Forbidden Love

Chapter 23

  Amy was on her way home when she received a call from her mom.

"Hey, Mom." She greeted her mom.

"Happy birthday, baby," Paula replied in a cheerful voice.

"Thanks, Mom."

"So, how did you spend your morning... Did Henry come up with some crazy ideas?"

Amy couldn't help but laugh at her mom's question. Her mom was right to ask that because from when she was little, her dad always had something planned out on her birthday morning, that is besides the birthday parties he usually organizes for her.

"No Mom, he didn't. Mandy beat him to it... If I should put it that way." She told her mom.

"Really?! That's new... I never knew the day would come when Henry would let someone besides family spend your birthday morning with you." Paula couldn't hide the surprise in her voice, considering how possessive Henry was of his daughter.

"Mandy left for college today. I just dropped her off at the airport." Amy explained.

"Oh, I see. Now I understand why Henry let her win."

"Yeah."

"Baby, I already sent your presents. I hope you'll like them because it was a tough job for I and Carl."

Paula then went ahead and narrated how she and Carl spent hours in the mall, thinking of what to get for Amy since she had everything they could think of.

"Aww, my little champ! He must be tired from spending so many hours at the mall." Amy cooed.

"On the contrary, he's still excited about the experience. He got to see so many new things. I even got him some new toys... Couldn't ignore his cute face." Her mom chuckled at the last part.

"He also can't wait to know what you think of his present," Paula concluded.

Just then, Amy arrived home, parking her car in front of the mansion. She quickly rushed out of the car, not bothering to close the car door.

"Where is he? I want to speak to him." Amy then asked, taking quick steps into the mansion. She was super eager to see what her baby brother got for her.

"He's in his bedroom. I'm in the kitchen making him a quick snack... Give me two minutes, okay?"

"Okay, mom." Amy hurried to her bedroom and just like her mom said, her presents were neatly placed on her bed.

She excitedly unwrapped the presents. Inside one of the boxes was a pure silk sleep mask. Inside another, was a firn faux fur throw blanket, and finally, inside the last box was a signature soft 300 thread count organic cotton sheet set.

Amy smiled at the adorable gifts. Her mom and baby brother were so sweet.

"Hey, Mom. I just opened your presents and I love them." She told her mom with so much excitement in her voice.

"You're welcome, sweetie," Paula replied.

"Mom, is that Amy?" Amy suddenly heard her baby brother's cute voice in the background.

"Yes, honey. She wants to speak to you." Her mom said and she heard tiny footsteps as the place went quiet.

"Happy birthday, Amy!" Carl's adorable voice cheered, causing Amy to smile. Her baby brother's voice just made her entire day.

"Thanks. How is the cutest boy on the planet?" She then asked.

"I've been good. I even helped Mom get you a birthday present." Her baby brother replied.

"Mom told me how fun it was going shopping with you."

Carl giggled at her statement and Amy could already imagine how adorable he would look doing that.

"Have you opened your presents? I got you a sleeping mask, to keep you away from the bad guys when you sleep."

Amy felt a stray tear roll down her face. She couldn't help but feel touched by her brother's statement. He knew nothing about her rape incident, yet he was this protective of her. She felt blessed to have such an amazing and loving brother.

"Yours is my favorite. I love it." She eventually said when she had her emotions in check.

"Really?!"

"Yes. Really." They both chuckled after the reply and Carl told his big sister what he's been up to before saying goodbye and handing the phone back to his mom.

Paula then wished Amy a happy birthday once again and apologized because she wouldn't be able to make it to her birthday party later that day. Amy felt bad, but she understood with her mom and promised to send them a layer of her birthday cake the next morning. Paula laughed at her daughter's thoughtful nature and ended the call.

   Later that day, Amy spent some quality time with her dad, who got her a box of chocolate truffles and a yellow Gucci v-neck strap cascading ruffle high-low bodycon maxi dress with cut-out heels and a purse to match.

She engulfed him in a tight hug when he got back from the office and pampered his cheeks with kisses, thanking him for the presents. They ate up the chocolate while watching a movie in her dad's bedroom.

Henry hired an event planner for his daughter's birthday party. They decorated the living room area so beautifully, as that was where Amy wanted to have her party. The restaurant that was hired to handle the meals brought in a variety of cuisines and a five-layer birthday cake.

   Hours passed and everything was set. Amy sat in front of her mirror, staring at her image. She was so nervous to go downstairs and greet her guests. It was times like this she needed her best friend by her side. She took a deep breath to help calm her nervousness, before standing up from her vanity chair. There was a knock on her bedroom door, taking off her thoughts and bringing her back to reality.

"Come in." She said in a calm voice, picking up her purse from her bed.

Her bedroom door opened, revealing her dad dressed in a navy blue suit and sky blue shirt.

"I can't believe my little princess has turned into a woman," Henry said with a smile, as he walked towards his daughter.

He stretched his arms open wide and Amy wasted no time in embracing him.

"I don't want you to see me as an adult." She mumbled into the hug.

"You'll always be my little princess." Her dad assured her, kissing the top of her head.

"By the way, you look perfect."

"It's all thanks to you. You look handsome yourself... I bet a lot of ladies will be gushing over you tonight." Amy teased her dad, who has never mentioned anything about having a girlfriend or even a lady friend since his divorce from her mom.

"They better look somewhere else cos tonight, this beautiful goddess isn't leaving my side." They both laughed at his reply.

Amy then suggested that they take a selfie on her phone, which Henry agreed to after much persuasion from his daughter before they exited her bedroom, hand in hand.