Delectable Benefits

Seventeen

Anya worked hard to graduate on time. Since she no longer saw a future with Nick and herself, she worked hard. Nick never mentioned anything about ending their relationship but things got heavily complicated that Anya didn't know where they both stood. He also never told her that he loved her and he only said he liked her, there was no real commitment there.

She also told herself to stop depending on him. Nick had changed after her abduction. At first she was sure it was him not being able to prevent the entire incident, but he knew she was scared and skittish around other men. Her nightmares also intensified and it terrified them both. Anya sought help from a professional, her best advise was to stay away from men and to heal her broken spirit until she was able to face her fears and trauma head on.

But she realized something had changed. He was no longer as affectionate and had become distant. Perhaps it was the shrink who told them he had to distance himself to let her fully heal. She knew she was never going to recover and would be unable to make him truly happy. Her chance to leave a legacy was robbed from her during that fateful night. She didn't want to share that burden with him since he had gone through enough. She knew she was going to end up alone one way or another. She had chosen the path by herself and she was going to walk it by herself.

So she focused on graduating. 

Nick focused on getting his degree as he had originally planned since his mother was the one who asked him to take the break from work and study in the first place. He watched Anya with from a distance and saw the entire situation had thrown a wrench in their relationship and it was tearing them apart. He was confused, hurt and angry. The shrink had said she needed the distance so she could properly heal. Anya had not offered a word of protest but at that moment she needed to be with friends and family. He was her only family since he had appointed him guardian again. She only had three friends, Pam, Paul and Darwin. 

Anya had used school to keep her distance since she was graduating and had missed a lot of school she needed to work and needed to catch up on school since she was on a schedule. Night time was the only opportunity for him to express himself. But each time he got home from his classes she simply had dinner waiting for him and she was already in bed. He didn't have the heart to wake her up he knew she needed her rest. All he could to was take care of her and make sure she was comfortable and hired a new maid to take the chores off her shoulders. This time, it was a man and a woman. Lionel and Diana they were a couple and used to be one of his parents' house help. He inherited them since Diana used to be his nanny and Lionel his bodyguard while growing up. They were now the ones staying in Anya's old apartment since Anya didn't want to move. 

Graduation was fast approaching and Anya was happy that she found her name on the list of students who made it along with Pam, Paul and Ryan. Nick was also going to graduate and Anya didn't doubt him for a second. He came from a  very intelligent and talented family and had inherited the best qualities. She envied him because his family understood him and supported him in every way. At least she had her Papi and she told herself it was more than enough for her. But it left a hollow hole in her heart. 

"Aren't you going to join the ceremonies?" Nick asked as Diana handed him his toga.

Anya shook her head, "I'm going to sit this one out, Nick. I have no family coming. What is important that I am going to reach for my dreams."

Her words felt hollow and empty to him. "You deserve to go and attend, you worked hard for getting to where you are now."

Anya nodded absently, but her heart wasn't in it. "Holding my diploma in my hands that is more than enough, Mr. Kingsley. Besides, I did go against m family's wishes to step away from the fold."