Olivia
It’s my birthday.
I didn’t have any train with Javier today so I could get ready for tonight. Karen had decided to get ready at my house so she could doll me up.
While my parents were getting ready downstairs, saying I couldn’t get down after they were ready, Karen was helping me in my room. She had changed into a dark gray sleeveless top with crop blue jeans. I was still wearing my bathrobe as Karen would choose my dress for tonight. She even helped to apply my make-up which I had asked her first to do a natural one because I looked comfortable with it and she agreed. She even brushed and arranged my hair by making the tip of them curlier. I looked like a different person with a touch from Karen.
She lent down after she was done with my hair so she would level me. “You look so beautiful, babe. And more mature,” she complimented. Well, I had to admit that I looked rather different today. Was it because of age? “We’re eighteen now. And I can’t wait to dirty you up.” I laughed at her joke.
Karen was right. We were eighteen already and we could do almost anything as we liked. I could guess Karen would be taking me to a drink and maybe just for an occasion, I would go.
Karen went to my wardrobe. “Let’s see here.” I looked at her in the mirror as she pushed dresses after dresses until she found the one she wanted. She pulled it out. A black dress and laid it down to my bed. I stood up to take a better look at the dress she chose. I turned around and lost my smile slowly.
The black lace dresses. A gift from Blake when we had our dinner back in Vegas.
“This one will do,” she said. It was a beautiful dress yet I felt wrong if I wore that. As Karen suspected something was wrong with me, she moved closer looking worried. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just,” I paused. Increasing my courage to tell her. “The dress was from Blake,” I confessed and I could see from her brown eyes that she felt guilty about it.
“Oh, well, I’ll look for another dress then.” I immediately held her wrist. Stopping her.
“It’s fine, Karen. I’ll wear it.”
“But don’t you think Blake is going to think of something if he sees you wearing that dress?”
“He might be.” He might be using it to his advantage. But I won’t run away anymore. Besides, he’s probably would not remember or maybe he wouldn’t come. “It’s okay, Karen. I’ll wear it.” She only smiled and helped me put the dress on. I wore my red Louboutin heels, a Christmas gift from Cindy last year which I rarely wear but for tonight, I wanted to make her happy and wear them.
Once we were ready, someone knocked on the door and Cindy entered. “Hey.” She walked in with her one-piece soft purple cut-out shoulder and looked amazed with my attire. “Wow, you look so beautiful, Olivia.” She eyed me up and down and when her eyes were on my heels; she couldn’t contain her tears.
“Oh, Cindy.” I went to her and put my hand on her shoulder. “Please, don’t cry.”
“Oh, dear. Silly me. I’m just…so touched because you’re wearing the gift from me. I thought you hated it.”
“I will never hate it.”
She chuckled and wiped her unshed tears and moved to the front of me. “It fits you perfectly,” she said and I smiled. “Well then, your father and Eric are waiting. Josh has arrived as well,” she informed and the three of us walked out of my room together. We went downstairs and into the back garden.
Dad and Cindy had decorated the dinner table very simply with a happy birthday balloon in the middle of the table. The foods were already arranged on top of the table. Dad was standing beside the table with Eric on his hold. Josh was standing opposite him.
Dad went closer to me and hugged me tightly. “Happy birthday, kiddo,” he said and kissed my temple. He pulled away and I turned to Eric as I kissed his cheek. He led me to the middle seat after Josh hugged me and said happy birthday. I sat on the middle chair and dad sat on my right. Eric was placed between him and Cindy. Karen sat next to my left with Josh beside her. “Well then, there’re only three guests left,” he informed.
I knew who those people were. Blake was obvious, and dad managed to invite John as well. Also, Javier. I still remembered after he took me home and I told my parents that I wanted to invite Javier to my party. They were excited, especially Cindy. Well, dad being dad, he was like in the middle of happy and not. A very typical of a father.
When I heard the doorbell, I was about to stand until Cindy raised her hand to stop me. “I’ll get it,” she said and stood up, heading to the entrance.
“So, Javier is going to come?” Karen asked.
“Yes.” He promised me but I didn’t know because there was no news from him today.
I saw Cindy returned. With her brother and his bodyguard next to him. My heart immediately pounded as Karen held my hand, trying to calm me down. I smiled at her and saw Blake was looking at me but I looked away. I couldn’t do it anymore further when I saw him walking towards me. Oh, God.
He stood next to me where I had to stand as well because I knew he wanted to congratulate me. I looked up to his steel blue eyes as Blake’s lips formed a smile. “Happy birthday, Olivia.” His voice surprisingly sounded normal and flat. Like there was no hint of happiness in it.
“Thanks.”
I was stunned in place. There was no movement between us. Blake was not hugging me. He was not kissing my cheeks. Just nothing. I turned to see John behind him as Blake automatically moved aside when I cast my eyes to John.
“Hey, Olivia. Happy birthday,” he said and hugged me. I returned his hold without a single look to his Boss. When he pulled away, John gave me a box of the present.
“Oh, thank you, John.” The two men went to their seats. Blake sat next to Cindy and John next to Blake. When I was about to land my butt, I heard another doorbell. “I’ll get it!” I immediately said before one of them, especially Cindy to stand up. I saw Karen was smiling widely at me and I found myself smiling back as well.
I walked carefully to the entrance door and tidied myself. I knew who was behind the door. I stopped. Breathing in slowly and letting it out gently. I did it three times until I grabbed the handle and opened the door. Javier was out there standing looking so handsome with his dark purple shirts with two of his buttons left unbuttoned, revealing some of his naked chests.
“Good evening, Princess,” he greeted while smiling.
“Good evening.” I saw him bringing a bouquet and when he walked closer, he stopped in the middle. I knew he wanted to kiss me but he didn’t want to make me feel uncomfortable around him. So I took the initiative and walked closer to him. Tiptoeing so I could reach him and landed a kiss on his cheek.
I pulled myself away and saw Javier rather shocked by my action. But he smiled and kissed my cheek back. “Happy birthday, Olivia.”
“Thank you.” He handed me the bouquet. A bunch of roses with different colors. “It’s beautiful. Come on in.” I led him inside and closed the door. “You’re the last person.”
“My apologies. I got caught up looking for a present for you.”
“I could see that.” I looked at the flowers.
“Oh, no. It’s not because of the flowers. I already ordered that in the morning so I could pick it up along my way here,” he said and we stopped in the dining room. “I…have something else but I will give it to you later,” he added. I didn’t see him bring something else and I assumed it was a small one. He was hiding it perfectly on his clothes. Oh, well.
I led him to the back garden and like they sensed our presence, they looked at me and Javier. Karen and Cindy looked happy and excited, Josh was looking happy as well but not as excited as the women, dad looked tense, Eric was playing with his squishy toy, John looked amused, and Blake…was looking passive as always. At least his face was. The other might not realize it, but his eyes spoke volumes.
He was pissed.
John looked like he was going to take care of Blake’s mess at the end of the party. He looked worried.
I led Javier to his seat which weirdly now had become right next to me. Karen has switched seats so she would be sitting opposite of John. I knew what she was playing but for tonight, I played along. But before asked Javier to sit next to me, I brought him to my parents by holding his elbow and taking him to where dad and Cindy were.
“Um, dad? Cindy?” Both of them turned their attention to me. “This is Javier,” I introduced and Javier moved forward. Reaching out his hand to dad first.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Graham. I’m Javier Ronan,” he introduced himself very formally and politely.
Dad grabbed his hand and smiled as well. “Nice to meet you as well, Javier,” he said and Javier went to Cindy and introduced himself as well. Cindy was looking very pleased to have him here. I could safely assume she was rather affected by Javier’s charm. Who wouldn’t?
“It’s nice to see you here as well, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Marshall,” Javier said to Blake and John. I glanced to where the two of them were sitting and they were smiling, acknowledging Javier but I knew. Those were business smiles. Damn it, you two.
I led him to his seat, right next to me as the party began.