Present Time
That day, was the worst. It's still fresh in my mind-
"What are you doing here? don't you want to cut your cake?" I hear Alex's voice coming from behind. "Are you okay?" He said standing in front of me.
I sit straight and look at him with a smile.
"I made you a gift I wanted to give it you and if you don't cut the cake mom won't let me eat it."
I let out a soft chuckle. "Ok. Let's go."
They prepared so many things just for my birthday, I don't want to upset them.
For now at least I don't want to think about that.
I opened the door and as expected it's dark.
"Oh no, I think they all went to sleep." Alex acts surprised, with some really bad acting.
I look around. "Hmm…maybe-"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
I get startled.
"Yay! finally you're gonna cut the cake." Alex claps.
15 minutes later
After cutting the cake everyone sat on the table and started talking, again.
"Mom, i'm going to the balcony for a minute." I say.
"Alright sweetie." She answered and continued talking.
I take a deep breath as I reach the balcony.
This is weird. I can't believe they think that I am dating that guy.
The sliding door opens as my mom walks to me.
"What are you thinking so deeply, sweetie?" She says.
"Nothing-"
"Don't lie." She cuts me off.
"…Mom I am not dating him." I look at her.
"I know."
I look at her surprised.
"Raya, I want you to move on and Ace seems like a nice guy, he can help you-"
"Mom, he's an asshole you don't know him, he…" I stop.
"He what?"
"…He's just not good man." I say looking away.
How do I tell her that he sleeps with every other girl and doesn't even believe in long term relationships.
"Well…It's up to you but I just want to see you happy."
"Mom, I am happy." I hold her hand, assuring her.
"If you say so." She smiles and goes inside.
After overthinking I go inside and everyone just left, the lights were off.
Where did they go?
They didn't even say bye to me.
I didn't even notice, I was so immersed in my own thoughts.
Wait, where's Mr. Hart?
Did he forget that this is his house?
I take a deep breath, I should get going too.
"Ms. Gray?"
I look back. Ace is standing there leaning against the doorframe of his bedroom.
"Where are you going?" He walks towards me. "Aren't you tired, we should sleep." He says almost dramatically.
"Huh?- Mr. Hart, I am leaving." I turn around and as soon as I try to walk away he grabs my wrist.
"You don't want to see my gift for you?" He leans closer to my ear from behind.
I feel his breath hitting my jaw. "No." I almost whisper.
"You'll like it." He whispers as he starts leading me to his bedroom his hand still gripped on my wrist.
"Uh- I don't want to, you don't need to give me a gift-"
He opens the door fully, the bed is fully covered with roses, candles lit everywhere, red balloons taped to the wall, a heart shaped cake on the table and a gift box placed on the bed.
What is he up to. I look at him with a 'wtf' expression.
"Like it?" He says.
"What is this?" I say. "Am I your valentine or something? or is it 1st April and I don't know? or am I being filmed? where are the cameras, I am getting pranked?" I turn to look at him. "You forgot to take your medication? should I call an ambulance? you've gone fully mad-"
"Calm down, Ms. Gray." He chuckles lightly. "You think I did this?" He walks towards the bed and lays on top of it. "I don't have time for this bullshit, I just thought we should laugh at this together."
"You didn't do this?" I ask.
"My mom planned this."
I sigh.
"Oh, that gift," He points. "It's for you, from my mom."
"There's no need for it, you can say thanks to her-"
"Take it, she'll definitely ask hundred questions if she sees this here and I can't throw it away so just take it."
I sigh again and take the box. There's a note on top of it. 'Tell her to wear this for you, she'll look beautiful <3. Best of luck.'
I tilt my head.
"What's wrong, why are you staring at it like that?" He asks.
"Nothing, I am going." I say.
"Ms. Gray, your contract, make sure it's ready."
"It will be." I say and leave.
As soon as I reach my apartment I fall on the sofa. "Ugh, I never thought I would celebrate my birthday like this." I turn my head and look at that gift box.
I am curious.
I sit up and open the box. I take the 'thing' out.
It's a red dress.
"Wow, it's beautiful." I look at it up and down. "It looks like a princess's dress." I smile.
My smile fades, I quickly fold it and pack it the way it was. I take it to my bedroom and put it inside the wardrobe. "I'll give it back to him once this act is over."
After a while I do my usual night routine and try to sleep.
Next Morning
"Seriously?" I stare at my phone's screen. He sent a message last night. "…at 3:48? does he not sleep?"
Pervert 🐒: Make sure to wake me up at 7:00 tomorrow morning.
Pervert 🐒: Your salary depends on your good performance ;)
I almost throw my phone on the floor. "No, what did this poor phone do?" I put it back on the bed. "It was expensive."
I place my hands on my head. "I'll go crazy with this man."
Annoying monkey man.
"It's ok, i'll do it today. After all when I show my contract to him, he won't do this again." I take a deep breath and get up.
30 minutes later
Ding Dong
I ring the bell to his apartment. "Is he gonna open the door today or what?"
After waiting for almost 10 minutes outside he doesn't open the door. I grab my phone and call him again and start messaging him.
Me: Will you open the door???
Me: Hey?
Me: Are you inside? did you die?
Oh god. I roll my eyes and take the spare key he gave me.
I open the door and walk towards his bedroom.
I place my hand on the doorknob. Should I open it? What if he's with a girl again?
Whatever, he's the one who said I should wake him up.
I suddenly open the door.
He's laying on his stomach, half naked almost taking the whole bed, a grey blanket covering his lower part. His clothes are on the floor. The decorations from last night look messed up now. I take a step closer and stop as I feel something under my sandal. I look down.
A woman's panties!?
I clear my throat as if I said that loudly.
Door Opens
I get startled and look at his bathroom door. A woman walks out. "Oh?" She looks at me surprised.
I was right.
"Oooh, personal assistant?" She points at me, whispering.
I awkwardly smile. "I'll go-"
"No no, he told me you'll come here. I was gonna leave anyway." She whispers again, putting on her heels.
Before leaving she looks at him. "I didn't let him sleep last night, I hope he can focus on his work today," She looks at me. "Although it would not be easy." She smirks proudly and leaves.
I finally take a breath. I didn't even realise I was holding my breath.
I push the things aside with my foot that cross my path.
I reach to his bed and stand beside it. "A-" I clear my throat. "Mr. Hart?"
He doesn't budge.
I go closer. "Mr. Hart?"
He's facing the other side. I walk around the bed and stand in front of his face. I crouch and tap his shoulder with my finger. "Hey?"
"Hm?" He hums in answer.
So he's awake.
"It's almost 7:00, you told me wake you up-"
"Hmmm." He hums again, this time a little longer, almost annoyingly.
He's definitely signaling me to fuck off.
"If you weren't gonna wake up why did you tell me to-" I sigh. "Are you going to wake up or not?" I wait for an answer. "Mr. Hart…" I think of what should I say to him. "I am giving you a last chance, wake up or-"
"Or?" He suddenly grabs my wrist pulling me on top of him.
He stares at me as if he's waiting for me to do something.