Happy birthday!!" Unexpectedly everyone shouted. Darielle was startled,but was happy everyone remembered although her mom and sis forgot, were she worked didn't forget.
"Thank you so much guys," she managed to let out those words still surprised by their outburst. With her faced filled with happiness, she glanced at every one in the room her eyes stoped at the man at the other end. Alexander instinctively walked towards her as their eyes met., "happy birthday" he said still anxious not knowing what to do next,
Darielle responded with a nod laced with a smile on her face not knowing what to say.
She ignored him for Sheila's sake she didn't want any drama, to her it was best to keep her distance obviously he couldn't read the handwriting on the wall and now here he was, she couldn't just ignore him after all he wished her and she couldn't bring herself to be a bad person.
"I see you remembered?". She said. "Yes I did and this is for you" he beckoned for Diego to bring the bag of gifts and offered it to Darielle.
" What do I do? I can't take it he'll think I'm one of those girls that like taking things from men." Darielle thought to herself still calm, looking at his hand hanging waiting for the gift to be taken. Alexander's facial expression filled with tension, this was the reason he was very skeptical about getting something for her.
"Take it Darielle, do you want his hand to go numb." Madam Caffrey said while walking towards them. "Happy birthday my dear, go on don't keep the young man waiting," madam Caffrey urged her with a smile. Darielle nodded and took the bags from him, she couldn't carry all, Alexander had to help her drop them on the table, joy washed all over him.
Madam Caffrey held Darielle's hand, signaled to a female staff and she went in and came out with a well designed cake she placed it on the table in front of Darielle we're she could visibly see boldly written words on the cake - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARIELLE-.
"This is my gift to you dear." "thank you ma'am." still in shock, she couldn't believe it.
"And yes…" Madam Caffrey's phone rang cutting her off, she picked it,said a few things and cut the call. "Ok I'll be in my office, important work enjoy ur day dear." She walked out carrying an aura filled with confidence into her office.
The air in the shop was light, some gifted Darielle while others could only wish and offered their prayers. The day went by so fast, a lot of cakes and pastries were sold. The staffs and the LS ate cake and merried.
However Sheila wasn't part of the celebration. After she had called Darielle and wished her. She came up with an excuse to leave work saying she wasn't feeling to well. With that madam Caffrey gave her a day off.
Darielle was so grateful to everyone. Working hours came to an end, the staffs cleaned the shop, and was ready to leave.
Meanwhile Alexander hadn't left yet, he talked with Darielle till they left the shop he offered to drop her off, but she refused him.
She hailed a cab and got in. Alexander assisted her with the bags and cake he got for her.
"Thanks for today," she said while shifting her gaze towards his face, he was really good looking, his handsome face shone brightly due to the sun's rays on his face with his sparkly white teeth coming into view. As he smiled it complimented his features. Alexander Leaned over from the window and gave her a light hug.
"Take care okay?." He said in a calm tone
Darielle nodded with a smile. The driver started the car and drove off, she could still see him from the side mirror, staring at the car. Darielle shook her head, her eyes shot, "No! No! No! Don't think in that direction you have a lot on your plate."
She felt strange around him, not in a bad way and it wasn't good at the moment, but she had to suppress it. "Get a job Darielle" she muttered to herself.
He watched the car disappear,then he got into his own car with a smile crept on his face. "Alex, it's Sheila, she wasn't happy."
Diego said.
"Let it be, don't spoil my mood." He ordered. Sheila's behavior in the shop was obvious to him but he ignored it, his mind was focused on Darielle.
"Where are we going sir?"
Diego asked. "To the company." He responded while relaxing his head and closing his eye to rest.
Alexander had unfinished work to do. He had to put them all on hold due to what he planned out for Darielle, now it was back to business.
Diego watched him from the rearview mirror, how exhausion appeared on his face. Always work, he couldn't blame Alexander. It was how he was raised. Strictly.
What a family he had, never had the life of normal kids, pressure was on him, to the extent of finishing school at the age of 19 and carrying the family business to great heights. Since childhood he watched him, Diego's father worked for his father and now he was working for him. It was today he saw him smile in a long time.
He was truly happy for him but he had a bad feeling about Sheila.
Sheila and Alexander attended the same school this lead to them crossing paths, Alexander trusted Diego and he would tell him everything, he saw Sheila as a sister, nothing more but she on the other hand wanted more. This annoyed Diego. Nonetheless he wouldn't let anything sabotage Alexander and Darielle's
soon-to-be relationship.
Darielle got home and was welcomed with the aroma of pineapple rice and turkey stew, her favourite dish. She stabled herself as she put the bags on the table with the cake. Her smile widened on seeing pictures of her little self playing on the TV.
Happy birthday sis! Evie dashed down the staircase, landing on Darielle, causing both of them to fall to the ground.
Evie's cute face came into Darielle's view.
"You didn't forget?" "How could I forget my sisters twentieth birthday, Hell No!"
Evie straightened her body,still remained sited on the ground.
I got you this- she slid her hand into her pocket, brought out a heart shaped boxed and gave it to her. Darielle took it, she didn't hesitate to open it. "Awwn" she held shalewa's hand tight, her eyes still on the bracelet in the box. "Won't you put it on?" On hearing this Darielle wore it and it fitted her perfectly.
Mom is making ur favourite dish.....
Evie's mouth held back the remaining words she thought to say.
" Erm sis, the bags, care to explain?"
Evie pointed towards the bags she glanced at as she got up.
"Their from the shop, Madam Caffrey celebrated me and few of my friends." she said excitedly. Intentionally pinning the gifts on madam Caffrey. And walked briskly into the kitchen.
She didn't want to mention Alex. Her mother didn't approve of any conversation that included boyfriends. She understand her mom was trying to protect her from men like Frank Thompson.
The kitchen door was already ajar, she could hear her mother's voice clearly;
"I'm going to pay for the foodstuff tomorrow I'll make sure of it. I told ur workers." Adelia said.
"Make sure it's tomorrow, the caller's" voice was heard. "Yes it will be tomorrow, bye." With that the call hang up.
Darielle's heart felt tight, tears streamed down her cheeks but she instinctively wiped them off. "Mummy." She called out, entering the kitchen feigning ignorance to the conversation she overheard.
"Happy birthday, I made your favourite dish today." "Yes the aroma filled the living room I can't wait to have a taste."
" Look at how you've grown," Adelia scrutinized her daughter from head to toe.
Darielle's lips widen, given a faint smile mixed with shyness.
"ok mom I'll leave you to the kitchen I'm off to freshen up." She walked out feeling awkward by her mom inspective glances.
Darielle went upstairs and found the stuff she brought back on her bed with Evie at the corner gesturing for her to come with her words- I have to join you - spelt on her face instead of saying it out loud.
They both went through the bags and was taken aback, jewelries from her favourite brand, set of luxury clothes, bags and necklace they were a dozen and some chocolates cookies a yoghurt.she was in a daze these were expensive but coming from Alexander, she was appalled. Not because he was rich. Obviously stinking rich and she knew. But because he took the time to get her these things. He wasn't someone who meddled in stuffs like these.
That moment she realized he got her some of the exact items she normally carried to work in her hand bag. Though hers were thrifted. "He Got Me The Original…" she thought
"How did he …" Darielle couldn't fathom how he was able to know the exact brand she liked.
She gave her sister some cookies and packed the rest she would show her mom later. Darielle went in and had a cool shower.
In the night, the family of three all sat on the dining table with the dish laid out on the table they were engrossed in a conversation that left them laughing out loud the air was light, the atmosphere was filled with happiness. Though there were a lot to handle, that moment of no worries felt like a relief and peace, Evie devoured the turkey, leaving a sauce smudge on her cheek.
The two siblings ate to their hearts content leaving their mom happy and satisfied with the joy on their faces. Darielle glanced at her mom,though she was laughing then smiling she could still see the sadness and worry in her eyes. Her job hunt would continue the following day.
This twentieth birthday of hers would mark the end of their suffering.For now she had to enjoy the moment.