Glenn's POV
*ring*
"Hello?"
"Glenn, I'll be sending a car to pick you up later this afternoon, I'll email you the plate number and color of the car then you'll email me the address of where you want me the driver to pick you up. That's all, bye."
"Hey wait!I know I said this to you exactly 12AM earlier today but happy birthday!" I said to Winter just before she hangs up.
"thanks."
*clack*
Pretty cold but I guess I'm used to it. I already bought her present last night so I have some time to spare. Guess I'll go where Arby works part time.
-Mandy's Family Resto(where Arby works part time)-
I'm not particularly fond of this place, it's full of crying kids and noisy parents especially during weekends like this. But, I finished a whole season last night and need to take a little break outdoors.
"Welcome si-, oh it's rare for you to come here let alone by yourself."
I explained why I was there and we started chatting as I took my order. As always, he flirted with the women there as he took their orders. A little while later, he serves me the iced tea I ordered,
"I'm starting to doubt that you started working here for your family, usually one wouldn't think of flirting at work if that was really their purpose. As much as I hate to admit it, in all seriousness though, I know you take this very seriously because you care deeply for your single parent mom."
We continued our conversation til it was time for me to go since I had to be picked up. We said our farewells as I leave the resto and go to my pick up place.
The car stood out like hell in public as I get in. The driver wasn't really welcoming and didn't talk at all during the car ride. Minutes go by and we finally reach our destination. I still can't fathom how big her house is, it still mesmerizes me no matter how many times I see it.
She opened the door to greet me herself. The sight I saw was personally one comparable to that of the seven wonders. She pulled off a long red dress very well.
As I stood there staring, It dawned on me that her family was behind her. If I had to describe them, classy I guess? I greeted them and they greeted me lightly then brushed me off immediately aside from her sister who I met before, she gave me rabid stares.
Winter took me upstairs and asked the maid to give me a better suit. It was quite a direct way of saying my classlessness would stand out. I lowered my pride and took it though.
We left her room as she gracefully locked arms with me. "Let's go, my lover." She said with a charming voice as we walked.
We entered the ballroom inside her house where the event is taking place. It was a huge crowd full of applause and greetings as they all complimented the celebrant(Winter).
I realized something was wrong because she still seemed sad even when she was wearing a big and bright smile. Her social awkwardness seemed to fade too. I took her hand and excused her from the others as I lead her to dance in front of the other guests.
"W-wait, you don't know how to, you'll embarrass yourself." She whispers to me in concern
"Oh can it, I studied a little online, I'm at least decent now."
The heaviness I felt from her earlier eased a little bit the longer we dance. I clearly feel her hand trembling on my shoulder and a faint awkwardness in her steps. Her fake act of strength that was so evidently false to me fell apart as we danced.
"Stop with the act, this isn't you."
"Ah, I guess you'd notice. Even my acting isn't good, maybe I am good for nothing."
"Not true. You gave me a suit, I could've commuted here but you fetched me with a car, that was all so I wouldn't be a made fun of, right?"
She started to tear and lowered her head to my chest, "I dislike how I can't fool you, but as long as you know I can keep this up. As long as you know, please allow me to continue this act."
As her tears cleared up she looked to her parents and told me they were the reason she had to act since she didn't want to embarrass them. She holds my hand as the music ends for a bow. I ask myself, since when did she become this warm, I still remember the first time I held her hand. It felt cold but had an inward warmth but now it seems that it already reaches outward.
The crowd applauded in unison as we took our bow. Right after, I take a look at the food table with her to look for something to eat. She giggles a little as she sees me taking a little too much.
It seemed that the party was almost over and I saw her parents and 2 siblings leaving their house. I asked her why and she said they were going back to work. It was a weekend so they left an impression of hardworking to me but also an impression of neglect.
They didn't even say goodbye to her which left quite a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't confront them about it since I wasn't in a position to. Winter seemingly didn't mind it as she took me to her room before I left.
We were inside her room and it was still as messy as ever,
"Oh, before I forget, here's a present."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Open it."
Picking a gift for her was actually hard, but I ended up giving her a small pillow since she slept quite a lot. I did think of buying her a stuffed toy instead but she said she was afraid of them.
She gives me a kiss on my cheek as a reward as she said, "It was supposed to be on the lips but I still haven't forgotten what you did."
Thus ends Winter's birthday.