Rachael met Diane, Cyril, Lisa and Sophia talking about something she couldn't get a hold of when she went over to meet them.
Diane was the first one to notice her when she walked towards them.

"Hey babe. I was just about calling your line now. My God! You look so amazing in that dress." Diane quickly said to her, already going over to hug her.

"Thank you for the compliment," Rachael said, after Diane was done with hugging her.

"You're welcome dear," Diane said.

"Thank you all for making it," Rachael said to them and hugged each of them.

"You look so beautiful," Cyril said to her and it made her smile brightly before she thanked him. Sophia went ahead to compliment her shoes while Lisa told her she loved her earrings.

"The party is taking place at the backyard. Vincent and Rachael are already there.  Come with me." Rachael led them to the backyard.

Diane, Sophia and Lisa exchanged short greetings with Vincent and Rachael since they were already familiar with each other while Rachael decided to introduce Cyril to them.

"Meet Cyril, Diane's cousin. Cyril meet my friends, Rita and Vincent," Rachael introduced them to each other and after their little introduction, they all settled down on their seats.

"Can I start the show now?" Diane asked, leaning close to Rachael.

"You can go ahead," Rachael permitted her and she gently stood up.

She was putting on a black dress that ended just above her knees and hugged her body tightly. She graciously walked towards the front, just next to the large velvet cake Rachael's mum had ordered. Vincent and Rita had confused looks on their faces, wondering what she was up to.

Flinging her hair sideways twice, she finally spoke. "You are all welcomed to this great birthday celebration. I would just like to go straight to the point."

"That's not really something she is good at doing though," Vincent whispered to Rita and she let out a muffled laughter.

"I'm just here to anchor Rachael's birthday today and also to celebrate with her. I've been around her for just a short period of time and she is really fun to be with, I must say. So first of all, I would like Rachael to come up here and give us an opening remark."

"How about opening prayers? That should come first as always," Vincent objected, trying to get at Diane. He just didn't like how she always thought she was in total control of everything and everyone.

"Oh, yeah. Why don't you help us with it then," Diane said, visibly rolling her eyes at Vincent who was internally happy that he was getting the reaction he wanted.

"Gladly," Vincent said and went on to give a short prayer.

"So let's move to the celebrant's speech. Please come up Rachael," Diane said, holding up her hand to Rachael who took it and stood up.

"I'm really happy to see all of you here. Having to celebrate my birthday with my friends is something I have always looked forward to. Thank you all for the birthday messages and for the gifts. I promise you are all going to have a good time here. There is enough food and drinks for everyone, and good music too," Rachael said, completing her short speech.
Just as she took her seat, she caught a glimpse of Vincent staring at her and that made her heart to beat faster as she remembered their truth or dare game.

"What we would be doing next is taking short speeches and birthday wishes. Since I'm already here, I guess I should start with mine," Diane said and was silent for a few seconds before she opened her mouth to speak.

"Rachael, I'm happy that I've gotten time to get closer to you these few days and I'm wishing you everything good in life," she quickly said, completing her short speech. "Who is next?"

"Me." Vincent raised his hands up.

"Let's hear from Vincent." Diane gave him a go ahead sign.

Vincent took a few steps forward before he started speaking. "I've known Rachael for up to five years now and all I can say about her is that she's a total package."

There was a lot of "hmm," just as he said those first few words. He chuckled at their reaction before continuing.

"She is beautiful, intelligent and hardworking too, and I've enjoyed every moment I've had to spend with her and of course, my frenemy, Rita."

Rita smiled at what Vincent called her.

"Finally, to my wish because I would rather save the other part of my speech for you know, somewhere private and not here," he said with a wink at Rachael. Vincent had seen the way Cyril stared at her and he didn't like it. He wanted to make sure he gave Cyril the signal that she was off limits.

"I'm wishing you more years to live, success and joy. Happy birthday once more dear." He finally completed his speech and went back to sit down.

"Interesting," Diane said with a trace of jealousy after Vincent was done. She had once had a crush on Vincent but he had never acknowledged her, even when she confronted him about it. "We would take Rita's own now," she shortly said.

"Thanks Diane," Rita said and looked straight at Rachael before she started.

"Big head. You know I love you right. Even though I feel like beating you up sometimes. Especially when you annoy me by taking Vincent's side. You've been the best friend to me most of the time and I'm really happy I met someone like you, I'm wishing you a blessed birthday." Rita concluded and took her seat.

"Is there any other person who has something to say?" Diane asked after Rita was done.

"I just want to say happy birthday to the beautiful birthday girl," Cyril said from where he was seating and Vincent just rolled his eyes at his words while Rita giggled a little beside him at his reaction.

"Me too. Happy birthday Rachael," Sophia said.

"Happy birthday," Lisa added.

"Now that everyone has gotten a chance to speak, let's go ahead with cutting the birthday cake because I can't wait to dance!" Diane raised her hands excitedly in the air.

The next moment, they were all gathered around the larger cake, just next to the smaller one which Rachael's dad had given to her.

Rachael stood in the middle and held the knife as she led them in cutting the cake while the photographer who had been taking pictures since the ceremony started, came before them to take more pictures of the moment.

Just after the cake was cut, the whole place was filled with music and they started dancing.

"Can I be the first to dance with the birthday girl?" Vincent said, getting Rachael's attention.

"Of course, but hope you are not trying to mock me with your dancing skills. You know I'm bad at dancing," she said amusingly, remembering that Vincent had emerged winner in their school's dance competition and he had also gotten first place in the singing competition too.

"Don't worry, just let me lead you on," Vincent replied and took her hands.

Rachael tried really hard to keep up with Vincent's dancing pace at first but soon she was dancing happily with him, enjoying every single moment of their dance as the time passed by.

Rita was the first one to get tired of all the dancing, so she left them behind to get her self some cake to eat and of course, a drink and a plate of small chops too.

Diane was busy making videos and taking pictures of she and her friends as they were clearly having a good time dancing.

Cyril decided to walk over to the spot were Rachael and Vincent were busy dancing away.
"Can I have a little time with the birthday girl, please," he said to Vincent just as their gaze met.

Vincent hesitated for a while before he gave him a go ahead while he went over to sit with Rita and joined her to eat.

"Cyril. Hope you're having a good time? I'm guessing this is not your typical type of party," Rachael said to him.

Cyril chuckled at her guess. "Yeah, you can say that, but I'm actually enjoying it."

"I'm glad that you are." Rachael nodded.

"You look so beautiful. I would really like to know you more. I hope we can get as close as you are to Vincent and maybe even closer than that," Cyril said, catching Rachael off guard.

"Um...Yeah," Rachael mumbled. She didn't feel so comfortable around Cyril, compared to how she felt care free with Vincent.

"Right now you're sounding like you are not sure you want that, or is it because of Vincent?" Cyril asked and Rachael laughed nervously.

"No it's not. I mean, it's not like we are even dating," she said.

"Then you should give me a chance with you. You can never know who is the right one," Cyril urged on.

"Okay, we could just work on getting to know each other more. No rush," Rachael replied, trying to be more confident. She felt a little bit intimidated by Cyril.

"Thank you. That's okay with me," Cyril said with a smile as they continued dancing, slowly now.


"Go and get your own. You're disturbing me," Rita said as she harshly tapped Vincent's hands which was on her plate of small chops. He had been staring at Cyril and Rachael ever since he left them together.

"I wonder what they are even talking about," he said, ignoring Rita's whining.

"Who are you talking about?" Rita asked.
She had been busy with her food for a while, and so she had no idea what Vincent was talking about.

"I mean Rachael and Diane's cousin. I don't seem to trust that guy for some unknown reasons," Vincent said plainly.

"I think that's just your jealousy speaking," Rita playfully said.

"I'm not jealous," Vincent denied.

"Are you sure?" Rita asked, raising her brows at him.

"Okay okay, maybe I am. I just want the best for her," Vincent admitted.

"Chill, everything is okay. She is just getting to meet new friends, there is nothing wrong with that," Rita said.

"Yeah of course," Vincent added in agreement.

"Come let's go and take some pictures with our friend, Cyril is no longer with her," Rita said, already dragging Vincent up from his seat.

They both walked over to where Rachael was and started taking pictures after pictures with her but were soon interrupted by Diane.

"Hey Rachael, we need to start going now. Thank you for everything, I really had a great time here," she said with a smile.

"Thanks, I had a great time too," Cyril said, just as he walked towards them.

"I'm happy you did. Let me walk you off," Rachael offered and Diane agreed.

They all walked over to the tiled road just in front of the house and said goodbye to each other after some hugs.

Just as Rachael was about moving into the compound again, she met Vincent and Rita stepping out too.

"You guys are already going too?" she asked them.

"Sadly, yes. It's gradually getting late, it's past six already," Vincent was the one to reply.

"I wish we could stay longer and have like a sleep over but I need to go home and see Jude who just arrived this evening," Rita said, referring to her elder brother who had just arrived from school to stay for a short break.

"Alright, then. I'm happy you both came through for me. You made my day beautiful," Rachael gratefully said.

"What are friends for? We've got you anytime," Rita said.

"Alright then bye. We would meet in school on Monday," Rachael said and went ahead to hug Rita and Vincent.

"I thought Monday is a public holiday," Rita said.

"It's on Tuesday," Vincent replied her.

"Oh, I must have forgotten," she said.

"Do you ever remember anything," Vincent mumbled.

"What did you say?" Rita asked him, even after she clearly heard him.

"Nothing," Vincent innocently replied and immediately, he received a pinch from Rita.

"My God! The both of you again." Rachael palmed her face.

Rita took a hold of Vincent's arm. "Let's start going."

"Take good care of yourself babe," Rita said to Rachael and finally left with Vincent.

Rachael got back to her room and quickly removed her shoes which was really having a painful effect on her feet.

She went ahead to strip her dress off her body and went into the bathroom to take a cold bath which she desperately needed.

She came out of the bathroom after some minutes and got into her night wear after which, she picked up her phone to see some new messages, mostly from WhatsApp.

She decided to open the one from her mum first, since she had not answered her call earlier.

Her mum's message read:

I've been trying to call but you're not picking up so I decided to drop a message instead. Happy birthday baby. Just know that mummy loves you so much.

Rachael wasn't really happy with the fact that her mum had called just once and given up without trying again but she decided to reply her, but then, with just a thank you only. A knock came from the door just after she sent the message to her mum.

"Come in dad," she replied, already knowing that it was her dad knocking.

"How are you doing? Hope you had a great time with your friends?" her dad asked as he walked in and went to sit next to her on the bed.

"Yes dad, I did have a great time with them," she replied with a tired smile.

"Well, I have a birthday gift for you," her dad announced.

"Really!" Rachael said with wide eyes.

"Yes," her dad said and brought out a little box from his pocket and then opened it.

"Wow! A Rolex wristwatch. Thank you dad. It's beautiful." Rachael stared admiringly at the shiny silver wristwatch.

"I'm glad you like it," her dad said before his eyes moved over to the new necklace Rachael was putting on.

"Who got you that?" he asked, pointing at the necklace on her neck.

"It was Vincent," she replied and held the heart-shaped pendant.

"Hmm, interesting," her dad said with a familiar look.

"Don't start with the face dad. It's just a gift." Rachael blushed.

"Well, I didn't say it wasn't," her dad replied innocently.

"I know what you mean whenever you make that face dad. Vincent is just my good friend," Rachael emphasized.

"So was your mum too but look at us now," her dad said and she laughed, picking up the hidden message in his statement.

"But you know I trust you right? I know you wouldn't do anything that would get you into trouble," her dad said with a serious note.

"Yes dad, thanks for trusting me," Rachael said and lightly hugged her dad.

"You should rest for a while. You've had a stressful day," her dad said, breaking the hug.

"You're right dad, goodnight," Rachael said.

"Good night love," her dad said and left her room and in a matter of minutes, Rachael was already sleeping off to another world.

                               ~•~