasn't inside the bathroom so after retouching our makeup, we walked back into the hall. It was time for Graduation photo so everyone gathered into the school's ground. Standing beside Adam, I praised about his speech. "You nailed it." I commented, lacing his fingers with mine.

"You are lying. Aren't you?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Believe me, I'm not." I said honestly. He passed me one of his rare smiles and pecked me on lips. We were arranging in our assigned positions when I watched Sophia rushing towards us. Her straightened hair were a mess, as if someone had run fingers through them and her lipstick was smudged.

"Where were you?" I asked once she reached us. Blush crept her cheeks and she averted her eyes.

"Wait. You had quickie during our graduation ceremony?" I gaped at her flustered face.

She gulped once and then coughed to clear her throat. "Well, you did the same on prom night." she attacked back and I choked on the air.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"Well, it was pretty evident." she smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"At least tell me who's the lucky boy." I giggled and she glared at me with her big brown eyes.

"You don't know him." she said in sullen voice. "Besides, I regret it already."

"Why? Was it that bad?" I asked.

"No. It was great." she replied. "It's just..um.. Never mind." she brushed off the question and settled herself for the photo. I did the same and the official photographer started the countdown.

...

Dad had prepared my favorite dinner to celebrate my graduation. We were supposed to dine out but that plan got canceled. The feast consisted of pasta, steaks, garlic rice and cutlets, with chocolate brownies as a dessert.

We were in the middle of the dinner when the door bell rang. The newly appointed security guard let the person in after Dad's order. It was a woman, in her late thirties. She had brown hair and green eyes, nicely done makeup hid her imperfections and the blue business dress she was wearing complimented her tanned skin.

"Good evening sir." she said to Dad which he replied with a nod. "Miss. King." she nodded to me.

I smiled at her and leaned towards Dad ti whisper in his ears. "Who is she?"

"This is Summer Boyle, my PA." Dad answered while placing the steak on his plate.

I assessed with the eyes of a daughter whose father had been a prey of many gold-digging eyes before. She didn't look like someone who'd run after someone for money. Instead, she looked a nobel and honorable woman. "What happened to Uncle Sam?" I investigated about Dad's previous personal assistant.

"He resigned last month." he answered. Dad asked her if she had brought what he asked for, in which response she passed him the said file. I didn't miss the way Summer's eyes lingered on Dad while he checked the content inside the packet. There was a admiration in her eyes, mixed with a hint of adoration.

"Have dinner with us Miss. Boyle." Dad said in his usual tone but there was a trace of warmth in it.

"Um.. I don't think I should.."

"It's an order." Dad lifted his eyebrows and said. She immediately sat down and served some pasta in a plate. Dad shook his head and continued eating his food.

My eyes shifted between both the woman and Dad. The woman's eyes were continuously averting to Dad while he passed her only few glances. There wasn't any unusual frankness in those glances but there wasn't aloofness either, like he used to have with other women.

Nice.

When Dad left to attend a call, I focused my attention on her. "Do you need anything, Miss. King?" she asked.

"You can call me Alicia." I smiled. "Can I call you Summer?"

She paused for a minute, probably thinking if her boss would allow it. "Sure." she replied.

"So Summer, are you single?" I interrogated, passing her one of my best toothy grin and she shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

"Yes. I'm single." she straightened the creases on her dress, refusing to look into my eyes. I didn't know I was that intimidating.

Well, I'm Hayden King's daughter after all.

I smirked on hearing this and asked further, "How long have you been working with Dad?"

"One month." she answered and poured herself some juice.

"He is difficult. Isn't he?" I cocked my head sidewards.

"I suppose he is." she said, pushing her brown hair behind her ears.

I placed a piece of brownie in my plate and sighed when the sweet taste hit my tastebuds. If I was alone, I would have moaned at the taste by now.

"What do you think about my Dad?" I continued after taking few bites.

Sweat appeared on her forehead and she contemplated for a moment. "He is nice. A little rude but a man of words." Good to know that she had guts, calling Dad rude in front of his own daughter.

"And handsome?" I trailed off, fighting the smirk emerging on my face.

"Yeah. That too." she answered, a hint of blush rusing to her pale skin. "I.. I should leave." she said and immediately stood up. I nodded and it took her only few seconds to vanish out of my sights.

I knew I made her uncomfortable but it was necessary. I need to play cupid if I want to see my Dad happy when I'm gone. No matter how much he insists, he can't stay alone forever. I knew he would never love anyone like he loved mom but sometimes, love isn't the only thing needed in a relationship.

"Where did Summer go?" Dad asked once he returned to the dining room.

"You're on first name basis with her?" I smirked and Dad glared at me. I shrugged in return and continued eating the heavenly delight.

He sat down and passed me the file that Summer brought. "Your gift." he pointed.

Excited, I opened the file and read its content. It was something related to an apartment. I read further to clear my doubts. "It's... It's a apartment deed?" I asked in confusion once I finished reading it.

"Yep. An apartment near Columbia University." he said. It took me a minute to understand what this meant. He was gifting me a whole freaking apartment as a gift for my graduation.

"You bought an apartment for me?" I almost shrieked. He nodded, a small smile gracing his lips.

"Now you don't need to stay in dorms." he said and pulled out the keys from his coat pocket. "We can visit the place tomorrow."

To thank him for the gift, I hugged him tightly and kissed his cheeks. "You're amazing Dad." I added.

"You're amazing too Ali." he said and hugged me back.

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