To: Sarah
Hey Sarah,
I've made a reservation for next Saturday night, so please keep your schedule free. Just a heads-up, don't make any other plans. *wags fingers playfully*.(Emoji)
Love you,
Alex
From: Alex
Sarah stared at the message, reading it over and over again. She let out a sigh as she sat on her bed. "What should I do?" she whispered to herself, feeling torn. Sarah Johnson had always been quick to reject Alex's demands, but this time was different. It happened to be his birthday.
She loved him dearly, and the thought of denying him on such an important day was a heavy burden to bear. "Argh..." Sarah muttered, burying her face in her pillow. "This is so difficult!" she complained aloud, wrestling with her thoughts.
As she lay there, staring at the ceiling, she contemplated her options. If she didn't go, she would feel guilt-free towards Deliah, and Alex would have a great time with her. Maybe he would even develop feelings for Deliah, she thought sarcastically.
However, if she agreed to go, she knew she would carry a lifetime of guilt towards Deliah. She understood that spending time with Alex on such a meaningful day, even with declared boundaries, would hold significance. It would mean everything to her.
Yet, she found it increasingly challenging to say no to Alex, to the point where it rivaled her difficulty in rejecting Deliah. It seemed impossible. Sarah acknowledged that everyone has their limits, and she feared she was pushing Alex's patience with her constant denials. Part of her wished he would give up quickly to end this complicated situation, while another part hoped his love for her would endure.
Her phone vibrated, jolting her from her thoughts. Startled, she reached for it, knowing it was Alex's message since she hadn't replied to his previous one from a few hours ago.
To: Sarah
Sarah, are you overthinking again? You're quite something, you know! *pouts*(Emoji). It's my birthday, and you're trying to deny the soon-to-be birthday boy? Don't do this to me~~~ Alright, if you're THAT worried, I promise no one will find out, okay? Well, maybe Aerospace should know so they can cover for us. But I promise Deliah won't have a clue about this, alright?
All I want is to spend the last few hours of my nineteenth birthday with the girl I love. Please?
From: Alex
Damn, the way he phrased it, how could she refuse him? Sarah let out a small sigh and swiftly typed a response.
To: Alex
Fine. I'll meet you on Saturday night. Just make sure you bring me back home by ten thirty because I'm going to tell Deliah that I'll be going to the cafe to read. And there's one more important thing: We're going to keep this purely platonic, okay? No...funny business.
See you on Saturday.
From: Sarah
Sarah hit the send button and couldn't help but smile. Maybe she should let herself enjoy this small moment of happiness, right? After all, she deserved it, didn't she?
"So, what should I get the birthday boy?" she tapped her chin, mumbling to herself.
********
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" The Aerospace boys chorused.
Alex grinned at his friends and posed happily in front of the cake as Philip snapped countless photos. "Aww, thanks, guys," he chuckled. "I really appreciate this. But...the cake..."
It was a provocative body-shaped cake that, if it were on a real woman, would undoubtedly make all the Aerospace boys blush in no time.
"Don't you get it? You need to live a little!" Steve laughed. "We went through great lengths to get this, so you better devour it." Sarah giggled softly, shaking her head.
"Your girlfriend should wear something like this for your birthday," Henry commented, laughing. Deliah blushed, but Henry was looking at Sarah instead. Alex wiggled his eyebrows at her, and Sarah blushed, shooting him a glare. "Don't you dare make Liah wear something like that, Alex James," she muttered.
"I won't," Alex replied, staring back at her. It's not her I want to see, he grinned slyly.
"Cut the cake, cut the cake!" Joe exclaimed, shoving a plastic knife into Alex's hands. "I want the neck, please! I don't want anyone catching me eating an obscene body part."
"Dude, you were the one who went into the shop and ordered this, and now you're scared?" David raised an eyebrow.
Alex shook his head, amused, as he diligently cut the cake and passed out slices, despite being the birthday boy. "Is this it?" he playfully complained. "Just the extravagant cake? No presents?" He pretended to pout.
"Oh, come on, we all got you presents," Henry replied, rolling his eyes. "You have eleven presents now, at least." He counted the Aerospace boys, Deliah and her friends, and Sarah.
"Haha, sorry, it's actually nine," Yvonne interjected, throwing a package at Alex. "Us girls chipped in for this one." Alex unwrapped a new CD album that he had been wanting for a long time. "Wow, thanks, girls."
"Here's mine, bro!" Philip beamed. "You better like it!"
Alex raised an eyebrow as he unwrapped a three-part dancing tutorial. "What the... 'Girls Dance 101. Taught by Philip'?" Alex choked on his saliva. "What the hell is this?"
"You need charm, Alex," Philip shook his head disapprovingly. "Look at you, you can't even charm the girls." He discreetly nodded his head towards Sarah, and Alex understood that Philip was subtly laughing at his failure to impress her.
Alex raised his fist and pretended to punch Philip, who squealed and ran away.
"Mine next, mine next!" Joe rushed forward.
Joe had given Alex a book on love tips, and he received a whack on his head in response. Henry gave Alex an e-book reader, Steve gave him a set of hats in ten different colors that Alex always wore, and David gave him a hug, jokingly suggesting that it would suffice as his present. Eventually, David presented Alex with a pair of couple watches. Alex quickly pocketed them before Deliah could see what the gift was.
Nancy and Brad shared a gift and gave him a 100-thousand-won book voucher. Brad patted him on the back and told him to share it with someone.
Deliah sidled up to Alex, beaming. "Happy birthday, Alex honey." She pushed a box into his hands.
Alex gingerly opened the box and found a cute soft toy cupcake. He raised his eyebrows questioningly at her. "I told you I'd make nice cupcakes for you, honey," Deliah confessed. "Since my cooking skills aren't there yet, I made this. I know it's a little misshapen, but yeah, I made it." She bit her lip. "I know it's lame, but I hope you like it."
"I do," Alex nodded with a smile. "Thank you."
Deliah smiled, her face lighting up completely.
Alex shifted his gaze to the last person standing behind. "Sarah Johnson," he muttered. He wagged his finger. "Present?"
Sarah stared back innocently. "Sorry, I didn't get one."
"What?" Alex huffed. "How can you not get me--" he cleared his throat, stopping himself from saying "your man." "How can you not get me anything?" he whined.
Sarah suppressed a giggle as she felt the bulge in her bag. Yep, it was still there.
"Sorry, I'll make it up to you someday," she shrugged nonchalantly.
Alex eyed her. Someday? I'll make you pay tonight. He couldn't help but grin at the thought of how he would spend the entire evening and night with her. Oh, heaven.
In the meantime...
"Hey, what's a party without music?" Alex pointed.
Deliah tilted her head. "Honey, don't go home yet! It's only seven!" she frowned. "It's your birthday; we should party until night!" she smiled.
Alex shook his head. "My, uh... parents are waiting for me with cake," he fibbed. "You guys can party on; I'll make a move first." He glanced behind and locked eyes with Sarah.
She looked away, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Aww, so soon?" Philip pretended to whine, even though he knew exactly where Alex was going and was thrilled for his friend. "You're mean, Alex. We prepared this whole feast for you, and you don't even stay to enjoy it," he pouted.
"Sorry, little guy. Next time," Alex laughed.
"Bye, everyone! Thanks for the party today!"
"BYE!" the Aerospace boys chorused. Deliah watched as Alex drove off in his car, sighing softly. The party didn't seem as fun without him around. "I feel like going home."
"Already? No way!" Iris pulled Deliah to the middle of the room. "Let's dance! We booked this chalet until tomorrow, so let's make use of it!" she beamed. "Alex is just being a nice son; let him be. Let's have fun ourselves!" Deliah reluctantly nodded and followed her friend.
Sarah glanced at the door and felt her phone vibrate, knowing Alex was waiting outside. "Uhm, Liah, since Alex isn't here anymore, and I'm not into parties, I'll go to the cafe to read, okay?" she called over the music. "See you at home?"
"Okay, sissy!" Deliah called back. Sarah swallowed, darting out of the building. She ran to the place where Alex had told her to meet him and looked around, wondering where he was. Someone tugged on her hand, and she fell into a pair of warm arms and a sturdy chest.
Alex buried his face in her hair and sighed contentedly. "Finally. My birthday has only just begun."