Chapter VII: Birthday Blowout

I woke up from the rays of sunlight hitting my face. I yawned and sat on my bed regaining my energy to start the day. I stretched my arms and got out of bed. After washing up, I changed into a black and white linen pants, black camisole. Then, I put a white sleeveless coat on top of the outfit. I partnered it with a white converse shoes and I was ready to go. "Lauren! Come! Let’s eat breakfast." Mom said and I sat across Priam "By the way, you and Priam will be going to the resort. You’ll check our resort there then you’ll come back before three o’clock. Okay?" Mom said and I just nodded We didn’t waste time and got on our way to the resort Mom said. Mom told the driver to escort us to our destination. I tried to decline what she said because I can drive. I slump my back on the seat and got busy with my phone. It was a weekend and I finished all the homework last Friday night when I had a sleepover with Samina. The employees and staffs greeted us once we set our foot inside the resort. "Priam, I’ll just head out for a bit." he looked at me suspiciously as if I was trying to do something mischievous "What’s with the look?" I asked him "You’ll leave me here?" he asked "Yeah. You can handle it, brother." "Tsk. Just come back here, okay? Don’t wander around too much." Yeah. Whatever. I mentally replied and walked my way out When we visit this particular resort, there is always one place nearby that I always visit. It’s our past residential house. It was the house where Dad used to live with Mom. This place holds thousands of memories Priam and I never got to see. They were precious and irreplaceable moments in my Mom’s life. It sad, that Dad chose to leave us behind and continue his life without us. But it’s his choice. And people never really stay. After reminiscing, I decided to go back to the resort. "Uh....excuse me." I called the attention of the resort’s staff to ask something "Miss Villegas. How can I help you?" she asked "Did you see my brother? Priam?" "He went straight to his office, Miss Villegas." she said "Oh thank you." I said and went to his office I knocked three times and entered his office. The room looks grim and dark, different from Priam’s room in our house. "Priam?" I called him and a guy wearing a tuxedo came into view "Why are you wearing that?" I asked and he smiled, "Get dressed Sis." "Why should I get dressed?" "Enough with the questions, just follow what I say Sis." he then pushed me inside a bathroom where a ball gown was hanged I had no choice but to wear the gown. Priam said that he won’t let me out unless I’m wearing it. The gown was color black. It has fake diamonds around that serves as a decoration. Then, a stylist, which I don’t know who sent, put a light make up on my face. They made me pick from different kinds of heels. I’m not fond of wearing heels so I picked the one with the shortest heels. The pumps. When I went out the office, Priam was nowhere to be found. All I could see was our family driver standing next to a limousine. I rode that back home and went out of it. The first person I saw was Mom. She was wearing the same gown which I was wearing. "Lauren, you’re so pretty my dear. Let’s go? "Mom said and I circled my left arm on her right arm The door opened wide and a very bright light welcomed us. I was still adjusting my eyes when I heard sounds of clapping. I slowly opened my eyes and I saw many people. The door led us to a grand staircase and at the end of the stairs stood Priam on the left and Gramps on the right. "Happy Birthday" Grampa and Priam both greeted at the same time My brain stopped working and my mind tried to catch up. It was my birthday. Yes of course it was! I hooked my arm to Priam’s and Mom also hooked hers to Gramps. Priam escorted me to the middle of the room and helped me sat on the chair. After that, the party started. Everybody gave their gifts one by one and gave me their heartfelt messages. Then, the night ended with a dance.