Deanara Samaniego’s POV
"What are your plans for your birthday?" Gray asked me.
He placed his chin under his knuckles as he looked at me. I could see myself in his eyes that made me blush. I loved seeing myself in those eyes as I knew for a fact that he loves me. Love is something we cannot explain. Honestly, I used to doubt his love for me as I knew that it’s hard to forget someone we used to love.
It’s not easy, especially that he still sees Vivian everyday. I know, it cannot be avoided. But, I have to trust him. I trust him, but it’s Vivian that I cannot trust. I only hope that she is really sincere with her feelings towards Ethan because I don’t want him to get hurt. Ethan is a great friend.
“Where do you want to celebrate?” He added.
We were inside the coffee shop near our university. The summer break has ended, but I had to finish some work so I went back to the university. Gray, on the other hand, was busy with his projects with their company. Although, he always finds time to see me. And, I appreciate how he was always there for me. He never missed a day to make me feel that I am loved.
“What do you usually do on your birthday?” Gray asked while I was checking the blueprint of our hotel. I had spent my weeks redesigning our hotel before my parents and Mattel went back home. If this is even their home. I cannot believe I am doing this for Mattel.
Although Gray helped me with that, he oversaw the construction and the redecoration of our hotel based on my designs. I am thankful for his whole existence.
"Nothing." I replied as I sipped my coffee.
I don’t really celebrate birthdays because I am not fond of parties, although our family usually throw huge parties for me, but it’s for their business, too, so I don’t enjoy it. I got bored.
"What?" He lifted his brow. "What do you mean nothing? We should celebrate it!” He demanded. “C’mon. It’s your first birthday with me. We need to celebrate it!”
I shook my head.
"It's a normal day." I answered.
"You mean, you don't really celebrate birthdays?"
"I travel on my birthdays." I told him which is true. "So, yeah, I don't have parties. Well, my friends and families usually organize the party, but I really don't like celebrating."
"Hmm..." He clicked his tongue. "If I surprise you, you wouldn't like it?"
I stared at him. So, is he planning to surprise me? But, he ruined it now because I know he’s going to do it. But, still, I will be surprised because whatever he does surprises me.
"Depends what kind of surprise that would be," I giggled. "Considering it comes from you, then I would love it."
Gray chuckled. "I know, babe."
I smiled. "But, you don't need to do anything. Just your mere presence would already make my day."
He held my hand and kissed the back of my palm.
"I want to make you happy. So, if I ever made you sad, please tell me so I can make it. Huh?"
I nodded.
"Aw..." I pouted. "You don't need to do anything. Okay? You alone makes me happy. I love you."
"I love you, too." He smiled.
"But..." He glared at me. "I am still pissed at you. You didn't tell me. I was surprised. You are the heir to a multi-billionaire company. Should I really be afraid of someone offering me money to leave you?"
I laughed.
I couldn't hide it anymore. Although, I told him to shut up about it, especially that I never told anyone in the university or the people around me including Lyuna. Sooner or later, he would know about it. We are in the same business.
"Don't talk like you ain't one. You got an airline of your own." I stuck my tongue. "Just wow! But, why aren't you just focusing on it?"
He had mentioned to me that he owns an airline and it was because of his own hard work. When her mother died, she left sum money for Gray in which he used to build an airline and eventually after years it bloomed to be one of the best airlines in the world. He told me it's a tribute for her deceased mother who is also a pilot and a flight attendant.
He isn't the one managing it as he hates dealing with those kinds of things yet he still attends to it every now and then. Of course, he cannot just entrusted everything to someone. He also decided to take some business courses to be able to manage it soon.
"I am still waiting for my grandfather to turn the company over to my father." He said. "It was my grandfather who asked me to still work in our company. When he retired, I had no reason to work there anymore."
"Why not? Aren't you also an heir to that?"
"I mean, I'll focus on my airlines, but maybe do some freelance work in our company." He bit his lower lip as he started thinking. "My brother will surely inherit it."
"You're not gonna fight for it?"
He shook his head.
"The only thing I'm gonna fight for is you."
I blushed and chuckled a bit.
"You really know how to make my heart skip a beat, huh?" I giggled.
"Of course, babe!" He grinned. "I was born to make your heart flutter."
“But...Gray…” I paused and thought if I am going to say it to him now. “I have something to ask.”
“Go on.”
“Don’t get mad, please?” I pouted and made puppy eyes.
“I will never get mad at you.” He held my hand and played with my fingers.
“Why do you still work with Vivian?” I directly asked. “Is it necessary that she’s with you?”
“Oh…” Gray straightens a bit. “Are you not comfortable with it?”
“I am just asking because I am curious. I mean, why do you still work with her?”
“We started most of the projects together and so it would be a hassle to change some staff. Thus, I still continue to work with her. But, rest assured that this will be the last project. After this, I will no longer work with her.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“Are you jealous of her?” He confirmed.
“I would not deny that. After all, you’ve been together for years.” He leaned closer to me and kissed my forehead.
“Don’t worry about her. Okay? I love you.” He assured me. “She’s nothing but just my workmate.”
“Okay.” I smiled at him. I actually just want to be clear and to tell him what I truly felt so he would somehow avoid Vivian.
Just then, my phone rang. We both looked at it as it vibrated on the table. I saw how Gray’s mood changes upon seeing Mattel’s name on the screen.
Damn! I bit my lower lip. He is still using that number. I didn’t erase it, but I never thought he’s still using it. It’s been years since I last called that number.
Is he kidding me now?
“Mattel?” He raised his brow. “Is he still calling you and your ringtone is even his song?”
“No.” I shook my head. “He just called now and I swear we don’t talk anymore.”
“Why is he calling now?”
“I don’t know.”
I picked up the phone and was about to end it when he urged me to pick it up.
“What?” I said, surprised. “It’s nothing. You shouldn’t --”
“Pick it up if it's nothing.”
I sighed as my cold hands were shaking. Why am I shaking? I am just going to answer the phone and I am not doing anything bad.
“Okay.” I simply replied upon swiping the green button.
And, I know Gray started doubting me when Mattel said, “Hello, love.”