"Postpone!" Maria frowned. Even just twenty-four hours ago, she was so eagerly looking for this marriage; what on earth had happened in such a short time that she wanted to delay it?
Vivienne watched her carefully, after throwing the question. She had thought earlier about it; it would be a little difficult to convince her, but she had to try her best because, in the Ashford family, Mrs. Ashford Sr. had the final say. And Vivienne couldn't marry Damien in any circumstances.
'Would she decline my request?' She thought. If her plea really fell on deaf ears, she had to think of another way to avoid this marriage.
Yes, she wanted revenge, but to get that, the first thing she needed was — time.
Maria stared at her for a couple of seconds, then spoke up; her voice full of astonishment. "Why? By any chance, did you two quarrel? Tell me what happened; let me call that brat; I'll teach him a proper lesson."
'So, she thought we had quarreled, and in feet of anger, I wanted to delay the marriage.' Vivienne smiled inwardly, then gently took Maria's hands between her palms.
"Grandma, nothing like that happened! Actually..." She stopped for a second, organising her thoughts. "Actually, as you know, I'm in the final year, and there are only eleven months left before my graduation, so I just wanted to complete my studies and get the graduation degree before my marriage."
She stopped, looking at her face. 'Was she convinced with this answer!'
She added. "Grandma, I have many dreams for this wedding, for our married life. After I get married I want to focus completely on my family, on my love. You know how much I love him, don't you?"
"But I don't want to leave this chapter of my life unfinished. Once I get married, managing my studies and family side by side will be difficult, and I won't be able to focus fully on any of them. So, I just wanted to finish my graduation, then focus on my happily ever after."
After saying so much under one breath, she stopped. Maria was still silent, staring at her face. But the furrow of her brows was softened a bit. "So, you just want to get your degree before getting married?"
"Hmm", she nodded.
"Are you sure this is just about school? You've never cared about studies more than Damien before!"
Vivienne sighed. How could she tell her that she wasn't even a tad bit interested in marrying Damien? All she wanted from the delay was, time, nothing else!
"Have you discussed with Damien about it?"
Vivienne nodded in disagreement. "No, Grandma, I wanted to tell you first. If you agree, I'll tell him. I know he'll understand."
Then to lighten the mood, she added. "I also think he won't want a university dropout wife."
By this time, a thin smile appeared on Maria's face. "Naughty girl." She slapped her back lightly. "I completely understand your point of view." She said in a joking tone. "I also don't want a granddaughter-in-law for my precious grandson who doesn't even have time for him."
"So, I think I'll be able to grant your wish."
Vivienne's eyes lit up in an instant. "Really?"
"Humm, well, the preparation hasn't started yet, we still haven't fixed the wedding date or invited anyone, so it won't be a problem. Okay, don't worry. I'll talk to your parents, and my son too. Go, enjoy your last year in the university, and enjoy your 'fiancéehood', fine!"
Vivienne stood up in an instant and embraced her tightly. "Just fine! It is absolutely, perfectly fine!"
Maria chuckled, "Okay okay! You don't have to be this touchy."
She placed a quick kiss on her cheeks. "Okay, I'll take my leave then. Bye!"
She almost towards the door, stopping at the doorstep; she waved at her, then quickly went downstairs.
"Silly girl!" Maria laughed.
But as she disappeared, her expression slowly changed. The smile on her face disappeared, giving way to a look of severity and seriousness. Maria's gaze lingered on the doorway long after Vivienne left. The girl had changed overnight!
Though her reasons seemed rational, somehow, she felt that it was not all about studying!
She picked up the phone from the bedside table and then quickly dialed a number. "Look at her, let me know."
After leaving the mansion, Vivienne got in the car. "Let's go to university." The driver nodded and sped off the car without any delay. Leaning back, Vivienne let out a sigh of relief. She hadn't thought this matter could be handled so easily! She thought it'd take her a lot of effort to convince Maria, but she actually agreed almost instantly!
A smile crept up on her lips. 'One matter settled. Once Grandma makes a promise, she'll keep it, definitely. In this life, I'll choose every step wisely —not fate, not love, and certainly, not Damien.'
As the car came to a halt, she stepped out. In front of her stood the huge campus of the university, with several buildings, green fields, and well-curved alleyways. The gigantic gate was wide open. It was the 'University of Rontrix' — her dream university.
Rontrix University was, in fact, one of the best universities in the country and probably the only university where admission was purely merit-based. No parallel entry was allowed here, and the Elites of the country also couldn't secure a seat for their children even with a large amount of donation. Vivienne remembered, to get into this university, how she had to work day and night to pass the entrance examination.
When she secured a seat in the design department, Vivienne was over the moon with joy! Sarah also sat for the entrance exam along with her, but she couldn't pass and ultimately got admitted to another.
Standing at the entrance, suddenly her eyes filled with tears. She remembered, in her past life, how she had regretted not completing her graduation degree. How could she abandon her dream of being the best designer of her time? How she gave up her identity so casually!
Walking through the corridors, she wondered. Even in her wildest dreams, she'd never thought that one day she'd be able to walk through these corridors and sit in that particular classroom again!
Her steps halted as she stepped on the fourth floor of block six. The black and golden board showed the name 'Design Department'.
Suddenly, she remembered the day she visited the teachers to bid the final goodbye. She remembered how the professors tried to convince her to complete the graduation; she remembered, how Professor Alfred Morrison, her favourite professor, almost pleaded to her, "This is your dream, too!"
But she never heard. Then, Damien was her world; she was so blind in love that she refused to accept that there was a whole universe apart from him.
Vivienne took a deep breath. She had made countless mistakes in her past life that led to her ultimate downfall. But this time, she wouldn't do the same, never! She stepped into the design department, with adamant steps.
'This is my only dream, and I'll never break it. In this life, I'll never let that ambitious, passionate, and talented girl die.'