Grey's mansion, 6h00 pm
welcoming the guests at the door, the look on his face was enough to describe his joy that evening. Grey had never been happy for any of his birthday for a long time by then.
With each guest, Grey repeated the same welcoming phrase, his enthusiasm gradually waning as he awaited the arrival of a special guest. To his disappointment, none of his friends had showed up, and only the guests his mother had invited were present. After standing for an hour, Grey began to feel fatigued.
He went to the others and started talking, they all loved the decorations, it was like a royal party, the smooth music, bright lights and everyone gathered around in the dance hall with drinks.
"Champagne Mr Grey", his butler said as he filled his glass,
"Thanks Alfred, but before you go, I'll need some special service from you" he said as he stepped aside from the others, "go on Mr Grey".
"Alfred I'm having a special guest and she's in to fast foods a lot so, I think I don't know the right meal for her, give an idea of the best for her",
"Okay, pizza would be nice for a friend but, spaghetti and meat balls could be great, for a date night".
"Date night, not at all, it's not some kind of love interest, she's just a friend",Grey said out loudly
"So, pizza would be Great then Mr Grey", Alfred said as Grey's mom approached, Alfred had to leave, Grey didn't want his mom to know about his special dinner with his secretary.
"Is the party great enough for you sunny",
"Yeah! I love it mom, except that my friends have not yet arrived",
"don't worry they'll arrive, just keep on enjoying your party sunny" she said as they clinked glasses.
"So, I think I overheard something when you were talking to Alfred, who's that special guest you're having tonight", Grey was shocked to hear that, he thought he had kept it a secret, he had nothing else to do but to lie.
"Hum no, definitely not, I have no special guest but my friends" he lied to keep his mom from knowing it all, he knew that his mom wouldn't appreciate his feelings for carmen.
"Was that sarcasm, or you're hiding something from me",
"Not really, mom you know I can't lie to you, okay the mere truth is that, I only invited my new secretary, I said special because it was her first time here", he heard a car engine sound outside,
"I'll take that, Mom. And maybe we'll talk about all that later," he said, heading toward the door to avoid further conversation on Carmen.
"Whoa, now you showed up," he said, opening the door. It was Jackson, Gareth, and Edgar. "Happy birthday, Grey."
"Thanks, Jackson," Grey said, stopping the waiter. "Have a drink, everyone." They all chose drinks and approached the others. However, Grey wasn't particularly thrilled by their arrival. He was only cheered up by the thought of Carmen.
"So, how are you guys doing?" Grey asked.
"How? It's the first time I've heard you speak like that," Gareth replied.
"What do you mean, it's the first time?"
"Come on, Grey. You know you're always talking about business and stuff like that. And your greeting is always 'How's business?'" They all laughed as Gareth joked. Grey realized they were all noticing his new demeanor.
"Actually, someone had to teach me how to," Grey said, referring to Carmen.
"You mean your new secretary, right?" Jackson asked.
"Wait, who told you about the new secretary? I bet you haven't been to the plaza in a while, right?"
"Yeah, of course, Grey. Someone else told us. It's Danny. He told us the whole story," they all laughed after Edgar spoke.
Guys, I was looking forward to telling you all, but now it's not a surprise anymore. But Danny is going to pay for exposing all my secrets," Grey joked as they moved toward their reserved table.
Grey was called to the front of the crowd for the welcoming speech. The other guests remained seated, their astonishment palpable as they observed Grey's newfound humor. For a long time, Grey hadn't shared a joke. But Carmen's influence had transformed him into a more cheerful person. He was no longer the dull figure he had been in recent times.
Grey began his speech with gratitude, expressing his appreciation for everyone's attendance. The room erupted in applause as he spoke.
"I want to thank my mom for reminding me of my birthday. I had almost forgotten, but not on her watch. She kept everything under control and made all the decorations. It truly felt like Christmas," they all laughed as Grey spoke.
"It may sound funny, but Mom, I owe you an unpayable debt of care," he said, pointing to his mother.
"And I want to thank my four best buds. We used to say 'bro' back at MIT. Believe me, it was kind of our thing. One isn't here, but no worries, he's definitely watching from home." The cameraman moved closer.
"I want to thank all my friends for being by my side for all these years, Danny I hope you're watching this from Miami, thank you for being my best bud, so have a nice evening every one", he said as he went off the stage.
"Happy birthday, Grey," his mother said as the waiter brought out a giant cake. Grey sliced it as everyone clapped and returned to their seats.
"Nice speech, buddy. I bet Danny doesn't know you've discovered he's not someone you can trust with your secrets," Edgar said, as Grey glanced at his watch.
"Is the party over yet?" Edgar asked, as Grey looked at him hurriedly.
"No, not yet. I was just wondering what time it is, because we have more time to party," Grey replied, hoping Carmen would arrive soon.
"I wish he was here bros I could make him pay for it, now where's carmen, she's taking forever," said Grey.
"Whoa who's carmen",
"Oh, Gareth, I forgot to tell you, carmen is her name, I mean the new secretary,
"Believe me Grey, she's definitely dragged you crazy",
"Jackson, I bet you could guess why I'm behaving this way if you saw her," Grey said, making them all laugh.
"Anyway, Grey, your mom really cares. She made all this stuff, as if you were a kid," Edgar said.
"Believe me, Edgar, you haven't even seen a bit of her. Thank goodness she didn't get me a piñata," Grey replied.
"Guys, I think this is the time," Gareth said to the others. Grey was confused about what they were talking about.
"What could that be", he said,
"Grey, we have something for you on this day" said Gareth,
"Wow, is it like a present", "even better Grey",
"I can't wait to see it" he said.
"Bring it in, boys," Gareth said as they carried a wooden box decorated with cardboard paper. The entire crowd was surprised by the sight of the box. Alfred led them to the store where they would place it.
"Believe me, Grey, you'll love it. We thought about the gift for a long time before deciding," Edgar said, winking at the others.
Anyway, guys, I think Danny would like to speak to us by now. He said he misses us. So, let's all go upstairs," Grey suggested. They all moved to the top floor in the conference room. They waved to Danny as the video call started. He was still going about his usual routine with the kids. He stepped aside to talk with them. All of this made Grey even more bored than before, especially since Carmen still hadn't arrived.
"Whoa, happy birthday to the birthday man! I see you're doing great there, Grey. Sorry I couldn't be there. I couldn't get another flight to LA. It was only three days since I left."
"Thanks, Danny. But another thing, you're lucky you're not here. Because I would've squeezed you if you were," Grey said.
"Wait, you're serious?"
"Of course, Danny. How could you say all that I told you about Carmen?"
"Oh, sorry bro but I couldn't help myself, you know how we were all worried about your loneliness, I thought it could be good news to the others so I told them, but I hope it didn't make you upset", said Danny.
"It's fine Danny anyway I was also looking forward to telling them", Grey took a deep breath,
"So is she there", said Danny
"No she's not here, I invited her but, I don't know what took her so long, she should have arrived a few whiles ago," said Grey.
"Danny you really would like to see how the young lady had affected Grey, for sure today was the first day to hear Grey telling a joke in about three months" Edgar said,
"Knock it off Edgar, Danny are you doing well with the family then?",
"of course, Grey, we're doing fine, I'm still striving to get the number one dad mug, so I have to spend much time with my wife and kids", Danny said with a smile "yeah that's great," said Grey.
"So have you got the gift Grey", said Dany,
"Yeah, so it was an agreement between all of you guys, I would say thanks though I didn't see what it was, but it looked kind of nice and exciting, but more like a video game",
"Not at all Grey, it's the best thing you would wish for, believe me" Danny exaggerated.
"Alright I'll be patient until tomorrow, but just stop winking". the video call was done, they all returned to the dance hall, they were done with most of the events, Carmen had not yet showed up.
The others had assumed Carmen would not arrive at such a late hour. However, Grey dismissed their concerns, believing she might have encountered a delay. While the others waited for her arrival, he suggested they find something else to do.
They all moved to the dance floor, Grey obliged his mother's request to dance with her. Just as they were about to begin, Alfred interrupted them, he stepped aside to speak with Grey in private.
"Mr Grey, I've been looking for you to tell you this, thank god I found you",
"what's the matter Alfred".
"Mr Grey, I had set up the table for two, just at the top of the house in your private balcony, and got the place decorated, but I think the pizza is starting to get a little bit cold and I've warmed it for twice by now, is your special guest going to arrive or she said she's not coming so that I take it off".
Grey was troubled by Alfred's words,
"Alfred takes it off maybe we'll have to talk instead if she does arrive", Grey said and went back to his mother.
"I heard that again", his mother said,
"Are you eavesdropping on me again mom",
"No you were loud Grey, and you know that I'm a good listener grey,".
"So, what's the trouble Grey",
"it's not something big, but I think she's not arriving mom, she seems to have delayed for a long time now" said Grey,
"You mean your secretary right",
"Yeah, it's her, I don't know what took her so long, she had no work to do I think she left the plaza earlier today" Grey said as they danced through the beat.
"what's her name again",
"Carmen, Carmen Henderson",
"Oh, you seem to like her" his mom said with a smile.
"Not at all mom, it was just a business thing I'm not interested in any love affairs with her",
"Alright I'll believe you" his mother said.
"By the way Grey I loved her attitude last time, if I heard a daughter, I would have named her carmen for sure",
"Come on mom, I know you made that up, you never wished for a daughter," said Grey. As they danced to the smooth music, time seemed to slip away. Grey pondered his mother's words, sensing a growing fondness for Carmen. However, he hesitated to reveal his true feelings for Carmen to his mother.