Kael?

Selene's morning passed in a blur of celebration. Her apartment was filled with laughter and excitement as her mom, Ivy, Mira, and Kael had all joined forces to surprise her. There were songs, laughter, presents, and plenty of food—eggs, bacon, toast, and a beautiful birthday cake. It felt like a warm embrace from the people she cared about the most. Even though she was often the one to prefer quiet moments, today was different. She let herself bask in the affection, letting the moment linger.

But soon, Ivy and Mira, ever the determined ones, were nudging her out of her comfortable seat, urging her to get dressed and ready to go out for the day.

"You've had enough lounging around!" Ivy said, tugging at Selene's arm. "It's your birthday, you need to get out, breathe some fresh air, and have some fun."

Mira added with a grin, "And maybe a little shopping? You need to look as fabulous as you feel today."

Selene chuckled, grateful but slightly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. "Alright, alright. I'll go get dressed."

She went to her room and rummaged through her closet. Her eyes landed on a new outfit her mom had gifted her a few months ago—something simple but elegant. It was a two-piece set that hugged her figure perfectly. The top had a soft, muted blush color, with just a hint of red embroidered along the edges, and the skirt was a soft, flowing beige. It was understated yet beautiful—exactly the kind of outfit she needed to feel comfortable but still special. The slight red tint of her hair matched the faint red accents of her outfit, giving her an effortlessly put-together look.

Selene stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection. She had a moment to appreciate the sight before the whirlwind of activity began again. Her red hair—usually soft and straight—was now curled into bouncy, effortless waves that framed her face beautifully. It cascaded down her back in a controlled yet natural way, its fiery hue glowing against the muted tones of her outfit.

Her olive-toned skin glowed warmly in contrast with the soft shades of her outfit. She was wearing a two-piece set her mother had gifted her a few months ago. The light, neutral color of the outfit clung to her body just right, accentuating her curves while still feeling casual enough for a day out. There was a delicate touch of red—just a hint, around the neckline of the top and the hem of the skirt—that complemented her hair perfectly. The colors of the outfit blended seamlessly with her complexion, making her feel both grounded and elegant, all at once.

She applied a subtle layer of makeup—nothing too bold, just enough to enhance her natural beauty. Her red lips matched the hints of color in her outfit and framed her smile. Selene took a moment, appreciating the woman in the mirror. She didn't often give herself time to notice the small details, but today felt different. It felt like a day for celebration, even if she tried to keep it low-key.

With a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and headed downstairs, already hearing Ivy and Mira's chatter from the living room.

When she walked into the living room, her friends immediately stopped their chatter, their eyes widening in awe at her transformation.

"Wow," Mira said, her voice almost breathless as she looked her over. "You look incredible, Selene."

Ivy grinned, bouncing in her seat. "Yeah, you're absolutely glowing! It's like you were hiding this beauty all along."

Selene flushed at the attention, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Thanks, guys."

Her mom, who was sitting on the couch nearby, smiled at her warmly. "You look gorgeous, sweetheart."

Selene smiled back at her, feeling a sense of gratitude toward her mother for always being there. "Thanks, Mom."

The moment felt special—Selene was ready for the day, ready to celebrate, but there was still a lingering sense of uncertainty she couldn't shake. Still, she brushed it off, not wanting to spoil the mood.

"Alright," Ivy said, snapping Selene out of her thoughts. "We're ready to go! Let's get you out into the world. No more hiding away today!"

They all piled into the car, ready to enjoy lunch and the rest of the day. They chatted as they drove to a trendy downtown restaurant, where they could finally escape the quiet and indulge in a fun, relaxed afternoon.

As they sat down and ordered, Ivy and Mira were eager to catch up, and before long, they began discussing their chaotic love lives.

"So, Selene," Ivy began, eyeing her with a playful grin. "You know, we've been talking a lot about everyone else, but we haven't heard about your love life in a while. Spill. Anything interesting going on?"

Selene sighed, trying to dodge the question. "Honestly, not really. You guys know I don't have time for that."

Mira chuckled from across the table, shaking her head. "That's because you're too busy working and reading all those ancient scrolls. You need to live a little, Selene. I mean, look at me. My work-life chaos is something else."

Ivy laughed, leaning in. "Please, Mira, you say that like it's something to brag about." She glanced at her friend with an exaggerated eye roll. "Mira's got more guys on the line than a dating app."

Mira smirked and raised her glass. "Guilty. But you have to admit, I have standards. And let's be real, I'm really into one guy right now."

"Uh-oh. Someone's got their eye on a special someone," Ivy teased.

Mira grinned, but her expression softened slightly. "It's Anthony, my boss. He's kind of been paying attention to me more lately, and I think there's definitely something there. It's complicated, though. We have this weird dynamic at work, but… I don't know. Something about him just gets me."

Selene smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. "That sounds exciting, Mira. I hope it works out for you."

Mira nodded, her smile bright. "It's a rollercoaster, for sure. But if anyone can handle it, it's me." She winked, taking another sip of her drink.

Ivy shot her a knowing look, raising her eyebrows. "I bet you're loving every minute of it, huh? You get to keep your options open while Anthony works his charm."

Mira shrugged, grinning widely. "Well, I can't say no to some fun. But Anthony? He's more than just a fling for me. Trust me."

They both laughed for a moment before Ivy turned the conversation back to her own life. "Well, while Mira's out there collecting guys like it's a hobby, I've got the real deal with Rob."

Selene raised an eyebrow. "Rob? Your high school sweetheart?"

Ivy smiled fondly, the thought of him clearly bringing her warmth. "Yep. We're back together after 2 years. It's not been easy—we've had our bumps, and, okay, he can be really stubborn sometimes—but we're trying to make it work. He's my guy, and we're solid. We always have been."

"Solid?" Mira snorted, poking fun at her. "You mean like a boulder rolling down a hill. Rob's stubborn to a fault."

Ivy rolled her eyes but laughed. "Okay, okay, maybe. But he's got a heart of gold. He's always been there for me, no matter what."

Mira grinned mischievously. "Oh, please. Rob's not the only one there for you. But I've seen how he looks at you. The guy is obsessed with you."

Ivy couldn't help but blush at the remark, though she tried to hide it. "Well, maybe… but that's because I'm awesome."

Selene smiled at the two of them, entertained by their playful back-and-forth. Then, realizing they'd been talking about their love lives for a while, Ivy turned to her with a look of mock seriousness.

"Okay, okay, Selene. Enough about us. What about you?" Ivy asked, her tone turning teasing. "It's your birthday. Don't you have someone special you've been thinking about?"

Mira leaned in, looking at her intently. "Yeah, you can't keep telling us nothing's going on. I know you. There's always something going on with you, even if you don't want to admit it."

Selene looked between the two of them, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Honestly, there's nothing. You know I've been busy with work and everything. I'm just… not interested in anyone right now."

Ivy raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Not even someone like Kael?"

Selene's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. She quickly glanced down at her drink, feeling a sudden warmth spread through her chest. "Kael? No. We're just friends."

"Oh, come on!" Mira exclaimed, practically laughing. "Kael is totally into you! He's always hanging around you. The way he looks at you—no one else gets that kind of attention from him. It's like he's got his eyes glued to you all the time."

Ivy chimed in, her voice filled with playful confidence. "And don't tell me you've never noticed it, Selene. Every time you're around him, he's got this protective vibe. You two are, like, in sync. He's hot, and he's always there for you. There's something more there, and you know it."

Selene felt her cheeks heat up, and she shook her head quickly, trying to dismiss their words. "No, no. You guys are imagining things. Kael's my best friend. That's it."

Mira and Ivy exchanged knowing glances before turning their attention back to Selene. "We're not imagining it," Mira said with a wink. "And neither is Kael. You should at least think about it. You deserve someone who's got your back like he does."

"I'm not worried about it," Selene replied with a quiet laugh. "We're just fine the way things are."

Ivy grinned. "Yeah, sure. You're just fine. But hey, if you ever do change your mind, you know where we'll be."

Selene couldn't help but laugh at their persistence. "Okay, okay. I'll think about it." She tried to change the subject. "Now, enough about me. Let's enjoy the rest of the day, okay?"