CLARA

Finally, it's 9th June. My phone buzzed with messages as soon as I woke up. Happy birthday messages flooded in, and on top of everyone, there sat one person, pinned 'Leo.'

I don't even know why I pinned him. It's just... And my shitty mind, before everyone else, I opened his chat: “Happy birthday, Lara, and I sent your gift.”

That's it?

I looked at the message for 5 minutes straight, not knowing what to do—reply or just leave it like this???

But I can't accept his gift. So I typed, “Thanks for your wish, Leo, and I will put the gift in your room on your desk. Please take it back when you return home. I am in no need of any gifts; thank you.”

And I muted his contact for 30 days straight.

When I decided that I was not disturbing him anymore, I genuinely meant it.

Then I replied to every other message before jumping down from my bed.

Suddenly, a sweet aroma hit me hard. “Vanilla cheesecake,” I murmured before dashing downstairs.

“Happy birthday, sweetie,” Dad wished before placing the cheesecake on the table. He makes the best cheesecake in the whole world.

“Thank you, Dad,” I hugged him from the side before someone else approached from the kitchen.

“Lara, baby, happy birthday,” Luna said.

“Thanks, Mom,” I smiled politely.

“What's your plan for today? Let's go to a restaurant to celebrate your birthday,” she chirped in.

“Come on, guys, I told you before I don't like celebrating my birthday. Mr. Jones made me a cheesecake, and it's the best thing in the world. I don't need anything else.” I winked at them before cutting a piece of the cake.

“Hey, wait! We need to put the candle on,” Luna was about to run, but I stopped her. “No need for the candle, please.” And she paused.

“Here's your gift,” Dad said suddenly, making me look at him.

A key to a house.

I stared at it for a moment before chuckling and taking it. “What is it?”

“Penthouse. Your dream one, the one you always doodle in your books,” he said, smiling.

“Thanks, Dad. Best gift ever.”

Maybe he wished for me to run and jump on him, but I was trying to be mature.

“What happened? Are you not happy?” he asked.

“No, I am happy. I am actually happy that my dream has come true, and I don't know how to express it,” I said, looking at him. He caressed my hair before saying, “You're happy, and that's everything I want.” He kissed my forehead before gesturing for me to sit beside Mom.

“Happy birthday again, sweetheart,” she said, and I smiled sweetly at her.

“Thanks again, Mom.”

“Oh yeah, guys...” I suddenly said, gaining both of their full attention.

“I won't be at home tonight. My school won a basketball match, and they are celebrating it in a restaurant-cum-bar.” I lied because if I said "club," they wouldn't allow me.

“But we made arrangements for this evening!?” Mom suddenly interrupted, making me frown. “I repeatedly said to you both that I don't like celebrating my birthday. Please stop, guys; I am fed up with it,” I said, my eyes darting between my dad and stepmom.

“Alright. You can go,” Dad permitted, and I nodded.

At least he understood.

I didn't tell Sara... She would panic for no reason, and I am two years older than her; I can handle myself.

I opened my wardrobe, and that dress was there—my favorite one, a dark Prussian blue bodycon. The dress is mid-thigh, making it extra hot, the type I like the most.

So, after finalizing the dress, I went to the bathroom to take a bath.

I came out, wrapping only a towel around me, and at that exact moment, my phone buzzed.

It's Leo...

Damn him!!! I am not going to receive his call, at least not today. I want to forget him today. I don't want any Leo distraction in the middle of my fun. So, I turned on silent mode and started drying my hair.

Finally, after applying a lip tint, I am totally ready. The moment I took my phone, I saw 26 missed call notifications from Leo. Damn, dude!! I chuckled dryly before grabbing my purse, card, and other small necessities like mint spray, tiny body spray, and a hair clip.

It's almost 6:00 PM, which means Duke will come anytime. He insisted on picking me up, and I didn't turn him down as I was going to enter the club with him.

As soon as I came downstairs, Mom stepped towards me. “Lara, your brother called you so many times. You didn't pick up?” she asked.

“I was in the bathroom taking a shower, Mom,” I lied smoothly.

“Ohh!! I see. Then call him back, okay?” she said, caressing my cheek lightly.

“Alright, I will call him on the way. I am getting late, Mom,” I said, pretending to hurry.

“Alright, take care on the road, okay? Come before midnight, sweetie,” she said, and I nodded as I went outside.

I need to get out of this society; then I can hop in Duke's car. No one can enter this high-profile mafia society unless the mafia king or queen knows him or her.

To be honest, I don't even want anyone to know Duke because he is acting like a driver for tonight, that's all—not my boyfriend that everyone should know about.

I walked down the street and finally noticed Duke's car; he was waving at me, leaning against it.

Not to lie, he is looking handsome today; of course, not more than Leo.

“Hey Clara, you're looking beautiful,” he said, looking me up and down.

“I know. That's why I spent 2 hours in front of the mirror,” I said, walking around the car to open the door.

But as soon as I was about to open it, a large hand came in. “Wait, let me open it,” Duke said, clearly flirting.

“I have hands if you noticed,” I said, waving both hands in front of him.

“How can I let a beautiful girl open the door? It's my task,” he said, opening the door and bowing dramatically.

“Usually, the servants in my house open the door for us and bow,” I said, sitting inside the car and unlocking my phone.

Umm... yeah, I actually like roasting a little bit, especially fools like him.

He didn't say a word and walked around before sitting in the driver's seat.

I scrolled through my phone, and notifications kept popping up constantly. It's all messages from Leo.

“Lara, pick up the call.”

“Where are you?”

“If you see this message, call me back immediately.”

I chuckled at the messages before tossing my phone inside my bag.

Now, are you feeling something, Leo? I thought, looking outside the car window.

It's raining outside—the perfect atmosphere to get cozy in your own room, your own home.

“How long will it take to reach there?” I asked, getting impatient now. I can only be patient with Leo and Sara, no one else.

“Just 5 more minutes. We are almost there.” We passed a curve, and my phone started ringing again.

Damn!!! This Leo!!!

I pulled out my phone just to be sure, and yeah, it was him again. I cut the call, switched it off, and then slipped the phone into the bag again.

Finally, no one to disturb.

The car stopped, and outside there was the club; other students from our class were waiting outside.

Despite belonging to a mafia family, it's my first time in a club. Dad strictly denied it before I turned 18.

“Someone important?” Duke asked.

“Someone extremely unimportant,” I replied.

“Ohh, some spicy issue I am smelling here,” he chuckled, finally pulling the brake.

“Alright, we are here. My cousin will come outside, then we will go. Let the other boys come,” Duke said, pulling his phone out of his pocket and starting to play video games.

Damn! Now I will rot here inside the car. I made a crying face because I can't even pull out my phone; otherwise, Leo will call. So I sat there, looking outside the window.

Is Leo calling me because I didn't accept his gift? Does it even matter to him?

Do I matter to him? He himself said he is busy, so why is he calling again and again? Whatever, I won't call him back.