Tough & Classy

Chapter 48

Chapter 48: "The loneliest moment in someone's life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly."

"Should I put the letters a little higher? What do you think, guys? Feeling ko kase they're too mababa." I stepped back a bit to get a better view of the decorations on the wall. "Ano, a little higher pa?"

"Nakailang ayos ka na diyan, Claire. Maganda na. I swear," ani Andy.

"Sure?" 

She nodded in response. I breathed out and went on to check the food on the table. The food was catered by one of the best restaurants. Actually, I considered the idea of cooking for this special event, but cooking was never my strong suit. 

 "How about the food? Should I buy more? Enough na ba ito?" I bit my lower lip. Lahat ng pinili kong pagkain ay paborito niya. "Oh. The drinks? He likes-"

"Lahat ng favorite drinks niya ay nandiyan. Chill ka lang. Magiging successful itong surprise birthday party niya."

"You should take a rest, Claire. Kaninang umaga ka pa aligaga para dito," ani Selene. 

"Kapag birthday mo, hindi ka naman ganyan kaaligaga. Pero kay ex turned friend, solid ang effort! Grabeng friendship naman yan," ani Sea habang nagpupump ng balloons.

I sat down on a chair. "Hindi kase gusto ko lang makabawi." 

"Makabawi?" kunot noong tanong ni Andy.

"Remember nung kami pa, solid din yung effort niya every birthday ko or anniv namin. Actually, mas grabe pa nga dito."

As I thought about how he made every event in my life extra special, a faint smile emerged on my lips. Clearly, I didn't put nearly as much effort into our relationship as he did. And somehow, that made me sad. 

Selene sighed and agreed, "He did."

"Oo nga 'no?" segunda ni Andy. "Laging bongga yung birthday mo. Actually, kahit nga walang event, basta trip mong gumala sa ibang bansa, gora kayo, 'di ba?"

"Dagdag mo pa yung mga luxury bags saka jewelries na bigay niya. Grabe. Bongga talaga!" Sea exclaimed.

"More than the material things, it's the effort that really matters to me. Pero teka, makapagsalita ka parang hindi ganon ka-generous si ex sa'yo ah." I smirked. "Asan na yung mga gifts niya sa'yo?"

"Wala na! Ibinenta ko na para mapakinabangan! Saka teka, kailangan ipaalala? Tapusin na nga lang natin 'to! Pangit iyong mga topic about ex. Hindi nakakaganda ng mood!"

We just laughed at her reaction. When it really comes to her ex, Sea gets too sensitive. I checked everything once again. I just really want to make Chester's surprise birthday party perfect. We've chosen to do the party at his unit since he doesn't come here anymore. 

Hours before his surprise birthday party, I returned back to my unit to take a shower and dress up. I chose a white one-shoulder midi dress. After putting on a light make up and curling my hair, I sprayed my favorite perfume that Chester likes so much. Well, at least he used to like it. 

I picked up the cake and opened the door to leave when I saw Nathalia standing outside my unit. 

"Nathalia?"

"Oh. May lakad ka? Anyway, I just dropped by kase si boss Matt kinukulit ako." Natigilan ako sa narinig na pangalan. "He was worried that you got offended with the kiss."

I gasped. "He told you!"

"Don't be mad at him. Pinilit ko lang siya. Sinabi ko na hindi ko na siya tutulungan kung hindi niya sinabi kung ano yung nagawa niya. Nag-worry din naman kase ako na baka binastos ka niya kaya hindi mo na sinasagot yung mga calls niya."