_Jace Dreice Scott's Point of View_
"How long are you staying here?" Chelsea asked me
"Two weeks," I said and they nodded
I placed their luggage at the back and they went inside the SUV.
"Whose car is this?" Irene asked
"I don't know," I said and they looked confused
"Summer gave me the keys," I added and started the engine
"Where are you staying?" I asked them
"We booked two rooms in Cherry Bloom." Chelsea said so I drove to Cherry Bloom, there's an installed GPS in the SUV so it wasn't hard.
"How about you, where are you staying?" Jess asked me
"Same hotel," I answered
"So, you knew that you're Lavalee's eighteenth rose?" Chelsea asked me
"Summer told me earlier," I said
"Do you already have a suit for the event?" Jess asked and I shook my head
"I'll look for one later," I said and continued driving.
When we arrived, I helped the three to take their luggage off the vehicle's back before the hotel personnel took it and helped them settle in their hotel room.
"They're about to leave," Chelsea informed me so we went to the parking lot
"Who picked up their relatives?" I asked them
"Their butlers, maybe Summer asked you to pick us up since we're all going to prepare the surprise party." Jess said and I nodded
She has a point.
I drove to their mansion and the gates automatically opened when the SUV stopped in front of it. A butler led us to an open field and I found out that this is their mini garden.
I couldn't believe this was just their mini garden because I think this is already as big as a basketball court.
"Okay! Let's start!" Irene said and we started instructing the maids and butler on what to do
I helped in carrying the boxes from the carrier truck that arrived.
These are fireworks and lighting equipment.
Looks like her sisters spent money on all the preparations and equipment.
There was a black crown on a red throw pillow on a small column on the stage. There's also a throne with what looks like fire at the back. The whole stage looks like a temple with the presence of several columns, where they will put fire later.
The surrounding of the stage looks like there is lava because of the LCD screens, the tables are clothed with cloths with fire embroidery, the chairs are all black with fire designs, and there are column-like torches lit to serve as the light on the sides of the venue.
It looks like a literal fire temple, and it's quite amazing when I recall the fact that this was her youngest sister's idea.
"Whose idea is this again?" I heard Jess asked
"Summer," I answered
"Ray," Chelsea said
"Samantha mixed it well," Irene said while leaning on a table
"Let's go, we should prepare," Jess said then I remembered that I need a tuxedo
"I'll look for a tuxedo first." I excused myself from them
I went out of the Hanazono Mansion and rode a taxi to the Mall. I asked a security guard where I could find a boutique for tuxedos.
When I entered the boutique, I asked a salesperson to show me the ready-made suits as I can't possibly wait for a custom-made one.
"What is the theme, sir?" she asked
"Red and black," I replied and she lead me to a part of the boutique where all the suits are red and black
"Onee-chan! You look so beautiful." I heard someone say which made me stop in my tracks
I looked at where it came from and I saw the three heiresses of Hanazonos
"Jace-chan!" Summer greeted me and ran to me.
She pulled my hand and her sister, whom I think is the one named Winter, gave me a black and red suit from the rack.
"What are you doing here?" Lavalee asked me with a raised brow
"I need a suit for an important event," I said
"You have a meeting with Nii-sama, right?" Summer asked me and winked
I nodded and Lavalee looked at me with her accusing eyes
"With my nii-sama Frost?" she asked and I nodded and raised my brow at her
"Why? Is there anything wrong?" I asked and I saw irritation on her face then disappointment
"Why are you here?" I asked her like I didn't know it's her birthday
"I'm picking up a dress." She said
"Wait, aren't you forgetting something?" she asked and I shook my head
"No, I don't think I am."
I don't know if I'm just imagining it or what but I think I saw disappointment flash in her eyes.
"It's my birthday, Dreice. In case you forgot," she said and I can hear the sarcasm in her voice
I know.
"I guess I did," I said and she rolled her eyes
"Oneee-chan, let's go, you need to find a dress for our party next week." Summer said and pulled Lavalee.
Winter, on the other hand, stayed behind, watching Summer drag Lavalee.
"Icey, let's go," Lavalee called her up
"She'll follow, Icey-chan's still choosing her dress." Summer said and pulled Lavalee outside the boutique
"Why stay?" I asked her and she went to the counter
The salesperson handed me a box.
"Your suit, your mom is Reese Avila, right?" she asked and I nodded
"She ordered that ahead of time." She said and left
I'm not surprised they managed to contact and know my mother, when in fact, Lavalee was able to inform a whole institution beforehand.
Or, it's also possible that their brother, Frost, worked with my father once.
I took the suit and paid for it then rode a taxi to go to the Cherry Bloom Hotel.
"Jace-chan!"
I motioned my hand to tell Summer to be quiet when she saw me at the hotel. I was planning to surprise Lavalee but since her sister already called my name, it would be no use.
"What are you doing here, Dreice?" she asked me and I raised my brow at Lavalee when she asked me that
"Really, Flamelinne? Is that what you'll always say when we see each other?" I asked her with a hint of sarcasm
"I checked in this hotel," I said and she rolled her eyes at me
"Whatever," she said
"Happy birthday, Love," I teased her as I walk past her to enter the elevator
I saw her stoned on the spot when I called her 'Love', looks like I caught her off guard with that word.
I smirked and went to my hotel room.
I took a bath and checked my phone for the time after I get ready, it's already 5 PM. I took the box where the necklace is and wrapped it.
I brought my video camera to tape this for the project and to have a remembrance.
I went out of my hotel room and called Jess to pick me up.
[Oh right, I'll be picking you up, supposedly that is, right?] she asked from the other line
[You'll be driving for Sum, well as what Frost said, or was it the other way around? Well, whatever, that's it, you'll be their driver for now.] She said and hung up
I went downstairs and I saw Lavalee seated on a chair, I saw Summer looking at me and saying something to Lavalee and suddenly Winter covered Lavalee's eyes from behind using a handkerchief.
"Nii-chan!" she greeted me and hugged me.
"Stand up, nee-chan!" Summer said so I assisted Lavalee in standing up
"Who's this?" she asked and held my pulse
"He isn't Fuego, he isn't Nii-sama either..." she said and she tried to hold my hand but I took it away and stood up straight in front of her
"So her eyes are covered already?"
I looked behind when I heard Jess say when they arrived while holding a small cake. I took it from her and placed it in front of Lavalee.
"Wait! I knew it! You wouldn't miss my birthday." Lavalee said and chuckled
"You bitches, you said you can't," she said a removed the blindfold,
Her eyes widened when she saw me holding the cake
"What are you – Happy birthday," I greeted her and she looked at us confusedly before looking at Summer and Winter accusingly
"Sum! Winter!"
Her attention shifted to the little girl who was walking toward her here
"Happy birthday, Ate Lav," The girl said with a sweet smile
I think she's around Winter's age.
"Autumn? You planned all of this?" Lavalee asked and Autumn shook her head
"It was all Summer, literally speaking," Chelsea said and Lavalee hugged her
"Mind blowing the candle?" I asked and lifted the cake I'm holding
She smiled before taking the cake from my hand and blowing the candle.
"Thank you," she said while smiling