Birthday

"I'm sorry. I think I'm just a distraction a while ago," he said to me. I looked at him and gave a small smile.

"It's nothing. Thank you for the ride. I'll just let my driver Eric get my car." I said.

He nodded. He leaned one hand on his car while still looking at me. It should be awkward right now but I refused to think about it.

"I think I have to go. See you around." he said and gave me a small smile before he went inside his car. I watched him turn on the engine, before I could react, he was gone.

I walked inside the house. Today is a good day. It's a bit tiring in academic studies but that's part of a student life. I saw Yaya Jessa cooking in the kitchen. She gave me a wide smile that I reciprocated as well. I signaled to go upstairs so I just saw Mommy and Daddy downstairs. I thought they were going home tomorrow?

"Mom," I once kissed her cheek. The same goes for Dad. "I thought tomorrow is your free day?" I asked. Mommy gave me her sweetest smile and gently comb my hair using her fingers. I was confused looking at the two of them with only a smile they returned.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" My eyes almost popped out because of what I saw. All this time, it didn't enter my brain that it was my birthday today because I was too busy with my academic studies, I couldn't stop crying because I saw how happy they were for me. I didn't notice that when I entered the house, they had such a gimmick. Heart approached me to blow my cake while Jezley was carrying flowers and balloons.

"Thank you, guys." That's all I could say before I hugged them.

I spent my birthday together with my friends and family. I have nothing more to wish. This is what I want. Though, Mom and Dad can afford what I want but also, I want to be a simple. Not because we have money, we just spent it right away. I don't like that. Mom gave me a Moon necklace that glows when it's dark. I'm so beautiful there since I don't ask for anything from them. I have my own car, condo. Latest bags from LV, Gucci and Chanel. My father bought me a Rose glass flower vase. It was also very nice so I put him in my room for display. He also shines so I really liked it.

Yes, I am just very plain and very simple but I really appreciate things especially when it comes to my family. They didn't fail to love them as much as I loved them very much.

"Guess what's inside! Haha!" I am now opening the gift given to me by Heart and Jezley. The dinner was over earlier so we are now on the edge of the infinite poll. There was a red blanket lying where we were now sitting.

"Even if you don't say it, it's just nonsense. It's either a condom or-"

"It's not condoms. Those are very trendy, I just bought the latest."

"Latest what?"

"You think?" She winked at me.

I just opened it so that Heart wouldn't make me a fortune teller. I even struggled because of so much tape he put up. They both laughed at me for my reaction. The cameras in front didn't bother me because I admitted that I was beautiful from any angle.

"The fuck?!" I sighed when I saw what the meat was. "Are you saying this is the latest? I don't trust your taste, then." I said.

"At least unique, right?"

I would have thrown it to Heart but I couldn't. He just really enjoys teasing now. That's a stuff toy. It's like a toy for children as young as 1 year old. I'd rather he just give me a condom because I might still be able to use it. But this, I can't use. And where will I use it, I have no children.

"And where will I use it? Do you want me to have children?" I said, sarcastic.

He adjusted his seat before I answered. "You don't have to have children because you will be the baby," she giggled. "Thrill you please," and then he laughed.

"I would have been thrilled if you were a man."

"Why would you shudder if he did?" at once he looks inside the house. I saw Yaya Jessa enter Langford as her eyes searched for the man. Maybe he thought it was just a prank. I didn't even ask who told him because I already knew that. He smiled at Yaya Jessa so my companions suddenly shouted.

"Seriously, I hope it's all really," Heart whispered while biting the apple.

"Hopefully all, hopefully all," Jezley said. He even tuned it. I stared at them as I watched the man just get home. Yaya Jessa pointed out our place so I knew she was coming here.

Damn. Is my face still okay?

"Daddy's approaching,"

"Baby's luck,"

"You know, it's delicious to spit. I hope I just had a barbecue party and then I'll grill you." I just said.

"Really? E, your guests won't taste good," Heart replied. Jezley immediately laughed.

"You guys will be trained to have a sense of humor very wild." Jezley commented.

"Don't speak English. Are you an English teacher? Are you American?" Heart frowned.

"You fool in that part." I took that opportunity to retaliate against him.

"You know, Kane, you have nothing to say — Hi James! Hi, Daddy!" Heart's rich voice welcomed Langford.

"Hi," He looked at me. I smiled. "For you," he handed me a bouquet of red Roses. I would have been thrilled if he wasn't my boyfriend.

"I'm sorry for disturbing your celebration. Heart wants me to come here," he explained. I immediately had what I was feeling. You decide, Heart?

"No, it's okay. Are you hungry?" I asked. My companions immediately had a cough.

"I'm full. I ate before I came here, but this is your birthday so, I'd like to-"

"Don't explain too much. Let's go," I stood up and looked at my two companions who had no plans to leave their seats.

"We'll be next," that's all I heard from them before we headed inside the house.

"Happy birthday, Kane." he greeted me.

"Thank you." I replied.

* * *

"You still have a visitor, Kane. You didn't say," Mom said. Why is it my fault again? Did I know this one would show up? I don't even know how he got back here e. He took me earlier but it never entered my mind that there would be a celebration here at home so I also didn't know.

We are at the table now, eating while Daddy is just silent. But later I knew he would ask me if he was really just my friend with me, he was a man. They will probably think we have a relationship.

Asa.

"So, son, what do your parents do?" Mommy cracked in silence. Langford greeted my Mom and Dad yesterday. He's good to talk to. Maybe he was just scared of Daddy.

Langford immediately looked at mommy before he drank the water and wiped his lips. I watched his every moves. That's careful and slow. There seems to be something fragile in what he is holding that needs to be carefully grasped.

"Mom!" I scolded Mommy. It's embarrassing for Langford and I need to know more about the work of his parents. Mommy frowned and gave me a questioning look.

"Why? Calm down, Kane. I'm just asking. What's your problem?" She said.

"Mom, that's not what he came here for. Don't ask him personal questions. It gets him awkward." I explained. I looked at Langford apologizing.

"It's okay, Kane." Langford suddenly said. I looked at him. I don't know why his voice is still intact while I even speak to the professor sometimes I still stutter. How to be you, please?

I shook. "No. It's not."

"What are you planning, son?" Mommy replied. Why did it become questionable?

"Planning about what?" politely said Langford. He's okay. Not only can I sometimes point out where my anger towards him comes from but he is also really annoying sometimes. Sarap ibalibag.

"Your future," Mom replied.

"I take engineering course because my Dad wants me too. But it doesn't change the fact that my father only wants me because of business." Though he didn't say he was also hurt by his situation. Yes he is rich and he gets everything, but to be happy and to be free seems like that is hard to reach compared to his course. Suddenly, I felt guilty, my conscience swallowed me because of what I found out. But it doesn't change the fact that he's a jerk.

Sadness immediately changed Mommy's face. She fell it too. "I feel sorry for dragging this topic. It's okay. Maybe, your father wants the best for you. Just try to understand him. And also, talk to him." My Mom advice.

"Maybe not now. Because we have some argument in the past few days. I don't want to see him. And I'm sorry for being like this. To my parent."

Since I hadn't said anything before and I also felt that Langford wasn't getting comfortable I immediately spoke up.

"We're just going back outside, Mom. Just let the air out." Stand up and because Langford isn't slow so he doesn't get what I meant. And one more thing I know he doesn't want you to talk about his father, he still said. I hope I don't make him angry. Mommy nodded and so did Daddy who just kept quiet but I already knew that.

There we go to a bench under a tree. I saw Hearts already defeated. I let them there first because I need to talk more and apologize to Langford now.

"I'm sorry. My Mom doesn't know about that." My introduction. "I sat there while he remained standing in front of me. But he was looking in front so I could only see the side of his face. His both hands we're on inside his pocket. Because it's night I can't see very well the whole of his face.The only thing I can see is his nose which is very pointed and jaw which is illuminated by light.

"It's okay. I'm not saying I don't want to talk. I just suddenly realized why I'm avoiding that," he said. The cold air blew my hair so I pulled it out so I wouldn't eat.

"Maybe to escape. Sometimes it's better to listen to lies when you compare them to the truth. You just have to accept it or deal with it, to fully understand what even matters. Sometimes we even realize your things when they're gone." I said. He remained in his position.

"I have one thing to realize," he finally looked at me. He doesn't look scary but I'm scared of the way he looks at me. I myself am scared that way. Not because of him, but because of myself.

"W-what is it?" I can't even see his face but I'm sure he sees my every reaction.

"I know most of the people nowadays are searching for their prince charming. Just like in books, you want those. You want that love story to happen to you. Well in fact, you didn't think there was more to it."

"W-what? What connect?" How come. Suddenly our topic is serious and then we end up with that love love chu chu. Pass me there.

"Do you still love your ex?"