Page 97 of Beast

I swallow hard and walk onto the stage to accept my diploma.

My heart pounds in my chest with each step I take, knowing this should be one of the happiest moments of my life, but all I can think about is what comes next.

How will my parents react to Gaston?

That a man who bought me, who held me captive for so long, is now the man I’ve fallen in love with? Not that they’ll ever know that part of our story.

My parents smile and cheer while I accept my diploma, blissfully unaware of the storm that’s coming. I search the crowd and find Gaston’s piercing gray eyes. He nods and smiles, making my heart swell.

After the ceremony ends, my parents engulf me in a massive hug. “We’re so proud of you!” my mom gushes.

“Thanks, Mom.” I hug her back.

“It’s going to be so good having you back home and working with Dad.”

Guilt coils through me, but I shake my head. “I’m not coming back home. I’m moving to Mexico City.” I announce.

Mom’s brow furrows. “What?”

I sigh heavily already dreading this conversation. Gaston approaches, placing an arm around my waist. It’s obvious he’s older than me and the moment my dad sees him touch me, his jaw clenches. “Who are you?”

I take a deep breath. “Mom, Dad, there’s someone I want you to meet.” I glance a Gaston. “This is my boyfriend, Gaston.”

Shock registers on their faces. I continue quickly, “I know this seems sudden, but we’ve been together a while. He’s very important to me. I know this is a lot to take in,” I say gently.

Dad’s face is growing redder by the second. “You mean to tell me this man is your boyfriend? How? When?” He turns on Gaston. “Just how old are you anyway?”

I squeeze Gaston’s hand tightly, willing him to stay calm. The age-gap I knew would be an issue. Gaston is thirty-four. “He’s twelve years older than me. And we’ve been dating for ten months.” I look at Gaston pleadingly.

“Sir, I care deeply for your daughter,” Gaston says. “Our relationship may seem unconventional, but I promise you my intentions are honorable. I’d never do anything to hurt your daughter.” If only they knew how we met, they’d have me admitted to a mental health facility.

My mom shakes her head in disbelief. “This is so unlike you. Is everything okay? Has he pressured you into moving in any way?”

“No, of course not!” I insist. “I know to you it seems sudden, but this is why I didn’t tell you. I knew this is how you’d react to our age difference.” I take a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. “Believe me, I never expected this to happen either. But Gaston and I, we click in a way I’ve never experienced before.” I glance at him, taking strength from his steady presence. “He challenges me, supports me, understands me like no one else. When we’re together, it’s like the rest of the world fades away.”

Mom shakes her head, brow furrowed in concern. “Blake, you’re only twenty-two. How can you know this man is right for you after a few months?”

“It’s complicated,” I hedge. How can I explain our tangled history to them? “But the connection we have, the bond we’ve formed is deep.”

Dad’s face is still flushed with anger. “This is unacceptable,” he snaps. “You won’t be moving to another country to live with some older man we don’t even know!”

I feel my temper rising. “You can’t tell me what to do anymore. I’m an adult.” I take Gaston’s hand firmly. “I’ve made my choice. I’m going to move to Mexico City with Gaston, with or without your approval.”

Mom’s eyes fill with tears. “Please Blake, be reasonable...”

Gaston squeezes my hand. I know he can tell how difficult this is for me.

“I’m sorry you feel this way. I wish you could understand. But I have to follow my heart.” I look between them pleadingly. “I love you both so much. I hope in time you’ll come to accept Gaston too. But right now, this is what I need to do.”

Dad shakes his head angrily and storms off. Mom lingers a moment longer, eyes searching mine for answers.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” she says softly, before turning to follow my dad.

I let out a shaky breath, watching them go, heart aching. But I meant what I said, I need to follow my heart. I need to do this for me.

“Come on, baby girl. Let’s go to the restaurant and meet your friends and celebrate. Your parents will come around.”

I take Gaston’s hand and he leads me on foot to the restaurant where we’ve booked a table to celebrate. My heart is in my throat after the confrontation with my parents.

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