HIGH SCHOOL DIARIES (A Tale Of Love And Deception)

The garden at the back of the MacLeod fine Duplex was a tranquil haven, where the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft chirping of birds created a melody of peace. It was more than just a garden—it was a sacred space. Beneath the largest cherry blossom tree, where its pink petals fluttered gently to the ground, lay the golden tombstone of Lucinda.

Her resting place shimmered in the sunlight, the engravings glowing softly as if her presence still lingered, watching over the garden she had once adored. The flowers around the tombstone—roses, lilacs, and tulips—were in full bloom, their vibrant colors a striking contrast to the golden marker that bore her name.

Lamia knelt before the tombstone, his fingers tracing the etched words as tears welled in his midnight blue eyes. His long, silky hair, the color of twilight, cascaded over his shoulders, framing his anguished face. He couldn't hold back the tears any longer.

"Lucinda," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Even though Abigail is gone, it doesn't feel like justice. Nothing feels right without you here."

Maxandra approached the garden slowly, her soft, flowing gown brushing the ground. Her auburn hair was tied loosely, strands falling across her face as she carried a basket filled with gardening tools. Despite her composed exterior, her heart was heavy, weighed down by the loss of her daughter.

She stopped a few steps behind Lamia, her breath catching as she watched her son. Seeing him so broken made her heart ache even more. Setting the basket down, she walked up to him and gently placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Lamia," she said softly. Her voice carried the weight of her grief but also the warmth of a mother's love.

Lamia looked up at her, his face wet with tears. "Mum, I just... I can't. I thought revenge would bring closure, but it hasn't. Abigail is dead, but Lucinda is still gone. She's never coming back."

Maxandra knelt beside him, pulling him into her arms. "I know, my love. I know. Losing her broke all of us, but revenge doesn't heal wounds—it only creates more pain."

Her words lingered in the air, like the delicate scent of the flowers around them.

Maxandra pulled back slightly, brushing a stray tear from Lamia's cheek. "Lucinda was a bright light in our lives, and her loss will always hurt. But we have to move forward. Not for us, but for those who are still with us."

Lamia lowered his gaze, his fingers clutching a nearby rose. "What if she's angry at me, Mum? What if Lucinda thinks I've failed her?"

Maxandra sighed deeply, her own tears threatening to fall. "Lucinda wouldn't want you to carry this guilt, Lamia. She'd want you to protect your family—Catherine, Hadrain, your children. Don't let them face what we've endured. Love them, cherish them, and never let them feel alone."

Her words struck a chord deep within him. Lamia nodded slowly, his resolve strengthening.

"I won't, Mum. I promise I'll always protect them."

Maxandra smiled softly, her hand caressing his cheek. "That's all I could ever ask for."

With the help of the gardener Maxandra had hired, the garden was soon restored to its former glory. The overgrown bushes were trimmed, the flowers were replanted and watered, and the tombstone gleamed as if it were blessed by the heavens themselves.

As the sunlight filtered through the cherry blossom tree's branches, it cast a golden glow over the garden, making it feel as though Lucinda's spirit was there, smiling down on them.

Lamia stood back, admiring the work. He felt a sense of peace, something he hadn't experienced in a long time. For the first time, he allowed himself to believe that Lucinda was finally at rest.

Lamia had made a decision. He no longer wanted to rule or hold onto power. He had passed the throne to Douglas and Lindsay, his elder brother and sister-in-law, who were now expecting their first child thanks to Lamia's inadvertent magic.

He wanted to focus on his family—on Catherine, Hadrain, and their children. They were his world now, and nothing else mattered.

As he turned to leave the garden, Hadrain appeared, his presence as commanding as ever. His dark hair fell across his face, and his hazel eyes glimmered with love and mischief. Without a word, he walked up to Lamia and wrapped his arms around him from behind, pulling him close.

"Come on, love," Hadrain murmured against his ear. "We're going out, remember? The children are waiting for us."

Lamia leaned into his embrace, closing his eyes as he felt the steady rhythm of Hadrain's heartbeat.

"I was just thinking," Lamia said softly, "about everything that's happened. About Lucinda, the throne... all of it. I think it's time for a reunion. I miss everyone so much."

Hadrain turned Lamia to face him, cupping his face in his hands. "Then we'll have a reunion. Whatever you want, we'll make it happen."

Lamia smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that lit up his face. "I love you, Hadrain. More than anything."

Hadrain leaned in, pressing his lips to Lamia's in a kiss that was both passionate and tender. "I love you too, Lamia. Always."

As they left the garden hand in hand, Lamia glanced back at Lucinda's tombstone one last time. The sunlight reflected off the golden surface, creating a warm, radiant glow.

"Rest well, Lucinda," he whispered. "I'll make sure your memory lives on, and I'll protect the family you loved so much."

With that, he turned away, ready to embrace the life and love that awaited him.

The MacLeod duplex buzzed with life. The grand dining hall, adorned with elegant chandeliers and walls painted in soft gold and white, was being prepared for the long-awaited reunion. Lamia had insisted on simplicity, but his husband, Hadrain, and his mother, Maxandra, wouldn't hear of it.

"Lamia, you deserve this," Hadrain had said earlier, adjusting Lamia's collar as they stood in their room. "This is not just a reunion; it's a celebration of everything you've built. You've brought peace to this family. Let us honor that."

Now, as Lamia looked out the window at the setting sun, his thoughts lingered on his loved ones. He had reached out to Emily, Sylvia, and others, hoping they would come. The past hadn't been easy for any of them, but it was time to heal, to move forward together.

As the first guests arrived, Lamia greeted them at the door. Emily was among the first, her once fiery demeanor now tempered with a maturity that Lamia admired. She stepped forward hesitantly, her green eyes avoiding his for a moment.

"Lamia," she said, her voice soft. "I wasn't sure if I should come, but... thank you for inviting me."

Lamia smiled warmly, pulling her into a gentle hug. "You're family, Emily. No matter what's happened, you'll always have a place here."

Sylvia arrived shortly after, her sharp features softened by a rare smile. She carried a small gift, which she handed to Lamia with a playful smirk. "For the host. Don't expect anything fancy—it's just a bottle of wine."

Lamia laughed. "I'll cherish it, Sylvia. Thank you for coming."

The dining table was laden with an array of dishes: roasted meats, fresh vegetables, creamy soups, and an assortment of desserts. The centerpiece was a towering cake, decorated with gold and white flowers.

As everyone gathered around the table, conversations flowed freely. Emily and Sylvia exchanged stories of their recent adventures, while Maxandra regaled the group with tales of Lamia's childhood, much to his embarrassment.

"And then," Maxandra said, laughing, "Lamia climbed the tallest tree in the garden and refused to come down until we promised to let him keep the stray kitten he'd found!"

"Mum!" Lamia groaned, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

Hadrain leaned over, whispering in Lamia's ear. "I'd have done the same. You've always had a kind heart."

As the night wore on, Lamia found himself alone with Emily on the balcony. The cool night air carried the scent of blooming jasmine, and the stars above seemed to twinkle in approval of the evening's success.

"I need to say this," Emily began, her voice tinged with emotion. "I'm sorry, Lamia. For everything. I know I hurt you and everyone else. I was selfish, and I let my anger control me."

Lamia placed a hand on her shoulder, his midnight blue eyes filled with understanding. "We all make mistakes, Emily. What matters is that we learn from them. I forgive you, and I hope you can forgive yourself."

Emily nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Thank you, Lamia. That means more than you know."

Hadrain found Lamia soon after, wrapping his arms around him from behind as they gazed at the stars. "You've done something incredible tonight," he murmured. "You've brought everyone together. Lucinda would be proud."

Lamia leaned back against Hadrain, a content smile on his face. "I just want everyone to heal, to find peace. That's all Lucinda ever wanted."

As the night came to an end, Lamia looked around at the faces of his loved ones. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of completeness.