C'est la vie!

Chapter 15🥀

It didn't seem as a night; we didn't blink, lest sleep. Movies after movies, jesting and having loads of laughs and chats.

By the time I had gotten back home, Max had already left for work.

I slumped unto the bed in fatigue, my limbs relaxing into the comfort. My body pined for a rest, yet my mind desired to throng itself with diverting thoughts of Aiden. Remembering the moment he held my hand, his voice...

...and I felt my tummy tickle.

Ugh! I hate myself! Why did I have to feel this way?!

It took quite a long time before my body drifted into a very heavy sleep, because by the time I had woke up, it was already evening.

There were roaring masculine voices within the house. I jumped out of bed, and it was not only because they interrupted my sleep, but because I was praying one of the voices belonged to Aiden.

I found myself rush to the living room, only to be met by Max and Perry.

Yay! -Note the sarcasm.

"Birthday girl!" Perry sang, handing me the little round cake he brought.

I subconsciously wished they were from Petra. I had only received a dully factual message from her and the other girls.

"Belated," I corrected. "And thank you."

"I brought champagne too," he followed me into the kitchen, placing everything on the counter. "I was really busy yesterday, I'm sorry if I'm late... How can I make it up to you?"

"Take me to my orientation." I blurted.

"Huh?"

"I have a meeting on Monday and I need to be there," I gave him a snippet of the whole thing.

"But isn't Max supposed to... Hold on. Does he even know about this?"

"How can I tell him?" He only gaped at me. "Please, I need you. Max would be at Cape Coast next week so..."

"Would you not be home alone?"

"Yeah. But no. In the sense that I know he'll be telling Sharon to check up on."

"Raine..."

"Please..."

Just then, Max walked in. I passed Perry a look, begging him with my eyes as they head out the kitchen.

I took the moment to check the cake box for some note that would at least inform me that they were from Petra. But, nope!

"Raine, how was your sleepover?" Max yelled, and I got out of the kitchen to respond in the affirmative but was immediately met with something flying into my eye.

I flinched in pain, groaning and muttering profanities to whoever was the cause of this.

When I could finally open my eyes, I spot Perry looking straight at me, with gritted teeth and the bottle of champagne in hand. Finding the cork of the drink beside me, I knew right away that he had been the cause of this.

"You owe me," I laughed, and he only wailed in defeat.

It was a good thing I had picked out my outfit for tonight. As soon as Perry left, I, without delay, got dressed and jumped into the car with Max for our dinner.

Even with all the formalities of the night, Max managed to make it completely fun for me.

"I know that today should be all about me but, I want to acknowledge you for everything. Thank you so much," these were but a few words I could not get myself to utter to him.