29. CLOUD OF GLOOMINESS

"You know, when I met your mother, I was instantly drawn to her even though I had a girlfriend back then who I loved. Or I thought so. And then your mother and I got married under...unsuitable circumstances. She put up with everything I threw her way and let me tell you, those were not good things. I was so full of myself and so angry over the forced, contract marriage that I completely forgot your mother was going through the same thing-" Dad pauses and his gaze is still fixed heavenwards.

"I put her through hell for so many months yet she continued to make efforts, because of a promise she made to your grandma. Hell, she even fell in love with a person like me. How? I have no idea. I didn't exactly give her any reason, right? God, she was so selfless. She says she saw the good in me even when I didn't see it." He chuckles in disbelief while shaking his head.

I place a hand above his as he speaks once again, "I am telling you this because I am not the perfect man that you think I am. Your mother made me like this, she believed in me and she never left me. This marriage worked because of her and for this I will forever be indebted to her. She's beautiful inside and out, your mother. She fills light in whichever room she goes. I feel honored to have her beside me despite everything that went down."

"I am so proud of the person you have become, dad. Don't beat yourself about it, please." I plead quietly.

He shakes his head, "It's not about me, my princess. I gave your mother hell, as I said before, and when she had finally had enough, she left for a while. Took a break after Nate's death and those three months were the absolute worst. That was when I actually realized how life would be without her and that I didn't want it. Not without her. I am telling you this because perfect love is an illusion. No love is perfect and that's what makes it so beautiful because even after all those imperfections, you find something splendid to hold on to. Something that is worth your time and someone who makes your life worth living."

I smile at him and snuggle against his chest as his arm drapes over my shoulder, "Thanks, dad. I really needed to hear that."

"I see the way Nicholas looks at you, Eliza. His eyes are filled with pure adoration. He's a good guy."

"I really love him, dad." I admit.

"I know. We've known even long before you both knew." He replies, now placing the empty mug on the coffee table.

"Come on now, let's go to sleep. It's almost 12 in the morning." He announces.

I look up at him with shock-filled eyes as he gets up and I follow suit, "Dad, it's nearly 12." I say.

"Yeah, that's why we should be heading to bed now. If your mom finds out, we're done for." He jokes.

I stare at him in disbelief as he walks out of the balcony leaving me alone, "Goodnight, princess." He says over his shoulder before disappearing down the hallway.

A small pout comes to sit on my lips as I make my way towards my room and go straight to bed. I toss and turn for a while waiting for someone to come but when no one does and the clock strikes one in the morning, I eventually go to sleep.

The next day I wake up and change into a white off-shoulder crop top with high-waist jeans and pair them with my favorite pair of white sneakers. I leave my hair down in its natural state before applying nude gloss and mascara.

I am really sad today so I will dress well even if it's a bad day and I feel awful.

I go down the stairs and see everyone already seated in the dining room.

"Good morning." I announce my presence.

They all turn to look at me with smiles which I return with a hopeful one.

"Good morning, princess. Come have breakfast before Nick comes to pick you up." Mom says gesturing towards the seat next to Elijah.

I frown and sit down quietly before picking up a toast and spreading butter over it. Everyone resumes their conversation and I turn to look at Nate and Noah who give me innocent smiles before focusing on the fruit bowl in front of them.

Oh.

I bite into the toast and push it down my throat with fresh orange juice quietly.

"Angel, I won't be home today. Ezra and I are meeting up with some friends." Elijah tells.

I lose my appetite instantly and nod my head without sparing a glance his way. My phone lights up with a notification and I pick up to see a text from Nick.

Good morning, bambi. I can't pick you up today. Anwyll's car broke down. See you in class? Love you.

I take a deep breath and stand up from my seat, "I'll leave, now. It's getting late and Nick's not coming."

Saying that I walk out of the house and then get into my car. I start the car and drive towards the school.

I can't believe no one remembers my birthday.

When I reach the school, I get out, and immediately a cloud of gloominess forms over my head. Not even a text message from anyone.

I sigh for probably the nth time today and make my way inside the school. Grabbing my books, I shut my locker close and walk to the first class as soon as the first bell rings.

I'm the second one to enter the class as I find a girl sitting in the front row and take my seat near the window in the middle.

Soon enough, the class starts to fill in but I keep my gaze focused on the ground outside the window. A tap on my shoulder, however, breaks my trance.

I crane my neck to find Lily standing there with a big grin on her face, "You look cute. What's the occasion?" she asks, plopping in the seat next to mine.

A frown settles on my lips as I recall telling her about my birthday a couple of weeks ago but clearly, she forgot, too.

"Nothing." I shrug and look away once again feeling dejected.

"You okay?" she asks again.

"Peachy." I mutter.

A moment later, I feel someone kick my foot under the chair and I look behind my shoulder to see Nick flashing me his charming smile.

My heart skips a beat but it instantly drowns in sorrow as he questions, "You look beautiful today, are we going on a date?"

I flash him a fake, sweet smile before turning around to face the professor who was busy cleaning his spectacles.

I feel his warm lips come in contact with the bare flesh of my shoulders and an involuntary shiver goes up to my spine but I quickly compose myself and shrug him off by straightening my posture.

For the rest of the lecture, I keep my spine erect to the point it starts to hurt but Nick can't seem to keep his hands to himself as he occasionally tickles me and try to pull my chair closer to his.

I am going to fall off the seat but thankfully the bell rings and I practically run out of the class, wanting to cry.

Am I overreacting?

It's just that I feel so...sad that not even a single one of them remembers my birthday. Even when Nick and I were fighting, he would still leave me a text message on my birthday.

I was becoming increasingly frustrated at this point so I took a deep breath trying to calm myself. They'll remember eventually, right?

All of a sudden, I am turned around by a hand wrapping around my stomach and I gasp.

"Are you upset with me?" Nick asks.

"Why would I be?" I counter.

"I don't know. You tell me?" He shrugs.

I close my eyes wanting to stay in his embrace forever but I shake my head and snap out of it, "Nothing. I'm getting late for class."

"Bambi, I am sorry I couldn't pick you up." He sighs as I wiggle out of his grip.

"It's not that, Nicholas." I reply and start walking in the opposite direction.

"Nicholas? How bad is it?" He scoffs.

"As I said, it's nothing." I sigh out.

"You're not gonna like it but I have practice today for the upcoming match so I'd stay behind after school." He tells, apologetically.

I stop right outside of the class and turn around to face him with eyes wide in shock. I could feel something burning at the back of my eyes and my bottom lip started to wobble but I bite it and nod my head once before walking inside.

The rest of the day passes uneventfully and it's not long before I am making my way out of the school. Lily bids me goodbye and I drive towards home.

---

I slam the door shut behind me and walk straight to the bathroom to wash my hands and face. After I was done with my business, I come out and go to sit on the windowpane. I am home alone and this birthday is turning out to be absolutely worst.

Tears pool in my eyes and I finally let them fall down my cheeks as the events of today starts to replay in my head.

Nick didn't even remember what date was today and it was supposed to be my first birthday with him as his girlfriend. And not to mention Elijah who had never forgotten my birthday did not even hug me today in the morning.

I sniff and wipe a hand under my eyes as more tears follow. I am so busy crying that I don't even notice the small fluff ball that is now resting his head on my lap.

I look down and nearly shriek in horror as I find a Bichon Frise puppy sitting beside me with a small baby blue bib around his neck.

He looks up with his big, adorable eyes and his tongue hangs out in excitement. My heart doubles inside my chest as I look at the tiny furball and pick it up.

He's so small. I am gonna die.

"Hey baby, how did you get here?" I coo at him and he wags his tail in response.

"I wish Ace and Bella were here. They would have loved you." I say, petting its super soft fur.

Ace and Bella were mom's pet dogs that had passed away just last year because of a bad viral infection they somehow caught.

"How did you get here, hm?" I question and he blinks at me.

"Happy Birthday, bambi." A voice whispers in my ear, startling me in the process.

I whip my head around to find Nick standing there, dressed in a white button-down shirt and grey formal pants.

I open my mouth in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

He leans down and wipes the remnants of my tears before placing a kiss on my forehead, "It's your birthday." He states the obvious.

"Which none of you remembered." I say and look down at the pure white package of happiness.

The puppy is staring between Nick and me with sheer curiosity which makes me want to laugh. He is adorable.

"I am sorry. I wanted to surprise you. See, I am here now." He tries to reason but I shake my head.

"Did you bring him?" I question looking at the puppy who was now lay leisurely across my lap as if he owned it.

"Do you like him?" he asks back.

I nod my head and meet his gaze, "No one remembers." I whisper sadly.

"Bambi, I don't know about anyone else but I am taking you somewhere right now." He states.

He makes me stand up and the little pup is now circling my feet making me giggle softly at the cuteness.

"Happy birthday." Nick wishes once again, bringing my attention back to him.

He tips my chin upward and captures my lips in a sweet kiss. My insides turn to goo and I sigh in the kiss, relaxing against him.

He pulls away too soon but the feel of his lips lingers behind making my brain foggy. I smile up at him and just like that all my frustration and anger dissolve into thin air.

Nothing matters as long as he is with me. Nothing bad can ever happen in his presence. Our love might not be perfect but it was as beautiful as it could get and I was content with it.

He was here, now.

"I love you." He whispers and peppers kisses all over my face.

I take a hold of his hands that are resting on either side of my head and smile giddily.

"I love you, more." I reply.

"Come on now, get ready. I am taking you out." He announces.

I open my mouth to protest but he places a hand over my mouth, "Nope, I am not taking no for an answer."

I nod my head eventually, "Let me grab my shoes." I say but my voice comes out muffled.

"No. As hot as you look right now, you're gonna have to change. There's your dress." He says pointing towards the bed.

I turn to look at a big black box placed on the foot of the bed. I walk over to it slowly, my heart racing in anticipation, and lift the lid.

A gasp escapes my mouth as I look at the gorgeous deep red dress tucked neatly inside the box.

"Nick." I whisper in awe.

He hugs me from behind and I relax against him, "Do you like it?" he asks and I detect a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"I love it." I tell him truthfully and turn around in his hold.

I stand on my toes and circle my arms around his neck before pulling his head down to kiss him. Nobody can love me the way he does. It feels as if it comes naturally to him as if it's the only thing he's known all his life and I cannot help but fall deeper if that is even possible

I deepen the kiss and his hands squeeze my waist lightly. I tug at his hair and he dips my head a little as the kiss becomes a little more urgent and heated. A moan makes it way out of my mouth as he bites my lip and I instantly pull back, feeling suddenly embarrassed at myself.

"I-I uh-" I try to explain breathlessly but he only chuckles and kisses the tip of my nose.

"It's okay." He whispers. "Now, go and change."

"Okay." I mumble and grab the dress hastily before hastily run towards the bathroom.

As soon as I close the door, I hear his booming laughter from the other side making me blush even more.

This boy will be the death of me.