Rice, Rice, baby

Chapter 7

"Olga, do I really have to go with you? I want to go home, I'm shattered."

"It'll be just a minute. I'll check if I left my wallet in the kitchen and then we can go" she says. "And stop complaining, Liv. You are turning 25 tomorrow, not 80."

"Feels like it" I sigh. Because today has been chaotic.

There was a double training session and some meetings going on, which means that I've spent most part of my day making coffees for everyone, going up and down the stairs to deliver them to the offices, and taking meal orders since one of the waiters called in sick and Olga needed help. And as if that wasn't enough, since the game at the Emirates I've been sleeping like shit, constantly having nightmares where my dad finds out about me and Declan and kills him. Literally. In last night's dream he used an axe to do it.

"I promise I'll be quick" Olga says, opening the cafeteria's door.

"You better" I reply, following her.

"Happy birthday!" everyone screams as I walk in.

"Bloody hell!" I yell, my heart on my throat. "What the fuck?"

"Language, Olivia" Madders says. "This is a birthday party!"

"A what?"

"Surprise!" Olga says while hugging me.

"You... you... what?"

"I know your dad said that you don't like celebrating your birthdays, but you only turn a quarter of a century once!"

"Wow, those are some big words for you, Maddison" I laugh.

"So funny, Liv" he replies, rolling his eyes. "Everyone is dying to wish you happy birthday, you know? Sonny made you a card, and I think a certain Spaniard even got you a present..."

"You all seriously need to stop with that."

"I was talking about Bryan, Liv" Madders smirks.

"You... Idiot" I say, hitting him in the arm.

"It's not my fault Spanish dudes love you!" he laughs. "Though you prefer them half Irish, don't you?"

"Shut up!"

"Half Irish? What did I miss here?" Olga asks.

"Nothing. James is talking shit as always."

"Yes, I am" he laughs again. "Anyway, are you coming or not? I can't wait to try the cake. Alex told me it is your favourite, and knowing how obsessed you are with anything with chocolate, I'm sure it'll be amazing."

"Wait, Alex is here too?" I ask.

"Yep."

For the past few weeks he's been behaving super weird around me, basically ignoring me, and I still don't know why.

We've known each other our whole lives since my dad and his are best friends and we live close by, and even though we've had our ups and downs (especially because of my dating life and him not liking any guy I did), he had never been like this.

"C'mon, Liv. Let's go say hello to your guests" Olga says, linking her arm with mine and walking towards where everyone is.

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"Happy birthday, dear Olivia... Happy birthday to you!"

"Don't forget about making a wish!" my mum says.

"Done" I smile.

For my actual birthday I'm having a small gathering with my parents, Alex's and him, the usual every year. After partying way past midnight with everyone at work, it is what I needed. Something chill and at home where I can wear my pyjamas, have crazy hair, and where no one will give me a weird look. Though this year my mum forced me to actually look nice since it is a special number.