Audrey POV
Few weeks after…
“Happy birthday to you”
“Happy birthday to you”
“Happy birthday to you, sweetheart”
“Happy birthday to you”
I beamed merrily as I watch mom sang, beautifully. “Won't you open your eyes now?” Mom asked, and I felt a soft tap on my leg. I sluggishly fluttered my eyes open, and they landed on mom, who was smiling down at me on the bed.
“Happy Eighteenth birthday, honey,” She reached closer and pecked my forehead.
I crinkled my face confused but then, reality strike me. “Today's my birthday?” I asked mom with popped eyes, as I sat upright. “Yes baby, today is April seventeenth, “Mom replied, brushing my hair back with her fingers. “And you just sang for me now?” I further asked, still completely surprised.
“Yes dear” “Oh my… I thought I was dreaming, mom,” I said amidst the little laugh.
Mom chuckled before shaking her head.
“You hardly remember your birthday, Audrey,” I nodded in approval.
“I can't figure out why too, mom,” I told her, sadly. “No Audrey, don't give me this face on a joyous day like this,” Mom frowned.
“Now change it,” She instructed, and I finally put on a genuine smile. “Good”
“Now, go take your bath and come downstairs for breakfast” She says while standing up from the bed. “We have somewhere to be, so you should hurry”
She pecked my both cheeks and left my room afterwards.
I'm certain it's just an outing, or likely we go for shopping, that's the routine of my birthday. I wriggled out of the bed while yawning softly. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, I double tapped the screen, and it awakes.
My cheeks warm up as goosebumps increase on my skin. This is not the first time and of course it's not the second time, what am I saying? This is precisely not the hundredth time I'm staring at this picture, but this is how I feel each moment I stare at it.
I can't comprehend why though, probably because he was holding my shoulder. No, I surmise it's because we both had our best smiles on our faces. I can stare at this particular picture forever without getting tired. And that was why I made it my phone wallpaper.
I beamed, this day was truly a memorable day, as he had said, initially. After that day, I've come to realize many things, how I've been missing out from intriguing experiences all these years, particularly at this youthful period of mine.
And ever since, I've begun saying Hi to everyone who appears my way, including boys. Well, everyone noticed the new changes, but I guess they didn't know how to come ask me about it.
My mom was the most happiness of all, she won't stop thanking God almost every day about my new life.
My phone suddenly whizzes in my hand, jolting me out of my thoughts.
I looked down at the phone screen.
Oh, it's Kwan. Well, I'm pleased to tell you that our friendship is presently back to our it has always existed.
I quickly clicked on the answer icon before it stops jingling. “Hi, best” I greeted with a bright smile, slipping my feet into my slippers.” Happy birthday, darling,” She screamed into the phone, and I had to remove the phone from my ear for a moment. “Thanks, Kwan” I chuckled.
“I want to believe you're preparing already” She says and a gasped follows. “I'll call you back,” She said and quickly hung up.
Huh?
What's wrong with her?
My phone rings again, and I grinned upon discovering the contact's name. It's Ryan.
“Hey, doll” I said immediately I answered the call, and I'm sure she just rolled her eyes.
“I'm not a doll” She defended.
I smiled, she hates to be call a doll.
“But you're my doll, baby,” I taunted.
“Will you stop it now? She howled, and I laughed, evacuating where I was standing.
“Happy birthday, my love,” She said in a calm voice now. “Jordan is your love, remember?” I smirked, and I'm specific, she would be giggling right away. “I wish you would have some senses, now that you've added to your age” She says and erupted in laughter.
“F**k you, girl” I scowled like she would see me, and I wish it was a video call.
“Anyway, I hope you're getting your lazy self prepared?” She inquired after she had stop laughing. “Prepared for what?” I rose my eyebrows. “Are you planning to take me out? If yes, don't bother about it because my mom has reserved me before you,” I said proudly, staring at myself in the mirror.
“Talk to you later then” She said and hang up immediately. Uhm, mm… something is definitely suspicious.
“Won't you call to wish me?” I asked Duffer, staring at my phone, but all he could do was to smile. I slam his face, but that was literally my phone screen.
“I'm pissed, so don't smile at me,” I groused and threw my phone on the table.
Not even a text?
Foolish boy.
*****
A man outfitted as a security opened the gigantic blue gate. Mom drove into the compound and headed straight to the garage. I glimpsed at her again.
“Would you tell me what the surprise is already?” I moan, giving her my puppy eyes.
“Stop whining Audrey, we are here already” She stepped on the brakes and removed her seat belt. I rolled my eyes before getting down from the car.
I discerned the environment for a while and my lips fell apart immediately I realised where we stand.
I quickly went to mom at the back, where she was grabbing some of her tools in the boot.
“What are we doing here, mom?” I questioned with widened eyes.
She chuckled before handing out her makeup box to me. “What do you think, sweetheart?” She asked, pressing her phone.
“Okay mom, I concede you already got a surprise for me, but in this kind of place…”
“So you think your mom can't afford a place like this?” She shot me an energetic glare and I sough. “This is Queens suite mom, one of the best and luxurious hotel in the whole South Korea, it's not a place for people like us”
“Don't tell me you consumed all your savings all in the name of surprise, mom?” I asked breathlessly. She shut the boot and squeezed me to her chest, warmly. “Even if I'd spent my last penny on this, you deserve more, Mi cha” She cooed, and then I glimmered.
“But don't worry, you'll understand everything soon” She winks and took my free hand as we headed into the enormous hotel.
So beautiful.
“You're looking gorgeous, my princess,” Mom praised after she was done modifying my face.
I kept glancing at my face in the mirror. My was positioned in a high ponytail.
Indisputably, I'm looking so gorgeous.
“Yeah, come in” Mom said into her phone and immediately, a knock came on the door.
She blew me a kiss before walking towards the door to get it. I really can't wait for this surprise, I grunted inwardly.
I stood on my feet, when I spotted the two ladies who came in after my mom. I recognized one of them as one of my mom's employee. They were holding two big boxes in their hands. “Happy birthday, Audrey” They both chorused with a smile on their faces, immediately they approached me.
“Thank you” I also smiled.
They gently dropped the boxes on the bed and turned to mom. “You can go back to the venue, we'll be there shortly,” Mom told them and they both nodded with a bow before leaving.
“Now let's dress you up, princess,” Mom squealed before emptying one of the two boxes.
And there, she was holding the most pretty blond dinner gown I've ever come across.
I slowly took a step nearer, my eyes had evolved with water. I trailed my fingers over the glimmering pearls on the breasts' area- this so beautiful. “Do you like it?” Mom beamed, I sniffed back my tears. “Mom” I shoved myself to her, embracing her tightly. “I love it mom, it's so beautiful” My voice quarters.” Awww… Baby”
“I'm glad you love it”
“Careful” Mom says, holding on to my right hand as we headed to 'God knows'
After I was done dressing, Mom used a scarf to covered my eyes before we vacated the hotel room, and presently, I don't have an idea of what's going on. “Do I have to be blindfolded?” I asked her, counting my steps slowly. “We are close already” She announces, and I smiled.
“Are you ready?” Mom asked after a few more walk. “I am absolutely more than ready, mom,” I grinned.
And I could feel the scarf gradually leaving my eyes. Thank goodness.
I flickered my eyelids open, concurrently the lights turned on. “Happy birthday, Audrey!” Everyone in the room shouted happily in unison with a round of applause.
Oh my goodness. I looked at everyone faces, I noticed they were all my classmates.
But how? I stood dumbfounded, as I watch everyone with smiles on their faces.
Kwan, Hazel, and Ryan approached me from God knows where, grinning.
They were all dressed, nicely.
“Happy birthday, darling” Hazel hugged me and says. Followed by Kwan, then Ryan.
I couldn't utter a word, so I just watch them.
“Come on, don't be a baby” Ryan slap my arm playfully, and they all snickered. “Whoa, we are glad you love the surprise, anyway,” Hazel said, and I finally gulped before speaking up. “You guys knew about this?” I bit out, I was really short of words.
I looked behind me, mom was out of view already. “Of course sweetheart” Kwan winked, adjusting the strap of her black dress. “You're looking so sweet” Hazel blew me a kiss, but I just rolled my eyes.” Yeah, she's looking hot. Min jun is one lucky guy, isn't it?” Ryan added, and I think I glowed at the mention of his name. “Oh look at her cheeks girls, she's blushing already” Kwan teases, and they all chuckled heatedly.
“Now let's enjoy the party!” They hooked their arms with mine, and mixed with others.
“Happy birthday, Audrey”
We perked up to see Kwan's boyfriend or should I say ex-boyfriend because they're not together anymore. He came too?
“Thanks,” I said with a small smile.
“Here's a present for you, I hope you like it,” He outstretched a small wrapped box to me.
I glanced at my friends, and they gave a nod, except Kwan, though, who was staring ahead.
“Thanks, Seo yun” I collected it from him.
He smiled at me before turning to Kwan. “I would love to have a word with you later, Kwan,” He said to Kwan. “What word?” Kwan blared. “Oh, you're intending to humiliate me once more” She barked, and I held her palm.
“Calm down, girl”
She deliberately removed her hand and strode away. “Kwan!” Seo yun called after her, but she didn't stop.
He sighed before turning to face me. “Audrey, you're the only person I feel she would listen to,” He began, and we all watch his mouth. “Please, I need you to beg Kwan, I really want her,” We all exchanged a short glance. Huh?
“It is true I wanted to play with her emotions, but since the day you spoke senses into my head, I've been full remorse, and it was then I realized how much I like her” He elucidated sadly, and I felt for him.
One could see the sincerity on his face, boldly. “I understand how you feel, Seo yun, but don't worry, I'll help you talk to her,” I assured him with a smile. “Really?” His face brighten up and I nodded.
And without notice, he hugged me.
“Oops” Hazel said. “Thanks, Audrey”
“Enjoy the party” I told him after we unlocked from the short hug, he nodded before leaving. “I didn't see that coming,” I said after he had left. “Me too” Hazel and Ryan also mumbled. “Happy birthday, Crazy”
We all swiveled to the direction, it's crazy Blondie. My eyes swelled at once.
Who invited her?
“I don't know how your single mom had survived to do this, but I must commend she really did an impressive job” She sneered, looking around the entire place. She took her eyes back to my figure, my eyes glowered as I stare at her and which she equally maintained the gaze.