I'M THAT GIRL ; khloé kardashian

CHAPTER TWELVE - NOVEMBER 2024

CHAPTER TWELVE - NOVEMBER 2024

It was the night we'd been planning for months—Adrian's mother, Naira, was turning 70, and there was no way we were going to let this milestone slip by without a celebration that was as vibrant and unforgettable as she was.

I'd been working with Adrian, of course, but also coordinating with the restaurant, picking out the perfect menu, and making sure every detail was covered. Naira deserved nothing less than a party that matched her energy, her charisma, and her zest for life.

I remember the way Adrian's eyes lit up when he talked about her, how he couldn't stop reminiscing about the time she took him on trips to Mexico, teaching him to appreciate good food, great music, and the power of a good laugh.

It was clear that, aside from being a wonderful mother, Naira had influenced Adrian's entire outlook on life. I wanted to make sure she knew how much she was loved—not just by Adrian, but by all of us.

I had to keep it all under wraps, of course. The surprise element was key. I could almost feel the tension in the air as we approached the restaurant—everything had to be perfect. I was both excited and nervous, wanting everything to go off without a hitch.

The team at the restaurant had been fantastic, and I had made sure they had all of Naira's favorite dishes lined up, from the signature crispy duck salad to the roasted Chilean sea bass with Chinese honey, which I knew she adored. Those were the kinds of meals that brought people together—food that made you feel something.

When we walked in, Adrian and I took a moment to take it all in. The venue was intimate and cozy, but with enough space for everyone to mingle comfortably. I'd chosen a blend of candles and soft lighting, which set the perfect atmosphere.

The music? Well, DJ Kirk was on point—he spun a mix of classics and some newer tracks, but there was one rule: Naira's favorites had to be at the forefront. Adrian had given him a list of songs from her youth, and we could already hear the first strains of one of those songs as we entered.

Then, there she was.

Naira had no idea. She was standing near the bar with a group of friends, laughing and chatting, her radiant smile lighting up the room. She looked stunning—elegant, youthful, as if age had barely touched her.

She was sipping a cocktail, something tropical, of course, because she had always loved a good drink—anything with rum, pineapple, or a dash of spice.

I could see the excitement in Adrian's eyes as he nudged me. "She's going to lose it when she sees everyone," he said, his voice full of love and pride.

I remember stepping forward, my heart pounding a little faster as I whispered to Adrian, "Ready?" He nodded, and then we both headed toward the center of the room where we'd cue the surprise.

As planned, Adrian went up to Naira, keeping it casual. "Hey, Mom, can I get you a drink?" he asked, trying to get her away from the group without tipping her off.

The music switched to one of her favorite tunes—something upbeat that I knew would catch her attention. I turned to the rest of the guests, gave them a subtle signal, and everyone fell into place, waiting for the big reveal.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Adrian called out, "Surprise!" The room erupted in applause. Naira froze for a moment, her eyes wide in disbelief. The expression on her face was priceless—her hand instinctively went to her mouth, and I could see her eyes welling up. I don't think anyone could have predicted just how emotional she would get.

"Wait... what?!" Naira gasped, looking around the room as her mind pieced together what was happening. The realization hit her, and she covered her face with her hands, laughing through the tears. "You did all this for me?" she exclaimed, as Adrian walked over to hug her.

The rest of the guests gathered around, showering her with love, and for a few moments, Naira was speechless. I could see the joy and appreciation on her face—it was exactly what we had hoped for. I knew how much she meant to Adrian, but seeing her joy, and hearing her laugh, made me realize how much she meant to all of us.

As the night wore on, it became clear that the surprise was only the beginning of the fun. Naira was in her element—effortlessly moving through the room, greeting old friends and relatives, sharing stories, and, of course, making everyone laugh with her quick wit.

As much as she enjoyed the company and the attention, Naira had always been someone who valued joy over perfection, so the party's casual, carefree vibe suited her perfectly.

Guests munched on the restaurant's signature dishes—crispy duck salad, which was a perfect balance of savory and sweet, with a little bit of crunch that everyone loved, and the roasted Chilean sea bass with Chinese honey, which melted in your mouth. It was the kind of meal that invited conversation, the kind of flavors that made you stop and savor every bite. The food was undeniably part of the experience, but it was the people that made the night unforgettable. The way everyone gathered around the long table, passing plates, sharing bites, and raising glasses to Naira's health and happiness—it was what true celebration was all about.

At some point, the music switched to one of Naira's favorite dance tunes, and the crowd couldn't resist. Naira, ever the life of the party, grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor. I had to laugh—her energy was contagious. It was like we were transported back to some lively, carefree time, with the two of us laughing and twirling to the beat.

Adrian joined us, and soon enough, we were all laughing, dancing, and completely forgetting the time. DJ Kirk kept the hits flowing, the tempo rising, until it felt like the whole restaurant was dancing, united in the spirit of joy and celebration.

Looking around, it felt like the whole evening had come together so perfectly. There was something magical about seeing Naira so happy, so full of life.

As we danced and sang, I realized that this wasn't just a celebration of Naira's 70 years. It was a celebration of love, family, friendship, and the joy of living fully at any age. I felt privileged to witness it all—to be a part of Naira's world, and to share in the happiness she radiated.

By the end of the night, Naira was beaming from ear to ear. She had danced, she had laughed, she had shared stories, and I could tell by the look on her face that she felt the love that everyone had for her.

As we said our goodbyes, Naira wrapped her arms around Adrian and me, holding us tight. "This is the best birthday I've ever had," she said, her voice full of emotion. And just like that, I knew that everything we'd done—the planning, the surprises, the laughter—it had all been worth it.

In the end, what mattered most was that Naira felt celebrated and cherished. As I looked at Adrian, I knew he felt the same. We had pulled off the perfect surprise, but more importantly, we had given Naira a night that matched the incredible life she'd lived.

And in a way, it was a gift to all of us—to be able to see the woman who had shaped Adrian into the person he was, surrounded by love, joy, and music. There's something timeless about moments like this—something unforgettable.