Sea of Lights (Rich Daughters Series #4)

23

"Welcome to legality, Riley!"

My heart skip a beat when the loud voice of my friends and family welcomed me upon entering the venue. The confetti popped on my head with it's surprising sound that made me flinch.

It's my 18th birthday today and I told Dad to make it simple. Ang mga bisita lang ay family ko, mga kasama namin sa bahay, and my friends. I didn't mind about not fulfilling the 18's event, what's more important to me is they are all present. Although, I said to my friends before that I want a fantasy-like celebration, I later changed my mind to just have a simple celebration.

I am wearing a simple fitted spaghetti dress in violet color that has glitters all over. It was partnered with purple one-inch heels that has butterfly on both sides. I am also wearing sash with 'birthday girl' written on it and a crystal crown on my head. My hair was also styled in a soft wave.

"Wow, thank you, everyone!" I said in my most happiest voice as I gave them a smile.

I looked around the venue wearing my happy smile. Hindi gaanong malaki ang venue, like what I requested. Sa harap, maraming bulaklak na rosas. Purple ang kulay nila. May upuan na parang bench sa garden. Actually, that front stage looked like a mini garden dahil sa mga bulaklak na naroon at sa bench. May nakatayo rin na 'Riley @18' at gawa iyon sa mga bulaklak na hinaluan pa ng mga butterfly bilang design.

There are round tables around that is in color white. While the table cloths are in lilac color. May mga flower din sa gitna ng lamesa na nakalagay sa vase. The ceiling has a hanging flowers and butterflies.

"For you, sweetheart," dad handed me a boquet of roses. "Happiest birthday." He greeted me and gave my forehead a soft kiss which made me close my eyes to feel it.

"Thank you, dad." I said, almost in tears.

As I walk on the aisle, everyone clap for me and randomly greet me a 'happy birthday'. I gave them a smile while walking. Nang makarating ako sa harap ay umupo na ako. Kinuha ko ang microphone na iniabot sa akin ni Kuya Hans. Nagpasalamat na rin ako sa kanya bago siya umalis at bumalik sa pwesto niya.

"Uhm..." I couldn't compose a word. "First, I would like to thank all of you for attending my birthday. You don't know how much you made me the happiest girl alive today." I stop again because I don't know what to say next. "I don't really have much to say, and I don't know what to say anymore." I chuckled, so they did. Natahimik lang sila noong napayuko ako at bigla na lang tumulo ang luha ko.

"Dad... you are the best man I ever have. Thank you for doing all your best to provide my needs and wants. Thank you for everything that I couldn't list anymore." I wipe my tears using my fingers. "I don't even know what I am saying up here!" I let out a chuckle while crying kaya natawa sila. I look stupid!

"To my friends right here," Tumingin ako kina Maya. "Thank you for being with me. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng ginawa ko sa past life ko para magkaroon ako ng mga kaibigang tulad niyo. I don't even know if I really deserve all of you. But I am beyond greatful to have all you." I gave them a smile as my tears run down my cheeks.

Lumingon naman ako sa mga kasama namin sa bahay. "To everyone that became my second family," nginitian nila ako. "I wanted to thank all of you for taking care of me too well. You were taking care of me so well that my words wouldn't be enough to acknowledge your hardwork. Thank you po." I also gave them a sweet smile.

Habang wala si Dad, sila ang nag-aalaga sa akin. Sila ang kasama ko sa bahay kaya hindi ko nararamdaman na mag-isa lang ako. Sobrang thankful ako sa kanila dahil doon.

Pagkatapos ng message ko ay nagsimula na akong isayaw ng mga lalaki rito sa loob. We didn't made a list of 18s like the usual, iyon ang request ko. Baka kasi hindi umabot ng 18 kung maglilista pa. Wala rin akong lalaki na friends masiyado. Kung meron man, sila Russel lang naman iyon.