It was finally Friday, and those in the McDonell mansion couldn’t wait for the next day. Leo, who had no idea what was going on around him, went about his day at the office like any other normal day, except it was Friday and the mood in the office was always different. However, that didn’t matter to him. It was just another day before the weekend. Eric who was excited about the next day already laid down plans for Leo’s birthday. Leo made Eric handle all that. He wasn’t the kind who loved to celebrate extravagantly. Therefore, a simple hangout with Eric and Oliver, followed by a nice lovely dinner out with the family was all right for him.
With the excitement of Leo’s birthday, Diana and Mrs. McDonell had to leave out early in the morning to make sure that all the decorations and everything else were ready. As soon as Leo was to leave the house on the actual day, the decorators had to come in and do their magic before he arrived in the evening. They told Eric to keep Leo preoccupied for the whole day until they gave him the signal to come home.
As for Angel, she had stayed up quite late baking Leo’s cake at the McAlister’s house. She slept at two in the morning, and luckily enough, she had already told Mr. McDonell that she wasn’t going to show up for work on Friday. That surprised Leo when he passed by her cubicle and found it empty. He didn’t have to ask Eric about her whereabouts. She obviously had a busy night, he concluded.
Angel came back home later in the evening. Eric had gone to pick her up and brought her back. Leo couldn’t help but notice how tired Angel looked, but she had an excited smile on her face when Leo found her seated next to Amanda and Diana in the living room. They stopped their conversation when Leo walked in, and after Angel greeted him, she excused herself and said she needed to freshen up. Amanda encouraged her to go on and get a good night’s sleep. Angel did go to bed early, and Leo found that a little awkward, for she always joined him, Eric, and Oliver for a Friday night movie.
The day had finally arrived. Leo’s birthday. Leo woke up with a video call from Carly. He turned in his bed to take the phone on the bedside table and answered it. Carly sang to him when he answered her call, bringing a sleepy smile to his face.
“Happy birthday, Leo,” said Carly after she finished singing the song.
“Thanks, Carly,” he said as he rubbed his sleepy eyes. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were going to call.”
“Why should I miss out on singing for you on such a day?” she asked. “I hope you have a lovely day today.”
“Thanks.” Leo sat up in bed, still holding his phone. “What are you up to today?”
“I will be going out to the beach with all the other students. It’s a little way out of town.”
“If you ask me, that’s a nice way to spend a birthday. Now I really wish I were there.”
“Yeah, it would’ve been awesome. Now, get out of bed and take on the day. I need to get ready too.”
“Then I’ll call you in the evening?” Leo asked, raising an eyebrow.
“That’s if you won’t be too tired or occupied. Happy birthday, Leo.” Carly winked at him and blew a kiss at him.
Leo said his thanks once again and cut the call. After tossing his phone aside, he stretched his arms and pushed the bedcovers aside. He headed for the bathroom, ready to begin the day.
“Here comes the birthday boy,” said Amanda, turning to look at Leo as he walked into the dining room. There was only her, Diana, and Eric, having breakfast.
“Morning, Grandma,” said Leo as he went over to where Amanda sat and pecked her on the cheek.
“Morning, dear,” said Amanda. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks.” He also went over to Diana and pecked her on the cheek too. She also wished him a happy birthday.
“Happy birthday, Leo,” said Eric. “I would love to kiss you on the cheek, but that would only look weird.”
Leo laughed as he came to sit next to Eric. “Thanks,” he said. “If you were my sister, I would’ve allowed you to kiss me.”
“Eric’s just from telling us that you’re going to have a busy day today,” said Diana.
“Yeah, we are. Eric wanted to go all out this year, so I only know of a few places we will be going to.”
“And it’s nice that you decided to invite Oliver along,” said Amanda as she took her cup of coffee from the table. “Last year, he felt so left out I thought he was never going to speak to you guys again.”
“Well, last year was a different story,” said Eric. “And let’s not forget that there was Kim too.”
Amanda stuck her tongue out as if she had tasted something bitter. “Don’t remind me,” she said.
Mrs. McDonell walked into the dining room, and she excitedly walked over to Leo. She wished him a happy birthday and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Leo thanked her as she went to take her seat at the head of the table.
“Oh, it’s such a lovely day,” said Mrs. McDonell so joyfully. “Leo is finally 29 years old.”
“Mum, you’re being emotional right now,” said Leo as he served himself some toast and already bit into one.
“Yeah, I am. I’m so sorry. It’s such a big day, and I’m your mother. Of course I’ll be emotional.”
“I haven’t seen you this emotional since Leo turned 25,” said Diana.
“And the day of Leo’s wedding, which he soon cancelled,” said Amanda, smiling at Mrs. McDonell.
Mrs. McDonell threw Amanda a look. “You know how a mother gets when it’s her son’s birthday.” She turned to smile back at Leo. “All I wish is happiness and success for him.”
“Thanks, Mum,” said Leo. “Can we please just have breakfast now? I don’t want you being all mushy on me.”
“Okay. May you pass me the toast, please?” Leo did likewise.
While they had their breakfast, Oliver walked in and wished Leo a happy birthday. Mr. McDonell came in a few minutes later and wished Leo a happy birthday. The only person not at the table was Angel, and Diana couldn’t help but ask where she was.
“Maybe she’s still sleeping,” Amanda answered. “The poor thing. She must have had so much to do when she visited her friend the other day.”
“Well, she did look exhausted when she came back home,” said Diana. “Since I am done with my breakfast, I’ll go and check up on her.”
Diana stood up from the table and left the dining room. Leo’s eyes followed his aunt as she walked out. He thought it better for Angel to be given time to rest. Yet again, it was a good thing Diana thought of checking up on her. She might be ill, Leo thought to himself. He soon brushed off the thought, telling himself not to overthink things.
Diana soon stood in front of Angel’s door and knocked. She listened in, and there came no response. She knocked again; still no response. She held the doorknob and slowly turned it. Drawing the door open slowly, Diana looked into the semi-dark room, and there was Angel still in bed. Diana walked in and approached the bed. Angel, in her white pajamas, lay with her back on the bed and her arms splayed beside her. She slept so soundly that Diana couldn’t help but wonder if Angel ever snored. Angel’s steady breathing and calmness on her face assured Diana that Angel was alright. Diana continued to look at Angel, and a smile appeared across her face. She’s worked too hard; she deserves the rest, she thought.
“Is Angel okay?” whispered a voice beside her.
Diana almost shrieked in fright when she saw Eric standing beside her. How did I not hear him? she wondered. She stared angrily at him.
“You scared me,” said Diana in a whisper. “You would’ve woken her up.”
“I was careful not to,” said Eric. He looked down at Angel, still fast asleep, and he smiled. “Doesn’t she look adorable? She looks like an angel.”
“Yeah, she does.”
Diana and Eric continued to look at Angel before they heard footsteps coming down the hall. They turned their heads to see Leo appearing at Angel’s door.
“I was looking for—” Before Leo could finish his sentence, Diana and Eric shushed him, placing their fingers on their lips. Leo couldn’t help but look irritated.
“What’s the big deal?” Leo asked in a whisper as he walked into the room silently to stand next to Eric.
“Angel is still asleep,” Eric whispered.
Leo raised an eyebrow at Eric and his eyes fell on Angel, who continued to sleep soundly, oblivious that she had just become a spectacle to look at. And just like Diana, Leo wondered if Angel ever snored. She slept so soundly, and her face looked so calm and peaceful. Her black and red hair splayed all around her pillow, giving her a unique look in the semi-darkness. She looked like those mystical, mesmerizing women out of a painting.
“We better go,” Diana whispered. “Gosh, I wish I had my phone with me. I would’ve taken a picture of her and shown it to Mum.”
“I know, right?” Eric shook his head. “And so a beautiful moment like this will just pass away.”
Angel soon turned over in her bed, and for a moment, Diana, Eric, and Leo held their breaths. They thought she was waking up, but she was only turning over to her side, facing in the other direction, away from them. It looks like the show was finally over.
Diana signaled to Eric and Leo to leave. The three of them silently walked out of the room, and Diana silently closed the door.
“That was close,” she said, relieved to be in the hallway. “I wouldn’t have liked to disturb her. Who knows how angry one can get early in the morning?”
“Yeah, but she looked so cute,” said Eric. “If I were waking up next to someone like her every morning, I would feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
Diana hit Eric on the shoulder, obviously telling him to mind his manners. Leo couldn’t help but have a flashback of the dream he had in his apartment after Eric made that statement. He soon realized that his cheeks were starting to heat up. This felt embarrassing.
“We better get a move on, Eric,” said Leo. “I came here looking for you.”
“Yeah, sure. Let me go get my stuff upstairs,” said Eric. He started to make his way down the hall, leaving Diana with Leo.
“Angel did look adorable, didn’t she, Leo?” Diana asked.
“Huh?” Leo tuned to look at his aunt, his cheeks fully blushing now. There was simply no hiding it, and Diana couldn’t help but giggle.
“Calm down, Leo,” said Diana. “A simple yes or no will suffice.” She wrapped her hand around Leo’s arm so that the two of them would walk down the hall together. “So, are you going to answer my question?”
“I don’t think I want to,” said Leo as he looked up at the ceiling.
“Complimenting isn’t such a bad thing. It’s not as if you like her.” Diana looked up at Leo. “Do you?”
“No, I don’t,” Leo quickly answered.
Diana beamed at him. “Fine, let me not bother you on your special day,” she said. “I wouldn’t like you to hate me or anything.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
Diana chuckled. “Yeah, I know.”
The two of them left the hall and found themselves waiting by the stairs for Eric. Oliver found them as he came from the dining room, pushing Amanda in her wheelchair.
“How’s Angel doing?” Amanda asked, looking at Diana.
“Oh, she’s fast asleep,” Diana answered. “You should’ve seen her, though. She looks adorable in her sleep.”
“Really? You should’ve taken a picture of her.”
Leo rolled his eyes. Why is everyone so obsessed with Angel’s looks? It annoyed him a little, but at the same time, he couldn’t stop blushing at the thought of Angel’s face.
“Yeah, I really should have,” said Diana. “You can ask Leo yourself. She looked really pretty.”
“I am not going to answer that,” said Leo, turning away from his grandmother as soon as he noticed her open her mouth to ask.
Amanda chuckled. “Okay, I won’t ask,” she said. “Your cheeks are giving you away, so there’s simply no need to.”
“No, they aren’t,” said Leo, still not looking at his grandmother.
“I thought I looked adorable when I slept,” said Oliver.
“You still do, sweetie,” said Diana. “But Angel has just toppled you off that seat.”
Leo couldn’t wait for Eric to come back down so that he could leave. He felt he couldn’t take any more of this.
Immediately he thought of that, Eric appeared at the top of the stairs and made his way down to them. Leo felt relieved, telling himself that they would be leaving soon.
“Are we ready to go?” Eric asked, turning to look at Leo.
“Yes, please,” said Leo. “Let’s leave Aunt and Grandma talking about Angel looking adorable. All I want is to focus on my day.”
“Yeah, let’s go,” said Oliver. “I’m disappointed to see that my mother finds Angel more adorable than me.”
Leo and Oliver already started to make their way to the door while Eric looked surprised. Amanda and Diana couldn’t help but giggle at the two. The two women had a lot to talk about after they left.
“Okay, I don’t know what their problem is, but they don’t seem that mad,” said Eric. He went on to follow Leo and Oliver.
“Enjoy yourselves,” said Diana as she waved at them.
As soon as they left, Amanda went over to Diana. “How was Leo’s reaction when he saw Angel?”
“You should’ve seen his face,” said Diana as he giggled. “He looked mesmerized for a second. I bet if he were alone in that room, he would’ve stayed there a little longer.”
“Anyway, today is a big day. We better keep a lookout for when these guys leave.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Diana. “We should call the decorators to come in ASAP.” Diana rushed into the living room to look out the window.
While Leo, Eric, and Oliver were entering Eric’s car, Leo felt his phone beep in his pocket. He had already opened the car door on the passenger side but stopped short to look at the message. He had been receiving many messages from family and friends since he woke up. Unfortunately, he so happened to receive a message from Kim. Eric, who had already entered the car through the driver’s seat, looked at Leo and wondered what was the matter.
“Aren’t we going or what?” Eric asked.
“Yeah, we are,” Leo answered as he got into the car. “I just received a message from Kim wishing me a happy birthday.”
“Oh. Well, you shouldn’t be surprised. I mean, she still cares about you, in a way.”
“Whatever. At least she didn’t ask to meet me or anything.”
“What if she wanted to give you a present?” Oliver, who sat in the backseat, asked.
“Then I would tell her to keep it,” Leo answered. “I wouldn’t like anything from her. It would seem like some sort of favor, and I don’t want that.”
“Okay, let’s not talk about Kim,” said Eric as he put on his seatbelt and started the car. “Let’s go out and have some fun.”
Oliver cheered with delight while Leo smiled at Eric. Today really was going to be something special.
Two hours after Leo had left with Oliver and Eric, Angel finally woke up. She had no idea how long she had slept that when she turned around in her bed to look at her alarm clock on her bedside table, she quickly sat up. She couldn’t believe she had slept until ten. She kicked away her bed covers, and she walked over to the bathroom to wash her face. She could hear noises coming from outside. The decorators are here, she said to herself.
Angel quickly walked out of the bathroom and out of her room. Since she wore pajamas, she didn’t mind. When Angel found herself by the stairs, she noticed a bustle of activity all around. The designers were up and down taking tables and some decorations from the front to the back of the house in the garden using the door through the sitting room. Mrs. McDonell stood in the foyer, making sure everything was going smoothly. When two men carrying tables passed her, she noticed Angel standing by the stairs.
“Morning, Angel,” she greeted.
“Morning,” said Angel. She walked over to Mrs. McDonell. “I’m sorry I overslept. I was supposed to be helping you and Diana coordinate.”
“No worries. We all know how hard you had to work the other day. And I talked to Mrs. McAlister; she said the cake looks lovely.”
“Oh, thanks.” Angel blushed. She never expected Mrs. McDonell to say that to her. The two of them have never really had an intense argument. They also didn’t seem to get along either, until Mrs. McDonell asked Angel to help with the preparations for Leo’s birthday.
“You go get ready and have something to eat. You can help us out in the garden when you’re ready.”
“Okay.”
Angel turned around and started to make her way back to her room when she stopped. She decided to go on ahead, passing the flight of stairs and into the kitchen, and out into the backyard. She found Amanda seated on one side of the porch so as not to get in the way of those working about. When Angel looked towards the garden lawn, the tent was already being set up, and the decorations and other equipment had been set aside. Angel saw Diana standing in front of the tent, watching as it was being set up.
“Angel, you’re awake,” said Amanda. She beckoned to Angel to come over to her.
“Morning,” said Angel as she walked over to Amanda.
“Morning.” Amanda smiled at Angel. “I hope you had a restful sleep.”
“I did.” Angel sat down on the chair next to Amanda. “I didn’t expect to be asleep for so long.”
“Well, you were tired; of course you had to rest. I hear you did a pretty good job on the cake.”
Angel shrugged her shoulders. “I hope so.”
“Do you doubt yourself?” Amanda asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, no.” Angel quickly waved her hands. “I know I did all I could. You all haven’t seen it yet, but you know how people are. Some may like it, others may not.”
“Oh, please. Is that what you’re worried about? A cake is a cake, and as long as people will get to eat it, no one will mind. It’s the thought that counts.”
“Yeah, you are right.” Angel leaned back in her chair.
“Have you eaten yet?”
When Angel shook her head, Amanda called out to Mandy in the kitchen. Mandy appeared at the back door of the kitchen, and Amanda told her to serve breakfast for Angel to eat. Mandy rushed back into the kitchen to prepare Angel’s breakfast.
“Tonight is going to be wonderful,” said Amanda as she watched the tent rising up from the ground as the people who were setting it up pulled the ropes at different angles.
“Won’t Leo be mad?” Angel asked as she also looked at the tent. “I mean, I was told that he isn’t a big fan of parties.”
“Yeah, he doesn’t. He had a bad experience when he was young and never wanted to throw big birthday parties ever again. However, this is different. We haven’t had a big birthday celebration for him in a while. I thought it would’ve been nice if we did it when he turned thirty, but his mother thought it was high time we just surprised him. I agreed with her on that one, and I rarely do.”
Angel wanted to ask about Leo’s bad experience, but she felt it best not to ask. “I hope he isn’t going to throw a fit when he sees this.”
“In front of people? He isn’t a kid anymore. He has to suck it in, and he can yell at us later when the party’s over.”
Angel chuckled as she already pictured Leo in the living room with her and the rest of the family showing his displeasure over the party. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“I’m not too worried, though. Leo just doesn’t like to have too many people complimenting him or celebrating him. As unselfish as that might sound, it almost feels like you’re giving out a noble picture of him when in fact he can throw a tantrum when he wants to.”
“You don’t have to remind me.” Angel gave Amanda a smirk. In the end, the two women laughed.
Mandy soon came out on the porch with a tray. On it was a plate of pancakes smeared with syrup and a hot cup of tea. Just what Angel needed. She thanked Mandy after she took the tray and placed it on the small garden table in front of her.
“I have a good feeling that tonight will be great, though,” said Amanda. “Leo will have a great time with no worries.”
“Which reminds me,” said Angel after chewing on a piece of pancake. “Won’t Kim be here for the party?”
Amanda turned stone cold as she looked at Angel. “She better not be,” she said through her teeth.
“That will be inevitable, Mum,” came Diana as she walked up to the porch. “You know how her family is closely tied to ours.”
“You know, we can always get rid of that connection,” said Amanda as she turned to Diana. “And for the sake of Leo, I’ll be able to do it.”
“What are talking-?” Diana stopped short when she knew what her mother was getting at. “Mum! There will be no killing!”
Angel almost choked on her pancake. Now she finally got it. Amanda wanted to kill Mrs. McDonell.
“I was only kidding,” said Amanda with a laugh. “How are the preparations going?”
Diana threw her mother a look. “So far so good,” she answered. “Now that the tent is up, the decorating can begin.”
“I better finish my breakfast and come help you,” said Angel.
“No, take your time,” said Diana. “By the way, I picked up your dress yesterday.”
“Oh, thanks,” said Angel. Angel had bought a dress online for the event. With Diana’s help, she managed to find something suitable with their theme for the party.
“I can’t wait to see you wear it,” said Diana. “You should see it, Mum. It looks gorgeous.”
“Then I suggest we finish up with decorations and wait for the evening,” said Amanda.
Diana went back out towards the tent. Now things were about to get even busier. As soon as Angel finished her breakfast, she went back to her room to change out of her pajamas. Afterwards, she came out to help Mrs. McDonell and Diana.
It was early in the afternoon when the decorating inside the tent was almost complete. What was left were the sound system and a few tables and chairs to be arranged. Diana, Mrs. McDonell, Angel, and Amanda stood on the lawn outside the tent, looking at how beautiful it looked inside. The four women looked on as if they had just created a wonderful masterpiece.
“I hate to say this, Bertha,” said Amanda, “these arrangements for the party are much better looking than the wedding ever was.”
“Wow,” said Mrs. McDonell, sounding unimpressed. “Can’t you just admit that I’m a good decorator?”
“No.” Amanda smirked. “The decorator chosen for this work is the one to thank. And we all know who chose her.”
All the women’s eyes fell on Angel, who quickly shook her head. “There’s nothing to thank me for here,” said Angel. “I was just doing my job.”
“You did a much better job than Bertha here by choosing another decorator,” said Amanda. “She hires the same one for all her other events. Some were good, others—not so much.”
“Okay, I get it,” said Mrs. McDonell. “Can we all go inside and have lunch? Let’s not forget that we also have to get ready. We told the guests to arrive early to surprise Leo.”
“There’s plenty of time,” said Diana. “The caterers will come late in the afternoon, and the guests will start flocking in by early evening. I’ll go and check on the decorator in the living room and see that she’s well taken care of with her crew.”
Amanda told Diana that she would go with her. Diana helped push Amanda’s wheelchair, and the two women headed back to the house. Angel was just about to follow them when Mrs. McDonell stopped her.
“Angel, please wait a moment,” said Mrs. McDonell.
Angel stopped short. She didn’t expect Mrs. McDonell to want to talk to her. After Diana and Amanda were a good distance away from them. Mrs. McDonell turned to look at Angel.
“I’m not usually the type to say what I’m about to say to you,” Mrs. McDonell started, “but I’ll say it anyway. Thank you.”
Angel felt like she didn’t hear right. She wanted to ask Mrs. McDonell to repeat herself, but that would only get her upset.
“It’s nothing,” said Angel. “It’s the least I can do after all you and your family have done for me and my sister.”
“Oh, don’t get so mushy on me.” Mrs. McDonell looked away. Is she blushing too? Angel thought. She couldn’t tell. “Amanda was right. You chose a very good decorator, and you went on to bake a cake for the party. Not to mention you’ve been with Diana and me every step of the way. So, thank you.”
“It was a fun experience. I hope we can do something like this again.”
“Yeah, well, if we aren’t going to host the family Thanksgiving, then we might as well have a huge Christmas party.” Mrs. McDonell looked on into the tent with a smile on her face. “We better go have lunch now. I’ve no idea what time Diana’s make-up artists are to arrive, but we better eat and rest up before then.”
Angel was just about to follow Mrs. McDonell, but her phone started to ring in the pocket of her jeans. When she checked who it was, she excused herself and told Mrs. McDonell to go on without her. As soon as Angel was alone, she answered the call, holding the phone at a distance. Carly had video-called her.
“Hey, Carly,” Angel greeted as soon as her sister’s face appeared on the screen.
“Hey, Angel,” said Carly. Angel noticed the blue sky and could hear the sound of sea waves from Carly’s end. Carly had texted her earlier that she would be going to the beach.
“I know you called just to look at how things are going so far,” said Angel.
“Yeah, I want to see the place. May you kindly turn the phone camera around? I want to see!”
“Okay. Hold your horses.” Angel tapped at the camera setting on her phone in order for the camera to focus on the back camera lens. “There you go.”
Carly couldn’t help but stare in awe as Angel closely moved towards the tent. “Wow, Angel, it’s amazing!” Carly exclaimed. “Now I wish I could take the first flight back home. I really want to be there.”
“Trust me, you’re better off relaxing at the beach. I woke up so late, but I still feel tired.”
“Well, that was no easy cake to bake. You’ve done a really good job, Angel. You’re simply the best.”
“Thanks. Too bad you won’t be here.”
“Yeah, well, boo-hoo for me. Moreover, you had better freeze my part of the cake. I want to taste it when I get back.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it. You know how people in this house just love cake.”
“Whatever. You can go rest up. The party is going to be a blast.”
“Okay, you have fun at the beach. Is Robin there with you? You should greet him for me.”
“I will. Bye, Angel. And thanks, once again.”
Angel waved at her sister and cut the call. She put her phone back in the pocket and looked around one last time in the tent. She turned around and started to make her way back to the house.
When she entered through the kitchen, she found the chef and his cooks preparing lunch. She greeted them as she walked past, and she found herself heading for the living room. Before she got there, Angel could hear people laughing. Mrs. McDonell was talking to someone with so much excitement. Could it be Diana? Angel wondered. She was soon to find out.
As soon as Angel made a turn into the living room, she stopped herself short. Standing with Mrs. McDonell and holding hands as they giggled was Kim. What is Kim doing here so early? Angel asked herself. Guests weren’t supposed to arrive until early in the evening.
Kim turned to see Angel standing at the entrance of the living room. “Hi, Angel,” said Kim with a bright smile on her face.
“Kim, how are you?” Angel asked as she walked into the living room. She tried to look excited, and she hoped the two women in front of her wouldn’t notice how hard she tried to act it out.
“I’m good, thanks. I hear the preparations for the party are going smoothly. I should’ve come to help with the decorations, but I got so busy, and I lost track of time.”
Angel looked Kim up and down. She looked like she had come straight out of a salon, with her blonde hair dropping in curls over her shoulders. Not to mention that she even had her nails done too.
“It’s fine, dear. We got it all under control,” said Mrs. McDonell. “Have you got your things with you?”
“Yeah, they’re in the car; I’ll have to go and get them. First, I need to see the garden. I’m so excited.” Kim couldn’t help but giggle.
Diana and Amanda appeared from the dining room. They were obviously wondering who arrived. And when Amanda’s eyes fell on Kim, a dark, grim look fell upon her. Angel noticed it and swallowed. Something told her that Amanda might as well follow through with her threat she had planned earlier on Mrs. McDonell, but focus it on Kim.
“Hey, Kim,” said Diana, who was surprised to see her. “You’re here early. The party isn’t going to start anytime soon.”
“Oh, I know,” said Kim. “I wanted to come here earlier to help out. Mrs. McDonell invited me, but I got a little busy.”
“Uh-huh.” Diana gave Bertha a curious look, which Mrs. McDonell avoided. “There isn’t much to do since the decorating is done. There are just minor decorations, and the caterers will be coming late in the afternoon.”
“Yeah, I know. Nevertheless, I also planned to stay here until the party started. I even brought my outfit for the night and everything.”
Yikes, Angel thought to herself as she silently hissed. She noticed a dark aura coming from Amanda, and Angel was afraid of coming anywhere close. Diana must have felt it too, because she looked down at her mother, who still hadn’t said a word.
“We better go and look at the decorations before lunch is served,” said Mrs. McDonell, feeling the need to rush out of the living room. “Um…, Diana, are the decorators in the dining room settled?”
“Yes, they are,” Diana answered. “They have been served some juice while they wait for lunch.”
“Okay, we better get going now.” Mrs. McDonell wrapped her hand around Kim’s arm and started to drag Kim with her out of the living room.
Kim looked at Amanda, obviously wanting to greet her as well, but she realized that uttering a single word would bring sudden death upon her. She looked away, grateful that Mrs. McDonell had thought it best to leave. After bypassing Angel and leaving the room, Angel turned to look at Amanda, who still had that cold look on her face.
“Kim is the one who’s dying today, isn’t she?” Angel asked her.
“Not you too, Angel,” said Diana in disbelief.
“Oh, I’ll do worse than that,” said Amanda. “If she so much as ruins this party, she will wish she had never been born.”
“Goodness,” said Diana as she shook her head. “It wouldn’t have been any trouble if Kim had arrived along with the other guests. But to have her around now is a little unusual.”
“Oh, she better not even suggest a single thing to the way you’ve arranged things in the tent,” said Amanda. “That girl has a bad habit of wanting to do her own things. I’ll whoop her if she does.”
“I know, Mum. Calm down. Judging by the look you gave her, she knows she can’t do a thing without you noticing. When it comes to Kim, you’re sort of like a bloodhound.”
“Isn’t anyone hungry?” Angel asked, trying to change the subject. “This whole thing has gotten me hungry all over again.”
“Yeah, we’ll eat from the kitchen,” said Diana. “The table in the dining room has been fully occupied.”
“Yes, let’s eat from there so that I can keep an eye on those two,” said Amanda as she held the wheels of her wheelchair and started to make her way to the kitchen on her own.
Diana and Angel looked at each other with scared looks on their faces. Diana started to follow her mother while Angel muttered an “Oh, boy,” before following after Diana.
***
Leo had a good time with Eric and Oliver. They first spent their day at the arcade, which Leo thought at first was a little ridiculous. However, he ended up enjoying himself. He felt he had been teleported back to his childhood, and he enjoyed competing against Eric and Oliver. Oliver, who is still pretty young and knowledgeable with most of the games, almost won all the games they played. All except the race car game. Since Eric and Leo were already experts at driving, beating Oliver was a piece of cake.
After playing at the arcade, they did a little window shopping at a mall and had their lunch there before going to a bowling alley. Afterwards, they went to a laser tag arena, where they had the most fun. Leo was up against Eric and Oliver. Apparently, Leo was able to take both of them out. They had so much fun that by the time they were leaving the arena, it was early in the evening. Leo suggested that it was time for them to go back home, but Eric wanted them to have ice cream first. Before Leo could refuse, Oliver thought it was a good idea and said they should. Leo couldn’t refuse in the end, and it was his birthday after all. A little ice cream won’t hurt.
They went to a famous ice cream store, and they spent their time there enjoying their ice creams. Afterwards, Leo suggested that it was time for them to go home now. Eric and Oliver didn’t complain, and they were soon on their way. They were a few minutes away from arriving at their destination when Leo turned to look at Eric to ask him a question.
“Did Mum say where we were going to have dinner tonight?” Leo asked.
“Nah, she didn’t,” Eric answered. “Maybe it’s the same place as last time?”
“I hope not. It’s nice to have a change once in a while.”
The car soon made a turn to the gate, and the guard who stood there opened the gate for them. They drove up to the front of the house, and the cars belonging to Leo’s mother and father and Diana were in the driveway as usual. After Eric killed the car engine, he, Leo, and Oliver all got out of the car. Oliver ran for the front door and knocked. The door flew open, and Mandy stood there behind it.
“Good evening, Oliver,” Mandy greeted him as he entered the foyer. “How was your day?”
“It was great,” said Oliver.
Eric and Leo also entered the house, and Mandy wished Leo a happy birthday. She asked how his day went. Leo answered that he had a good time. He asked where everyone else was, and Mandy told him that they were in their rooms getting ready to go out for dinner. Oliver rushed up the stairs to his room, saying that he needed to change out of his clothes.
“That’s a good idea,” said Eric. “You should go and change too, Leo.”
“Do I really have to?” Leo asked as he and Eric approached the stairs. “I mean, I’m obviously going to find something on my bed and a note from Mum telling me to put it on like always.”
“Yep. I advise you do that. Let’s be honest, she does make you look good on your birthday.”
“Whatever. We better go and get ready then.”
Leo and Eric started to make their way up the stairs while Mandy bypassed the stairs to head for the kitchen. When Leo entered his room, he wasn’t surprised to see a set of clothes on his bed and a note as usual beside them. He went over to his bed and picked up the note. It was his mother’s handwriting, alright. Just like every other night on his birthday, she always picked out what he had to wear for dinner. This time around, he was to wear a white shirt with beige pants. Weird, he thought. She never chooses bright colors. This is new. Anyway, he didn’t want to upset her.
A few minutes after having a quick shower and putting his clothes on, Leo heard something fall to the ground and break outside. He went over by the window, only to find the lights in the garden were dark, and he couldn’t see. Strange, he wondered. He thought of going outside to check it out.
As soon as Leo stepped out of his room, he found Eric also stepping out of his room. Eric wore a white golf shirt and beige cargo pants with matching white canvas.
“Hey, did you hear the noise outside?” Leo asked.
“Yeah, I did,” said Eric. “And the lights on the lawn are off. Do you want to check it out?”
“Yeah, we should.”
The two of them started to make their way down the hall and down the stairs. Just as they were to enter the kitchen, Oliver came running out through the door and stopped when he saw them. He was dressed in a white shirt and pink pants. He even had on a matching pink bow tie. The look on his face is what made Leo and Eric fear the worst.
“You have to come quick,” said Oliver, almost out of breath. “I think there’s something in the garden. Mandy went to go and have a look, but she hasn’t come back.”
“Okay, calm down, Oliver,” said Leo as he held his young cousin’s shoulder. “You stay in the kitchen. Eric and I will go and have a look.”
Eric entered the kitchen followed by Leo and Oliver. As instructed, Oliver remained behind while Eric and Leo walked out through the back door. The whole garden was pitch black. At first, the two of them stood by the porch, hoping to hear any sound.
“Strange that this place is dark,” said Leo. “Usually the lights switch on themselves. Could something be wrong?”
“There must be some faulty connection somewhere,” said Eric. “We need to find Mandy.”
“Shoot! I don’t have my phone with me. I would’ve used the flashlight.”
“The main switch is in the greenhouse. We can go there to switch the lights on first.”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Eric and Leo went down the porch and onto the lawn. They had just passed the tree close by and made a turn when all of a sudden the garden lights on the lawn switched on. Then suddenly, Leo heard a loud cheer.
“Surprise! Happy birthday, Leo!”
Leo couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Standing in front of him were his family, some close friends, and colleagues beneath a tent filled with pretty light bulbs. His jaw suddenly dropped. He was lost for words. Eric, who stood beside him, laughed. Oliver came to hug Leo from behind. Mandy, whom he had thought to be missing, also appeared with Oliver. Leo tried to calculate what was happening right now.
“Wait, all this was just a setup?” Leo asked as he looked at Eric.
“Well, yeah,” said Eric. “You should see the look on your face. It’s priceless. I hope the cameraman got that.”
“Happy birthday, sweetie,” said Mrs. McDonell as she came over to hug Leo. “I know you don’t like birthday parties, but this year we thought—”
“Mum, it’s okay,” said Leo. “I’m not mad at all. I’m just surprised.”
“Oh, thank God,” said Amanda as Diana came pushing her wheelchair. “Happy birthday, Leo.”
“Thank you,” said Leo as he hugged Amanda and then Diana. He noticed that the three women wore peach colored dresses. I guess that’s the theme of the party, he thought to himself.
“We better go in; everyone wants to wish you a happy birthday,” said Diana.
Just before Leo could make his way to the tent, those who came to wish him cleared out of his sight, making way for him. Right along his path stood Angel. Leo stood still for a second as his eyes fell on her, and she was looking right back at him. He swallowed as he was lost for words.
“Hey, Leo,” said Angel as she smiled at him. “I didn’t get to wish you a happy birthday this morning, so… happy birthday.”
Leo felt his cheeks blush. It wasn’t Angel’s birthday message that got him flattered, but her looks. Eric, who came to stand beside him, was mesmerized, but at least he had the courage to say the words that Leo couldn’t utter.
“Wow, Angel,” said Eric. “You look gorgeous tonight.”
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