11:57 pm.

"3 minutes more" I sighed.

I could feel the excitement building with each passing second. The night was still, and the soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm aura around me. The anticipation seemed to wrap around me like a warm embrace.

My phone is in my hand, its screen lit up, ready to dial his number.

The room was quiet, and I could hear the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall. Its ticking seemed louder in the hushed room, and I watched the minute hand inch closer to the magic moment. The seconds felt like eternity, and yet, I knew it was just a matter of time.

My heart danced with excitement as I watched the minute hand of the clock draw nearer to the moment I had been eagerly awaiting.

With every tick, I counted down silently.

10... 9... 8...

The suspense was nearly overwhelming. But deep inside, I knew that the second the clock struck midnight, it would signify the start of his special day, and I could call him.

7... 6....

My fingers hovered above the phone, poised to make the call that would put a smile on his face.

5... 4...

I'm feeling like it's the night before exam results.

3... 2... 1

As the clock finally chimed midnight, I didn't waste a second. I dialed his number, my heart swelling with love and excitement.

But, my smile started fading a little when, the call went to voicemail.

"Probably, he put the phone down and went somewhere. Yes, that must be it. I'll try again"

I again dialed his number. Again same thing.

Dialing his number again and again, I couldn't shake the growing sense of sadness and worry that enveloped me.

The fuck ? Why the hell he is not picking up ?

I again dialed it.

"Lucas, please pick up the phone, please, pl-" The person you're calling is not answering, please try again later.

Maybe he is in bathroom ?

Each time the call went unanswered, it felt like a small piece of disappointment settling in my chest.

Maybe he had fallen asleep early.

"Yeah, he was tired earlier so, it's possible. You are so mad, Olivia. He is tired. Let him rest"

But should I give it one last try? Who knows, maybe he'll pick up? Besides, he knows I'm going to call him right at 12.

As the calls continued to go to voicemail, my heart sank further.

Maybe he was caught up in family matters.

"Of course. Oh God, Olivia, how could you ? It's his birthday. Of course he wants to spend some time with his Mom and Dad. You are really a fool, Olivia. Don't disturb him, now. Let him Enjoy. You are going to meet him, tomorrow anyways"

I smiled thinking everything about tomorrow.

Oh, Lucas. Do whatever you want today, but tomorrow is my day and trust me, I will make it very special for you.

I smiled to myself and kept my phone on beside lamp and covered myself with duvet.

I turned around and my eyes caught something. Photo frame. I sighed.

"I know I am being Immature, Ria. But, I can't help it. I jus- I just want to be the first to wish him a happy birthday, to let him know how much he meant to me on this special day. It's just immaturity, I know" I sighed.

"It's Ok, Olivia, forget it. He already knows how much you love him. Let's just sleep so that I can wake up early tomorrow." I said and closed my eyes.

The room was stifling, and the minutes on the clock seemed to tick away at an agonizing pace. My mind was a cacophony of restless thoughts, a tangled web of worries and uncertainties.

I turned around and covered my whole body with a blanket.

As time went on, I felt more and more tired, which made it even more frustrating that I couldn't fall asleep.

I tossed and turned, my covers growing increasingly uncomfortable, my pillow feeling like a lump of lead.

Agghh, why the hell I can't sleep !?

I sat on my bed out of exasperation.

I reached for the bedside table, expecting to find my water bottle. But my hand met empty air. An annoyed sigh escaped my lips, breaking the silence of the room.

"Oh man, I'll have to go to the kitchen to get some water."

I sighed tiredly.

I knew I had no other choice but to venture downstairs to the kitchen. The hardwood floor creaked softly beneath my feet as I made my way through the darkened house. The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a ghostly light upon my face.

I retrieved a glass from the cupboard. Going towards faucet, I kept my glass under it and on it.

But just as I filled my glass, a sudden, jarring noise emanated from the living room.

I froze, my heart quickening.

Who is it at this time ?

I kept my glass on the counter and came out from the kitchen. I immediately went to the living room, and my eyes widened as I saw the scene in front of me.

Noah ?

He can't even walk properly on his own. He's stumbling and bumping into everything.

I never even dreamed that I would see Noah in this state. If it were Michael or Jack instead, I might have understood, but Noah ? Never.

I flinched when I saw him about to fall.

My eyes widened.

Before my mind could register, my legs started moving on their own, as if they had a mind of their own. Just before he fell, I managed to catch him. My hands gripping his arms to steady him.

My eyes remained wide in shock, and my heart continued to race.

His breath reeked of alcohol, and his eyes were unfocused, but in his inebriated state, he seemed more vulnerable than ever.

"What happened to you ?" I asked him, rudely, trying to control his weight on me.

"I love herrrr" He slurred. I frowned.

He slurred his words, struggling to find coherence. "I...I had to get out...needed air," he mumbled, his gaze somewhere in the distant past.

A hint of frustration tugged at me.

But, I couldn't leave him like this. I sighed.

I placed his hand on my shoulder, and I put my hand on his waist, supporting him as I began to take him to his room. His steps were stumbling repeatedly, and his entire weight was on me. He couldn't walk properly at all.

"Ugh, can't you walk properly ? You're so heavy !"

"I just love her" He slurred.

"I know. But can you please shut up right now ?" I told him as I opened his room door.

"They told me she loves me ... me for m-money- but ... but ... I kn-now ... It's n-not-" He hiccuped.

"They are lying. She is nice" I told him, making him sit on the chair. I sighed.

"You are so heavy" I released a breath.

"Ye-eah, I love her only. S-She is the o-only g-girl in my l-life *hiccup* only g-girl"

He slurred, a smile on his face.

I felt a pang in my heart. Something stirred within me. I sensed some emotions, but I didn't know what they were. All the emotions on my face vanished. I bit my lips.

You are always the first girl in my life.

I chuckled dryly but immediately shook my head.

'Not a time, Olivia. Get a grip on yourself'

"Right, let's get you into bed." I mumbled.

I thought the worst was over, that I could finally escape this nightmarish ordeal, but fate had other plans.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a gut-wrenching sound-the unmistakable retching of someone on the verge of vomiting. Before I could react, Noah lurched forward, and the contents of his stomach splattered onto the floor.

My eyes widened in shock.

What the heck ?

My head snapped towards him. I glared at him.

My irritation, which had been simmering just below the surface, boiled over like a volcano. An exasperated groan escaped my lips, a visceral reaction to the chaos unfolding before me. The mix of frustration, disappointment, and exhaustion welled up inside me, threatening to engulf me entirely.

"What the fuck ? Seriously ? You couldn't make it to the bathroom ?"

I snapped at him rudely.

But it's as if my words fell on deaf ears. He continued to mumble incoherent words.

"Oh God, you are so annoying"

With a heavy sigh of irritation, I had finally managed to get him to bed.

"Jane, y-you- ... I-I- love y-you- only"

He mumbled.

My hands stopped in mid.

Jane is so lucky. They say people who are drunk don't lie. He truly loves her.

I gulped as a lump formed in my throat, and I shook my head again.

His snores filled the room, a stark contrast to the chaos that had preceded this moment.

I untied his shoelaces and removed his shoes, placing them neatly by the bedside.

"I don't know why I'm doing all of this when I know that you hate me, and, don't worry, I feel the same way."

I carefully removed his socks, his feet looking worn and tired from the night's escapade.

"But still, sometimes it hurts. I don't know why, but it just does."

His watch and phone were next, carefully taken from his pockets and set aside.

The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a nightlight casting gentle shadows on his face as he slept. I turned to leave, but his phone had lit up with a notification, and my eyes were drawn to the screen.

I frowned.

Jane ?

His phone had been buzzing incessantly, and then disconnected on its own.

There were 19 missed calls displayed on the screen.

Due to the phone being on silent, I hadn't heard the ringing.

19 missed calls from Jane, Noah coming home drunk repeatedly mumbling 'I love her'. What's going on between them ? Is everything ok ?

Before I could think further, Noah's phone rang again. It was Jane calling.

She must be in a lot of tension.

Should I pick up ?

But what if they don't like it ?

Noah doesn't even like me being around Jane. If he finds out I talked to her, he might misunderstand.

I'll leave it, I won't answer the phone.

Yes, that's the right thing to do, but Jane must be so worried.

I'll pick up just once and tell her. Yes, I'll tell her not to let Noah know that I talked to her. Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll answer.

I hesitated, torn between two conflicting thoughts.

Leave it.

I picked up his phone and answered,

"Hello, Noah ! Where are you ? I've been calling for so long, why aren't you picking up ? Where are you, Noah ? Do you even realize how worried I am ? Have you reached home ? Noah, WHY AREN'T YOU SAYING ANYTHING-"

"Jane, I-I am" I cleared my throat "Olivia"

I heard silence on the other end.

She didn't like me answering the phone. I knew it, I'm crazy, why did I even pick up the phone at first place ?

"Oh Thank God, Olivia. You are there" She sighed in relief.

What ?

Suddenly, her voice sounded worried. "Olivia, how is he ? Where is he ? Did he reach home safely ? How is he feeling ? Is he okay ?"

"He came home really drunk, Jane. But he's okay now, he's sleeping. Don't worry" I assured her.

I could understand Jane's state of mind right now. If Lucas were in that condition, I'd be a wreck too.

She sighed.

"Thank God, he is okay, now"

"Hmm."

I restrained myself from asking further questions.

Why had Noah drunk so much ?

But I remained silent. I have no right in their personal lives.

"Thank you so much, Olivia for helping him"

I clenched my fist.

"Hmm. Take care. Good night" I immediately declined the call.

"I don't need anyone's thank you."

I gritted my teeth.

With an exasperated sigh, I couldn't ignore the task at hand any longer. The room was tainted by the sour smell and unsightly sight of his Vomit.

I reluctantly retrieved cleaning supplies and set to work. As I meticulously cleaned up the mess he had made, a mixture of frustration and weariness swirled within me. It was a task I never thought I'd find myself doing.

I don't even know why I am doing this work.

I washed my hands and left from there. As I entered my room, the soft illumination from a bedside lamp welcomed me, creating a cocoon of gentle light in the darkness.

I collapsed onto my bed and fell asleep instantly with a last thought in my mind that,

She is the only girl in his life and he loves her.

<<°>>~<<°>>

The evening was bathed in a warm, golden glow as twilight settled over the garden, and I could feel the anticipation building up within me.

Lucas's birthday surprise was about to unfold, and every detail had been meticulously planned to perfection. Friends and family had discreetly gathered, the garden was adorned with enchanting decorations, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement.

"Olivia, I am really very sorry" He said, staring in my eyes.

"12th" I informed.

"No Olivia, I am really an Idiot. I-I- please forgive me. Please." He apologized, now with tears in my eyes.

I immediately cupped his face in my warm hands.

"Luce, listen to me. I already forgave you. And it's not your fault. It's your birthday and you have family. I understand, Baby." I told him softly.

"Why would I be angry with you ? No doubt, I have a right over you but your mother, father and your family has a far greater right over you. I am literally very proud of you for putting your family first. I am proud of my choice. I really admire your dedication to your family. Keep putting them first."

He stared at me, without blinking.

"Remember this that I'm here to complement your life, not replace your family. Always choose them first. That's why I am very proud of you for choosing your family." I smiled. He blinked. Once. Twice.

"I don't know what I've done to deserve a girlfriend like you."

I flicked my hair.

"I know, you are damn lucky" I smirked.

"Of course, I am" He chuckled.

"Ok now, let's go" I said.

Lucas and I had been on a romantic date, or so he thought, and as we strolled hand in hand through the garden, he was completely oblivious to the hidden surprises awaiting him. I could feel my heart racing, and my palms were slightly clammy as I whispered a silent prayer for everything to go as planned.

As we approached the heart of the garden, where the festivities were set to begin, I took a deep breath and gathered my courage. Without hesitation, I stepped forward, positioned myself in front of him, and with all the love in my heart, I shouted,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCAS!"

To Be Continued...

What do you guys think ? I admit, This is a little boring chapter but trust me, drama is on its way.

☕☕☕

Share your thoughts about Noah and Jane.

Olivia and Lucas ?

Little Preview :

Xyz : Come Olivia, I will introduce you to my friends.
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Xxx : You are feeling proud ? For what ? You didn't even win a single match, bro *Laugh*

Yyy : No guys now I get it, he don't like to lose, but he have to. Because of his family connections, right ?
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Zzz : All this happened just because of you. *Furious*
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Guess what will happen in next chapter ? What do you think about xxx ? Yyy ? Zzz ? and Xyz ?

Don't forget to Vote and Comment.

I will meet you guys soon till then stay safe, take care and Love yourself ❤️.

Byee Byee ... Luv ya 😘.

Published : 11 September 2023.

Total words : 2681 words 😁.