All too soon, it was almost 4pm, and the mansion had started booming with guests. And just as Miriam had thought, she didn't see Maxwell since he was called up by his mother. She was sad. Well, a little bit sad. She wanted to spend much time with him. And they didn't get to look around. He didn't get to show her around. That made her sad. She didn't know why something had to come up any time they wanted to go look around the mansion.
But she knew since she wasn't leaving any time soon, at least till the birthday got to an end, she still had a little hope of meeting him before she went home. And she felt she should really see him, as she had a feeling that, this would be her last time visiting the mansion.
She prayed silently that they would get some time, even if it's very little, to at least say some few words to each other. She didn't know what to tell him when they meet, though, but she felt they needed to meet. For one last time.
Gerry became very busy, as she was helping the maids send the food downstairs to the grand hall. They made a buffet at one far end from the entrance, with all kinds of food, ranging from seafood, Italian and Spanish, Asian, Chinese dishes, and so many kinds. Gerry was that good. She could prepare dishes from different origins.
Desserts and sweets were also lined up on a different side close to that area. And the bar at the grand hall was stocked with assorted wine, cocktails, drinks and juices of all kinds. After all, it was the birthday of the young heir of the almighty Holmes family. It was highly expected.
Very soon, the emcee addressed the crowd and drew their attention to him.
"Good afternoon, wonderful ladies and gentlemen. You are welcome to the humble abode of the Holmes. It's a pleasure having you all here today for this grand celebration. A round of applause for ourselves!"
The crowd cheered happily and clapped their hands.
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"Okay, okay. That's wonderful! Let's proceed quickly by calling unto Pastor Smiles to open the ceremony with a word of prayer. Shall we all be upstanding, please?"
The crowd quietly obeyed and Pastor Smiles led the crowd into a short prayer.
"Shall we now welcome to the high table, the host and parents of the main celebrant. Mr and Mrs Holmes!" There was an uproar and cheers as Mr and Mrs Holmes made their way to the grand hall from the first floor. After the cheering died down, the emcee offered the microphone to Mr Holmes to address the crowd.
"A very good evening, lovely people. In fact, I'm so much surprised. I didn't know my son had become this famous. I mean look at you all looking so great, just for my son's birthday? Oh come on, I wish I was ten right now." They all burst into laughter and clapped their hands at Robert's joke.
"I'm so happy to have you all here. And as we all know, this gathering is just for celebration of the new year of my dear son, Maxwell Holmes. And I encourage you all to join me to say a word of blessing to him, wish him all the best, long life, the happiness that he truly deserves, and prosperity in all his endeavours. I love him with all my heart, and I know we all do. And also, let's all enjoy ourselves as much as possible. All these were prepared for you. Eat and drink as much as you want. Just don't get wasted here in my mansion. I can't deal with a bunch of drunk brats in here." They all laughed again as he ended his speech with another joke.
"Alright. Thank you so much, Mr. Holmes. And now, ladies and gentlemen, without much ado, Maxwell Holmes!!!!"
The emcee announced as he stretched his hand towards the stairs and Maxwell was seen descending in all his glory. He was looking dashing in his custom-made cream-coloured Indian suit with brown suede desert shoes. His hair was neatly trimmed and combed back. He had the brightest smile on his face, and someone was blushing hard upon seeing him.
Miriam felt like her cheeks would hurt badly from all her smiles. She couldn't take off her eyes from that angelic face of his. She had changed into a nice cream floral dress and cream flat shoes. Her straight, waist-long brown hair was let loose, and she had a small butterfly hair clip attached to the left side of her hair. And she didn't even have the time to notice that they were actually matching outfits coincidentally! She kept smiling and clapping and cheering as Maxwell made his way to where the birthday cake was standing. The pastor and his parents were already there waiting for him to cut the cake.
Midway down the stairs, the crowd sang the happy birthday song for him and cheered as he silently made a wish and blew the candles. He was so happy. However he kept looking here and there, as if looking for something. Or rather, someone. Miriam saw this, and she felt he was looking for her. She instantly felt shy. Why was he looking for her now? She thought he would look for her after the cake cutting was done. She instantly hid herself behind her mother, who had not noticed her uneasiness and so did not really read any meaning into what she was doing. And as if that was not enough...
"Hello, everyone..." Miriam heard Maxwell's voice through the microphone. And she quickly peeked from behind her mother to look at him. He had actually asked to say something before he cut the cake.
"I would like to thank everyone for making time for my tenth birthday. I'm so happy to have you all around. I can see lots of friends, classmates, my teachers, church members, neighbours... I have seen you all. And I say a very big thank you." The crowd cheered with a loud applause. He continued after the noise died down.
"I thank everyone who helped in the preparation of this birthday. Most especially my parents, and the whole household. But a special thanks go to my special friend. She had a hand in all the desserts you will be eating later. And this cake, right here, I'm proud to say, she made it, with the help of her mother."
Miriam was now shaking in fear. It was not like she was sociophobia, but she wasn't really comfortable with what Maxwell was doing right now. She felt so shy, so shy that she couldn't even look up again. Her head was bent all this while. Gerry saw her uneasiness, and stroked her hair gently. Miriam lifted her eyes and met her mother's gaze. Gery smiled at her and squeezed her shoulder a little.
"Don't be shy. Everything will be alright." Gerry gave her an assuring nod and Miriam could only nod back with a smile.
"I'd love to invite this friend of mine up stage to help me cut this cake." Maxwell dropped the bomb, and Miriam's eyes nearly left their sockets, her jaws almost touching the floor in astonishment.
What in the world did this boy just do!? Oh no, she almost peed in her pants from so much excitement and fear mixed together. She was excited that he acknowledged her. She was really shy to go upfront in the midst of over 100 people, and she was afraid she would embarrass herself and make him disappointed in her. She had never been to an event like this before, and so she had zero knowledge as to how they did their things on such an occasion.
"Miriam, please come upfront and cut the cake with me." Maxwell said. Miriam lifted her eyes to look at him, and their eyes met. Maxwell had long located her, but he could sense that she felt shy and that was why he didn't keep looking at that direction.
Slowly, Miriam made her way upfront to join Maxwell.