[November 20, 2016]
Azalea's POV,
We're here inside my room in my grandpa's mansion. My mom is here with me, helping the make up artist to assist me.
"Okay Señorita please close your eyes," the make-up artist demands, which I followed.
It took an hour until they finished assisting me. My mom told them to leave first and we'll follow them.
Today is my birthday, and this day will be my saddest birthday. The celebration will be held in Chavez hotel, owned by Chavez family from Brave Family.
"Happy birthday my lovely daughter." My mom pulls me for a hug. I hug her back, resting my chin onto her shoulder. I miss hugging her, it's been two weeks since the last time we hug each other. She promised me back then that she'll help me persuade my father to be with Zack.
"Thank you mom." We parted our hugs, looking at each other eyes.
"Here, use it temporary and give it back before we go," she whispers, handing me my phone.
Gaping, I immediately took my phone and open it. "Thank you mom," I murmurs.
"It's nothing my sweetheart. Come on talk to him, talk to the person you wanted to talk with," she stated, gently patting my head.
Thankfully, I nodded my head, starting dialing Zack's number. Fortunately, my mom didn't delete his number and other social media apps.
It just took three seconds before he answers the phone call. "Azalea?! Is it you?"
"Yes it's me Zack," I replied. My tears are building up in my eyes.
"It's been awhile Azalea. How are you? Are you doing good? Are you eating well? Are you studying good? How do you feel? Are you fine now?" he asked without pausing, which made me laugh.
"How am I suppose to answer all of those questions huh?" I asked, laughing. I glance at my mother, she's watching me happily while talking with Zack.
"Well, yeah. I'm sorry for asking to much. I just want to know if you're okay." He laughed bashfully.
"I'm doing good now, how about you?"
"I'm good too. Anyways, happy birthday my señorita," he uttered soothingly, making me smile.
"Thank you, my love," I replied, wiping the tears on my cheek.
"W-wait how did you call me? Krystal said your family confiscated your phone right?" he asked nervously.
"Yes, they did. But my mom gave it back to me temporary to call you. She's not the same as dad. Honestly, she wants us to be together," I answer, smiling at my mom.
"I know. She even helped me back then. Anyways, enjoy your birthday huh? We'll be seeing each other soon don't worry," he state nonchalantly.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Then I gotta end the call Aza, you should go and enjoy your birthday. I love you my Señorita."
"I love you too, Zack." And then the call ends, then I give back my phone to my mother.
"Thank you mom." I bob my head.
"Are you done talking with him?" she asks, putting my phone into her bag.
"Yes."
"Did you talk a lot?" she asks, opening the door as we went off.
"Slight." I chuckle.
We both went outside the mansion, seeing Rico with his car. He immediately compose himself, bowing his head upon seeing me and my mom.
"Good afternoon Seniora," he greets respectfully.
"Good afternoon too Señorito Rico. I thought you would go straight at the hotel," my mom mutters.
"No, Seniora. I want to accompany you and your daughter there by myself," he answers, flashing a smile.
"How thoughtful of you." My mom chuckled. She knows that Rico was courting me and didn't oppose it. She said that she's not in the position to agree or disagree because the only matter is my opinion.
Regarding Rico, he stopped courting me one week ago. I don't know the reason since he's always avoiding that topic.
"I'll talk to your cousin first before we go inside his car," mom told me, shifting her gaze at Chanse. "Chanse! Are you going to bring your car?"
"No, Seniora. I'll go with grandpa's car," Chanse answers, pointing the black car.
"Then use my car!" My mom throw the key feverishly. Fumbling, Chanse catches it.
"Okay let's go." She places her left hand behind my back, helping me to hop into the car.
As soon as we get in, Rico rev up the engine and didn't waste anytime to drive. Fiddling my fingers, I shift my gaze at mom who's quietly staring outside the window.
"Mom I was wondering why you and dad came back here in the Philippines too early? I thought you would come back in November or December?" I ask curiously, stealing her attention.
"Oh that's because we immediately finished our works, why did you ask? Don't you want to see us?" she asks tearfully, making me laugh.
"Of course not, but if I just know then this situation wouldn't happe-" she gently held my hand, cutting my sentence.
"Azalea, my daughter, I don't want you to think about anything else except to your birthday okay? And I'm very sorry too for experiencing it. However, don't worry. Mommy will do something to help you out," she states, kissing my forehead.
Nodding, I didn't bother to respond anymore until we arrive at our destination. Plenty of billionaire and millionaire family are inside the hotel restaurant. They're all wearing extravagant clothes.
Roaming my eyes around, I saw how beautiful this hotel is. I bet the price of it is no joke.
"Azalea!" Maica shouts as they ran towards me. Both her and Krystal are wearing fancy dresses. Shifting my gaze at Leonel, he's wearing a black tuxedo and he's with a man who's about in our age and we're at the same height.
"I heard what happened, I'm sorry I couldn't visit you," Leonel apologizes, entwining his both hands as he bowed continueslly.
"Hey stop that." I laughed, shifting my gaze at the unknown man. "Hello!" I greets him, waving my hand.
"Happy birthday Señorita Azalea," he greets formally, curving a smile.
"Oh thank you," I replied, curving a smile, shifting my gaze at Leonel, demanding an explanation who is this man.
He cleared his throat, pulling the man closer to him. "Ehem! This man is my boyfriend. Jace meet Azalea. Azalea meet Jace." He smiles.
My mouth went agape upon hearing those words. Shifting my gaze back at Jace, I offer my hand for a handshake which he accept. When you look closer to him, you can clearly see how pretty he is, plus he's a respectful person. No wonder Leonel fell for him.
The event started. My parents are the ones entertaining all the guest while I'm just sitting on the glistening white chair in front-center of them. Me and my father aren't talking to each other yet. Honestly, he tried to talk to me but I didn't reply to any of his words.
The celebration went smoothly until it's time for the 18 candles, which is 18 females will give me a candle while telling their wishes for me on the microphone.
After grandpa's speech, the 18 candles start. They started giving me their own candle and tell me wishes. Laughing, I cover my mouth while listening to them. Some are telling me not to change but some aren't. So what am I suppose to do? Hahahaha!
Finally it's Krystal's turn. She walks towards me, handing the candle cautiously.
"Be careful. Don't touch the fire," she reminds jestingly, which made me laugh.
"Of course, why would I do that?" I asks back, accepting the candle. She walks towards the microphone and started to speak.
"Okay first of all happy birthday to my childhood friend, Azalea. You are very perfect now. No need to change everything. I wish for you to be happy anytime, be a real person and don't be afraid to take a risk," she utter, flashing a meaningful smile.
Once she puts down the mic, I mouthed 'thank you' before she went back to her seat. Wordlessly, I darted a glance at my father. He's seriously looking in front of the crowd.
I wonder what are you thinking right now dad? I'm also wondering too why did you make Rico my 18th dance instead of you? It doesn't mean I don't want him, but 18th dance suppose to be the father of the debutant right?
Do you really like him much to be my husband just like what he said to me?
Sighing, I suddenly remember again what happened on the first day of staying in my grandpa's mansion. Rico went there to give his father's gift to my grandpa and that incident made us to see each other often. That day, my father was also in there, probably talking to my grandpa. He asked Rico if who he is to me and Rico answered he's my friend. I don't know the reason why didn't he tell my father that he's also my suitor, but it doesn't matter anymore, since he already stopped. Rico told me too that my father was really favoring him to be my boyfriend and husband to the future.
Upon hearing those words from Rico, I felt like I'm about to explode in anger. He doesn't want Zack despite knowing him for too long, but he wants Rico despite just knowing him.
I went back to my consciousness when Maica hands me a candle.
"What are you spacing out for?" she asks, chuckling.
"O-oh nothing," I took the candle from her.
"Stop overthinking just focus on your birthday." She taps my shoulder, proceeding to the microphone. "So first of all I'd like to thank you for staying in my life. Happy 18th birthday my friend. Two years more and you're already 20," she mutters jestingly, pretending to cry. The crowd started to laugh the same as me.
She puts down the microphone, running towards me as she pulls me for a hug. "Happy birthday," she greets again.
"Thank you," I whisper.
We pulled out from the hug, giggling, before she went back to her seat. After the 18th candle, I grab the microphone and thank all girls who participated. My mom took the mic from me and started announcing the 18th roses. 18th roses, wherein 18 men will give me a rose and dance me for few minutes.
Manang helps me fix my dress while the make-up artist fix my make up.
The dance started. I danced with my cousin, friend, classmates, old classmates, and my female classmates' brothers until finally it's Leonel's turn. He's my 16th dance.
"Can't believe I'm dancing with a beauty," Leonel said jestingly, placing my left hand on his shoulder and holds my right hand.
"Really? Your boyfriend is more prettier than me," I mutters teasingly, chuckling.
"Oh come on." He closes his eyes as his face turns red.
"Honestly Leonel, you have plenty of stories you need to tell me," I declare sternly, looking straight at his eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you everything." He laughs, leading me to my father.
"Happy birthday." He gave the rose which I accept. We started to dance quietly. I don't have a plan to talk to him.
"You're really a grown up now," he stated proudly. I just nodded, not looking at him.
He sighs. "Please look at your dad."
I didn't respond.
"I'm sorry, I promise to make up with you," he mutters, leading my way to Rico.
As our hand connects, my mind suddenly think Zack. I wish he was here. I wish he was my 18th dance. If only we could.
Rico and I started to dance silently. I'm waiting for his words. "Happy birthday Azalea."
"Thank you." I smile.
"You look so pretty." He smiles.
"Thank you." I laugh.
"What's your birthday wish?" he whispers, not wanting to be hear by anyone.
Swallowing a lump, tears are starting to form inside my eyes. I only have one wish, and that wish is to be with Zack.
"I know you have one. Come on tell me," he whispers, holding my hand tightly.
"My wish is to see him, to be with him, to be around him every single day," I answers, biting my lower lip. Despite knowing that he'll feel hurt, I still answer his question.
"I know." We spin around, so his back is now facing the crowd. He grabs something from his pocket and show it to me.
"H-how did you have that?" I pointed the ring I lost last month.
"You accidentally dropped it and I got this. I'm sorry for returning this so late. May I ask, do you wanna see him now? Do you want to take a risk? Do you want to run away and be with him?" he asks desperately, not minding the noisy crowd behind him, who're demanding us to face them.
My eyes widened. Surprised upon hearing those words from. Vehemently, I nod my head. I really want to be with him.
"Then wear this." He took out the ring from the box, putting it on my right ring finger gingerly. "I'm sorry I'm not Zack, but I'll make you happy for tonight. Are you ready to run?" He puts back the box inside his pocket.
"W-wait what do you mean?" I asks worriedly yet confusedly.
"Azalea we'll run away from here to see Zack. He's outside with his friends, waiting for us," he whispers on my ear.
"Y-you mean I'll be able to meet him again?" I asks as my tears build up again.
He nodded affirmatively, glancing at Leonel. I look at Leonel and he's standing at the door frame while Maica and Krystal are opening the door widely. So they know? They know about this? Did they plan it altogether?
Looking at my parents, they're both busy talking with my grandpa while Chanse is busy chatting with the guests.
Looking back at Rico, I nod desperately. "I'm ready."
"Good then let's go." He pulls my wrist as we both ran towards the front door.
"What happened?!"
"Why are they running?!"
"Is something going on?"
"Just stop them!" All of this voice are from the guests.
Just a little bit longer and we'll see each other again Zack.
***