𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐧 ᴊᴏʏʟᴀᴅᴀ / ɢᴇᴍғᴏᴜʀᴛʜ

Ch. 19 ~ Howls and Secrets

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday… happy birthday to you!"

"Ate Ciarra?"

Griffin said, he was surprised as he opened his eyes.

"Happy birthday, bunso!"

she greeted his little brother with a bright smile.

"Thanks, Ate,"

He replied sweetly. Ciarra had just stepped into Griffin’s room. It was already past two in the afternoon, but her younger brother was still curled up under his blanket, Griffin was staring blankly at the ceiling. He hadn’t even thought of getting out of bed. In fact, he had no intention of doing anything at all today. Seeing people was the last thing he wanted.

Since the last time he spoke to Wyatt, everything had changed. They hadn't seen each other or exchanged a single message. Griffin had shut himself in his room most days, trying to avoid everything and everyone.

"Come on, let’s go"

Ciarra said suddenly.

"Go? Where are we going?"

He asked but not moving even an inch.

"To celebrate your birthday"

She said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He turned his head slowly and muttered.

"I don’t feel like going out, Ate. I’m fine here, really. You don’t need to worry"

"But I’m not fine,"

She said firmly.

"So please… just get up, take a shower, and get ready. I’ll wait for you outside. Don’t worry Papa and Daddy aren’t home. They left early for some important stuff"

Griffin didn’t answer right away. He wanted to resist, to crawl back under the covers and stay there all day. But her words struck something inside him.

Honestly, he was still hurt. He was disappointed that his Daddy Dian hadn’t greeted him first thing in the morning like he always did. It had always been their little tradition, his daddy would either call or come into his room with a cake. But today, there was nothing. No hug, no message, not even a knock on the door. He couldn’t help but wonder, did they forget? Or were they just upset after finding out about him and Wyatt? The thought stung more than he cared to admit.

Still, as much as he wanted to stay in bed and sulk, he couldn’t say no to Ciarra. She had always been the one who understood him best. With a quiet sigh, Griffin finally sat up, grabbed his towel, and dragged himself to the bathroom. Outside, Ciarra waited for him patiently. She glanced at her watch it was almost 3 p.m. But as soon as she saw her brother walking out the door, cleaned up and dressed, her face lit up.
It had been a while since she’d seen him like this. And even though his smile wasn’t quite there yet, just having him beside her again made her heart a little lighter.

"Why do I have to wear this, Ate?"

Griffin asked while eyeing himself with confusion. He was dressed in a crisp white suit paired with sleek trousers, the outfit neatly laid out for him by Ciarra earlier. It wasn’t something he would usually wear, especially not on a day he hadn’t even wanted to leave the bed. Beside him, Ciarra looked stunning in a white dress that hugged her figure just right elegant, simple, and graceful.

"Because......"

She replied with a playful grin, fixing the crease on his brother's sleeve.

"You’re my date today. And I want us to match."