The Billionaire's Daughter

37 - The End

Graduation came, the turning point of our lives.

"And now our Valedictory Speech from Franco Briones!"

"Good evening parents, fellow students, faculty and distinguished guests. I stand here before you not as the Valedictorian but as the second best, for I know that I have done my best to earn this title but someone else is more deserving to be here."

Murmurs. . . they were looking at me with pity. Gosh Franco, why do you have to include me on your speech. This is your special day. I tried to sit lower on my seat but then he looked at me and I was mesmerized by the emotions from his eyes.

"Someone who has endured so much pain and hardship, sacrificed her happiness to achieve her goals in life. I could not have lasted a day on this prestigious school without her. She was my rock. My inspiration to work harder. When I met her, my only goal was to graduate here so that I will have a better chance in pursuing the good schools and ensure a brighter future.

Well, for a less fortunate guy like me, who went through school because of the numerous scholarships I acquired and by working daily to provide for my school needs, you must think that I have had a hard life and this should have been my moment to be proud of myself. That I will soon leave this academe with head held up high as I can take on any challenges in my college life because I graduated Valedictorian. But I am not proud of myself because of that.

This school has prepared me for the future but moreso, this school gave me the special gift of meeting someone who inspired me to be better. She changed my outlook in life.

Before, I thought only poor people suffer. But I learned that I am lucky to have a normal life. To have experienced playing with friends on the streets, spending time with my family, eating with them daily and discuss anything under the sun without regard for time. I grew up without acknowledging in my achievements. I know my parents were proud of me but I have never felt the need to prove to anyone that I am good. I just tried to do my best. I still had my share of fun and I don't care what others will think. I am just a 'nobody' anyways.

But to most of you, who I never really gotten to know, but knew at the back of my mind were sons, daughters or grandchildren of famous, rich and powerful people, you had a harder life than me. Why? Because, you have a name and reputation to uphold. And for me, that is a very arduous thing to overcome. To be at par or better and to fit the family name at the expense of your own dreams and happiness is very difficult.

My friend here was bullied, sorry school admins, I just have to say this for your awareness as well. She was not treated fairly just because she wanted to be the best for her parents. To be always number one, she had to study and work harder. She did not have the time to make friends and nobody even tried to be one to her. "

More murmurs and the school admins are looking at each other with fear. Oh Franco, why did you have to bring this up.

"She was misunderstood and suffered for several years alone because no one tried to help her. I have heard some of the things that were said to her and I can attest that none of them were true. She is not a snob. She is not selfish or materialistic."

I saw several of the bullies looking at each other with fear on their eyes. Maybe they thought Franco would spill their names.

"She is kind, friendly, sweet, helpful and accommodating. She is real and simple despite her status in life, she does her chores at home. If she is a snob, why would she even befriend a nobody like me. Even her PE class exemption was an issue for some. But nobody asked the reason for that, but since I'm already at a roll here, she had a heart operation and yes, she never deserved any of the things you said about her. Well, except for one.