"Don't make me go there and punch you in the face," I said to Eric thru the phone while pouring fresh, cold milk into a bowl full of good old cereal.

"Just tell me what you're working on. What do you mean you're busy?" Sighing, I put the phone down on the counter and turned the speaker on. Eric's annoying voice amplified in the whole dining area.

"Eric, we've been through this already. I just want to be alone today. Your surprise can wait, okay?"

"But today is your birthday."

"I don't see what the huge fuss is about, really." I pulled the dusty chair and mixed my cereal improperly with a spoon, spilling some of the milk every time the spoon dove into the full breakfast bowl. "I know you always plan some kind of surprise on my birthday, and they're always the best, but can't we do it some other time? I just really, really want to be alone."

"Sorry, I've already missed two years worth of surprise-filled birthdays for my best friend, which is now my wife, and I'm not taking no for an answer. See you later," Eric said.

"Urgh, you're so —" Eric ended the call before I finished. Even when I was slightly pissed that he hung up on me, the pursing of my lips while moving my tongue into all twists and turns was — I believe — a sign of development with regard to my appreciation to Eric's valuable efforts.

Putting the phone down, I continued to eat my already soft and mushy cereal flakes which took me about ten minutes to finish. After the last spoonful, I decided to sip the extra milk without using my spoon. I tilted the bowl, and my lips kissed its rims — to which after the last drop, I sighed in dreamy satisfaction. 

And just when I thought I'd be spending the day alone, waiting for Nathan to come, a series of a familiar, loud pattern of knocks on the door came about to disrupt what I considered the perfect morning routine. Could it be her? Was my door crying for help as this particular guest continued to bang violently upon his chest?

I slowly walked to the door, touching the doorknob as I argued with myself whether or not to allow someone else to come unwanted and bludgeon the inner peace inside my home. I swear if this were Eric, I would put his most prized possession of automobiles into an auction. Although I was not that convinced it was him. I doubted it. After a while, I opened the door when the knocks momentarily stopped.

"About time," Audrey said obnoxiously, raising her brows. "For a second there I thought somebody else lived here, and that you migrated elsewhere." She stepped inside after her warm greeting. Her superb entrance left me speechless. My beauty and physique couldn't match hers — not in this world.

Both hands on her waist, she turned back to me to which I responded awkwardly by shutting the door. "Then I regret opening the door too soon. Should've waited until you left. Next time, I won't be so eager," I said, forcing a smile.

Still looking as dashing as ever, she entered my home yet again with something to criticize over her shoulder. Her eyes judged the way the ceiling was shaped, even removed her Sunnies to see it clearer.

"I see you've learned one or two of my brilliant comebacks. Can't blame you, but I'd appreciate it if you were more original." She walked over to the couch and sat down, one leg over the other.

"Ah, I sure missed having these conversations with you." I sat down across to her, my hands clasped. "So...what brings you here? Not that I don't want you around, just...why."

"Here," Audrey zipper her bag open, took out a medium-sized, thick brown envelope, and handed it to me. "What's this?" I barely stood up and took it, then opened it hesitantly.

"It's the money I owed you. Remember, Diane? Without your help, Lion's Den would have been buried in more debt."

"Audrey, it's okay, you can keep it," I pressed the envelope closed and gave it back to her. "I told you. I don't do charity. If you don't accept the cash, then you're breaking your word of letting me pay you back," was her reply.

"Fine." I killed any chances of getting into a more heated argument with my sister. I placed the envelope inside a drawer. "Uh...if I remembered correctly, your debt reached up to more or less two hundred thousand, and you said Julian never stopped borrowing money. So, how did you pay me back so quickly?" I closed the drawer and looked at her.

"What can I say? Business went pretty well," was all she had to say.

"Okay, then."

"What do you want to eat? Help yourself in the fridge." I walked over to the kitchen and put my bowl to the sink. "What I want is for you to get your ass in the shower because we're going somewhere," Audrey yelled from the living room.

"Sorry, I got plans," I turned on the faucet and the running water was cold. Audrey walked over to the kitchen. "No, you're not. You're not going anywhere," she said, getting a frozen yogurt from the fridge. 

"Since when do you care about my plans?" I put the bowl inside the dish sterilizer.

"I don't."

"Eric sent you here, did he?" I squinted my eyes at her as I wiped my hands with a napkin. "Oh, wait. What am I thinking? You two haven't even met each other." I chuckled, taking back what I said.

"Right. Why would he send me, anyway?"

"Because it's my birthday today and Eric—" I paused when Audrey's expression appeared lost. "Ugh, never mind."

"Really? It's your birthday?" Audrey went from clueless to overhyped real quick. "Then, happy birthday, little sis!"

"Thank you."

"So why is this place looking so dull? Where is your event organizer?" She asked, looking around for birthday decorations pre-arranged somewhere. "Oh, I get it. You're not celebrating it here, I understand. So, where are we going? The Bahamas? Damn, I haven't gone bikini shopping."

I scoffed. "There is no party, Audrey. I'm not celebrating."

"What is wrong with you?" She hit me with her bag. "Listen here, sis. I've never been to any of your birthdays, infant days are not included. It's time I get to see you blow your candles out of a birthday cake."

"Too bad. I'm going somewhere." We better be going somewhere, Nate. It's a miracle my sister wanted to spend a day with me without being bribed for shoes.

"The only place you're going to right now in the bathroom," Audrey said, pushing me toward the stairs up to my room. "H—hey! St—stop...Stop pushing me!"

"Quit squirming. This is for you. You only turn twenty-one once, you know. Take it from the disgusting twenty-six-year-old," Audrey groaned while restraining me from escaping.

Not only was Audrey prettier, hotter, and older than me, she was also stronger. Her strength has led me to the bathroom. "Okay, fine. You win," I shouted from inside the bathroom. Seeing as I was already here, I would have to take a shower for my date with Nathan anyway so might as well trick Audrey into thinking I'm going with her.

I turned on the shower and relished in the cold, running water. All I could think about was Nathan's plan to take me out today and for the rest of the week. Our last conversation came off a bit odd, but when is Nathan never odd, right?

As I pampered my skin with soap and a bunch of skin regimen, Audrey was busy pulling every hanger to the side aggressively, possibly with more than one disapproving look. Apparently, looking for apparel that suited her taste inside my closet was an impossible task to do. 

When I got out of the bathroom with my towel on, all fresh and moisturized, Audrey hovered a brand new dress to my face. "We should really go shopping, seriously. Your closet needs a total makeover. Thank God Eric was here to save the day."

"What—wait, Eric is here?" He was lying on my bed, feeling the softness of the king-sized mattress as he moved his butt from one place to another. "Cool room, by the way. This bed is much more comfortable than the one at our home," he said.

"Urgh." I groaned. "Eric, I told you I have somewhere to be. You and your surprises are going to have to wait. You know, you should be respecting my wishes especially today."

"But I'm already here."

I walked over to the bed. "You couldn't get through to me a while ago on the phone so you asked help from my sister whom you barely knew, by the way. Like that's any weird," I said, holding onto my towel so it wouldn't fall. "Now, please, get out. I'm going to change now."

"Actually...it's not big of a deal since he's your husband," Audrey interrupted to which Eric found delightful. "How could you say that right now?" I glared at Audrey with my eyes widened, shocked by her reply.

Like a respectful gentleman he always had been, Eric went outside as I requested. Audrey then shortly followed. What's up with both of them today?

Finally given the privacy I needed, I quickly dried myself up. As I was about to get some underwear, tiny whispers from just outside the room distracted me from being in a hurry.

"Audrey...not now," Eric warned. "Sorry, Eric. But I can't do this anymore."

Wanting to catch them off guard, I put on the dress as quickly as I could, with my tangled up silky underwear beneath. I opened up the doors, and said, "What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing," Eric replied. "Actually, there is..." Audrey cleared her throat. "This...this isn't mine and Eric's first conversation together."

"Huh?"

"Uh...what Audrey's trying to say is —"

"Oh my God." My hands clasped in anticipation. "Are you together?"

"What?" Both of them interjected at the same time.

"No—I mean... Eric and I know each other...like all the way back," Audrey said, avoiding Eric's reaction, "even before I met you, Avery."

"Oh...so you're friends. Okay. So why were you being all weird?"

"It's nothing. Just forget it," Eric said, walking briskly to the stairs. "Come on, ladies. We're gonna be late. Let's go."

"I'll tell you everything after dinner tonight," Audrey said. I nodded in return. And by the concerning look on her face, I could already tell this day would not end as special.

Eric called us once again, this time even louder. We hastened downstairs and got into the limousine. Audrey was sitting beside me. "Could anyone tell me where we're going?" I begged the question.

"As usual, it's a surprise," Eric said from the front seat.

About an hour had passed, and we have arrived at a place not too familiar to my eyes. I knew I had been here before, but so much had changed. Nothing would ever be as beautiful as this, and my eyes would never be as pleased.

It was one of those chilly nights in Gorchoire. The airy tunnel created from the countless, huge pinetrees contributed to the already cold breeze, contrast to the radiant warmth flickeeing within me. There was a large enough tent to fit in the line of intricately designed wrought iron tables arranged to have a good sight of the treehouse.

The abundant projection of various flowers was posted in the middle of every table, and everything about the linens and the chairs was sophisticatingly in touch. But what stood out was the towering treehouse Eric had built and recently developed for me. It was swirled with multiple layers of beaming multi-colored lights, and every single one of them roared in unison under the graces of the full moon hovering above them.

There were several waiters in black and white uniforms standing behind two long tables where all of the many, many food was placed. The sweet, mouth-watering aroma of the roasted chicken, spicy grilled ribs, and different variations of salads dove right into our nostrils.

"So, it's only the three of us?" I asked Eric, but he was busy talking to the servants at the moment. My eyes still locked at the breathtaking scenery, I was taken aback by the sudden greeting from somebody I wasn't expecting.

"Happy, happy birthday, my darling!" said my mother in a tight embrace. "Mom, you're here!" I hugged her back, surprised at myself for how eager I was to see her. Before, I would turn her down the moment she said anything to me, because I couldn't see past the predicaments between us.

Maybe I already had forgiven her.

"W—where's dad?" I asked. "Well, it is your birthday. And it would be a shame to waste such a beautiful night, and of course, Eric has really raised the bar this time. I don't know how your father and I could top this!" she said, her eyes distracted with all the lights and decorations, "But sadly, your father is in a business meeting right now. I'm sure he'll find a way to make it up to you."

"Avery!" Audrey called my attention from afar. "Someone's here to see you."

"Happy birthday, Avery," Julian surprised me. "Tha—thank you...um," I replied, thinking of words to say to make this less awkward. He laughed. "You can call me Julian."

I smiled in response. "Are you...are you not at least feeling awkward about all this?"

"About your mother and me?" He scoffed. "It was a long time ago, Avery. We all have moved on."

"I guess that's great."

"I always thought I'd be the one to dance you every night inside your room while you sleep in my arms like I used to do with your sister," Julian said, "but you were taken too soon from me."

"But you know what, the more I look at you right now, the lesser I feel bad about myself for not fighting for you hard enough because you've turned out to be the woman you were meant to be. A brave, intelligent, gorgeous young lady," he added.

"Wow... Tha—thank you so much..." I cleared my throat. "Dad."

Eric gathered all the people, including some business partners and some friends we used to invite to dinner with both of our families. We proceeded to our assigned seats as the waiters began serving every plate of dish at each table. At the not so far east, a band of classicial musicians performed gracefully one symphony at a time. And as we delved into dessert, the tasty mixture of extraordinary flavors danced fashionably on our tongues along with the polite exhange of chatters around the table.

"I have to say, this was incredible. I've always hated surprises in general, but yours have always been the best," I said to Eric sitting beside me.

"I've been your only best friend since we were toddlers, spending all the time together, day in, day out. Surely I've picked up a few things about you," he teased while drinking a cold, mango juice.

"Seriously, Eric. This is too much. I don't know how to thank you," I said. "I'm extremely lucky to be your friend."

"And husband," he interrupted, then continued to drink.

"Everything you've ever truly yearned for is finally here around this table, Avery. Happy birthday." Eric kissed on my lips. "Oh...oh, sorry. I—I didn't...I didn't mean to."

"Yeah..." I broke eye contact and smiled awkwardly. "I guess your right," was my dull reply. Obviously what just happened didn't seem to bother me at all. Probably because what he said was far more thought-provoking than a simple smack on the lips.

Although he was wrong about one thing, not everyone was here tonight. And here I thought I was spending the whole day with Nate.

Having the possibility of a perfect night was and will always be impossible without Nathan in it. Looking forward to his promise was the worst mistake.