Chapter 1969


    It was kind of unexpected how things turned out. Arabe found that her roommate Mya was dating


    Adair, a local rich kid with a reputation for fast cars and faster living. But here they were, Arabe


    caught Mya and Adair exchanging secret handholds beneath the dinner table.


    "We''ve been together for just about three days. Be, you''ve been swamped, so we haven''t had the


    chance to fill you in," Adair exined with a sheepish grin, standing up. "I''ll take a penalty of three


    shots for that!"


    "No need, you''ve got to drive Mya hometer."


    Arabe clinked her ss—a stand-in for a shot ss—with theirs. From the corner of the room, a


    chorus of voices beckoned her.


    Horace, Jeff, Jack, and Tom, among others, were all there.


    "Boss, we''re not good with fancy words, but congrats! Damn, we''ve been waiting for this day forever,"


    Jack blurted out, only to be chided by the others for hisck of decorum.


    "Today of all days, can''t you be a bit more refined?"


    "Yeah, yeah, congrats, Boss. Finally, the day hase."


    They kept their voices low when shouting "Boss," wary of drawing too much attention.


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    Everyone raised their sses to Arabe, downing their drinks with gusto, and she encouraged them to


    help themselves to more food.


    Over at the "staff table," there was Jaime, the head honcho of QY, along with various presidents and


    vice presidents from different industries, all offering their blessings.


    Arabe made her rounds, acknowledging each table, until her gazended on one where Grannie


    Grace''s dearest friend, Grandma Stacy, sat. The memory of Grandma Stacy crying her heart out on the


    floor at Grannie Grace''s funeral was still vivid. Now, as Arabe''s lineage was publicly acknowledged,


    Grandma Stacy stood, tears of joy brimming in her eyes.


    Arabe had barely approached when she was enveloped in a tight embrace.


    "I''ve lived to see this day for your grandmother," Grandma Stacy said, her voice quivering with emotion.


    "Tonight, I''ll tell her in my dream about your aplishments, that your ce in the world is


    recognized, and you''re doing wonderfully. She can rest easy now."


    "Thank you, Grandma Stacy," Arabe replied, touched, gently patting her back. "I appreciate all your


    care over the years, and I''m so d you could be here today."


    Someone passed a tissue to Arabe—it was Caden, alongside his grandfather, James.


    She hadn''t expected him to show.


    He looked different—handsomer, moremanding, though noticeably leaner, not in an unhealthy


    way, though.


    Arabe nodded to Caden and Grandpa James in greeting and took the tissue, intending to wipe away


    Grandma Stacy''s tears.


    "Thank you," Arabe said softly. "Grannie Grace was lucky to have a friend like you."


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