Strictly Business - Damianya [Damian Desmond x Anya Forger]

viii - I'm Proud of You

Damian's P.O.V

Today was it. The day I would finally be dubbed an Imperial Scholar of Eden Academy.

I was looking forward to this day for quite a while since I wanted to make my family proud but since Tuesday I didn't want to see anyone of them except my mother. My father had quite literally not given a single shit and my brother was either too busy his entire life or just a slightly nicer version of my dad. Hell, even Jeeves probably cared about me more than those two did.

My mother had never really made an effort to reach out to me even though she was against the idea of me living away from home or not being appreciated so my feelings for her were a bit mixed but I certainly loved her the most.

Today I decided to spend some time on my appearance. I took some time to style my hair and make my uniform look neat. Though not much could be done to spice up a school uniform I still tried to look my best for this important occasion.

Today was a Saturday so students were absent and only imperial scholars and Eden teachers were allowed to attend the ceremony. Founders of the school, the principal and members of the board were also invited. The principal would be the one the one pinning the eighth Stella star making me an imperial scholar. I had already received the school Imperial Scholar cloak but that would also be put on by the principal.

I patiently waited until the time of the ceremony when my phone buzzed with a notification. It read: Annoying girl sent a message.

Forger was messaging me?

I opened the app and looked at what she had sent me.

Annoying girl
Good luck today second son!

You
Whatever

Annoying girl
Nervous?

You
Why do you care?

Annoying girl
Just wanted to ask...

And I screwed up again. I hate this. I let out the anger I had for my father and let it out on Anya who was just trying to be nice. I wanted to change but would it be weird? I had bullied her ever since first grade and then just suddenly start being nice after 10 years? If there was a way to bitch slap my younger self for doing this to her and now not allowing me to be nice to her, I would.

The ceremony was to be held at 3 o'clock so I left my dorm room by about 2:45 and reached the grand hall about 10 minutes before the event began. There I found the two other students who were to be dubbed were already waiting. One of them was an 11th grade boy who was surprisingly short and one of them was an 8th grade girl who was incredibly tall.

We looked very awkward standing on stage with our three different heights. I was sandwiched in the middle so we looked hilariously lined up in descending order with respect to our heights.

Imperial Scholars and Eden teachers sat in the audience along with my mother who I guessed got in because of my father even though she probably wasn't supposed to be here.

I really wanted to see Anya's reaction to my new title but unfortunately students weren't allowed.

The 8th grader was given her 8th Stella first. My father clapped but only to be polite. He didn't look interested in the least. Her cloak was clasped on and everyone clapped once more beforely she cheerfully left the stage.

Then I was up next. I nervously walked up to Principal Henderson as handed him my cloak to put on and he took a neatly arranged Stella star out of his hand.

He carefully pinned it to my chest and dramatically unfurled my cloak before putting it around my body. He clasped the clasp and gave me a proud side-smile. I smiled back and turned to the audience as they all started clapping.

My mother wiped a proud tear with her expensive handkerchief and waved it at me. I gave her a smile before getting off the stage for the 11th grader to earn his star.

I sat in the audience beside my mother and watched him go through the same event I did before he came to the audience as well. Principal Henderson gave a speech about how proud he was and then about our bragging rights and small duties.

As soon as that was over my mother was escorted to her limousine by Eden security since she snuck in with the help of dad. I bid her goodbye and started walking to the exit of the grand hall myself.

When I was walking however I realised the other parents were almost crying with joy and hugging their children once they reached outside while repeatedly muttering 'I'm proud of you.' Those four words...

Once I opened the door however I bumped into a curious short girl.

"Forger?!"

Anya's P.O.V.

"Forger?! What are you doing here?! You know you're not allowed to be here! Principal Henderson will kill you!" said Sy-on boy dragging me to a corner.

In all honesty I was trying to cheat. I was trying to get into the ceremony and assassinate Donovan without having to become an Imperial Scholar or having a relationship with the second son. But the perfect opening never came...

I had even tried to message Sy-on boy to maybe get information out of him but he replied rudely so I just dropped the matter.

"Uh- Erm- Anya was coming to congratulate you." I lied plainly.

Congratulate? Me? She... cares?

Wow Sy-on boy was sad.

"I don't need your congratulations shrimp." the second son said turning pink again. "Now leave or the guards'll take you away. You could get suspended or something."

I huffed and slyly peeked through the window, watching Donovan get into his heavily guarded car and driving away. Damn it! Why did the second son have to talk to me now?
But it's not his fault... His parents didn't even congratulate him. I don't think they have the word proud in their vocabulary when it comes to their second son.

"Well? What are you waiting for pinky?" said Sy-on boy tapping his foot.

I felt so bad for him. His thoughts were half on why his parents didn't congratulate their own son and he was trying not to show it so hard while talking to me.

I hope I at least get to see father before he leaves. Maybe he was waiting for the ceremony to be over? And mother too...

I was about to tear up for him. I wrapped my arms around his chest and engulfed him in a tight hug. He took a step back in shock but didn't pull away. He felt warm and I could hear his heart pounding in his chest.

What is wrong with this girl? Why is she hugging me? I-it feels...nice... But that's besides the point!

"I'm proud of you, Damian." I said looking up at his face and waiting for his reaction.

I heard him hiccup slightly before his face twisted in confusion. I could faintly see a small tear in his eye as he looked at me like his saviour.

I love her so damn much. Thank you Anya. I love you.

A small 'eh?' left my throat instinctively. He what?!

He took my head in one of his hands and pressed me against him tightly. He hugged back and gave me a slightly pained smile.

I felt one singular tear fall on my hair before he aggressively wiped a few off his face, wishing he wouldn't cry like this in front of me again.

He let go and kept his hands on my shoulder, eyes red but full of love.

"Leave for real now Anya. And...thank you..." he said before quickly leaving.

I don't know but even though I never felt any certain feelings for the second son, I always felt so happy after these encounters. My stomach felt fluttery and my heart felt so happy that I helped him.

God no...