Birthday

On Juan and Joel's Birthday,

Tara was looking at the chain she designed and made. She smiled brightening up everything around her.

"He will like this right? I have worked on this for the past 2 years. From the time I saw Juan again." Tara asked Lyra still looking at the chain inside the box.

Lyra pursed her lips and tried to answer her without choking.

"Ah, Y-yes. He will love it." Lyra gave a tight-lipped smile though Tara didn't glance at her.

Oona looked at her not knowing how to comfort her.

Tara closed the box after looking at it one last time and checked herself in the mirror.

Tara was wearing a beautiful royal blue lace dress which hugged her curves perfectly. To add a voluminous touch, lace tulles were stitched at the bottom. To add the sparkle pearls were embedded all over her dress making her look as if she came straight out of magic land.

She did her makeup highlighting her beautiful eyes, finishing it with nude lipstick. She sighed heavily looking at her reflection.

"I look good, right? He will like it, right?" Tara glanced looking at Oona and Lyra through the mirror.

Both nodded their head and patted her shoulder as they couldn't bring themselves to talk to her.

Tara sighed again and took the box and bouquet of may lilies which symbolise happiness. The trio made their way to the Liu mansion where Juan and Joel's birthday celebration was held.

Tara smiled cheerfully seeing Juan and Joel greeting the guests. She walked to them followed by Oona and Lyra. Oona jumped to Joel and hugged him tightly.

"Happy birthday, Jo," Oona said hugging his neck tightly.

Joel chuckled happily and swirled her off the ground.

"Thank you, sweetie," Joel said making her stand on her feet but still not letting her go of his embrace. He pecked her nose and cheeks and giggled happily.

Lyra rolled her eyes at her friend's PDA.

"Damn, these two. Rubbing salt on my wound." She muttered annoyingly.

"Don't curse," sounded a manly voice from behind.

Lyra stiffened immediately, she didn't need to turn around to know the owner of the voice. She didn't turn to look nor respond to him.

"Why are you behaving like a statue?" Juan asked seeing her stiff posture. He extended his hand to her shoulder and turned her around. He looked down at her and saw that she was avoiding his eye contact.

"Hmm?" He asked again.

"T-that, Happy birthday," Lyra said giving him a small smile.

Juan raised one of his eyebrows, Lyra never wished his like this. Her way of wishing would be no different from Oona's. She will also jump at him, hug him and wish him on his birthday on these years. Seeing her behaving so formally Juan furrowed his brows.

Before he could ask her if something was wrong he heard a soft voice calling for him from the side. HE let go of her shoulders and faced Tara who was standing there blushing.

"H-Happy Birthday, Juan," Tara said shyly while handing him the bouquet

Juan nodded his head and got the bouquet.

"Thank you." His answer was short and formal. He didn't even give a smile. His face was just expressionless unlike when he was facing Lyra.

Tara's eyes dimmed slightly. She looked at Lyra for a second and felt envy inside.

'He was so close to, Lyra. Sigh* If I also grew up with him would he treat me like that too? Tara, don't get sad. You have a lifetime in your hands to make him comfortable around you.'

Tara cheered herself while Lyra took a step to the side to bring some distance between them. Juan's eyebrows furrowed deeper.

"What happened?" Juan questioned Lyra immediately.

Lyra panicked not knowing how to answer him, W-What happened? Nothing happened."

Juan just gave her a deep look but didn't say anything to refute her

"Tell me, if something is bothering you. What is it?" Juan said asked

But before they could talk further he walked away as they were calling him and his brother to cut the cake.

The brothers cut the cake and Jeffery Liu(Father Liu) patted his sons on his shoulders and wished them.

Serena Liu, Juan and Joel's mother hugged both o her children and smiled happily.

"My boys are already 24 years old. sigh* You both should turn into a baby so that I could play more." Serena said looking proudly at her children.

Jeffery Liu immediately hugged Serena's shoulder and brought her near to him. He whispered in his ear.

"No way, I am not allowing those brats to take your attention away. But I love the process of making babies. So let's just do that"

Serena Liu blushed profusely, "What are talking about in front of guests and kids? Embarrassing. Shushu!"

Serena brushed her husband and escaped from his clutches. Jeffery chuckled looking at his wife.

"Hey jeff, Seems like you are making my friend go red again," came a female voice as she tapped on his shoulders.

Jeffery turned and face the Lu couple.

Garcia smiled teasingly at him and wiggled her eyebrows at Serena making the latter roll her eyes.

"My wife," Jeffery replied with a straight face. which means,

'She is my wife. I will tease her.'

Anthony shook his head at his friend.

"Are you short of words? Why can't answer in full sentences? And even worse, Juan just perfectly inherited this face paralysis from you. How will my daughter manage that jr face paralysis?" Garcia ratted.

"Stop dissing my hubby and my son. They are the best." Serena said hitting her friend lightly on her shoulders.

Anthony rolled her eyes at Serena, "Your son should have saved a whole world to have my princess chasing after him."

Serena nodded her head at that, "Well, my Lyra is the sweetest girl ever. Oh yeah, where is she? I can't find her?"

Garcia too looked around and couldn't find her daughter. Not only her daughter, but she also can't find Aiden, Juan, Joel, Oona, or Tara, no one.

"Where are they? I can't find them" Garcia shrugged her shoulders