Pains of Yesterday

I moved further into the room, I noticed a beautifully decorated cake at the center of the room. It was a work of art, covered in intricate designs and adorned with candles that flickered in the dim light. The cake was a stunning centerpiece, a symbol of celebration and unity. Instantly, I knew it was Ava's handwork.

People approached me with smiles and well wishes, handing me gifts and sharing kind words. They congratulated me, hugged me, and showered me with love and affection. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of warmth and camaraderie, the sense of belonging and community that enveloped me.

Alexander stood by my side, his hand in mine, a silent pillar of strength and support. He guided me through the party, introducing me to guests, making sure I felt included and appreciated. His presence was a reassuring presence in the midst of the bustling crowd, a reminder that I was not alone in this moment of celebration.

As the night unfolded, I let go of my inhibitions and allowed myself to immerse in the festivities. I danced, laughed, and shared stories with those around me, basking in the joy and happiness that filled the air. It was a night of unexpected surprises, of newfound connections, of rediscovered hope and optimism.

And as I blew out the candles on the cake, surrounded by the smiling faces of those who cared for me, I made a silent vow to never forget this moment. To never forget the feeling of warmth and acceptance, of love and belonging, that had filled my heart on this special night. And to always cherish the memory of this birthday celebration, a turning point in my life that marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with promise and possibility.

"This gown indeed looks good on you." Alexander's mom, Samantha said to me. She was standing beside me with a glass of wine in her hand. We've been talking for a while now, discussing about both the meaningful and meaningless things. Alexander was with his father, they were talking to some business associates of theirs. "I was with Alexander the day he wanted to buy it for you. He was conflicted with not knowing of you'd love it or not. I had to encourage him to get it for you. It's a beautiful dress, and I knew you'd love it." She looked at me and I smiled at her.

I looked down at the dress and nodded. "Yeah, it's beautiful."

"If it isn't the birthday girl." I turned to see Mr Sebastian and his wife, Theresa approaching me. A smile graced my lips and I hugged him, basking in the warmth and fatherly vibes he emits whenever I'm near him. I gave Theresa a hug after, I had pulled away from Mr Sebastian's hug. She kissed my forehead and my cheek, and caressed my cheek.

"It's been a while, Mr Sebastian. I've really missed your warm hugs." I heard a low growl behind me before my body was pulled into a hard chest.

"It's not that deep, Alexander. She doesn't mean it that way." I heard Samantha's soft voice say. Alexander only let out a scoff in response. "I'm tired of you." Samantha said and walked off to meet her husband.

I totally ignored Alexander whose arms was wound possessively around my waist. "It's actually nice to see you here, Mr Seb. How have you been?"

"Very well, my dear." He gave Alexander a brief look before returning his gaze to me with a smile. "Happy birthday to you." He handed me a wrapped up box. I collected it and thanked him.

"It's actually a coincidence that your birthday is the same with our daughter's birthday." A sad smile appeared on her face, which made me furrow my eyebrows. They have a daughter and her birthday is today. I've always thought Clark was the only child they had. 

"Oh, wow. That's awesome...I guess she isn't in the country since you both are here instead of hers," I said with a bit of enthusiasm and delight. 

Theresa shook her head 'no' at me. "Well, you may be right, honey. She's not in the country because she's not in this world." My eyes widened slightly, trying to grasp what she meant by her words. I gasped when it dawned on me. Their daughter was dead. I looked at Theresa and she nodded sadly at me, as if confirming my thoughts.

"Yeah, she's dead. One day my baby girl went missing, after searching everywhere for her...we...we couldn't find her. Only for me to be given pieces of the clothe she wore on the day she went missing. The cloth was wet and bloodied -- it was found in a river back then. They told me that my girl was probably stabbed and drowned, and up until today we've never found her remains." My heart clenched and unclenched at her words. God! Who knows what that little girl must have gone through. How cruelly her life was snatched from her. Worst, how Theresa and Mr Sebastian must have felt back then. It's really, really heartbreaking.

"I'm so sorry...I didn't k.." 

"Oh, it's fine dear...She was just two years when we lost her...It's been a long time, honey, so it's fine." She was blinking back tears, that was at the brink of her eyes. I pulled her into a hug, offering as much warmth and comfort that I could. I rubbed her back soothingly and just as if that stroke a nerve, she bursts into tears. 

She was pulled away from me by Mr Sebastian who pulled her to himself while whispering soothing words into her ears. That seemed to work because she calmed down and pulled away from her husband.

"I'm sorry...It's Just that...I'm so sorry, dear." She sniffed and wiped away tears from her eyes. I turned to look at Alexander who was staring at her intently. I turned back to Theresa, and rubbed her arm. She sighed before smiling up at me. Her eyes flickered to my ears for a brief moment before it settled back on my face.

"Have you always had that mole on your ear?" She asked.

My hands instinctively touched my left ear where a little mole rested on the tip of my ear. I've always had it since I was little, or maybe I was born with it. It's more like a birth mark or something.

"Yeah, I've had it since birth," I answered her with a small smile. She nodded before turning to look at Mr Sebastian. They shared a brief look, and she turned back to look at my ear. Her eyes lingered there for a brief moment, and then suddenly she bursts into another fits of tears which had me startled.

What happened?

Mr Sebastian immediately wrapped his arms around her, nodded at me before pulling Theresa away with him. I looked at Alexander whose eyes was still trained on them as they left. His eyes were narrowed, and he seemed deep in thoughts.

He mumbled a low 'fuck' before pulling his eyes away from Mr Sebastian and Theresa, who were now sitting at a corner. Mr Sebastian was consoling Theresa who was still crying profusely. I totally understand how she feels. Losing a child in such cruel manner...or having a child who was snatched from you, and killed in cold blood. I don't think I'd want to experience that kind of pain.

"I'd like to use the restroom," I told Alexander who was now staring at me. He nodded and pointed towards the direction of the restroom. 

Once I got into the restroom, I shut the door and approached the mirror. I dropped my clutch in front of me and stared at my reflection on the mirror. I momentarily shut my eyes, but I immediately reopened them when the door suddenly opened. 

My eyes jammed with the new comer in the mirror. Those striking pair of electric blue eyes looked so familiar that I'm sure I've met this man behind me before.

"Hello, beautiful. We meet again."