Whether Gareth is jealous or not, it does not matter. We don't really have many chances to talk. I barely have time to visit the set lately because this new branch of entertainment my father is trying to create is consuming more and more time. And as if that wasn't enough, one of our possible investors is having a crisis. We were trying to lurk BEEB Group to invest on us and Typhoon, as they are one of the biggest companies in all Europe, but it doesn't seem the moment to do so. The only heiress of the company has disappeared after an accident, and not too long ago the owner passed away. It doesn't seem like the moment to approach them.

In the news I saw that Blanca Escobar, heiress of the biggest chain hotels in the world, disappeared after a tragic accident. At only nineteen, she was heading to some charity when the car lost control and rushed down hill. The car caught in flames, calcining the passengers. However, there were only remains of one human being, and it's assumed it was the chauffeur, but that hasn't been confirmed yet. As for now, the company is mourning.

I know that business has no emotions and it does not wait for anyone, but I can't just go to them, aiming to do business when they are facing such a difficult situation. It's too heartless and disrespectful, so I refuse to do it. Luckily, Father agrees with me and has approved to look somewhere else, or wait until they find Blanca Escobar. For now, I just pay them a visit just to offer my respects and pray that their heiress will show up, safe and sound.

So that tragedy has me even busier, looking for more investors for the post-production stage and to ensure everything, besides the new branch of the company Father started planning.

I've been so busy I don't even notice the days passing by and I'm at the office even during the weekends, in meetings, signing papers, and basically going over everything. I'm not just producing a film, I'm in charge of a whole company, which means I have to look for the next projects, buy the rights and everything else for the other projects we'll be working on. It isn't just Typhoon, although that is our biggest production at the moment.

When I see a chance to go to the set and see how everything is going, I seize it. I pray that everything will be okay and that aside from minor issues I won't have to deal with anything big. To be honest, I'm not even sure what day it is, I've been so busy that I stayed overnight in the office, I haven't even seen my family or had time to answer their calls. That reminds me, I have to call back Mum. She's rung me like a billion times already.

It's when I'm on set that I realise why she's been calling so insistently, because Cece comes to me when I text him I'm paying a short visit. However, he doesn't offer just his arms for me to rest for a while, he brings roses and a big cupcake with a candle in it.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Ann, happy birthday to you!" Cece sings as he approaches me, surprising me enormously.

I had completely forgotten it was my birthday, so focused on work that everything else faded in the background. And I'm not the only surprised one on the set, many other people have stopped to see how Cece is congratulating me for my birthday.

"Make a wish, Ann!" he exclaims, stopping in front of me and raising the cupcake so I can blow the candle.

I'm quite tired, so I just ask for the first thing that comes to my mind, which is for my father to get better soon so he can come back. And after I ask for that, I blow the candle. Cece cheers for me, and before handing me both the cupcake and the flowers, he gives me a tight hug.

"You're a legal adult, now," he says. "You grow so fast," he dramatises next, making me chuckle. "By the way, why were you so surprised?" he asks next.

"I had forgotten it was my birthday," I explain. "I've been so busy."

"You look so exhausted, honestly. I have another gift for you then, my dear Ann. You'll come with me and I'll give a facial that'll make you feel like new."

"Okay," I laugh. "I'll take that when I have time enough to sleep."

"That terrible?" Cece asks, and I nod, heaving a tired sigh. I try the cupcake because I didn't have proper lunch today. "Can't you take a break or something?"

"Not for now," I answer after swallowing the bite I took. I take my phone, launching the planner just to show Cece how packed my schedule is. But I notice then that Teru has sent me an email, which I read quickly, just to find out the meeting I had for later today has been cancelled, hence I can actually stay longer here. "Oh, I have a bit of time today. Maybe I should go home early. I didn't go last night and Mum hasn't been able to wish me a happy birthday."

"Ann," someone else calls, someone that isn't Cece. I turn around to find the person, just to be surprised when my eyes encounter Gareth. "I... I didn't know," he mutters next. "Happy birthday."

"Oh," I mumble, surprised that he is even wishing me that. "Thank you."

"I really didn't know, I don't have anything for you," he apologises, but I shake my head.

"Not even I remembered it, so it's fine," I try to reassure him, but his expression looks as guilty as it was. "Really, you don't have to worry."

"I guess... I guess I don't know you as much as I thought I did," he mumbles next. There's something in his voice, faint and almost imperceptible, that much that I'm not sure if it's really there, but I think he sounds disappointed.

I'm about to say something when my phone rings. I make a sign for Gareth to wait and forgive me for this, and thinking it's my Mum again I pick up without looking at the screen, just to be surprised all over again.

"Happy birthday, Ann!" A male voice exclaims, loud and full of energy. And I recognise it immediately.

"Oh, Charlie! Thank you, how did you know?" I ask, chuckling because I can hear Ella with him, shouting at him to give her the phone, and Charlie refusing so she has to shout louder her happy birthday to me.

"I have my contacts," he jokes, making me smile wider. "Kidding, we are just stalkers. That's all."

"Well, isn't that lovely?" I joke along, not even caring how they found out. I don't think it's hard, to be honest. "But really, thank you. Tell Ella I say thanks, too, okay?"

"I can hear! Happy birthday, Ann!" she shouts, louder this time. She probably succeeded at taking the mobile from Charlie's hands. I laugh, imagining the scene. For some reason, I think they were wrestling on the floor. "Enjoy your day! We'll celebrate together when you have time for your friends."

"Will do," I promise, still smiling.

I hang up after exchanging our goodbyes, the smile still playing on my lips. When I look up again to meet Gareth's eyes, his are harder, colder than they were before. He doesn't even look guilty anymore.

"You're really busy lately, uh?" he comments and I nod. "No wonder I haven't seen you in so long."

"It's the first afternoon 'free' I have, and just because the meeting I had got cancelled," I explain, taking a deep breath. It feels great to say that, although it's probably a bad thing, because I'll have to have that meeting later, when I'm even busier.

"You have free time now?" he asks and I nod, although my mind is still thinking of how I'll have to squeeze things even more to fit in that meeting. "Would you let me take you for something? My treat for your birthday," he explains next.

I'm taken aback, and for two seconds I can only blink at him. It takes me even longer to remember I'm trying to move on and forget about him, so going for something doesn't sound like a sensible idea. "Just the two of us?" I ask, just to make sure.

"Well, um... yes," he replies. "Although Drew will be near, that's for sure."

"Uh, I don't think it's—"

"She'll gladly accept," Cece answers for me, coming from behind and wrapping an arm around my shoulders, surprising both Gareth and I. I had forgotten he was with us, probably watching us carefully and now doing something wrong. I really turn to glare at him, but he doesn't pay attention. "Ann needs to be pampered today. Eighteen is an important birthday, is it not, Gareth?" Cece asks. "I would take her myself, but I have work to do. I believe you don't have more scenes today, am I wrong?" I really, really don't like Cece's tone right now.

"No, I don't," the actor confirms easily, shrugging even.

"Then it's perfect. I'll leave Ann in your hands, then. You two are friends, too, so it isn't a problem."

Gareth only nods, I want to say something about it, complain or whatnot, but words fail me as I'm so shocked that they arranged everything without even remembering I was standing there. I feel slightly offended. Especially when Cece pushes me towards Gareth, making me stumble, drop the roses, and land in his arms. It's awkward and so embarrassing. I try to pull back immediately, almost as if his touch burnt me—and it kind of did, but that's not the point.

"You okay?" Gareth asks, picking up the roses, and I just nod, avoiding his eyes.

"I have to go back to work, but Ann, happy birthday!" Cece exclaims again, giving me one last hug. "Pay attention, okay?" he whispers then in my ear, but I just shake my head.

"You've lost your mind," I say but Cece smiles brightly at me before blowing me a kiss and leaving from where he came from. Gareth and I stay there, standing awkwardly. He then hands me back the roses Cece gave to me.

"I have to change and I'll be ready. Can you wait for me?" he asks and I nod, still avoiding his eyes. "Good. I'll be right back."

He leaves quickly, and I stay there on my own, still feeling awkward. Some other people approach me to wish me a happy birthday. Part of the crew, actors and more. They do it politely and that helps me to get distracted as I wait for Gareth. He then is back, in casual clothes and without makeup, but he already has exquisite features and a to-die-for skin, so even without makeup he looks great.

"Shall we go?" he asks and I nod, following him to where his manager, Andrew, is waiting for us. "I took a bit longer but I was making sure to have reservations. There's a restaurant I like, because it has these VIP rooms that are very convenient to avoid all kind of unwanted attention. They normally use them for meetings, but when I want to take my mum somewhere, I always pick that place. The food is exceptional," he explains, sounding more cheerful than I've heard him in a while. It makes me smile, especially because when we are in the car, he also looks more excited.

"That sounds like a good plan," I comment on what he's telling me.

"Sorry I can't take you to somewhere better, but people recognise me quite often and I don't want to drag you in groundless rumours that will probably affect negatively your image as producer," he explains.

I can understand what he means. Even if dating rumours arose that involved the producer and actor of a film, and that could create press and attention to the film which is technically good, in my cause it would be more jeopardising. I already get strongly criticised for being too young and a girl, it would be even harder if people think I'm also dating one of the main cast of the first film I'm producing.

"I understand. And it's fine, I will appreciate the peace and quiet of a place like that."

"I'm sorry I can't take you to cool places like your other friends," he says next and I have to think of whom he might be referring to. It hits me then, he heard me talking about my date with Charlie. "They seem really close to you, especially the boy. He called you today, right? Charlie?" he asks next, before I can say anything.

"Well, we're from the same town. They are studying medicine in Oxford and we've gotten close," I explain offhandedly. "My family seem to like them, including my father as he also went to that university. I know he would've liked if I also did, but that's impossible," I ask, thinking of that Sunday I had free and Mum made me invite both Ella and Charlie for lunch.

"They've met your family?" he asks, seeming really surprised. "I guess they're closer than I thought," he muses.

"I guess," I confirm. "I mean, aside from Cece and you, they are my only other friends. And they are really fun to be hang with. Charlie is always making me laugh, he has such an outgoing personality. And Ella is also so nice and wise. She helps me a lot, even if she isn't that much older than I am."

"Hm," he mumbles, not really an answer of any kind. He even looks away, his expression serious and tense.

For a second I dare to think he looks disappointed, maybe even angry about it, but before my mind can go there I stop my thoughts. I can't let myself get hopes. I've been doing that for a while and it has only led me to disillusionment. So no, I won't read more into whatever Gareth does today, that's my decision.

>>>·<<<

And as usual, we get a hint for the next book ;) I hope you all added it already to your library and are waiting for the first chapter.

IMPORTANT! I am struggling to keep the two updates every week, so I have to go back to just ONE every week. I'm sorry, but I'm doing many things, and I get quite tired after work most of the time.

Dedication to itallstartswithastar 

Bel, xx

~updates every Tuesday~