Gressenheller University - Graduation
June 15, 2015 5:00 p.m.
"So Mr. Tactical… what you get your sweet heart?" Ritza teased the nervous man, finely dressed in a suit under his black gown.
The droplets of sweat were pouring obviously down his face. The surprise he wanted and partially didn't want to unveil to Cecilia would either obliterate him or determine his future.
"Uhh...hehe…" Tacitus squeeze as the humidity under the cap and gown began building.
"Damn… Tacitus… calm down… you look like you're going to pass out before you get your certificate." Ritza crossed her arms. "Wait for the after party."
"Hehe…" He broke nervously.
"You know… if you want… you can tell me." She winked. "I got you, Mr. Tactical."
The nervous pregraduate shoved his face to hers. "You promise you won't tell?!"
She blinked several times, perplexed, watching as more heavy rainfall descended to his cheeks. "Tacitus…?" Ritza started.
He lunged for her wrists, holding her closely to the point his breath brushed by her cheeks. "Please! You promise you won't tell! I-I-I gotta get this off my chest!"
"Yeah! Yeah! Jesus, Tacitus… you're making me nervous." Ritza asserted fondly.
"Okay…" He pulled her closer. Ritza faintly trembled as he pulled her closer and closer to the point his lip almost touched her ear. He whispered several words into her ear that caused her to jump.
"WWWWWHHHHAAAATTTTT?!" The scream caused Tacitus to flinch back nervously. His ear rung with pain before cupping her mouth.
"Shhhh!" He held her in one arm as his palm rested against her face. "Please… I want it to be a surprise…"
Ritza had small beads herself form on her forehead. The man released her and held her steadily. "Now do you understand why?"
The woman nodded her head, dumbfounded and yet internally excited. "Oh my God! Thank you for telling me!" She jumped giddily as she held her cap against her brown hair to prevent it from falling.
"Besides Cecilia… you were the only person close to me… I wanted to tell you, but I know you have a hard time lying." Tacitus winced. "So if she asked… it would end me."
Ritza's jaw-dropped, . "I should hurt you. But you do have a point." She played with her cap. "I'm not a good liar… that's why I took public speaking for the hell of it."
"You would be a terrible politician." He shook his head, gaining confidence back on his nervously wrecked self.
"Hmph! I won't lie about that one, but I can be very persuasive! That's a perk." She defended herself.
"True… true…" A bell rung. "It's time!"
"Wait wait!" She held him back against the soft and silky gown. "Are you going to do it during the announcement?"
His brows furrowed closely together, "No, I'm doing it when she steps down."
Ritza gasped so heavily that she choked. "Let's go! I wanna see!" She grabbed the pregraduate and headed towards the field.
Large quantities of students gathered around in their designated seats, awaiting for the boring speeches the Dean was giving to them about the future and becoming something. The same old banter for the past years.
'Can someone tell him to be quiet and get on with it. And get a better hairstyle...' Ritza thought rudely, but honestly as her fingers held her temples. 'I wanna see what's going to happen!'
The way how the Dean was talking made her feel as if she was listening to the teacher in Charlie Brown. 'His words are fake…' Just muffled bologna until he finally rested his last words.
'Thank God!' She rose her head to the Heavens. Her last name was after Tacitus and Cecilia would come later, giving her a grand view of the event that commence before her. The thought made her excited. 'Oh boy!'
It wasn't until some moments later, sitting in the calm weather that she heard a familiar name.
"Tacitus Benedict."
The audience applauded, visions static on the tall male walking down the middle section as lights ignited the grandiose entrance. His white tassel waved back and forth as his travel towards the Dean and supervisors. Tacitus practically towered them all, just like he did with his two closest friends. Their hands greeted and released as the balding Dean gave Tacitus and beautiful sheet that told him his profession.
After some time and students passing the threshold of no return, she heard her name loudly and vibrantly.
"Ritza Clematis!"
'Oh snap! That's me!' Ritza waltzed to the mid aisle. Strutting her swagger exaggeratingly that people laughed softly.
"Quit fooling around, Ritza!" The Dean gimmicked.
She hurried to the podium and made sure her voice was audible through the speakers. "You know I can't help it!"
The Dean cleared his throat, unsurprised by the future virologist in front of him. "Good luck, Ritza."
She nodded. 'Psh… whatever...and that is obviously a wig you got on...'
She grabbed the diploma, shook several hands and ran down the podium, giddily awaiting her friend, who was trembling on the other side.
"Hey! Why so worried?" The graduate hugged Tacitus, who was arching forward. The black gown made him seem like he was waiting for a wake by his demeanor.
"Maybe I shouldn't…"
Ritza gasped hard, "Nuh uh! You're going to do it. Don't get me all excited something you promised."
"That's you. You always keep your promise… I, on the other hand… sometimes don't…" His head dropped farther.
Ritza glared at him angrily before cupping his face in his hands. "Listen!" Their eyes connected. Tacitus met those brown eyes that were capable of striking fear, but replaced it to empathy. "Do what your heart believes…"
He took in an unsteady breath, his legs buckled as the gown shook with his movements. "Okay…"
The smile formed on her comforted him, "Good… Now go get her!"
He made a throaty chuckle before breaking from her hold. The sound and vibrations of a sweet name called to him. The way how the name reverberated in the air made him shiver.
"Cecilia Grace."
"It's time, hmmm?" She glanced back at the stage.
Tacitus was a few moments from a nervous breakdown. He didn't want to make himself look like a fool nor did he want to make Cecilia to join his humiliation. 'What am I doing?'
The white gown made her appear like an angel in his eyes. The way how she walked made him feel unworthy to even bat an eye at her. Her dark hair and eyes overpowered the cap, giving her an elegant boldness. The very sight of her in her moment of triumph made his heart skip a beat.
She traveled towards them, smiling faintly as the diploma touched her hands. Tacitus moved forward on a whim, coping with her grace. Ritza was getting the greatest view as the two destined friends were closing in on each other. For some reason, Ritza had a moment of uncomfort until she realized it was too late.
Cecilia fell forward, unaware of the first step coming down. Tacitus saw his girlfriend about to reach the ground. His body went full throttle, lunging himself forward to catch her. The collision caused Cecilia to be unharmed but Tacitus took all of the force onto his back. He ignored it, concerned only on the woman he held in his arms. "You okay, Cecilia?"
"Taci! Oh no! Are you okay?!" She covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry!"
"No! I'm fine-!"
"You guys okay?!" Ritza darted towards her fallen friends.
"Taci…" Cecilia muttered softly as she crawled off him.
"I'm okay, Ceci… Honestly! Ahh-!" He cringed in pain as he tried to lift himself.
"Tacitus. Hold on." Ritza turned the tall man around before groping his back against the gown. She felt for anything out of place before feeling a tense muscle. "Here we go."
"Huh?!" Tacitus head backlashed, causing his cap to fly backward. "What are you-?! AAAAAHHHHH!"
The graduate cried out in pain as Ritza darted her elbow and stretched the muscle to relax. "There!"
Tacitus felt the pain wane as his quick torment ended. "Thanks…" He wheezed weakly.
"Thank you, Ritza!"
"Anytime!" Ritza boasted as she cupped her hips. "So...Mr. Tactical."
The recovering graduate eyed his friend in confusion. She gestured her hand towards Cecilia in condescending manner. 'Uh… Cecilia!'
"Oh! Uh!" Tacitus cleared his throat before shoveling inside his gown. He knelt down slowly. Cecilia couldn't believe it. Her eyes grew wide as saucers as the man who just saved her presented a tiny black box that camouflaged with his gown. His fingers intricately lifted to the top, revealing a shiny golden ring with a decently cut gem.
By the look on her face, the man could tell that the girl, now graduate in front of her, exploded with emotional rapture. Fulfilled with joy and overwhelming love that he face changed several shades of red as the tears dropped from her eyes.
Ritza was giddily jumping as she saw her friends about to tie their bond.
"Cecilia Grace…" Tacitus swallowed hard. "I promise to always be by your side and to enjoy the rest of my future with you. Tonight, I promise to always love you and beyond all odds… to always come back to you."
Cecilia was whimpering as the lovely words ravaged her ears. Ritza swallowed her bottom lip and arched backward in bliss as her nails dug into her palms.
"Oh...Tacitus!" She screamed, lunging onto the man, once more causing him to fall, except this time it was soft.
"Careful now, I might have to destress another muscle on you two." Ritza joked pleasantly. "I'm so happy for both of you!"
Ritza blushed as she saw her two friends working on each other's lips. She turned and walked forward, slightly tinged. 'Good thing that happened behind the stage…'
The after party was elegant and enormous. The graduates of 2015 had to party in a rented Hall for the massive new students that came from across the world. Apparently, a multi millionaire was going to be a patron for gifted students in several departments, but mostly in the science majors. The couple and friend ate merrily at their table as they watched the freshly out of school students dance, socialize, kiss ass to the representatives or remained idle.
A professor approached the three students as they bickered on what they plan on doing in the future.
"I hope you all are enjoying the festivities."
"Of course, professor!" Cecilia was more outgoing since her new ring clasped onto her finger.
"The sponsor is deciding on talented students who would become a great asset to his company and the world."
"Oh… that's quite amazing!" Cecilia mumbled lowly. Still self conscious about her chances of even becoming closely chosen to her was slim to none.
"Such an opportunity to arise is what brought all these brilliant minds to this very university." The professor spoke highly. "For that, you should not trouble yourself or feel down, Ms. Grace."
Cecilia watched in awe. "Hehe...Thank you, professor."
"Excuse me, my Lady, but may I have a word with you? We were never really appropriately introduced." He gestured humbly.
"Ah. Professor. My name is Ritza Clematis. I have heard such great things from you by Cecelia. What is it that you would like to talk about?" Ritza appropriately approached.
"Thank you, Ms. Clematis. I am puzzled by the thought. By the way you speak, you're not from London. Where do you hail from?"
"I came from States. So does Tacitus and Cecilia. I always wanted to become a scientist or a doctor, but the schooling systems there would make me graduate until I am almost at my mid years. So I came here to finish quickly and still have my youth. Now I am a certified virologist. Haha!"
"Virology?" The professor tilted his hat. "Such a hefty subject. And to complete it in about half the time? You really are capable of great things."
Ritza blushed, "Hmm… stop it, professor."
"No need, Ms. Clematis. I am just stating the obvious. What are you inspiring to do in life?"
Ritza smiled grandly. "I always wanted to help the world. The most basic thing for survival is our health. I wish I could expand the reaches of science by studying virology. Maybe, the key to curing much sickness in life is to track it down to the very source causing it."
"Returning to the source. It is a brilliant move to solving puzzles. All of you study together, work together and survive together. Though you all major in something different, your paths may become distant. You must see, true friends share a special connection. And this connection endures no matter how far apart they may be separated physically. Distance and time apart are irrelevant to the bond formed by a true friendship."
The three friends stared at each other, prideful and relentlessly. 'Yeah!'
"Thank you."
"Hoho! Thank you indeed, professor!" A mysterious man approached behind the top hat. His large scale managed to fall beneath his self-centered attitude. "You managed to bring me to the future for success to my company!"
The professor stood quiet.
The man wore a mint green suit that sparkled in richness and expense. He practically shined brighter than the beam lights at the graduation. Staring at him for too long would probably cause blindness. He was surrounded by agents in with earpieces and dark suits. The faces upon these men were harder than stone, emitting an essence of intimidation and high security. "I have chosen my subordinates already."
"You predetermined the students before graduation?" The professor asked calmly.
"It is my job as a businessman and CFO. I would have expected more from, a person who teaches the future, about determining legal decisions beforehand." The green suited man condescendingly remarked.
"Very well then. I do not know much about the ways of business… but I can assure you, sir, I have taught many students with raw talent and you will not be disappointed." The professor asserted formally.
"I hope so, for your sake and my company's." The minty man was becoming bothersome as he flashed his jewelry pompously with the world's worst shit eating grin. "Excuse me as I take these students away from you. No hard feelings." The pompous man ushered the students forward.
Cecilia and Tacitus were imploded with ecstasy. Not only did they get to have the chance to be together. But to work together under a multi million dollar company, no, enterprise?! Cecilia was always self-conscious about her intellect, but to be chosen along with Tacitus and her greatest friend Ritza was beyond mind boggling. Ritza however wasn't oblivious as the two couples were. There was something this man that gave her strange vibes.
"Very well then. Good luck to you all. Change the world for the better." The professor announced firmly.
Tacitus and Cecilia followed the green businessman. Ritza hesitated at first, but slowly followed, waving the professor goodbye.
The rich man was separated by a border patrol of agents that segregated him from the three fresh for work students. The room ahead, guarded by another two agents opened the door in refinement as the CFO, bodyguards and students walked in. There was a meeting table with several files along the stretch of a table. The guards synchronized and paced themselves against the walls of the room.
"Sit down, let's talk before the money does. Hoho!" The minty slimeball whisked his blazer before resting onto his throne where side chairs surrounded the perimeter of the mahogany desk.
The graduates sat upon the rented chairs, adjusting their view towards the lucrative emerald gummy bear. "Now, as a man of standards and respect, as well as overbearing kindness… I have chosen you three to become assets to my company. You three lack, what I may say as, history. Unlike, the other students over there who come from royalty. I say, why not give those who are nobodies to become somebodies!"
Ritza raised a brow, 'What is this guy insinuating?'
"We have many different facilities around the globe. I will be stationing you three around the east. Our first exhibition will begin soon and the first one I will be noting is you!" He pointed.
Ceci raised her hand to her chest. "Me?"
"Yes, you! The historian here, I want you, and your friend here." He pointed a ring, probably costing the GDP of a second world country, towards Ritza, "to explore the ancient caverns of a lost civilization. As for you," He bobbed his head back, ushering towards Tacitus. "You will be working under a different department for a while until you're needed."
"Sir… I do enjoy the sudden hiring, but we haven't even agreed to this yet." Ritza ushered.
"Hoho! I can tell you're not much of a hasty maker. Miss Ritz, students, no, people in your position would kill to be where you are now! I would expect you to say yes on the dime to such an ingenious decision really. I even had the liberty to giving you shares to my company. Each of you starting with 2%. Done deal?" The talking breath mint shined again his luxury with dementing gaze.
The two couple held their hands tightly together, hearing the news of already owning shares and money sitting around was a graduate's dream. No worries and straight to work. Tacitus would have the ability to take care of his girlfriend, granting her full access to whatever she desired. He was overflowing with emotion, capable of just sensing how her heart raced with passion, knowing she capable of making her dreams come true.
Ritza felt in the pit of her stomach she was already finding the minty one distasteful, but the amount of debt she was in would only pile on over the years, especially with little experience on her and she had been rooming at the university, there was very little chance on her own. People would kill to be in her position, but the morale of working under a scumbag like this was already piling bile in her stomach.
"Deal? We don't have all day. I am a busy man." The smile glistening brightly was aggravating her.
Ritza swallowed her pride before shaking the man's grip. "Deal…"
