Chapter 657 - Valedictorian speech

For few seconds, Sarah enjoyed the way Aiden caressed her with his gaze but then she realized that he is on the stage, in front of hundreds of people, and she was uncomfortable.

'Why is he looking at me like that? Start the speech already!'

Sarah was sure that many students behind her are staring at her, because of him! She didn't dare turn around, but she knows this feeling very well. This hostility she gets from crazy women just because Aiden is looking at her. She forgot this feeling… she forgot that he has this power to attract trouble with his good looks, and wrath of women he ignores is directed at her because for some reason they believe that if Sarah is out of the picture, they will stand a chance with him.

Aiden cleared his throat.

'Finally!' , Sarah exhaled.

"My fellow graduates…", Aiden's voice was carried by the large speakers, and his eyes were fixed on Sarah. "…over my time here I learned more than one thing. And the most important thing I learned is that no matter how much I have, it's not worth anything unless I have someone to share it with."

"After spending more than three years at this University, I'm sure that all of us have a lot to be thankful for. I will take this opportunity to talk about what I'm grateful for. I'm thankful for my supportive family…" Aiden glanced up toward the audience where Elanor and Oscar are with Stella and Oscar. "I'm thankful for this staff…" Aiden turned toward people seated behind him. "…because if not for them, I would not get a chance to meet the most important person in my life." Of course, he was looking at Sarah.

Sarah held her breath, unable to look away from Aiden. 'Just what is he thinking?'

He would move his sight toward the crowd in front of him briefly, but then he would look at her again. "At that time, I didn't know that it was destined for me to meet my beautiful fiancée right here, in the main administrative building… but now I know that if not for this exemplary educational institution, I would not meet Sarah Hill who got my full attention the moment my eyes landed on her. And if not for her being the most amazing girl in the world, I would not be standing here today. Literally." Aiden glanced at Sarah and winked. "Because of her, I realized the importance of not giving up..."

Sarah internally facepalmed. He told her that he came back to University because of her… and if not for that, he would not take remaining courses and graduate. He didn't care about graduation, because he does not have job concerns and he found courses boring… but does he need to add that to the speech? And what kind of a speech is this? Isn't he supposed to thank the staff, tell a funny story related to some classmate and share an inspirational quote? Why does all this sound like a public love confession?

Sarah's attention went to the staff seated behind Aiden. She saw few of them nervously fidgeting while glaring at Aiden and one professor was on the verge of standing up. 'Wait… can this be different from the speech he submitted for approval?'

On a second thought, Sarah wondered: who would approve this speech? This is being recorded and will be stored as a part of University archive… Sarah looked at Aiden and struggled not to laugh at the thought that starting today, University archive will be preserving this massive love confession for next generations of students.

Sarah listened as Aiden's speech continued telling everyone present how he has an amazing fiancée. Every time faculty members behind Aiden were getting fidgety and looked like they are about to leap and stop him, Aiden had a line or two of praising the University and staff, so they went back to their seats happily… and a second later he was talking about Sarah again.

She listened breathlessly while he spoke of his favorite memory: Sarah doing a code review for his project in the cafeteria. And how he was inspired with her exquisite color-coded notes.

Finally, he didn't look at Sarah. His eyes flew over other graduates. "I want to remind everyone to make use of what you have, and don't delay things because our time here is limited. My Sarah told me that we tend to postpone things for later , and there is a chance that later will never come… The only true regrets you will have are opportunities you didn't seize. Be honest with yourself and you can't go wrong." Aiden was looking at her again.

"We are standing here today, looking forward to the bright future ahead. Some of us know which direction we will take, and some still need to figure it out. And I know that wherever life takes me, as long as Sarah is with me, it will be the right path." Aiden's eyes were locked with Sarah's and she had a good understanding why he didn't want to reveal his speech earlier. If he showed her the fake one, he would be lying, and if he showed her the real one, he would spoil the surprise. And she was surprised.

Aiden ended his speech with a round of thanks, and the last person mentioned was "…my wonderful fiancée Sarah Hill."

He flashed a smile and hopped of the stage, taking his seat next to Sarah.

Aiden held her hand and kissed back of her palm. "What do you think?"

Sarah took a deep breath and smiled seeing how eagerly he is expecting a praise from her.

"They liked it…", she tilted her head toward the graduates in the back who clapped vigorously.

He leaned closer. "It was for you, not for them."

She nodded faintly. "I know."

"So? How was it?" Aiden persisted.

Sarah's smile widened. "Shameless… and amazing… perfect… like you. Thank you for being… mine." She cupped his cheek in her palm.

Aiden smiled for a second before planting a light kiss on her lips. They kissed, ignoring the cheers of other graduates behind them and mixed looks of the staff in front.

Not long after, they started calling out students and Dean was giving them graduation diplomas. Top three students got medals and plaques as well.

After this, ceremony was completed, and friends and family mixed with graduates while heading to the area where cocktail party was set up.

"Sarah! Sarah!" Sarah and Aiden were about to meet with their parents, when they heard someone calling. They were surprised to see Bridgette.

"Congratulations!", Bridgette gave Sarah a big hug.

"And to you too… congratulations!", she shook Aiden's hand.

"How come you are here?", Sarah asked.

"I'm here with Steve. His cousin graduated and I'm tagging along.", Bridgette explained. "I know that Anna wanted to be here, but she is sick. I feel guilty for leaving them with their virus, but Anna said that it's OK to take a day off, they will manage... and by staying away we will not get sick."

"Hi, congratulations!", Steve came behind Bridgette and shook hands with Aiden and Sarah.

"Thanks!", Aiden responded. "Bridgette says your cousin graduated. Who is that?"

"Yes, my first cousin. Gabriel…" Steve turned around. "He was right behind me…"

Sarah and Aiden exchanged looks when they saw Gabriel coming toward them while holding Victoria by her waist.

"Hello, Aiden… Sarah…" Gabriel greeted them. "Long time no see."

Sarah froze for a moment. 'Well this is awkward…'