"Happy birthday, my Sephi,"
Seraphina's heart fluttered. Her eyes slightly enlarged in happiness. She looked at the clock and it was exactly 12 in the morning and like always, he had wished her first.
"May you get blessed with all the love, happiness and a long life, my angel. Many many returns of the day,"
Seraphina smiled and replied.
"Thank you so much, Nate,"
For giving them their privacy, Arzal decided to leave. He turned around but Seraphina held his palm.
He again looked at her, who was smiling at him. Seraphina put the phone on speaker.
"I love you so much, Sephi and happy 19th birthday again, my angel. I'm so so happy and excited,"
Seraphina's smile widened at his enthusiasm.
"Love you more, Nate,"
"Tell me, Sephi, what gift do you want on this birthday?"
Arzal saw Seraphina's smile drop from her face, hearing his question.
"Just come back to me, as soon as possible. I'm missing you," Her voice turned heavy.
"I'm missing you too and I am coming back to you soon, my angel,"
Arzal noticed, even Nathan's voice turned shivering. Her azure eyes started glistening but she held them back and smiled widely.
"Thank you, Nate and go back to sleep. It's already very late,"
"You too. Good night and happiest birthday again,"
"Thank you and take care," Seraphina chuckled and hung up the call.
But her brows arched in confusion when she noticed he was just gazing at her thoroughly, making her smile more.
"What happ.." Before she could complete her sentence, he pulled her into a tight hug which she returned immediately.
Seraphina smiled and waited for him to wish her but he didn't. Arzal pulled back and pecked her forehead.
"Now sleep. It's already very late," He uttered.
Seraphina felt a little hurt that he didn't wish her but nevertheless, she smiled back and nodded.
"Good night,"
Arzal gave her a gentle nod and then left her home. With a sigh, Seraphina went to her bed and closed her eyes.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SERAPHINA,"
Seraphina woke up from her sleep with those loud voices. She adjusted her vision to the light of the morning and then got up.
A wide smile formed on her face, watching Evelyn and Nevada there, in her room. They both ran towards her and hugged her.
Both of them kissed either side of her face and uttered.
"Happy birthday, baby,"
Seraphina chuckled and hugged them back.
"Thank you,"
"Now, get up. We have a lot of things to do today. We can't waste a single second of this day," Nevada said, pulling Seraphina's arm.
"Yeah, get up, Seph,"
"But guys, I told you, I don't want to celebrate.. "
"We know, Seraphina, that you don't want to celebrate your birthday. That's why we've done nothing grand or something, just a girls day, enjoying, dancing, singing and eating," Nevada said.
"Now, now, get up fast, birthday girl. We'll have our special birthday breakfast first,"
Seraphina sighed in defeat, hearing Nevada and then smiled with a nod.
"Happy birthday, my dear Seraphina,"
"Thank you, Mrs Grayson," Seraphina smiled. They were at the dining hall. Seraphina saw an unknown man was present with Rebecca.
Rebecca hugged her and pecked her head.
"May this day become memorable for you, dear,"
"Thank you,"
"And here meet Mr Albert Morales, my friend," Rebecca introduced that unknown man to Seraphina.
Seraphina politely beamed, looking at that stranger, who was looking like he was at his late 40's
"Hello, Mr Morales,"
"Hello and happy birthday, Seraphina,"
Seraphina heard that man saying and she replied with thanks.
Everyone settled on the breakfast table but Seraphina's eyes were searching for him.
"What happened, dear?" Rebecca asked
"Ummm.. Nothing. Won't Mr Grayson join us?" Seraphina finally queried.
"No. Actually, Arzal isn't home. He has gone for his some important early meeting,"
Seraphina's smile completely faded, hearing Rebecca's answer. Firstly he didn't wish her yet and now he wasn't even here but she still tried to make her adjust to it.
She forced a smile and started to eat and how she wished he would be here and Nathan too, then her happiness would have been doubled and completed.
"Seph, please you can't say no to a birthday gift," Evelyn requested her, who was denying to wear the gown.
"But Eve... "
"She's right, Seraphina. We are eagerly wanting to see you in this. Please wear it, my baby Seph,"
Seraphina stared at both of her pouting friends and then exhaled.
"Fine," She couldn't defy those cute pouts and puppy eyes.
Both Evelyn and Nevada smiled in excitement. Seraphina took the gown from them and went to the bathroom to change.
"Now the final stage is to take her to our party destination,"
"But do you think she will agree to come with us, Neva? "
"We have to do everything to take her there, otherwise the whole plan and surprise for her birthday will be ruined," Nevada said.
"But how?" Evelyn uttered and then her eyes trailed towards Seraphina, who was coming from the bathroom.
Evelyn's eyes enlarged in fascination.
"Wow, Seph,"
That flowing plane grey gown was hugging every corner of her body, perfectly, making her look ethereal, especially that silver grey colour.
"He was so right when he said this colour will justify your beauty perfectly, Seraphina,"
Seraphina frowned at Nevada's words
"Who?"
Nevada gulped and shook her head.
"The salesman,"
"But how did he know how I look?" Seraphina investigated further.
Nevada felt trapped. Evelyn mentally sighed in disbelief at Nevada's big mouth.
"We told him about your appearance, Seph. That's how," Evelyn handled their lie.
"Yeah, she's right," Nevada stated, showing a smile.
Seraphina looked at them a little suspicious until
"Okay, let's do your makeup and hair. We also have to leave in an hour," Nevada said, earning a raised brow from Seraphina.
"And where are we leaving?"
"It's a surprise for you,"
"I'm not going anywhere. You told me to wear this. I wore it but not anything else, guys please," Seraphina was already upset with the fact that she hadn't seen him for the whole day. He didn't even call her or text her and on an above, she was missing Nathan terribly
"Seph, please. We really want to celebrate your birthday. It's nothing big or grand. Just a little celebration with your close friends, please Seph," Evelyn pleaded, holding Seraphina's one hand.
Nevada clutched the other and requested.
"We want this day to be filled with happiness and beautiful memories for you, Seraphina. Please, agree to this,"
The dilemma was too much for Seraphina to decide. She was in no mood to go out but she knew her refusal would hurt them badly, especially if they had planned something for her.
"Please, Seraphina," Both Nevada and Evelyn said in unison.
Seraphina suspired and gave up to their request and nodded with a smile because their happiness was more relevant to her than her own sadness.
But Seraphina never knew that night was really going to be something which she was going to remember forever.